From Ski Magazine. Do you know of any others?
In the not-so-wide world of the multi-resort season pass, most skiers think there are two major options—Epic and Ikon—plus a few more second-tier products, such as the Indy Pass, Mountain Collective, and Power Pass, that could fit the bill based on where you live, the terrain you like to ski, and your price point.
What most of the general skiing public doesn’t know about are the myriad resort season passes that offer reciprocal skiing benefits at partner resorts spread all across the continent, and in some cases, around the world. While they’re not direct competitors to the Epic or Ikon passes, reciprocal passes could appeal to a large group of skiers—including some Epic, Ikon, Indy, etc. users—as complementary products that are affordable and serve up additional ski days at a low cost to smaller resorts that might not be on their radars, as well as some flashier destination resorts that might surprise you.
We poked around to see what’s new this season in the reciprocal pass world, and collected seven legit options that offer ski days at some great partner slopes for a reasonably low cost.
7 Season Passes Not Named Ikon or Epic To Consider This Season
What's a reciprocal pass, and is it an option for you? Find out here.
Samantha Berman Aug 8, 2024In the not-so-wide world of the multi-resort season pass, most skiers think there are two major options—Epic and Ikon—plus a few more second-tier products, such as the Indy Pass, Mountain Collective, and Power Pass, that could fit the bill based on where you live, the terrain you like to ski, and your price point.
What most of the general skiing public doesn’t know about are the myriad resort season passes that offer reciprocal skiing benefits at partner resorts spread all across the continent, and in some cases, around the world. While they’re not direct competitors to the Epic or Ikon passes, reciprocal passes could appeal to a large group of skiers—including some Epic, Ikon, Indy, etc. users—as complementary products that are affordable and serve up additional ski days at a low cost to smaller resorts that might not be on their radars, as well as some flashier destination resorts that might surprise you.
We poked around to see what’s new this season in the reciprocal pass world, and collected seven legit options that offer ski days at some great partner slopes for a reasonably low cost.
7 Inexpensive Reciprocal Season Passes To Put on Your Radar
Loveland Ski Area, Colo.
Easy to get to from the Denver area—you don’t even need to go through the dreaded Eisenhower tunnel—and home to almost 2,000 acres of terrain, Loveland has a great local vibe, is a good value, and, when conditions warrant, runs a free snowcat up on its Ridge terrain along the Continental Divide. In addition to unlimited skiing with no blackouts, Loveland season pass holders can ski three days, some with blackouts, at:- Purgatory Resort, Colo.
- Sunlight Mountain, Colo.
- Powderhorn Mountain Resort, Colo.
- Monarch Mountain, Colo.
- Granby Ranch, Colo.
- Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Idaho
- Whitefish Mountain Resort, Mont.
- Red Lodge, Mont.
- Ski Cooper, Colo.
- Brian Head Resort, Utah
- Nordic Valley Resort, Utah
- Willamette Pass, Wash.
- Grand Targhee Resort, Wyo. (with lodging purchase)
- Sipapu and Pajarito Mountain, N.M.
- Arizona Snowbowl, Ariz.
- Hesperus, Colo.
Cherry Peak Resort, Utah
Utah’s newest ski area is a small, family-oriented spot with four lifts and almost 50 percent intermediate terrain. With its very reasonable season pass ($299 at press time) pass holders get unlimited access to Cherry Peak, plus three days at the following resorts:- Grand Targhee, Wyo.
- Diamond Peak Resort, Calif.
- Soldier Mountain Resort, Idaho
- Eagle Point, Utah
- Snow King, Wyo.
- Mt. Baldy Resort, Calif.
- Ski Cooper, Colo.
- Bogus Basin, Idaho
- Sunlight Mountain Resort, Colo.
- Hogadon Basin Ski Area, Wyo.
Silverton Mountain, Colo.
With one chairlift and no traditional cut ski runs, Silverton Mountain operates differently than most ski areas. Guests buy guided heli days or single runs at this extreme-terrain mecca, but in the spring, the mountain opens to unguided skiing. That’s when skiers can buy a Spring Unguided Premium Pass that’s good between March 13 and April 13, 2025, and gets you unlimited unguided skiing from Wednesdays through Sundays, plus the opportunity to add on up to two guided heli runs for $99 apiece and two days each at the following partner resorts, with some blackouts:- Taos Ski Valley, N.M.
- Arapahoe Basin, Colo.
- Monarch Mountain, Colo.
- Loveland Ski Area, Colo.
- Powderhorn Mountain, Colo.
- Eaglecrest Ski Area, Alaska (3 days)
- Red Lodge Mountain, Mont.
- Red River Ski Area, N.M.
- Mt. Shasta, Calif.
Mt. Bohemia, Mich.
Small but mighty Bohemia has some of the most extreme terrain in the Midwest, offering an ungroomed, backcountry-like experience that’s not for the untested. The ski area’s incredibly cheap season pass, going for just $109 at press time, including between one and three lift tickets at 23 other resorts last season (they’re still finalizing this year’s partner list). For reference, here are some of the ski areas that were included in the 2024-’25:- Bogus Basin, Idaho
- Caberfae Peaks, Mich.
- Crystal Mountain, Mich.
- Plattekill Ski Area, N.Y.
- Brundage Mountain, Idaho
- Eaglecrest Ski Area, Alaska
- Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, Wash.
- Great Divide, Mont.
- Hurricane Ridge, Wash.
Monarch Mountain, Colo.
Located far enough of Colorado’s well-beaten path of I-70, Monarch gets all of the powder—350 average annual inches—and none of the crowds. The resort’s 800 skiable acres include the expert terrain in Mirkwood Basin, and a proposed expansion into No Name Basin will add an additional 377 acres plus a chairlift and warming hut if approved by the U.S. Forest Service. The ski area’s season pass is sitting at $609 until Sept. 11, 2024 ($589 for renewals), and that includes unlimited skiing at Monarch, free parking, and bonus days at the following ski areas for the 2024-’25 ski season, some with blackout dates:- Angel Fire Resort, N.M.
- Arapahoe Basin, Colo.
- Arizona Snowbowl, Ariz.
- Brian Head, Utah
- Copper Mountain, Colo.
- Diamond Peak, Nev.
- Eaglecrest Ski Area, Alaska
- Lee Canyon, Nev.
- Loveland Ski Area, Colo.
- Nordic Valley, Utah
- Pajarito, N.M.
- Powderhorn, Colo.
- Purgatory Mountain, Colo.
- Red River Ski Area, N.M.
- Sandia Peak, N.M.
- Silverton Mountai, Colo. (one free unguided day during the designated unguided season)
- Ski Cooper, Colo.
- Snow King, Wyo.
- Sunlight Mountain, Colo.
- Willamette Pass, Ore.
Diamond Peak, Nev.
One of Tahoe’s North Shore gems, 655-acre Diamond Peak is known for its excellent glades and expansive lake views. One of the lesser-traveled ski areas in the region, Diamond Peak serves up good terrain variety plus easy, free parking and a low-key, welcoming vibe. The season pass is only $560 through Oct. 31, 2024, and include 33 days of partner-resort access—three days at each—to the following ski areas for the 2024-’25 season.- Beech Mountain, N.C.
- Bogus Basin, Idaho
- Ski Cooper, Colo.
- Eaglecrest Ski Area, Alaska
- Loveland Ski Area, Colo.
- Monarch Mountain, Colo.
- Mt. Shasta, Calif.
- Plattekill Mountain, N.Y.
- Red River Ski Area, N.M.
- Tahoe Donner, Calif.
- Wachusett Mountain, Mass.
Great Divide, Mont.
The closest skiing to the state capital of Helena, Great Divide is a small, family-friendly spot with surprisingly good intermediate terrain—47 percent, to be exact—making it not only a great place to learn to ski, but an even better mountain to level up on the short but well-pitched slopes. Their unlimited season pass for $575 gets you three days each at these mountain destinations:- Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, Wash.
- Snow King, Wyo.
- Mount Bohemia, Mich.
- Ski Cooper, Colo.
- Bogus Basin, Idaho
