The short answer:
| Pass | Adult price | Resorts we rank | Avg. True Snow | Climate resilience | El Niño winters | Best-ranked resorts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epic Pass | $1,169Epic Pass, adult. Epic Local $869. | 27 | 246" | 53 | -3% | Telluride, Vail, Whistler |
| Ikon Pass | $1,529Ikon Pass, adult. Ikon Base $1,099. | 56 | 268" | 56 | -3% | Jackson Hole, Snowbird, Alta |
| Mountain Collective | $729Adult. Teen $594, child $304. | 24 | 274" | 69 | -4% | Jackson Hole, Snowbird, Alta |
| Indy Pass | Sold outWas $419 (Base) / $469 (Indy+), adult. | 64 | 234" | 49 | -4% | Loveland, Mt Hood Meadows, Tamarack |
| Power Pass | $849+Adult, by age (early-bird was $749). Kids 12 and under free. | 7 | 232" | 54 | +16% | Brian Head, Purgatory, Willamette |
| Powder Alliance | FreeComes with a top-tier season pass at a member resort. | 17 | 298" | 48 | -3% | Loveland, Timberline, Sierra-At-Tahoe |
Prices are adult, as of October 10, and can rise again before sales close. "Resorts we rank" counts the North American resorts on our rankings where the pass gives real access (not just discount days). True Snow is our own measure of average annual snowfall. Climate resilience is the average Winter Resilience Score (higher holds up better as winters warm), and El Niño winters is the average change in snowfall in El Niño winters (see why).
NOAA's latest readings point to a strong El Niño this winter, which has historically favored the Southwest and shortchanged the northern Rockies. That makes this an unusual year for pass math. The Power Pass's mountains in Arizona, New Mexico and southern Utah and Colorado have averaged +16% snowfall in El Niño winters. Epic and Ikon resorts have averaged -3% and -3%, because so many of them sit in the northern Rockies, the Pacific Northwest and Canada, where El Niño winters tend to run drier. For Epic and Ikon skiers, the El Niño bet is to aim trips south: Taos (Ikon), Arizona Snowbowl and Purgatory (Power), Telluride (Epic) and Wolf Creek. Every resort's record is on our El Niño page.
$1,169 Epic Pass, adult. Epic Local $869. On sale until early December. Official site
New this year: 20% off the Epic Pass and Epic Local for ages 13-30. The launch price rose 3.6%, the smallest increase in years.
| Epic Pass | $1,169 adult (31+); $929 ages 13-30; $599 child |
|---|---|
| Epic Local | $869 adult; $689 ages 13-30; $455 child |
| Epic Day Pass | 1 to 7 days, roughly $46-$97 a day |
Where it works: Unlimited at all 37 Vail-owned resorts in North America (Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, Whistler Blackcomb, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stevens Pass, Stowe, Okemo, Mount Snow, Hunter and Vail's Northeast and Midwest hills), plus 7 days at Telluride and 7 days combined at the six Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (Fernie, Kicking Horse, Kimberley, Nakiska, Mont-Sainte-Anne, Stoneham).
The fine print: Epic Local is holiday-restricted at Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Stowe, with 10 days combined at Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler (peak dates Nov. 27-28, Dec. 26-31, Jan. 16 and Feb. 13-14 blacked out). Telluride is full Epic Pass only and needs the physical pass card.
Perks: Five Epic Friend Tickets (50% off) for fall buyers, 20% off food, lodging, lessons and rentals with Epic Mountain Rewards, and Epic Coverage refund protection included.
Best for: Skiers who live near or travel to Vail-owned mountains (Colorado's I-70 corridor, Park City, Tahoe, Whistler, Vermont) and will ski more than about seven days.
| Resort | Access | True Snow | PAF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telluride CO | 7 days | 276" | 95.6 |
| Vail CO | unlimited | 354" | 90.8 |
| Whistler BC | unlimited | 419" | 88.5 |
| Park City UT | unlimited | 288" | 86.1 |
| Beaver Creek CO | unlimited | 325" | 84.9 |
| Breckenridge CO | unlimited | 282" | 81.7 |
| Kirkwood CA | unlimited | 459" | 80.3 |
| Crested Butte CO | unlimited | 253" | 79.5 |
| Fernie BC | 7 days (combined RCR) | 376" | 78.8 |
| Stevens Pass WA | unlimited | 474" | 76.7 |
| Keystone CO | unlimited | 235" | 76.0 |
| Northstar CA | unlimited | 316" | 73.8 |
| Heavenly CA | unlimited | 321" | 73.3 |
| Kicking Horse BC | 7 days (combined RCR) | 253" | 70.2 |
| Stowe VT | unlimited | 305" | 67.7 |
| Nakiska AB | 7 days (combined RCR) | 99" | 49.1 |
| Okemo VT | unlimited | 167" | 49.1 |
| Stoneham QC | 7 days (combined RCR) | 165" | 48.8 |
| Wildcat Mountain NH | unlimited | 225" | 47.4 |
| Kimberley BC | 7 days (combined RCR) | 150" | 46.9 |
| Hunter Mountain NY | unlimited | 125" | 46.5 |
| Mont-Sainte-Anne QC | 7 days (combined RCR) | 184" | 45.1 |
| Attitash NH | unlimited | 155" | 42.0 |
| Mount Snow VT | unlimited | 167" | 41.9 |
| Mount Sunapee NH | unlimited | 100" | 35.6 |
| Seven Springs PA | unlimited | 105" | 31.5 |
| Afton Alps MN | unlimited | 55" | 29.3 |
$1,529 Ikon Pass, adult. Ikon Base $1,099. On sale until early December. Official site
New this year: Granite Peak, Lutsen and Snowriver in the Midwest, Snowmass back on the Base Pass, and Arapahoe Basin unlimited on Base. Windham left, the first resort ever to drop Ikon. The Base Plus pass is gone, and the launch price rose 5%.
| Ikon Pass | $1,529 adult (23+); $1,129 ages 13-22; $499 child |
|---|---|
| Ikon Base Pass | $1,099 adult; $799 ages 13-22; $399 child |
| Ikon Session Pass | 2, 3 or 4 days, from $369 |
Where it works: Unlimited at 18 resorts, including Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth, Steamboat, Winter Park, Copper, Arapahoe Basin, Solitude, Crystal Mountain and Schweitzer, plus up to 7 days at about 30 more: Jackson Hole, Aspen Snowmass, Big Sky, Alta and Snowbird (7 days combined), Deer Valley, Sun Valley, Snowbasin, Taos, Revelstoke, Killington, Mt. Bachelor, Alyeska and others.
The fine print: The Base Pass gets 5 days at most partners, skips Jackson Hole, Deer Valley, Snowbasin, Sun Valley and Alta entirely (Snowbird 5 days; Aspen is Snowmass only), and is blacked out Dec. 26-30, Jan. 16-17 and Feb. 13-14. Reservations are required at Jackson Hole, Deer Valley and Loon.
Perks: Friends and family tickets at 25% off, monthly First Tracks mornings, and an optional paid refund add-on (it replaced the free Adventure Assurance).
Best for: Skiers who want the destination heavyweights (Jackson Hole, Aspen, Alta/Snowbird, Big Sky) and the biggest spread of resorts, especially in California, Utah and Canada.
| Resort | Access | True Snow | PAF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Hole WY | 7 days | 368" | 99.0 |
| Snowbird UT | 7 days (combined Alta/Snowbird) | 497" | 94.2 |
| Alta UT | 7 days (combined Alta/Snowbird) | 517" | 93.5 |
| Snowmass CO | 7 days (combined Aspen Snowmass) | 295" | 88.9 |
| Steamboat CO | unlimited | 368" | 88.3 |
| Big Sky MT | 7 days | 286" | 86.9 |
| Winter Park CO | unlimited | 347" | 85.4 |
| Revelstoke BC | 7 days | 367" | 85.0 |
| Mammoth CA | unlimited | 354" | 84.5 |
| Solitude UT | unlimited | 437" | 84.0 |
| Aspen Highlands CO | 7 days (combined Aspen Snowmass) | 252" | 83.8 |
| Aspen Mountain CO | 7 days (combined Aspen Snowmass) | 250" | 83.0 |
| Brighton UT | 7 days | 504" | 82.2 |
| Deer Valley UT | 7 days | 275" | 81.5 |
| Palisades Tahoe CA | unlimited | 369" | 81.5 |
| Alyeska AK | 7 days | 488" | 80.3 |
| Taos NM | 7 days | 254" | 79.9 |
| A-Basin CO | unlimited | 314" | 78.7 |
| Copper CO | unlimited | 278" | 78.1 |
| Crystal Mountain WA | unlimited | 413" | 77.2 |
| Alpine Meadows CA | unlimited | 363" | 75.0 |
| Red Mountain BC | 7 days | 274" | 74.4 |
| Snowbasin UT | 7 days | 316" | 74.3 |
| Mt Bachelor OR | 7 days | 383" | 73.3 |
| Sunshine Village AB | 7 days (combined SkiBig3) | 258" | 72.0 |
| Sun Valley ID | 7 days | 196" | 71.7 |
| Buttermilk CO | 7 days (combined Aspen Snowmass) | 200" | 69.0 |
| Snoqualmie WA | 7 days | 387" | 67.9 |
| Sierra-At-Tahoe CA | 7 days | 389" | 67.5 |
| Schweitzer ID | unlimited | 284" | 66.7 |
| Lake Louise AB | 7 days (combined SkiBig3) | 171" | 66.4 |
| Panorama BC | 7 days | 188" | 63.5 |
| Cypress Mountain BC | 7 days | 350" | 61.9 |
| Killington VT | 7 days (combined Killington-Pico) | 240" | 61.4 |
| Sugarbush VT | unlimited | 267" | 61.3 |
| Eldora CO | unlimited | 225" | 60.0 |
| Silver Star BC | 7 days | 223" | 59.7 |
| Sun Peaks BC | 7 days | 207" | 58.2 |
| June Mountain CA | unlimited | 268" | 55.1 |
| Mont Tremblant QC | unlimited | 156" | 53.6 |
| Sugarloaf ME | 7 days | 173" | 53.2 |
| Sunday River ME | 7 days | 150" | 52.6 |
| Le Massif QC | 7 days | 232" | 50.8 |
| Pico Mountain VT | 7 days (combined Killington-Pico) | 250" | 50.5 |
| Blue Mountain ON | unlimited | 110" | 49.1 |
| Bear Mountain CA | unlimited | 83" | 49.0 |
| Snow Summit CA | unlimited | 83" | 48.3 |
| Indianhead MI | 7 days | 210" | 46.9 |
| Stratton VT | unlimited | 189" | 46.6 |
| Loon Mountain NH | 7 days | 171" | 43.2 |
| Boyne Highlands MI | 7 days | 140" | 39.3 |
| Snowshoe Mountain WV | unlimited | 156" | 39.1 |
| Lutsen Mountains MN | 7 days | 114" | 36.9 |
| Snow Valley CA | unlimited | 146" | 35.1 |
| Granite Peak WI | 7 days | 75" | 33.1 |
| Boyne Mountain MI | 7 days | 140" | 32.8 |
$729 Adult. Teen $594, child $304. Price rises later this fall; on sale until mid-December. Official site
New this year: Whiteface. Arapahoe Basin left after Alterra bought it.
| Mountain Collective | $729 adult; $594 teen; $304 child |
|---|
Where it works: 2 days at each of 27 resorts (21 in North America: Alta, Aspen Snowmass, Big Sky, Grand Targhee, Jackson Hole, Snowbasin, Snowbird, Sugar Bowl, Sugarloaf, Sun Valley, Sunday River, Taos, Whiteface, Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, Marmot Basin, Panorama, Revelstoke, Sun Peaks, Le Massif, Bromont), then 50% off extra days. No blackout dates.
The fine print: Some resorts ask for reservations. Two days per resort goes fast if you take one long trip.
Perks: 25% off lift tickets for friends and family, and bonus days for referrals.
Best for: Skiers taking two to four destination trips a year who don't need a home mountain. It overlaps heavily with Ikon's top partners at half the price.
| Resort | Access | True Snow | PAF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Hole WY | 2 days | 368" | 99.0 |
| Snowbird UT | 2 days | 497" | 94.2 |
| Alta UT | 2 days | 517" | 93.5 |
| Snowmass CO | 2 days (Aspen Snowmass) | 295" | 88.9 |
| Big Sky MT | 2 days | 286" | 86.9 |
| Revelstoke BC | 2 days | 367" | 85.0 |
| Aspen Highlands CO | 2 days (Aspen Snowmass) | 252" | 83.8 |
| Aspen Mountain CO | 2 days (Aspen Snowmass) | 250" | 83.0 |
| Grand Targhee WY | 2 days | 466" | 82.4 |
| Taos NM | 2 days | 254" | 79.9 |
| Snowbasin UT | 2 days | 316" | 74.3 |
| Sunshine Village AB | 2 days | 258" | 72.0 |
| Sun Valley ID | 2 days | 196" | 71.7 |
| Sugar Bowl CA | 2 days | 453" | 69.5 |
| Buttermilk CO | 2 days (Aspen Snowmass) | 200" | 69.0 |
| Lake Louise AB | 2 days | 171" | 66.4 |
| Panorama BC | 2 days | 188" | 63.5 |
| Sun Peaks BC | 2 days | 207" | 58.2 |
| Marmot Basin AB | 2 days | 160" | 53.9 |
| Sugarloaf ME | 2 days | 173" | 53.2 |
| Sunday River ME | 2 days | 150" | 52.6 |
| Whiteface Mountain NY | 2 days | 185" | 52.0 |
| Le Massif QC | 2 days | 232" | 50.8 |
| Ski Bromont QC | 2 days | 125" | 33.7 |
Sold out Was $419 (Base) / $469 (Indy+), adult. Sold out for 2026-27; waitlist only. Official site
New this year: about 55 resorts and a first-ever sellout. Granite Peak, Lutsen and Snowriver left for Ikon.
| Indy Base | $419 adult, with blackout dates (sold out) |
|---|---|
| Indy+ | $469 adult, no blackouts (sold out) |
Where it works: 2 days at each of 300-plus independent resorts, plus 25% off a third day. Out West that includes Loveland, Sunlight, Powderhorn, Brundage, Tamarack, Red Lodge, Montana Snowbowl, Snow King, 49 Degrees North, Mt. Hood Meadows and Bear Valley; back East, Jay Peak, Smugglers' Notch, Cannon, Waterville Valley and Saddleback.
The fine print: Indy Base has holiday blackouts. The pass sold out in September for the first time.
Perks: The best value in skiing if you like smaller mountains, and a first heli-ski partner this year.
Best for: Road-trippers and families who like independent mountains and want to ski a lot of them for very little money.
| Resort | Access | True Snow | PAF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loveland CO | 2 days | 344" | 77.8 |
| Mt Hood Meadows OR | 2 days | 452" | 73.6 |
| Tamarack ID | 2 days | 275" | 68.2 |
| Jay Peak VT | 2 days | 322" | 67.6 |
| Eaglecrest AK | 2 days | 350" | 66.6 |
| Castle Mountain BC | 2 days | 278" | 66.4 |
| Pomerelle ID | 2 days | 325" | 66.3 |
| Beaver Mountain UT | 2 days | 300" | 66.0 |
| Silver Mountain ID | 2 days | 353" | 65.5 |
| Eagle Point UT | 2 days | 325" | 65.2 |
| Brundage ID | 2 days | 299" | 65.0 |
| Big White BC | 2 days | 282" | 64.7 |
| Lost Trail MT | 2 days | 300" | 64.2 |
| White Pass WA | 2 days | 380" | 64.1 |
| Shames Mountain BC | 2 days | 480" | 63.0 |
| Smugglers Notch VT | 2 days | 322" | 62.5 |
| Mount Washington BC | 2 days | 394" | 61.4 |
| Powderhorn CO | 2 days | 225" | 61.1 |
| Red Lodge MT | 2 days | 200" | 60.3 |
| Bear Valley CA | 2 days | 352" | 60.2 |
| Montana Snowbowl MT | 2 days | 250" | 59.9 |
| Arctic Valley AK | 2 days | 250" | 59.4 |
| Dodge Ridge CA | 2 days | 350" | 58.6 |
| Sunlight Mountain CO | 2 days | 232" | 58.4 |
| 49 Degrees North WA | 2 days | 275" | 58.4 |
| Pebble Creek ID | 2 days | 225" | 57.1 |
| Apex Mountain BC | 2 days | 228" | 56.8 |
| Bluewood WA | 2 days | 275" | 55.8 |
| Hoodoo OR | 2 days | 375" | 54.6 |
| Donner Ski Ranch CA | 2 days | 385" | 54.4 |
| Snow King WY | 2 days | 150" | 52.9 |
| China Peak CA | 2 days | 300" | 51.4 |
| Cuchara CO | 2 days | 200" | 50.3 |
| Mont Sutton QC | 2 days | 236" | 49.8 |
| Ski Granby CO | 2 days | 200" | 48.6 |
| Showdown MT | 2 days | 175" | 48.4 |
| Mt Shasta CA | 2 days | 300" | 48.3 |
| Ski Smithers BC | 2 days | 200" | 47.8 |
| Massif Du Sud QC | 2 days | 236" | 47.6 |
| Antelope Butte WY | 2 days | 200" | 46.6 |
| Kelly Canyon ID | 2 days | 200" | 45.5 |
| Saddleback Maine ME | 2 days | 175" | 45.4 |
| White Pine WY | 2 days | 150" | 45.3 |
| Cannon Mountain NH | 2 days | 163" | 45.1 |
| Big Powderhorn MI | 2 days | 214" | 44.9 |
| Soldier Mountain ID | 2 days | 125" | 44.1 |
| Mountain High CA | 2 days | 120" | 42.9 |
| Marble Mountain NL | 2 days | 200" | 42.7 |
| Burke Mountain VT | 2 days | 200" | 40.9 |
| Moose Mountain AK | 2 days | 70" | 40.6 |
| Waterville Valley NH | 2 days | 185" | 37.3 |
| Terry Peak SD | 2 days | 150" | 36.7 |
| Loup Loup WA | 2 days | 150" | 36.3 |
| Nubs Nob MI | 2 days | 140" | 35.3 |
| Crystal Mountain Mi MI | 2 days | 140" | 35.2 |
| Ragged Mounain NH | 2 days | 100" | 34.9 |
| Shanty Creek MI | 2 days | 140" | 34.8 |
| Greek Peak NY | 2 days | 110" | 34.7 |
| Swain Resort NY | 2 days | 130" | 33.9 |
| Dry Hill NY | 2 days | 125" | 33.7 |
| Whitecap Mountains WI | 2 days | 150" | 32.1 |
| Berkshire East MA | 2 days | 110" | 31.8 |
| Bousquet MA | 2 days | 83" | 28.2 |
| Pine Mountain MI | 2 days | 75" | 26.1 |
$849+ Adult, by age (early-bird was $749). Kids 12 and under free. On sale now; price frozen for a fourth year. Official site
New this year: a fourth straight year with no price increase.
| Power Pass | $849-$1,149 adult by age; kids 12 and under and seniors 75+ free |
|---|
Where it works: Unlimited at Purgatory, Arizona Snowbowl, Brian Head, Sipapu, Pajarito, Sandia Peak, Nordic Valley, Lee Canyon and Willamette Pass, plus partner days at Monarch, Loveland and Sundance.
The fine print: Cheaper Select, Core and Weekday versions limit days and dates.
Perks: Free for kids 12 and under, and days in Chile at Valle Nevado and La Parva.
Best for: Families in the Southwest, especially in a strong El Niño winter, when Arizona and New Mexico have historically gotten the most extra snow.
| Resort | Access | True Snow | PAF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loveland CO | partner (3 days) | 344" | 77.8 |
| Sundance UT | partner (3 days) | 275" | 71.3 |
| Brian Head UT | unlimited | 308" | 69.6 |
| Purgatory CO | unlimited | 264" | 69.1 |
| Monarch CO | partner (3 days) | 284" | 63.7 |
| Willamette OR | unlimited | 375" | 57.3 |
| Arizona Snowbowl AZ | unlimited | 202" | 55.9 |
| Pajarito Mountain NM | unlimited | 160" | 47.3 |
| Sipapu NM | unlimited | 190" | 45.7 |
| Sandia Peak NM | unlimited | 125" | 42.6 |
Free Comes with a top-tier season pass at a member resort. Buy your home mountain's pass. Official site
| Powder Alliance | Free with a qualifying season pass at any member |
|---|
Where it works: 3 free days at each of the other member resorts (18 in North America, including Loveland, Timberline, Mission Ridge, Bogus Basin, Snow King, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Angel Fire), Sunday through Friday, non-holiday.
The fine print: No Saturdays or holidays; each resort sets its own blackout dates.
Perks: A free road-trip add-on to a pass you'd buy anyway.
Best for: Locals at a member mountain who want a few free days elsewhere.
| Resort | Access | True Snow | PAF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loveland CO | 3 days | 344" | 77.8 |
| Timberline OR | 3 days | 450" | 71.4 |
| Sierra-At-Tahoe CA | 3 days | 389" | 67.5 |
| Bogus Basin ID | 3 days | 246" | 67.3 |
| Eaglecrest AK | 3 days | 350" | 66.6 |
| Silver Mountain ID | 3 days | 353" | 65.5 |
| White Pass WA | 3 days | 380" | 64.1 |
| Bear Valley CA | 3 days | 352" | 60.2 |
| Dodge Ridge CA | 3 days | 350" | 58.6 |
| Mt Hood Skibowl OR | 3 days | 350" | 58.1 |
| Blacktail MT | 3 days | 250" | 57.8 |
| Snow King WY | 3 days | 150" | 52.9 |
| Angel Fire NM | 3 days | 210" | 52.2 |
| China Peak CA | 3 days | 300" | 51.4 |
| Mission Ridge WA | 3 days | 170" | 50.6 |
| Mt Shasta CA | 3 days | 300" | 48.3 |
| Mountain High CA | 3 days | 120" | 42.9 |
Prices, deadlines and rules come from each pass's official site and its operator's announcements, checked October 10, 2026 (Epic's prices on epicpass.com that day). Which resorts are on each pass comes from the official resort lists for 2026-27, matched to the 220 North American resorts we rank. Snow, climate and El Niño numbers are our own: True Snow, our climate resilience rankings and 40 winters of El Niño data. Always confirm prices and blackout dates with the pass before you buy.