It’s not too late to look into grabbing a season pass for the 2021-22 skiing and riding season, depending on which pass you’re looking for.
Case in point, the White Mountain Superpass, offering unlimited access to Bretton Woods, Cannon, Cranmore, and Waterville Valley, was only offered until May 31. Other season passes had similar deadlines, but only in terms of pricing. You can still pay only a few bucks more and secure your winter access.
However, as Sept. 1 creeps ever closer, there’s another pricing increase looming for some passes, so it’s a good time to start taking stock of where you’ll be spending the most time this winter.
Here’s a rundown of how some of the region’s most popular multi-mountain season passes stack up.
Epic Pass — Vail made headlines earlier this year when it announced that it would offer the popular Epic Pass at a 20 percent reduction from last season. Labor Day is the final day to secure an Epic product at the lowest price.
“In addition to making passes more accessible, we are committed to continuously improving the on-mountain experience,” Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts, said. “Our resort teams are implementing a variety of projects and improvements – from new high-speed chairlifts to exciting terrain expansions – so that skiers and riders of all skill levels have a great time when they hit the slopes. We cannot wait to welcome our guests back to the mountains they love.”
The Epic Pass ($783 vs. $979 last season) provides unlimited, unrestricted access to 34 North American resorts. In New England, that includes Stowe, Attitash, Wildcat, Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Mount Snow, and Crotched. The Epic Local Pass ($583 vs. $729 last season) provides unlimited access to 26 resorts, as well as holiday-restricted access to resorts like Stowe, and 10 days total to use at Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb. Now in its second year, the Northeast Value Pass ($479 vs. $599 last season) has holiday blackouts at Hunter Mountain, Okemo, Mount Snow, and Stowe, and only includes a total of 10 days at Stowe. www.epicpass.com
Indy Pass — Entering its third season, the popular Indy Pass has been adding more and more ski areas to its list of offerings, making it a powerhouse on the New England ski scene. This year’s participants include Jay Peak, Cannon Mountain, Saddleback, Bolton Valley, Waterville Valley, Berkshire East, Black Mountain (N.H.), Magic Mountain, Mohawk Mountain, Pats Peak, and Suicide Six.
The pass ($279; $119 12 and under through Sept. 1) provides access to more than 50 resorts, allowing users two days at each destination. The Indy+ pass is $379 and $169 (12 and under through Sept. 1) with no blackouts. (Keep in mind, there are no blackouts anyway at Berkshire East, Jay Peak, Catamount, Black Mountain, Pats Peak, Bolton Valley, Jay Peak, and Suicide Six).
Indy AddOn passes are also available at lower rates to unrestricted season passholders at Indy Partner Resorts. Purchase by 8/31 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. — www.indyskipass.com
Mountain Collective — For only $539 ($439 teens, $149 children 12 and under), Mountain Collective users receive two days each at 23 different locations. In New England, this includes only Sugarbush and Sugarloaf.
But the Mountain Collective can also be used at such premier destinations as Chamonix, Aspen Snowmass, Grand Targhee, Squaw Valley, and Jackson Hole, which makes it a traveler’s dream. There are no blackout dates. While supplies last. — mountaincollective.com
Ikon Pass — If you’re buying for a family, and hesitant about dropping a boatload of cash on season passes, Ikon is now offering payment plans. Purchasers can pay as low as $0 down, and split the payments over three, six, or 12 months. As an example, a $1,049 Ikon Pass purchase might cost $95 per month over 12 months at 15 percent APR.
The Ikon Pass ($1,049, $999 renewal price) offers unlimited access at 15 destinations across North America. In New England, that includes Sugarbush and Stratton. It also includes up to seven days at other New England locations including Killington-Pico, Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Loon. The Ikon Base Pass ($779, $739 renewal) has blackout dates at Sugarbush, and only provides five blackout dates at the other New England locations. — www.ikonpass.com
New England Pass — Boyne’s New England Pass is a beast on the New England skiing scene, offering skiing and riding at Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Loon. The platinum version of the pass also includes an Ikon Base Pass, three free days at Western Boyne resorts, and 50 percent off Mountain Collective resorts. There are no blackouts on either the platinum or silver passes.
The Platinum New England Pass is $1,599 for adults ($1,299 seniors and $1,099 youth). The Gold Pass ($1,299, $949, $799 also includes 50 percent off tickets at Mountain Collective resorts and three days out west. The Silver Pass ($839,$769, $419) has 12 blackout dates. — www.newenglandpass.com
Berkshire Summit Pass — The Berkshire Summit Pass ($559 by Aug. 31) is a combo season pass to Berkshire East, Catamount Mountain Resort, and Bousquet Mountain that also has the option of an Indy-Pass add-on. A locals pass, good Sunday through Friday is on sale now for $429 (by Aug. 31). A college pass will also be available for $315 on Sept. 1. www.berkshireeast.com/winter/berkshire-summit-pass
