Industry News
Multi-passes changed how the ski industry worked when Vail Resorts released the Epic Pass for the 2008-09 season. Since then, everyone who loves to ski or snowboard has probably been to a mountain that offers one of these multi-passes, and many have purchased one of these products. This is the time of year when the big names in multi-passes release prices for the next season. It is no surprise that each year, most pass prices go up in price; the question is by how much.
The Ikon, Epic, Mountain Collective, and Indy Passes are the four big multi-resort passes on the market. Each one offers something a little unique and different from the others. Here is a quick breakdown of what’s new for each pass next season.
The 2025-26 Ikon Pass goes on sale this year on Thursday, March 13. It offers over 60 global destinations in the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. There are some changes for next year’s Ikon Pass. One is that Ischgl, Austria, has been added to the 2025-26 season. It is the seventh Ikon Pass destination in Europe. Arapahoe Basin will now have unlimited access with no blackout dates. In the Northeast, Windham Mountain Club will no longer be available on any Ikon Pass for next season as it has gone semi-private. Next season’s pass costs $1,329, making it the most expensive out of the multi-resort pass options, however, has one of the most exciting product offerings.
The Epic Pass went on sale on Tuesday, March 4, and cost $1,051. The 2025-26 Epic Pass and Epic Adaptive Pass include five consecutive days of unrestricted access to Verbier 4 Vallées; and the Epic Local Pass provides five consecutive days of access, with some restricted dates. In addition, lodging will no longer be required for lift access. Verbier 4 Vallées includes 6 ski resorts spanning 4 valleys, making it Switzerland’s largest ski area. Available for a limited time, skiers and riders who buy an Epic Pass now will also receive 10 Buddy Tickets and six Ski With a Friend Tickets. A Buddy Ticket offers up to 45% savings on a lift ticket to help Pass Holders share days at their favorite resorts with family and friends. The Epic Pass also offers limited access to our partner resorts in North America, Europe, and Japan. Currently, it costs $1,051 and offers unlimited access to 42 ski resorts around the world. It has limited access to other partnered resorts, bringing its total to over 80 resorts.
Mountain Collective Pass gives skiers and riders the opportunity to ski on five continents at 26 destinations with two days at each resort for a total of 52 ski days. It costs $639 and guests can get a bonus third day at one resort, which is a limited-time offer. The Mountain Collective Pass offers great options with Alta, Aspen, and Jackson Hole in the United States. It also offers great skiing with Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, Bromont, and Revelstoke in Canada. There are great choices for other countries on the Mountain Collective Pass, such as Japan. JAPOW is something that every skier and snowboarder dreams of hitting. Japan receives more snow than any other country in the world. Arapahoe Basin will exit the Mountain Collective pass after the 2024-25 season, which was expected following last year’s acquisition by Alterra Mountain Company. Mountain Collective does not share any partners with Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass or Indy Pass but maintains significant overlap with Alterra’s Ikon Pass.
The Indy Pass is the fastest-growing multi-mountain pass, offering access to 250 ski areas across North America and beyond. It went on sale on Monday, March 3, and for the 2025-26 season, it is adding six new ski areas: Burke Mountain, Vermont; Tenney Mountain, New Hampshire; Corralco Mountain Resort, Chile; Rauriser-Hochalmbahnen, Austria; Pila, Italy; and Mt. Washington XC, BC, Canada. Corralco Mountain Resort will be Indy’s first ski area in the Southern Hemisphere, allowing 2025-26 passholders to ski this summer, starting June 2025. The Indy Pass is firmly connected to independently owned ski resorts worldwide. It is also committed to keeping the cost of its pass affordable. This is reflected in its 2025-26 season prices, starting at just $369 for adults and $209 for a child. Like other multi-resort passes, the Indy Pass grants skiers two days at each resort and limits the number of passes sold to prevent overcrowding. Because of this, it typically sells out before the season starts—so if you’re considering it, now is the time to buy.
Purchasing a multi-resort pass for the first time can feel overwhelming. Each pass covers different mountains across the country and the world, varies in price, and offers a structure. A multi-resort pass can provide significant savings and flexibility for frequent skiers (20+ days per season). However, for recreational skiers who hit the slopes fewer than five times per season, it may not be worth the cost and the loss of flexibility by locking into a pass product nine months ahead of the next season. Location is another key factor; while many passes include destinations worldwide, some are more regionally focused than others. Before purchasing, skiers should check which resorts are included and whether they are realistically accessible for them. After all, having access to 60+ ski areas isn’t helpful if you can only reasonably ski one or two a season.
Realistically, data from a study conducted by Langston Group has shown that 57% of all skiers and boarders record 3-10 skier visits. The skier visit number is defined as the days every skier (or boarder) visits a resort. So if you go to a resort for a week, that equals seven skier visits (sorry, boarders, but that’s what they are called). Convincing this market segment to purchase a multi-resort season pass has been the key driver for these companies. To this market segment, the break-even point seems achievable and the pass, therefore, good value—even if, at the time of purchase, the consumer is unsure about their plans for the next ski season. However, these passes go on sale when nostalgia about the last season is high, coupled with a time-critical financial incentive that pulls even the biggest skeptics across the line to ‘invest’ in the next season. What is very surprising is that 37% of those who skied or boarded between 0-2 days also bought a season pass. Purchasing a multi-resort season pass like Epic or Ikon makes no financial sense for this group.
Many ski resorts have raised daily lift ticket prices to encourage more people to switch to season passes. This pricing strategy helps resorts maintain financial stability by securing revenue ahead of the season. Today, most single-day lift tickets exceed $100, with some approaching or exceeding $300 on peak days. A multi-resort pass quickly becomes the most cost-effective option for skiers planning to hit the slopes five or more times per season. Additionally, pass prices increase throughout the year—so the earlier you buy, the cheaper it will be. Ultimately, choosing the right pass comes down to cost, resort selection, and accessibility.
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