For skiers and riders alike, early snow promises a dopamine rush. It's time to tune up the skis, wax the board, and go online to lock in a killer deal on a season pass before early bird discounts disappear—in just a few weeks.
As prices for single day lift tickets have become exorbitant (over $100 at many resorts), season passes are, gloves down, the best value for optimizing winter fun. Get passes for one particular area or "super" season passes that open the doors to multiple resorts—many include bring-a-friend discounts and deals on lodging too. Ski adventures, here we come.
Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass
You have until November 20th to buy Vail Resorts' Epic Passes—a screaming deal for avid skiers and riders with plenty of powder time on their hands. The Epic Local pass ($649 for adults) allows access (with some restrictions) to Tahoe's Northstar, Heavenly, and Kirkwood resorts; Colorado ski resorts at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin; as well as the newly expanded Park City resort in Utah. Also included are five days at British Columbia's world-famous Whistler Blackcomb (holidays are restricted).
Got a lot of airline miles? Then the Epic Pass ($849 for adults) for you. What makes it really special is its additional international access to 30 resorts across Austria, France, Italy, and Switzerland, making it the only multi-resort pass to offer major European skiing and snowboarding. // snow.com/epic-pass
Mountain Collective
Perfect for globetrotting skiers and boarders, this multi-resort pass ($419 for adults) offers 28 days at 14 iconic ski areas (two days a piece)in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, Chile, and Australia. The Collective's American resorts include Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, Sun Valley, Taos, and more. Beyond our borders, ski Canada's Whistler and Banff, Chile's Valle Nevado, and Japan's Hakuba Valley.
The pass includes 50 percent off all additional days at Mountain Collective destinations, no blackout dates, and is available through the season until inventory's sold out. Prices increase as opening dates approach—now's the time to buy. // mountaincollective.com
Vail Resort(Jack Affleck)
Tahoe Super Pass
Tahoe diehards who might also love a few turns in Switzerland can get this pass until November 15th for access to 8,000 skiable acres, 16 mountain peaks, 16 terrain parks, and 316 groomed and off-piste trails.
This pass comes in three tiers: Bronze ($499) gets you into Squaw and Alpine Meadows; Silver ($629) opens up access to Sierra-at-Tahoe and Sugar Bowl as well; and Gold ($899), which sweetens the pot with two free days at Zermatt, Switzerland and unlimited half-price lift tickets at Mountain Collective resorts (see above). These prices are good through November 15th. // squawalpine.com
Calif4nia Pass
With its geographical focus on the mid-Sierras and Southern California, this pass ($849, no blackout dates) is a good one for Mammoth fans. You'll save up to $200 if you buy before November 15th and gain access to Mammoth, June Mountain, Bear Mountain, and Snow Summit (including night skiing). Premium pass holders get half-priced Mountain Collective day passes, too. // cali4niapass.com
