You know it’s spring when you start seeing emails about next year’s season lift passes in your in-box. I’ve received quite a few lately, and I’ve been struck by the many combination deals that are cropping up; you know, the ones where you pay for a pass that’s good at more than one resort. Some of these, like the Epic and Mountain Collective Passes, have been around for a few years. And some, like the MAX pass, are brand new for next season.
These are great for just about everyone. The resorts get money up-front, as well as loyal customers who’ll spend on peripheral items like food, lessons, and equipment. And skiers can realize big savings, too. In an era when the walk-up window rate can be over $100., you could end up paying for your pass in just a few visits.
Some of the best season pass deals are listed here. Many offer extra savings for buying early, so you may have to move fast to get the best price.
BTW, if you know of any other combo deals, please post them in the Comments section below.
In the West:
Rocky Mountain Super Pass+: This gives you access to five Colorado resorts and one in New Zealand. It includes unlimited Access to Winter Park Resort, Copper Mountain & Eldora Alpine Pass, as well as restricted access to Steamboat, Crested Butte, and Mt. Ruapehu. For a bit less, you can get the Rocky Mountain Super Pass, which gives you unlimited access to Winter Park and Copper, and limited access to Mt. Ruapehu, or the Route 40 pass, which gives you unlimited ski/ride days with a Winter Park Resort season pass and 4 days at Steamboat.
Epic Pass: You have four choices here:
The Epic Pass with unlimited access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton, and Arapahoe Basin.
The Epic Local Pass, with unlimited access to Breckenridge, Keystone, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton & Arapahoe Basin, 10 total restricted days at Vail and Beaver Creek, and limited restrictions at Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood.
The Summit Local Pass, unlimited access to Keystone and Arapahoe Basin, and limited restrictions at Breckenridge.
The Tahoe Local Pass, access with limited restrictions to Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood, and limited restrictions to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, and Arapahoe Basin.
Powder Alliance: Buy an anytime season pass to any of 13 areas and receive three free days at all the rest. Powder Alliance Resorts include Angel Fire Resort, Arizona Snow Bowl, Bridger Bowl, China Bowl, Crested Butte, Mountain High, Mount Hood Ski Bowl, Schweitzer, Sierra at Tahoe, SilverStar, Snowbasin, Stevens Pass, Timberline.
Mountain Collective Pass: This covers 16 days total at The Collective destinations. You get two days each at Alta/Snowbird, Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth, Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Sun Valley, and Whistler Blackcomb. You also get 50% off all additional days at The Collective destinations, and special Mountain Collective lodging deals. Even better, no blackout dates.
Ski Utah Silver and Gold Passes: The Ski Utah Silver Pass allows the holder to ski for 30 days at each Utah resort (30 days at Alta, 30 days at Deer Valley, 30 days at Sundance, etc.). The Ski Utah Gold Pass offers 50 days of skiing at each Utah resort; however, the pass is also fully transferable pass so your friends and family can enjoy your same privileges on the days you’re not using the pass.
The Gold Tahoe Super Pass: Worried about buying a season pass and not using it? Here’s one with a worry-free guarantee. The Gold Tahoe Super Pass gives credits for unused days that can be put towards the following season. Skiers get unlimited access to Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, plus four additional days at both Sierra-at-Tahoe and Sugar Bowl, as well as 50% off lift tickets at the eight resorts that are part of the Mountain Collective, including Jackson Hole, Alta-Snowbird, and Sun Valley. But if you’re unable to ski at least four days during the upcoming season for any reason (not just poor conditions), you get a $100 credit for each unused day. So if you don’t ski at all, their 2016/17 pass would be discounted by $400.
Cali4nia Pass: One pass covers Mammoth, Bear, June, and Snow Summit. There’s a host of benefits when you buy early, including 5 exclusive Early Up events at Mammoth, 5 Bring-A-Friend tickets, 10% off rentals, 10% off retail when you spend more than $100., and up to 20% off lodging at Mammoth Lodging Collection properties.
In the East:
Ski Roundtop/Liberty Mountain/Whitetail Pass: Includes unlimited access to Ski Roundtop, Liberty Mountain, Whitetail Resorts. You also get preferred parking at Roundtop on weekends and holidays until 5PM, 50% off regular class lessons, two snow tubing tickets valid Monday through Thursday non-holiday, one free First Class Learn to Ski or Board Package for a friend, special hotel rates at the Liberty Hotel, and a 15% discount in the sports shops.
White Mountain Superpass: Valid every day of the 2015/16 winter season at Bretton Woods, Cannon, Cranmore and Waterville Valley.
New England Pass: Includes Sunday River, Loon, and Sugarloaf. You also get lodging deals, retail savings, and free or discounted lift ticket at Boyne Resorts’ western mountains including Brighton, UT and Big Sky, MT.
Four.0 College Pass: This is for the full-time college student who wants unrestricted access to Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Killington and Pico at a price that fits a student’s budget. Includes resort-specific benefits.
East & West, Combined
The MAX Pass: Brand new for the ’15/’16 sesason, the MAX pass covers 22 mountains throughout North America, with five days at each mountain (110 days total!). In the west, this includes Steamboat, Mount Bachelor, Big Sky, Winter Park, Copper, Crystal, Brighton, Boreal, Cypress, Las Vegas, and The Summit. In the east, Killington, Pico, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Stratton, Tremblant, Blue Mountain, Snowshoe, Boyne, Loon, and Boyne Highlands.
