Quirky Perks: Badger Pass Season Pass

The Yosemite play place has a few new extras for longtime fans.

IT'S A FROSTY FACT... that ski destinations like to treat their regulars -- aka the season pass holders -- really well. What the pass offers will vary from snowy spot to snowy spot, but usual bullet points include lift discounts, multi-day skiing for a lower price, lodging deals, meal 2-for-1s, and first-in-line offers for busy holidays. But every so often a destination'll throw a little something fun into the season pass holder's gloved hands, and Badger Pass Ski Area in Yosemite National Park is doing just that.

FREE UNHEATED TENT STAY: If you ski or know Badger Pass, you're likely familar with much of the park and the valley, and Curry Village, of course. You know the iconic tents, then, and you know that there is no heat, and, yep, you've likely even heard about the cold weather deal of paying the low temperature of the previous night as your overnight stay fee. Badger Pass is in on the Curry loop, too, but here's the deal for pass holders: Stay in one of the unheated tents for free. Yeah, completely gratis lodging is pretty darn unusual in the season pass world, and, true, you'll need a high-insulation sleeping bag and a hearty sense of adventure. There are some asterisks, like you have to be an adult, natch, but check this out: "Reservations are limited to stays of seven (7) consecutive days." That's a whole lot of free going on, yep.

IF YOU JUST CAN'T DO IT...  what with the chilly overnight temps, you can nab ten percent off at a Yosemite hotel. Food discounts, activity discounts, bring-a-friend, deals, and "unlimited skiing and snowboarding" round out a lot of what the pass offers. And figure that if you do try an unheated tent in Curry Village, for free, you'll have plenty to discuss on the slopes the next day, because your pals'll ask about the experience.

Badger Pass Ski Area opening date? That's Friday, Dec. 13.

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us