General manager Sam Lee said the resort would not offer 2009 season passes because of the impact the "current world economic situation", was having on the Pisa Range operation.
Season-pass sales had decreased in the past two years and the decision to restructure the family-run operation had been made in consideration of a "very tough time" ahead.
"This is a temporary measure to ensure [Snow] Park remains financially viable and can continue to operate through this very tough time."
The resort will offer day passes this year; the Snow Park website is advertising peak-season adult passes for $75. An early-bird season pass was previously advertised for $699.
The global economic recession had affected the Lee family's business and the move to drop season passes had been made to "ensure our 84 years of history in the Cardrona Valley is preserved", Mr Lee said.
The Lee family continue to search for an investor to help realise their $16 million dream of building New Zealand's first skifield gondola.
The Lees got resource consent for the 3.8km-long gondola last year, to access the Snow Park, the Nordic skiing facility Snow Farm, and a planned third ski area provisionally called the Roaring Meg Resort.
"These are difficult times. We are optimistic about the future but must be realistic about the present," Mr Lee said.
