Which Season Pass is Right for You?
With many major ski resorts now being owned by only a few companies, the season pass landscape is changing, and fast. It can be overwhelming trying to decide what is best for you and your family and we hope this breakdown helps with your ski pass decisions.
Alterra Mountain Company
This newly formed company owns 12 resorts including Steamboat, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows and Deer Valley to name a few. They honor each resort’s unique character and authenticity and are providing ample capital improvements at most of their destinations.
Ikon Pass: Get’s you access to 27 destinations! For $999 you get unlimited access at 12 resorts which include some partner resorts they don’t own such as Copper Mountain. You also get limited days with no blackout dates at resorts like Deer Valley, Jackson Hole and Big Sky Resort. This is a great pass option if you plan on skiing a ton this winter at multiple resorts in their portfolio and over busy periods that might be blacked out on a base pass.
Ikon Base Pass: Also get’s you access to 27 destinations! For $699 this pass is the best value with limited restrictions and blackout dates. This is the ideal pass for skiers and riders with more flexibility in their travel schedule as peak times of the year are blacked out.
Both of these pass options from Alterra have Teen, Child and 4 and Under passes as well to help you save money.
Vail Resorts:
Everyone who skis has heard of Vail Resorts. They own some of the most iconic ski destinations in North America and are the largest ski resort management company in the world. They recently acquired Crested Butte, Okemo, Mount Sunapee and Stevens Pass bringing the total number of resorts in their family to 19.
Epic Pass: Similar to the Ikon pass, the Epic Pass get’s you unlimited access to all the resorts owned and operated by Vail plus bonus days at partner resorts like Telluride, Kicking Horse and Fernie Alpine Resort. The cost of this pass is $899. If you plan on skiing in multiple destinations during whatever time of year you would like, then this is a great pass option for you. Deciding between this and the Ikon Pass is solely based on which resorts you enjoy the most or are planning on visiting this winter as both options are amazing for skiers and riders.
Epic Local: A much cheaper option at only $669, this is a great pass based on where and when you plan on skiing. This pass get’s you unlimited access to Breckenridge, Okemo, Keystone, Stevens Pass plus a few more. You get limited access to the signature resorts of Park City, Northstar, Stowe, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Vail, Whistler and Beaver Creek. Some of these restrictions are simple blackout dates and some have a 10 day limit for usage. This is the pass we give most our Team Members at Ski Butlers and they love it!
Both of these pass options have a Child price as well.
Mountain Collective:
If you only need 1 – 2 days per resort, are looking to save money and want to travel to some of the best ski resorts in North America, then this is the pass for you. The pass price has not come out yet, but it typically runs between $379-$429 making it by far the cheapest option. Some of the top resorts on this pass are Alta, Aspen, Big Sky, Jackson Hole, Squaw Valley and Sun Valley plus many more.
And of course you can continue to purchase daily lift tickets or resort specific season passes (not all, but most resorts) if none of the above ski pass options work within your budget or travel schedule.
Alterra Mountain Company
This newly formed company owns 12 resorts including Steamboat, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows and Deer Valley to name a few. They honor each resort’s unique character and authenticity and are providing ample capital improvements at most of their destinations.
Ikon Pass: Get’s you access to 27 destinations! For $999 you get unlimited access at 12 resorts which include some partner resorts they don’t own such as Copper Mountain. You also get limited days with no blackout dates at resorts like Deer Valley, Jackson Hole and Big Sky Resort. This is a great pass option if you plan on skiing a ton this winter at multiple resorts in their portfolio and over busy periods that might be blacked out on a base pass.
Ikon Base Pass: Also get’s you access to 27 destinations! For $699 this pass is the best value with limited restrictions and blackout dates. This is the ideal pass for skiers and riders with more flexibility in their travel schedule as peak times of the year are blacked out.
Both of these pass options from Alterra have Teen, Child and 4 and Under passes as well to help you save money.
Vail Resorts:
Everyone who skis has heard of Vail Resorts. They own some of the most iconic ski destinations in North America and are the largest ski resort management company in the world. They recently acquired Crested Butte, Okemo, Mount Sunapee and Stevens Pass bringing the total number of resorts in their family to 19.
Epic Pass: Similar to the Ikon pass, the Epic Pass get’s you unlimited access to all the resorts owned and operated by Vail plus bonus days at partner resorts like Telluride, Kicking Horse and Fernie Alpine Resort. The cost of this pass is $899. If you plan on skiing in multiple destinations during whatever time of year you would like, then this is a great pass option for you. Deciding between this and the Ikon Pass is solely based on which resorts you enjoy the most or are planning on visiting this winter as both options are amazing for skiers and riders.
Epic Local: A much cheaper option at only $669, this is a great pass based on where and when you plan on skiing. This pass get’s you unlimited access to Breckenridge, Okemo, Keystone, Stevens Pass plus a few more. You get limited access to the signature resorts of Park City, Northstar, Stowe, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Vail, Whistler and Beaver Creek. Some of these restrictions are simple blackout dates and some have a 10 day limit for usage. This is the pass we give most our Team Members at Ski Butlers and they love it!
Both of these pass options have a Child price as well.
Mountain Collective:
If you only need 1 – 2 days per resort, are looking to save money and want to travel to some of the best ski resorts in North America, then this is the pass for you. The pass price has not come out yet, but it typically runs between $379-$429 making it by far the cheapest option. Some of the top resorts on this pass are Alta, Aspen, Big Sky, Jackson Hole, Squaw Valley and Sun Valley plus many more.
And of course you can continue to purchase daily lift tickets or resort specific season passes (not all, but most resorts) if none of the above ski pass options work within your budget or travel schedule.
