PARK CITY, Utah ??” In less than a month, American Skiing Company (OTC: AESK) resorts across the country will fire up their snowmaking systems in preparation for the 2005-06 ski and snowboard season by utilizing more than 550 low energy snowguns that consume up to 75 percent less energy than standard snowmaking equipment.

“We are making a conscious effort to increase our energy efficiency, especially our snowmaking operations, which is very energy intense,” said Chip Carey, senior vice-president of sales and marketing for ASC.

While the volatile energy markets affect every consumer, American Skiing Company resorts mitigate some of the effects by following continued energy-efficiency improvements and pre-purchasing a significant portion of our energy needs, including diesel, propane and heating oil. “We continue to monitor future energy prices and take additional steps toward conserving energy and controlling our fuel costs, while increasing the level of service and snowmaking quality our guests expect at our world-class resorts,” Carey added.

Early season snowmaking (Photo: American Skiing Company

Meanwhile, consumers are encouraged to save money by pre-purchasing their season passes at all six of ASC’s eastern resorts with the All For One Pass. “We are able to pass the benefits of controlling our costs onto our guests through the All For One Pass,” Carey said. “While the consumer price index for the Northeast region increased roughly seven percent from August of 2003 to August of 2005, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the season pass cost of skiing and snowboarding at ASC’s eastern resorts has decreased by 67 percent since the All For One Pass was introduced last season.”

All For One Pass purchasers receive significant cost savings and added benefits such as retail and lodging discounts and first tracks for skiing and snowboarding at Killington, Pico Mountain and Mount Snow in Vermont, Sunday River and Sugarloaf/USA in Maine and Attitash in New Hampshire.

The popular Bronze All For One Pass is $369 and is valid seven days a week excluding 14 days during holiday periods. The Silver pass is $439 and valid seven days a week excluding 10 holiday days, while the Gold pass for $699 is valid everyday of the season with no black-out days. The flagship Platinum pass provides the most benefits, including weekly first tracks, and costs $899. The Super Senior Pass for $399 provides unlimited skiing everyday of the season for ages 65 and above. All For One Bronze and Silver passes are only available until October 10th, after which time only the Gold and Platinum passes will be available at increased prices.

The only resort multi-pass to include six ski areas, the All For One Pass was created in 2004 in an effort to introduce more people to the sport, lure lapsed skiers and riders back to the slopes, and to increase the visits of existing skiers and riders. “This program remains the best deal in eastern skiing and the beauty of the pass is that it can pay for itself in as little as six days of skiing or snowboarding,” said Carey.

In total, the All For One Pass provides skiing and riding in three states on a combined 676 trails, 4296 acres, and 260 miles serviced by a total of 101 lifts. Additionally, a total of nearly $10 million in capital improvements have taken place this past summer at the Company’s eastern resorts where the season pass is available.