PLAN SKI GETAWAY AHEAD OF TIME, TRAVEL,
How to find the best ski season pass for you
Sot to rush the summer away this pre-Labor day week but: Have you planned your ski season yet? Late August was once the official start of “get ready for ski season,” with tent sales galore, resorts sending out early planning information for the coming winter, and everyone wondering if the Farmer’s Almanac would be right.
With the advent of earlypurchase season pass deals in the past decade, that shifted a bit. The ability to save by purchasing the coming season’s pass in the spring moved many to make next-season decisions even sooner.
Now, it seems, COVID has pushed that decision time up for even more folks. Last winter’s mass influx to local getaway destinations introduced many not just to new spots to ski, but to the sport as a whole.
That means, with final “early decision discounts” looming in the coming days, now is truly the time to think about and make some winter ski and ride decisions.
Wachusett Mountain Resort is already nearly sold out of most of its season pass products. (Don’t worry, though: There’s plenty of room out on the Wachusett slopes this winter for day ticket folks as well).
If you are a skier or rider and plan on skiing more than four to five days this coming season (and you should!), this week is prime time to plan out any season pass or multi-day passes you may want to purchase for the coming season.
A note: Yes, day tickets can be pricey at some spots. It has long been the case that purchasing a season pass or multi-visit pass of some kind is by far the most affordable way to hit the slopes.
It can also serve as a motivator: Wanting to get your money’s worth out of a pass purchase does push you to be sure to get out and ski and ride more often.
Some things to consider when choosing a pass:
Are you taking a weeklong ski/ride vacation this winter? If you are, your best bet is to purchase a season pass that the area you’ll be visiting is linked to. Almost all mountain resorts are linked to some kind of group pass now. If you cannot find which one is connected to your vacation resort, call them and discuss their pass options.
(Of course, if you plan on skiing just that resort, the area’s single resort pass is fine as well).
Once you know those options, consider what other areas on their group pass you could have access to, and decide from there.
Do you want to explore new resorts this season? Then look at the resorts listed on
the major group passes and see which you truly think you can get to this winter. Base your choice on that.
Does the pass offer other discounts and deals beyond your skiing and riding? Things like discounts on day tickets for friends and family, discounts on food and merchandise and even early access to slopes can be found. Read up before you choose.
While there are countless passes to consider, here are a few:
Ikon Pass (ikonpass.com): The Ikon Pass products offer access to 45 destinations, nine of those in the East. Their full pass, with no blackouts, runs just over $1,000. They also offer a base pass for $779 with unlimited skiing at 15 resorts (other than a few blackout dates), and that includes Stratton and Sugarbush in Vermont. The other resorts give you up to five ski days at each all season on this pass. Their Session Pass Four-day allows you to ski one resort all four days or spread those days out at multiple resorts over the season.
While Ikon has not announced a date for the next price hike, it usually does come in the early fall.
Epic Pass (epicpass.com): The 20% discount on all Epic pass products ends Sept. 6, meaning if this is the pass for you, now is the time to act.
Epic offers a full pass with access to all 34 resorts (with some restrictions; the site explains details). Thirteen of those are in the Northeast, including popular Okemo Mountain Resort, Wildcat, Attitash, Mount Snow and more.
They also offer one- to seven-day passes, a great deal if you are planning a trip, as well as local passes for those who stick closer to drivable mountain resorts.
They offer buddy passes with some of the products as well as on-mountain discounts for things like food and rentals.
Indy Pass (indyskipass.com): Early bird pricing on the Indy Pass goes until just Aug. 31. This pass was wildly popular last winter. If offers each holder two ski days at 74 resorts for $379, or $279 with blackout dates.
Most of the mountains on the pass are smaller (all are independently owned) but there are destination resorts like Waterville Valley on there as well. Many skiers and riders found new local hills via this pass last winter.
Your local mountains may have early deals as well. And while the humidity may be hinting otherwise, this is the week to choose.
You’ll be glad you did come January.