Colorado Ski Lift Tickets Top $100

Skiers in the nation's No. 1 ski state better hope Santa Claus comes down the chimney with lift tickets. Vail and its sister resort Breckenridge has raised its lift tickets to above $100.

Aspen isn't far behind. It stuck to a promise not to top the century mark this season by setting the price for a ticket bought at the window during high season at $99.

Of course, like the airline industry, the vast majority of passengers don't buy a ticket on the spot at the window. They buy in advance, including on the Internet to get major savings.

Vail offers such savings also. But if you buy a ticket at the window with no savings card it will cost $102 from Dec. 17 through Christmas Day. The price goes up to $108 from Dec. 26-31. Breckenridge's premier season price will be $102.

And if you are looking for a place to stay. Ringo Starr's Aspen-area home is on sale for $4.5 million. Perhaps those tax breaks for the rich will mean more potential buyers.

People who can afford such a home won't have to deal with the often snowbound Interstate 70 that connects Denver to ski areas. They can fly to airports near Aspen or Vail that require traversing over any mountain passes.