Updated October 6, 2020
Covid-19 shut down nearly all North American ski resorts in a sudden flurry during the middle of March 2020. It remains a force that has radically changed how we view the coming winter—and how the purveyors of the major multi-resort ski passes see the winter as well.
All of the major players have shifted how things work this winter: Vail/Epic, Alterra/Ikon, and the power resorts involved in the Mountain Collective.
As of this writing in early October, it still hasn't been determined how some passes will work at particular resorts during peak events—primarily winter break holidays and President's Day weekend. For instance, not every mainline resort that normally accepts the Ikon Pass or the Mountain Collective Pass has decided how it will prioritize skiers holding those passes versus full season pass holders versus those who have booked multi-day and single-day passes.
We expect those issues to be sorted in the next month, but those who are planning holiday trips now will want to make a call to resorts that haven't explicitly published how these things will be working.
If you want to ski the busiest of Vail Resorts' Mountains during the holidays, you'd better hold a an Epic Pass. Without it, you won't be able to make a reservation, which every skier who wants to be on the mountain during a peak time—winter break plus, at ski resorts close to Colorado's Front Range, as well as Park City, many weekends throughout the year—is going to need to have.
Skiers looking to ski any of these resorts during holiday periods or weekends throughout February an March should hold an Epic Pass:
Park City
Vail
Breckenridge
Beaver Creek
Keystone
Whistler-Blackcomb
Northstar
Heavenly
The reservation system isn't as much of a focal point on the Alterra/Ikon side of things, but Vail's flagship resorts are, on average, larger than those on the Alterra side and typically have larger numbers of skiers on the hill, hence require more management of those crowds. That being said, there are plenty of Ikon Partner resorts where reservations will be required, such as the four Aspen mountains.
There are a handful of mountains who have announced that reservations for Ikon Pass holders will be required:
Jackson Hole
Aspen - all four mountains
Big Sky
A-Basin
Taos
Loon Mountain, NH
Windham Mountain, NY
There are a number of resorts who haven't released their plans of how they will be handling Ikon Pass holders, including Alta. We expect Alta, Snowbird, Deer Valley, Copper Mountain and Eldora to revisit their stances on this during the next 60 days. There could even be a push at Alterra-owned resorts to put in a reservation system.
Skiers going to Steamboat, Mammoth and Squaw Valley during winter break should watch this carefully, as they are, in our mind, the most likely Alterra-owned mountains that may be forced to implement a reservation system during the holidays.
As of this moment, it seems as if The Mountain Collective will be easier to use compared with the Ikon Pass at some resorts. But that could change. The Collective hasn't totally addressed this and most partner resorts haven't either. Skiers who are planning to be around during the busiest days of the year should again consult with the ski resort's ticket office on the phone until concrete guidance on the Collective has been offered.
Before Covid crushed skiers' spring break plans in 2020, there were a slew of Important changes to the Ikon Base Pass for 2020-2021 that were announced: skiers who want to use their Ikon Base Pass at Jackson Hole or Aspen will be required to spend an extra $150 to get five days at each of those mountains. Full explanation of the Ikon Base Pass changes here.
Ikon has also announced the blackout dates for the Ikon Base pass for 2020-2021.
Those who are renewing their Ikon Pass will receive a $100 discount from Alterra/Ikon if they purchase by April 22 (the discount is $50 for Ikon Base Passes). These discounts are only valid for pass holders who are renewing their existing pass. Otherwise, there are no discounts (but you can get a free limited edition ZRankings beanie if you buy through us - details on this in the coming days). We did this last fall, sending out several hundred beanies this winter to happy pass holders, and we're going to do it again. The hats are here.
Other than the changes we've seen because of Covid, this was the first off-season where no major shifts between pass alignments occurred. This is an industry that, right now, is trying to conserve cash, which means wooing newcomers and acquiring more resorts aren't priorities.
Season passes used to be for locals only. But now anybody who is going to put in more than a single long weekend in Colorado, Utah or elsewhere would be well advised to examine their season pass options as they can pay for themselves quickly. Almost all of the top resorts in North America - Jackson Hole, Aspen, Snowbird, Alta, Whistler, Vail, Park City - can be had as some part of a larger pass.
See a map of Epic Pass ski resorts | See a map of Ikon Pass ski resorts
The competition between Alterra's Ikon Pass and Vail Resorts' Epic Pass have created a dynamic environment for ski passes, with two expansive, coast-to-coast options for skiers. The winter of 2019-2020 will be the second in which these two face off. Skiers who put in at least five days will be close to earning their money back when buying either of the full-fledged versions of the passes, which retail for around $950. But major discounts can be had for those who buy earlier rather than later. All skiers have to do is decide which pass to buy.
We want to help you choose.
The crew at ZRankings has done all the research for you. We calculated the total acreage, the overall ratings of each pass's resort portfolio, its price, the average resort snow quality and more. Then we crunched the numbers so that you can figure out which pass is the best investment for you, where you'll get the most bang for your buck and what you'll need to do to get each pass's highest value. So sit back, marvel at your options and buy quickly before the prices go up—and they're usually going up.
Colorado locals and destination skiers who are focused on skiing Colorado should check our Colorado coverage:
Best ski pass for Colorado—Ikon or Epic?
Best ski pass for Colorado powder chasers—Ikon or Epic?
Likewise, Utah locals and destination skiers who plan on skiing Utah at least once in a season should see our piece on Utah and ski passes:
Best ski pass for Utah skiers - locals and visitors - Ikon or Epic?
And Tahoe/California skiers should see our Tahoe-specific piece:
Best ski pass for Tahoe - Ikon or Epic?
The Mountain Collective shouldn't get lost in the din of excitement around the Epic and Ikon Passes. For those who are taking two long-weekend ski trips in a winter—or three or four—the Collective's benefits offer an attractive play. The $449 price tag can be recovered very quickly for skiers who hit two of its locations.
Vail Resorts' Epic Pass was among the pioneers in the business of bundling season passes. With the Epic Pass you'll get unlimited access to the entire North American catalogue of North of Vail Resorts: Beaver Creek, Whistler-Blackcomb, Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, A-Basin, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton, and Wilmot. Internationally, Australia's Perisher resort is also Epic.
New for 2019-2020: Sun Valley and Snowbasin move over from the Mountain Collective and the Ikon Pass to the Epic Pass. Skiers with the full Epic Pass receive seven days at each mountain, with fewer or no days on lesser passes.
Sun Valley has a lot of history in the sport, particularly with skiers hailing from California, but it has never been a major destination from those coming from the east. The resort hopes this deal helps change that. Snowbasin's addition to the Epic Pass is likely more relevant to more people, as it gives Epic a second ski resort in Utah to go along with Park City and help balance out what is still a lopsided equation in favor of the Ikon Pass within Utah, as it still counts five ski mountains on its roster.
The vanguard resort of southwest Colorado, Telluride, is also part of the full Epic Pass, which will grant skiers seven days at the mountain. Another recent addition to the Epic fold in Colorado is Crested Butte, where Epic Pass skiers get unlimited access.
Elsewhere, Vail's Epic Pass includes Steven's Pass, in Washington State, as well as some of the stalwarts of the Canadian Rockies: Fernie, Kicking Horse, Kimberley, and Nakiska.
The comparative chart above focuses on the full Epic Pass, which is $939. There is another version of this pass, the Local's Epic Pass, which runs around $699 and comes with some blackout restrictions, which are detailed below.
In total, the Epic Pass grants access to 31,650 acres of ski terrain. The average PAF of the resorts, excluding the three urban resorts, is a respectable 81.3 and the average true annual snowfall of those resorts is 320 inches.
Quite a lineup.
With Wilmot Mountain in Southeast Wisconsin, Vail's tally of Midwestern urban resorts is up to three. Wilmot is an hour from Chicago and less than an hour from Milwaukee, Afton Alps is less than an hour from Minneapolis and Mt. Brighton is less than an hour from Detroit. These hills are great for teaching the kids and give skiers in these markets extra incentive to go with the Epic Pass, which can double as the local pass and the vacation pass.
If you want to spend less and can deal with restrictions and blackout dates, the Epic Local Pass is a more affordable option. You'll get unlimited access to Breckenridge, Keystone, Wilmot, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton, Arapahoe Basin and 10 days of holiday-restricted access to Vail and Beaver Creek plus restricted access to Park City, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood.
If you're not going to ski more than 7 days, the Epic 7-Day is an excellent option with 7 days unrestricted accessto the whole Vail empire for $731, including Telluride, Snowbasin, Sun Valley and the Canadian Rockies resorts.
  Resort | True
Snowfall* | Lift Ticket |
Days to Payback |
     Acreage | PAF Score |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Snowbasin Ski Resort ![]() UT |
316 in | NA | N/A | 2820 acres | 74.3 | more |
Sun Valley Ski Resort ![]() ID |
196 in | $115 | 8.7 | 2054 acres | 71.7 | more |
Hunter Mountain ![]() NY |
125 in | NA | N/A | 240 acres | 46.5 | more |
Attitash Resort ![]() NH |
155 in | NA | N/A | 307 acres | 42.0 | more |
Mount Sunapee Resort ![]() NH |
100 in | NA | N/A | 233 acres | 35.6 | more |
Telluride Ski Resort ![]() CO |
276 in | NA | N/A | 2000 acres | 95.6 | more |
Whistler ![]() BC |
419 in | $78 | 12.8 | 8171 acres | 88.5 | more |
Vail Ski Resort ![]() CO |
354 in | $165 | 6.1 | 5289 acres | 90.8 | more |
Park City Mountain Resort ![]() UT |
288 in | $122 | 8.2 | 7300 acres | 86.1 | more |
Beaver Creek Resort ![]() CO |
325 in | $165 | 6.1 | 1815 acres | 84.9 | more |
Fernie Alpine Resort ![]() BC |
376 in | NA | N/A | 2504 acres | 78.8 | more |
Breckenridge Ski Resort ![]() CO |
282 in | $154 | 6.5 | 2358 acres | 81.7 | more |
Kirkwood ![]() CA |
459 in | $99 | 10.1 | 2300 acres | 80.3 | more |
Crested Butte Ski Resort ![]() CO |
253 in | $108 | 9.3 | 1547 acres | 79.5 | more |
Stevens Pass Resort ![]() WA |
474 in | NA | N/A | 1125 acres | 76.7 | more |
Keystone Resort ![]() CO |
235 in | $125 | 8.0 | 3148 acres | 76.0 | more |
Northstar at Tahoe ![]() CA |
316 in | $130 | 7.7 | 3170 acres | 73.8 | more |
Mount Snow ![]() VT |
167 in | NA | N/A | 590 acres | 41.9 | more |
Kicking Horse Resort ![]() BC |
253 in | NA | N/A | 2800 acres | 70.2 | more |
Heavenly ![]() CA |
321 in | $125 | 8.0 | 4800 acres | 73.3 | more |
Stowe Mountain Resort ![]() VT |
305 in | $92 | 10.9 | 485 acres | 67.7 | more |
Okemo Mountain ![]() VT |
167 in | NA | N/A | 632 acres | 49.1 | more |
Nakiska Ski Resort ![]() AB |
99 in | NA | N/A | 1021 acres | 49.1 | more |
Wildcat Mountain Ski Resort ![]() NH |
225 in | NA | N/A | 225 acres | 47.4 | more |
Kimberley Alpine Resort ![]() BC |
150 in | NA | N/A | 1800 acres | 46.9 | more |
Mont-Sainte-Anne ![]() QC |
184 in | NA | N/A | 526 acres | 45.1 | more |
Afton Alps ![]() MN |
55 in | $56 | 17.8 | 300 acres | 29.3 | more |
The Ikon Pass is a full-on, fire-breathing challenger to Vail's Epic Pass. The Mountain Collective was the expeditionary force that held back Vail's ambitions as well as it could for several years, but the Ikon Pass is the vehicle that can actually match Vail mountain by mountain, vacation by vacation.
As for which of these two ski passes skiers should buy, we put together something on that: Epic Pass vs. Ikon Pass.
The Ikon Pass itself is a fantastic asset to those who choose to buy it. It offers full, unlimited access to flagship ski resorts across Colorado and California:
Steamboat
Winter Park
Copper Mountain
Mammoth, plus June Mountain and Big Bear
Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows
And now, more in Utah:
Solitude
And it also gets skiers into Eldora, a family spot on the Denver side of the range.
In addition, the Ikon Pass comes with limited access—either 5 or 7 days, depending if skiers buy the full version of the pass ($900) or the Base version ($600) to a panoply of of other stalwart ski resorts, including a slew of mountains that are not owned by Ikon's parent, Alterra. Among this group:
Jackson Hole
Snowbird and Alta
Big Sky
Aspen - all four mountains
Deer Valley (Alterra owned)
Summit at Snoqualmie
Taos
Brighton
Revelstoke
Taos
7 days together at: Banff Sunshine, Norquay, Lake Louise
Many skiers will be pushed toward the Ikon Pass thanks to these independent resorts. A family could combine a week trip during the holidays, another week at spring break and a long weekend trip to a combination of resorts such as Jackson Hole, Deer Valley and Steamboat—with all skiing covered by the Ikon Pass. This is the kind of top-shelf variety that, before, was only available to Epic Pass holders.
In the east, the Ikon pass offers full access to a wide collection of ski resorts, from Loon Mountain, Killington and Sunday River, among others. Skiers who spend serious time mining New England will want to consider the Ikon Pass.
Ikon passholders also receive the ability to purchase up to 10 single-day lift tickets at 25% off for friends and family. This discount is valid at all Ikon Pass destinations.
  Resort | True
Snowfall* | Lift Ticket |
Days to Payback |
     Acreage | PAF Score |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sugarbush ![]() VT |
267 in | NA | 508 acres | 61.3 | more | |
Alpine Meadows ![]() CA |
363 in | $139 | 2400 acres | 75.0 | more | |
Winter Park Ski Resort ![]() CO |
347 in | $144 | 3081 acres | 85.4 | more | |
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area ![]() CO |
314 in | $76 | 900 acres | 78.7 | more | |
Bear Mountain Resort - CA ![]() CA |
83 in | $79 | 748 acres | 49.0 | more | |
The Summit at Snoqualmie ![]() WA |
387 in | NA | 1981 acres | 67.9 | more | |
Jackson Hole ![]() WY |
368 in | $130 | 2500 acres | 99.0 | more | |
Snowbird ![]() UT |
497 in | $98 | 2500 acres | 94.2 | more | |
Alta Ski Area ![]() UT |
517 in | $89 | 2200 acres | 93.5 | more | |
Solitude Mountain Resort ![]() UT |
437 in | NA | 1200 acres | 84.0 | more | |
Aspen Snowmass ![]() CO |
295 in | $149 | 3132 acres | 88.9 | more | |
Revelstoke ![]() BC |
367 in | NA | 3031 acres | 85.0 | more | |
Mammoth ![]() CA |
354 in | $125 | 3500 acres | 84.5 | more | |
Big Sky Resort ![]() MT |
286 in | NA | 5809 acres | 86.9 | more | |
Aspen Mountain - Ajax ![]() CO |
250 in | $149 | 675 acres | 83.0 | more | |
Steamboat Ski Resort ![]() CO |
368 in | $99 | 2965 acres | 88.3 | more | |
Aspen Highlands ![]() CO |
252 in | $149 | 1028 acres | 83.8 | more | |
Brighton Ski Resort ![]() UT |
504 in | NA | 1050 acres | 82.2 | more | |
Squaw Valley ![]() CA |
369 in | $139 | 3600 acres | 81.5 | more | |
Taos Ski Resort ![]() NM |
254 in | $86 | 1294 acres | 79.9 | more | |
Deer Valley Resort ![]() UT |
275 in | NA | 2026 acres | 81.5 | more | |
Copper Mountain ![]() CO |
278 in | $78 | 2465 acres | 78.1 | more | |
Red Mountain Resort ![]() BC |
274 in | NA | 1686 acres | 74.4 | more | |
Crystal Mountain Resort ![]() WA |
413 in | NA | 2600 acres | 77.2 | more | |
Aspen Buttermilk ![]() CO |
200 in | $149 | 470 acres | 69.0 | more | |
Sunshine Village ![]() AB |
258 in | $70 | 3358 acres | 72.0 | more | |
Lake Louise Ski Area ![]() AB |
171 in | $68 | 4200 acres | 66.4 | more | |
Killington ![]() VT |
240 in | NA | 752 acres | 61.4 | more | |
Cypress Mountain ![]() BC |
350 in | NA | 1482 acres | 61.9 | more | |
Eldora Mountain Resort ![]() CO |
225 in | NA | 680 acres | 60.0 | more | |
June Mountain ![]() CA |
268 in | $89 | 500 acres | 55.1 | more | |
Sugarloaf ![]() ME |
173 in | NA | 1056 acres | 53.2 | more | |
Sunday River Ski Resort ![]() ME |
150 in | NA | 743 acres | 52.6 | more | |
Mont Tremblant ![]() QC |
156 in | NA | 654 acres | 53.6 | more | |
Blue Mountain ![]() ON |
110 in | NA | 251 acres | 49.1 | more | |
Stratton Mountain ![]() VT |
189 in | NA | 600 acres | 46.6 | more | |
Loon Mountain ![]() NH |
171 in | NA | 370 acres | 43.2 | more | |
Snowshoe Mountain ![]() WV |
156 in | NA | 235 acres | 39.1 | more |
Here's how it works: with the purchase of the pass, skiers are granted access to two free days at each ski destination. There are 10 North American destinations that include 17 mountains, which are listed below in a table.
The Mountain Collective remains one of the best ways to put together two ski trips a season at a very attractive price. A trip to Jackson Hole and a trip to Aspen, with five lift tickets between each of them, could by itself top $850, if a skier is buying tickets at the window. Add in more days and the savings continue to mount. It doesn't take much to make the Collective a worthwhile investment.
Certain mountains are grouped together into destinations. The four Aspen mountains are one destination; Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village are one destination; and Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are one destination. Jackson Hole, Stowe, Taos, and Mammoth are single resort destinations.
New Zealand's Coronet Peak/The Remarkables is a full Mountain Collective partner, joining the other international destination, Thredbo of Australia.
With the MCP, you're getting access to three of the highest ranked resorts in North America: Jackson Hole, Snowbird and Alta. So while it might not be unlimited access, the MCP brings plenty of elite powder and terrain. You're also getting 41,757 acres of skiable North American terrain and an average PAF (Western resorts only) of 82.9. The average true snowfall at Collective resorts is 312 inches. And you can't beat the quality of the snow. Alta has a perfect total snow score; Snowbird isn't far behind with a score of 95.1.
Supply is limited at the $449 price, so expect prices to go up throughout the year as the ski season draws nearer. Get it early you'll get a kids pass for only $99. You'll also get an additional day at the resort of your choice.
Perhaps the best part of the deal is the deal you get for additional lift tickets after your two days at each destination. These tickets are discounted 50% at the ticket counter as long as supplies last. Not only does mean you're not limited to just two days at each destination but it means that the MCP can be used as a local pass.
Here's the math: If Jackson is your local mountain, you'll use your two days early in the season and each additional day will be just $65, rather than the full priced $130. With a season pass to Jackson priced at $1760, you would need to ski 23 days before you'd lose money on the MCP. By the time you've skied four days at Jackson using the MCP you've already saved money in comparison to buying daily lift tickets.
One thing you're not getting with the MCP is access to Colorado. You've got the four Aspen mountains but that's it. Unless you swear by Aspen, if you're Colorado located this might not be the best pass for you. In comparison, the Epic Pass includes Beaver Creek, Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone and A-Basin.
  Resort | True
Snowfall* | Lift Ticket |
Days to Payback |
     Acreage | PAF Score |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpine Meadows ![]() CA |
363 in | $139 | 5.0 | 2400 acres | 75.0 | more |
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area ![]() CO |
314 in | $76 | 10.9 | 900 acres | 78.7 | more |
Jackson Hole ![]() WY |
368 in | $130 | 5.5 | 2500 acres | 99.0 | more |
Snowbird ![]() UT |
497 in | $98 | 8.0 | 2500 acres | 94.2 | more |
Alta Ski Area ![]() UT |
517 in | $89 | 9.0 | 2200 acres | 93.5 | more |
Aspen Snowmass ![]() CO |
295 in | $149 | 4.6 | 3132 acres | 88.9 | more |
Revelstoke ![]() BC |
367 in | NA | N/A | 3031 acres | 85.0 | more |
Grand Targhee ![]() WY |
466 in | NA | N/A | 3000 acres | 82.4 | more |
Mammoth ![]() CA |
354 in | $125 | 5.8 | 3500 acres | 84.5 | more |
Big Sky Resort ![]() MT |
286 in | NA | N/A | 5809 acres | 86.9 | more |
Aspen Mountain - Ajax ![]() CO |
250 in | $149 | 4.6 | 675 acres | 83.0 | more |
Aspen Highlands ![]() CO |
252 in | $149 | 4.6 | 1028 acres | 83.8 | more |
Squaw Valley ![]() CA |
369 in | $139 | 5.0 | 3600 acres | 81.5 | more |
Taos Ski Resort ![]() NM |
254 in | $86 | 9.4 | 1294 acres | 79.9 | more |
Aspen Buttermilk ![]() CO |
200 in | $149 | 4.6 | 470 acres | 69.0 | more |
Sunshine Village ![]() AB |
258 in | $70 | 12.0 | 3358 acres | 72.0 | more |
Lake Louise Ski Area ![]() AB |
171 in | $68 | 12.4 | 4200 acres | 66.4 | more |
  Resort | True
Snowfall* | Lift Ticket |
Summit Elevation |
     Acreage | PAF Score |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eaglecrest Ski Area ![]() AK |
350 in | NA | 2600 ft | 640 acres | 66.6 | more |
Mt. Hood SkiBowl ![]() OR |
350 in | NA | 5027 ft | 960 acres | 58.1 | more |
Silver Mountain Resort ![]() ID |
353 in | NA | 6300 ft | 1600 acres | 65.5 | more |
Whitewater ![]() BC |
395 in | NA | 6567 ft | 1184 acres | 87.6 | more |
Loveland Ski Area ![]() CO |
344 in | NA | 12700 ft | 1800 acres | 77.8 | more |
Bridger Bowl Ski Area ![]() MT |
303 in | NA | 8800 ft | 2000 acres | 73.5 | more |
Sugar Bowl Resort ![]() CA |
453 in | $103 | 8383 ft | 1500 acres | 69.5 | more |
Timberline Lodge ![]() OR |
450 in | NA | 8540 ft | 1415 acres | 71.4 | more |
Sierra-at-Tahoe ![]() CA |
389 in | NA | 8852 ft | 2000 acres | 67.5 | more |
Schweitzer Mountain Resort ![]() ID |
284 in | NA | 6400 ft | 2900 acres | 66.7 | more |
Castle Mountain Resort ![]() BC |
278 in | NA | 7463 ft | 1400 acres | 66.4 | more |
Monarch Mountain ![]() CO |
284 in | NA | 11952 ft | 800 acres | 63.7 | more |
Silver Star Mountain Resort ![]() BC |
223 in | NA | 6280 ft | 3065 acres | 59.7 | more |
Arizona Snowbowl ![]() AZ |
202 in | $69 | 11500 ft | 777 acres | 55.9 | more |
Angel Fire Resort ![]() NM |
210 in | NA | 10677 ft | 445 acres | 52.2 | more |
China Peak ![]() CA |
300 in | NA | 8709 ft | 430 acres | 51.4 | more |
Marmot Basin ![]() AB |
160 in | NA | 8570 ft | 1675 acres | 53.9 | more |
Mountain High Resort ![]() CA |
120 in | NA | 8200 ft | 290 acres | 42.9 | more |