Six of the best season passes to purchase for skiing this winter

Ski into the new year with some skier's resolutions. (Getty Images)

Way back in 2014, before Vail Resorts gobbled up a few dozen ski resorts to add to its crowded portfolio, a season pass to Vermont’s Stowe Mountain Resort cost $2,138, the highest price in all of New England. 

Eight years later, that season pass to Stowe will run you only $859. 

Granted, the circumstances aren’t exactly the same now that the Epic Pass has taken over and managed to cause overcrowding headaches wherever the Vail ownership flag might fly. But think about it for a moment. For less than it cost for a Stowe season pass less than a decade ago, you could purchase both the unlimited Epic and Ikon Passes this season and never quite have a loss for where to ski or ride next. 

It is, indeed, the golden age of the multi-mountain, mega-pass, and it can be a concussing landscape to navigate if you’re uncertain which one might be right for you and your family. If you’re still in need of a season pass this year, here’s a rundown of how some of the region’s most popular ones stack up. 

Epic Pass — In August, Vail announced that it would be limiting the sale of lift tickets throughout the 2022-23 skiing and riding season. However, there will be no limitations placed on Epic Passholders, nor will the new plan impact guests who enroll in ski and ride school lessons that include lift access.  How that might help alleviate the overwhelming crowding we’ve seen at Vail-owned resorts is anyone’s guess. Because Vail is still going to sell plenty of season-long Epic Passes this year anyway. 

The Epic Pass ($859 adults, $439 children ages 5-12) provides unlimited, unrestricted access to all Vail-owned North American resorts. In New England, that includes Stowe, Attitash, Wildcat, Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Mount Snow and Crotched. It also includes seven days at Telluride, as well as consecutive days at a number of resorts in the Canadian Rockies and Japan. The Epic Local Pass ($639, $335) provides unlimited access to most resorts but also comes with holiday-restricted access to resorts like Stowe. It also includes 10 days total to use at Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb.

Now in its third year, the Northeast Value Pass ($525 adults, $393 teens ages 13-17, $368 college) comes with holiday blackouts at Hunter Mountain, Okemo and Mount Snow. It includes only 10 days total at Stowe, excluding holiday periods. www.epicpass.com 

Indy Pass — Entering its fourth season, the popular Indy Pass has been adding more and more ski areas to its list of offerings, making it an instant powerhouse on both the New England and national ski scenes. This year’s local participants include Jay Peak, Cannon Mountain, Saddleback, Bolton Valley, Waterville Valley, Berkshire East, Black Mountain (N.H.), Magic Mountain, Big Rock Mountain (Maine), Mohawk Mountain, Black Mountain of Maine, Pats Peak and Saskadena (former Suicide) Six. This year, New Hampshire’s King Pine also joins the Indy Pass as an “allied” member (25-to-50 percent off lift tickets). 

The pass ($299 adults; $139 children ages 12 and under — prices increase after Sept. 13) provides access to more than 100 resorts and ski areas, allowing users two days at each destination. There are some blackout dates; for instance, the Indy Pass can be used only Sunday-Friday at Cannon through March 11. The Indy+ pass is $399 and $189 with zero blackouts. 

Indy AddOn passes ($199 adults, $99 children for the base pass, $309, $149 for Indy-Plus with no blackouts) also are available at lower rates to unrestricted season passholders at Indy partner resorts. — www.indyskipass.com 

Ikon Pass — Frustrated with Epic overcrowding at Vail-owned resorts but still want the cost-effective freedom to ski a handful of resorts this winter? It might be time to switch to Ikon.

The Ikon Pass ($1,179 adults, $879 young adults ages 13-22, $389 children ages 5-12) offers unlimited access at 14 destinations across North America. In New England, that includes only Sugarbush and Stratton. But it also includes up to seven days at other New England locations including Killington-Pico, Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Loon. Elsewhere, Ikon offers the same seven days at destinations like Taos, Sun Valley, Alta, Deer Valley and Zermatt, Switzerland. Unlimited access also is available at the likes of Steamboat, Copper, Tremblant, Winter Park and Big Bear. 

The Ikon Base Pass ($869, $649, and $349) has blackout dates, including at Stratton and Sugarbush, and provides only five extra days instead of seven at each of the pass’ other participating locations. — www.ikonpass.com 

Mountain Collective — The good news: Mountain Collective users receive two days each at 24 different locations for only $579 ($479 teens, $189 children 12 and under). The bad news: Sugarloaf is the only resort where the pass can be used in New England (Sugarbush decided not to participate this season).

However, the Mountain Collective also can be used at such premier destinations as Chamonix, Aspen Snowmass, Grand Targhee, Jackson Hole, Snowbird and Valle Nevado, which makes it a traveler’s dream. There are no blackout dates. While supplies last. — mountaincollective.com

New England Pass — Boyne’s New England Pass offers a variety of skiing and riding at Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Loon at different price points. 

The Platinum New England Pass is $1,689 for adults, $1,149 kids ages 6-18. There are no blackout dates on the pass, which also includes an Ikon Base Pass, three free days at newly acquired Boyne property Shawnee Peak, three free days at Western Boyne resorts (including Big Sky, Montana), and 50 percent off Mountain Collective resorts.

There also are no blackout dates on the Gold Pass ($1,329 adults, $1,099 kids ages 6-18), which includes 50 percent off tickets at Mountain Collective resorts and three days out west. The Silver Pass ($869 adults) has 12 blackout dates. This year, the Nitro Pass presents a cost-effective option for youths. The pass is $469 for kids and young adults, ages 6-29, includes four friend tickets at 25 percent off, and 50 percent off tickets at Shawnee Peak. 

The College Gold ($429) comes with no blackouts; the College Silver ($319) has 12. Both are available only to full-time students. — www.newenglandpass.com

Unlimited Summit Pass — The Unlimited Summit Pass ($639 adults, $529 kids ages 7-17; $699, $589 after Nov. 30) is a combo season pass good at a trio of western Mass. ski areas — Berkshire East, Catamount Mountain Resort and Bousquet Mountain. No blackouts. There is also the option of an Indy Pass add-on. A local’s pass, good Sunday through Friday, also is available for $499 ($539 after Nov. 30). A nighttime season pass, good for use only at Berkshire East and Catamount, is $169, all ages. Night skiing at Berkshire East will begin Jan. 1, or whenever weather and conditions allow. berkshireeast.com/winter/season-passes

Eric Wilbur can be reached at [email protected].