There are only 400 of these things made every year. Can you guess what the minimum contribution has to be to even get considered for a Gold Pass?
10 Grand.
Yup, that’s right, a minimum of $10,000 bucks. It doesn’t get much more prestigious than that.
What do you get if you do get a Gold Pass? We’re told you get unlimited access to ski resorts, and of course an invitation or two (or a hundred) to swanky parties and special events. Apparently the funds raised from a gold pass are crucial to ski athlete development in the U.S. The funds offset costs associated with elite training, education and travel.
Photo Credit: newschoolers Jen Hudak Soaring
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) has created a partnership with Tiffany & Co, the famous jeweler, to put out the Gold Pass. Olympic champion Donna Weinbrecht, and Olympic medalists Lindsey Jacobellis and Andrew Weibrecht, as well as five-time X Games medalist Jen Hudak were all on hand to help kick off a recent press event in NYC to celebrate and announce the partnership…and of course to get some donors to throw down for a few Gold Passes.
USSA’s VP Trace Worthington shared, “Our athletes and organization rely on the dedicated support of donors, especially those who contribute at the Gold Pass level and above.” “We are grateful for their generosity and hope to provide an equally rewarding experience in return. We know that a Tiffany produced Gold Pass is a great start.”
Photo Credit: skiing.teamusa.org Olympian Donna Weinbrecht Getting Rad
We’re all wondering what “level” is above the Gold Status? Platinum? Maybe that’s 100k and you get whatever mountain you plan to ski at for an hour or two before the public, even on a powder day? Now that, would be worth something.
If you’d like more information on how to donate to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Foundation, including more specific information about the Gold Pass, click here.
The bad thing about working hard and making a lot of money is you’re too old to really enjoy it. The only guys with $10K to spend on lift tickets don’t have the time to travel the country in an RV and ski their asses off like a 20 year old would.
Yes, and all black people are thieves, all blonde chicks are dumb and all snow boarders live on Doritos and Mountain Dew. There are MANY men and women that make LOTS of money and ski very well that ski 100+ days per year. They are probably not as good as you though, cuz Ur the best and most raddest 20 year old on the mountain…I know a gold pass holder that’s a female, 45 years old and skis 75-80 days at Squaw.
You had me ’til the “skis 75-80 days at Squaw” part. What the f— does she need a gold pass for when she skis the same mountain everyday. Next time you see her, punch her in the ovaries.
I didn’t explain well. She also skied Colorado, Whistler, Jackson, and Europe.
Probably had 120 days total. 75-80 just at Squaw. btw, she’s a former waiteress at Squaw not a silverspoon girl.
Lift squared
well i just paid $1000 to be able to ski 9 resorts for the season….10,000 doesn’t seem that bad!!
what it doesn’t say is that it doesn’t have a name on it (or it used to not). you could lend it to your friend to use any day. so cool.
The pass does have your (name, family, or business) it but the pass is fully transferable to anyone, please let me borrow your Gold Pass for a week, month, or season. The US ski team does ask if you were given the pass to use please make a donation. Only downsides would be it only works in the U.S. It’s not direct to lift at some resorts you have to go to “Special Tickets”. Even the resorts that are direct lift are problems because most lift ops. have never seen one and thinks the pass holder is full of s*#%. You only get 50 days at each resort so on the 51st pow day at Squaw your paying rack rate. Best part of the pass is that if you can afford $10,000 for the pass chances are you make enough to right off the tax deductible $8,000 leaving you with a pass to every resort in the U.S. for $2,000.
I have seen and held some of these at squaw they are basically like a medallion with a code on the back of them.
i’ll put it on my black card