Industry News
The Alta-Bird season pass—offering unlimited access to both Alta and Snowbird ski areas—is now on sale for the 2025–26 winter season at $2,918, a $210 increase from last year’s price. The joint pass remains one of Utah’s premier offerings, giving skiers access to a combined 5,114 acres of terrain, 20 lifts, and 256 runs, with no blackout dates. With an average of 548 inches of snowfall and a vertical drop of 3,240 feet, Alta and Snowbird continue to deliver some of the most iconic skiing in North America.
Prices have skyrocketed across the industry in recent years, especially since COVID. When I first moved to Utah in 2016, an Alta-Bird pass was going for roughly $1,500. Fast forward to today and that number has effectively doubled. This is due in part to an economic speedball consisting of post-pandemic recovery, inflation, industry consolidation (large corporations like Vail Resorts with the Epic Pass and Alterra Mountain Company with the Ikon Pass controlling a majority of lift capacity in major ski states, including Utah), new pricing models, and efforts to manage crowds. These trends are seen across the industry at large, both in the U.S. and internationally, and are likely to continue as long as demand remains strong and resorts face higher operating costs—which, with the the Trump Administration’s new tariffs, seems likely to be the case next season.
Despite the price bump, the Alta-Bird remains a go-to for powder-seekers and season-long locals alike, offering full resort benefits from both mountains regardless of where the pass is purchased. In my opinion, this is one of the most powerful season pass combos in North America, giving you access to what feels like endless inbounds steep terrain. You definitely get better at skiing with this pass if you ski a lot.
Located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, the Alta-Bird combo offers a range of terrain that caters to expert skiers and adventurous intermediates, with legendary steeps, glades, and open bowls. Passholders often cite the canyon’s deep snow and world-class terrain as unmatched in the U.S. I, having been a passholder at both these ski areas for almost a decade, would have to agree.
The 2025-26 Alta-Bird pass is now available for purchase through either resort’s website.
