Industry News
With multi-resort passes like Epic ($1,119) and Ikon ($1,399) steadily rising in price, many skiers and snowboarders are seeking more affordable alternatives. One option, for those who still want unlimited days on the slopes, is purchasing a season pass to a local mountain. While the decision to forgo mega passes and stick to a local resort can prove cost-effective, it may leave those wishing to experience different mountains around their region — or even their entire country — feeling somewhat restricted.
A new product, which launched less than a decade ago, may ensure skiers and riders no longer have to choose between affordability and flexibility: the Freedom Pass.
The Freedom Pass is a reciprocal benefit program between 20 American independent ski resorts as well as one European resort. Those who purchase a season pass at any of the 21 participating mountains automatically receive three free ski days at every other participating resort. This enables anyone purchasing a standalone season pass to still ski and ride for up to 60 days away from their home mountain.
This could prove an incredible deal for those living in the vicinity of any of the Freedom Pass’s participating mountains, listed below:
- Beech Mountain Resort—North Carolina
- Bogus Basin—Idaho
- Caberfae Peaks—Michigan
- Cherry Peak—Utah
- Crystal Ridge—Wisconsin
- Eaglecrest—Alaska
- Little Switzerland—Wisconsin
- Lost Valley—Maine
- Masella—Spain
- McIntyre—New Hampshire
- Mount Southington—Connecticut
- Mt. Ashland—Oregon
- Mt. Spokane—Washington
- Nordic Mountain—Wisconsin
- Norway Mountain—Michigan
- Red River Ski & Summer Area—New Mexico
- Seven Oaks—Iowa
- Ski Butternut—Massachusetts
- Ski Cooper—Colorado
- Steeplechase—Minnesota
- Yawgoo Valley—Rhode Island
Many of the Freedom Pass’s participating ski areas, given their small and independent nature, offer competitively priced, unlimited season passes. The introduction of this cooperative-style pass could prove very enticing for those already considering an affordable local pass while still in pursuit of flexibility.
A 2026-27 season pass to Caberfae Peaks, Michigan, for example, is on sale for only $299 — less than a quarter of the price of an Ikon Pass, while still allowing for 60 days of skiing and riding at resorts from Alaska to Colorado to even Spain.
The Freedom Pass values independence and simplicity, emphasizing a commitment to “old school” skiing in an industry that seems to be constantly modernizing. This locally oriented attitude and competitive pricing could make the pass an enticing alternative for those looking to visit an array of resorts while avoiding mega passes that, for many, may now be too expensive to justify purchasing.
Not a bad idea and should help independent mountains. The only concern is whether these partner mountains are fly-to-worthy destinations. Don’t see many people flying to Colorado to ski Ski Cooper etc.
Not a single good resort on the list