Save Money with Annual Ski Passes: Everything to Know for the 2021-22 Season

The winter months might be enough to keep some people indoors, but for others, there’s no better reason to be outside. With ski season fast-approaching, there’s no time to waste if you’re considering picking up your annual pass before it’s time to hit the slopes.

As you plan your season, take a look at what these different annual pass programs offer and how they can keep your wallet intact as you travel over the winter months. Whether you’re seeking the epic trails of big-name resorts or the soft, fresh powder of an independent mountain, there’s a good chance there’s an annual pass for you.

Plus, we’ll share an additional tip on how to save money no matter which mountain you travel to.

How does an annual pass work?

If you know you’ll be gearing up often this ski season, getting one of these annual passes will not only save you significant money but it will also give you access to numerous ski resorts around the globe.

As any avid skier will tell you, daily lift tickets can be pricey. One ticket can cost you anywhere from $25-$135 just for a day. While an annual pass means handing over more money upfront, it will undoubtedly save you money if you take multiple ski trips during the season.

There’s no shortage of annual passes out there, which means you have a ton of options at your fingertips. Whether you want to tackle as many mountains as possible this season or try to perfect just a handful of trails, an annual pass is the most affordable option for any avid skier.

We’ve laid out the details of some of the best annual passes out there, so all you have to worry about is which mountain you want to conquer next.

Epic Pass

Prices

• Epic Pass: $1024 for adults, $514 for children 5 to 12
• Epic Local Pass: $774 for adults, $604 for teens 13 to 18, $394 for children 5 to 12
• Epic Day Pass: Ranges from $97 to $114 per day for adults 13 and older, $50 to $59 per day for children 5 to 12 depending on if you want holiday access

*Epic Pass is currently offering a 20% discount on the Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, and Epic Day Pass. Prices go up November 21, 2021.

Overview

Epic Pass offers three levels: Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, and Epic Day Pass. With the top-tier Epic Pass, you get unlimited and unrestricted access to all Epic resorts, as well as discount tickets for a friend or family member.

With the local pass, you get much of the same unlimited access, but there are a couple of limitations on the resorts you can access and the dates you can hit the slopes. You’ll get discounted tickets for friends and family with the Epic Local Pass as well.

If you know you’ll only make it out a few days this season, the Epic Day Pass gives you the flexibility to choose the number of days (1-7) you want to add to your pass. The more days you purchase, the less expensive each day becomes. Also, if you want access to ski on holidays, you’ll have to pay an additional amount.

Epic Pass

The Epic Pass gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to the following 37 resorts with no restricted dates:

• Vail, CO
• Whistler Blackcomb, BC
• Keystone, CO
• Northstar, CA
• Stowe, VT
• Afton Alps, MN
• Perisher, Australia
• Hotham, Australia
• Crested Butte, CO
• Mount Snow, VT
• Wildcat Mountain, NH
• Hunter Mountain, NY
• Roundtop Mountain Resort, PA
• Big Boulder, PA
• Boston Mills, OH
• Mad River Mountain, OH
• Paoli Peaks, IN
• Beaver Creek, CO
• Breckenridge, CI
• Park City, UT
• Heavenly, CA/NV
• Kirkwood, CA
• Wilmot, WI
• Mt. Brighton, MI
• Falls Creek, Australia
• Okemo, VT
• Mount Sunapee, NH
• Stevens Pass, WA
• Attitash Mountain Resort, NH
• Crotched Mountain, NH
• Liberty Mountain Resort, PA
• Whitetail Resort, PA
• Jack Frost, PA
• Alpine Valley, OH
• Brandywine, OH
• Hidden Valley, MO
• Snow Creek, MO

Epic Pass also gets you seven days at each of the following resorts:

• Telluride, CO
• Sun Valley, ID
• Snowbasin, UT

You’ll also get seven total days at these resorts of the Canadian Rockies:

• Fernie Alpine Resort
• Kimberley Alpine Resort
• Stoneham
• Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
• Nakiska Ski Area
• Mont-Sainte Annie

The Epic Pass will give you five days each at these Japanese resorts:

• Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park
• Able Hakuba Goryu
• Hakuba Iwatake Snow
• Kiigatake Snow Resort
• Tsugaike Kogen Snow Resort
• Rusutsu, Japan
• Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort
• Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort
• Hakuba Norikura Onsen Snow Resort
• Kashimayari Ski Resort
• Hakuba Sanosaka Snow Resort

And if you plan to spend any of the winter months in Europe, you’ll also get access to 26 European resorts. Epic? The name speaks for itself.

Epic Local Pass

With the Epic Local Pass, you get unlimited, unrestricted access to the following resorts:

• Breckenridge, CO
• Keystone, CO
• Wilmot, WI
• Afton Alps, MN
• Mt. Brighton, MI
• Okemo, VT
• Mount Sunapee, NH
• Crested Butte, CO
• Stevens Pass, WA
• Mount Snow, VT
• Attitash Mountain Resort, NH
• Wildcat Mountain, NH
• Crotched Mountain, NH
• Hunter Mountain, NY
• Liberty Mountain Resort, PA
• Roundtop Mountain Resort, PA
• Whitetail Resort, PA
• Jack Frost, PA
• Big Boulder, PA
• Alpine Valley, OH
• Boston Mills, OH
• Brandywine, OH
• Mad River Mountain, OH
• Hidden Valley, MO
• Snow Creek, MO
• Paoli Peaks, IN

The following resorts have unlimited access, but with date restrictions:

• Park City, UT*
• Heavenly, CA/NV*
• Northstar, CA*
• Kirkwood, CA*
• Stowe, VT*

With the Epic Local Pass, you’ll get a total of 10 days at these resorts, but with date restrictions as well:

• Vail, CO*
• Whistler Blackcomb, BC*
• Beaver Creek, CO*

For the following resorts, you’ll get two days each, both with date restrictions:

• Sun Valley, ID*
• Snowbasin, UT*

The Epic Local Pass will also give you five total days each at Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu, Japan. None of these resorts have restricted dates.

Epic Day Pass

If you prefer to pay according to the number of days you’ll be skiing, you can pick up the Epic Day Pass and enjoy many of the same resorts while only paying for the days you’ll be on the slopes:

• Vail, CO*
• Beaver Creek, CO*
• Breckenridge, CO*
• Keystone, CO*
• Crested Butte, CO*
• Park City, UT*
• Heavenly, CA/NV*
• Northstar, CA*
• Kirkwood, CA*
• Stevens Pass, WA*
• Afton Alps, MN*
• Mt. Brighton, MI*
• Wilmot, WI*
• Alpine Valley, OH*
• Boston Mills, OH*
• Brandywine, OH*
• Mad River Mountain, OH*
• Hidden Valley, MO*
• Snow Creek, MO*
• Paoli Peaks, IN*
• Stowe, VT*
• Okemo, VT*
• Mount Sunapee, NH*

• Mount Snow, VT*

• Hunter Mountain, NY*
• Attitash Mountain Resort, NH*
• Wildcat Mountain, NH*
• Crotched Mountain, NH*
• Liberty Mountain Resort, PA*
• Roundtop Mountain Resort, PA*
• Whitetail Resort, PA*
• Jack Frost, PA*
• Big Boulder, PA*
• Whistler Blackcomb, BC*
• Telluride, CO (Requires 4, 5, 6, or 7-day pass)*
• Snowbasin, UT (Requires 4, 5, 6, or 7-day pass)*
• Sun Valley, ID (Requires 4, 5, 6, or 7-day pass)*
• Six Canadian Rockies resorts (Requires 4, 5, 6, or 7-day pass)*

*The holiday restrictions at select ski resorts for Epic Local Pass and Epic Day Pass holders are as follows: Nov. 26-27, 2021; Dec. 26-31, 2021; Jan. 15, 2022; Feb. 19-20, 2022.

Ikon Pass

Prices

• Ikon Pass: $1,149 for adults 23 and over, $869 for young adults 13 to 22, $379 for children 5 to 12, $149 for children 4 and under
• Ikon Base Pass: $879 for adults 23 and over, $679 for young adults 13 to 22, $339 for children 5 to 12, $99 for children 4 and under
• Ikon Base Plus Pass: $1029 for adults 23 and over, $829 for young adults 13 to 22, $489 for children 5 to 12, $249 for children 4 and under
• Ikon Session Pass 4-Day: $499 for adults 23 and over, $399 for young adults 13 to 22, $299 for children 5 to 12, $299 for children 4 and under

Overview

Skiers will have access to 46 unique locations around the world when they pick one of two annual pass options offered by Ikon Pass. On top of access to Ikon Pass ski resorts, pass holders will also receive additional discounts on lodging, ski rentals, and food and beverage at select destinations. You’ll also get a set of discounted lift tickets for your family and friends (10 for Ikon Pass, 8 for Ikon Base Pass), so they can join you on the slopes. 

The Ikon Session Pass 4-Day gives you access to 4 consecutive days at one resort or you can space out your days among 38 destinations. The Ikon Session Pass 4-Day does not come with any perks or discounts.

Ikon Pass

The Ikon Pass gives you unlimited access to these 15 destinations:

• Steamboat, CO
• Big Bear Mountain Resort, CA
• Winter Park Resort, CO
• Stratton, VT
• Copper Mountain Resort, CO
• Snowshoe, WW
• Eldora Mountain Resort, CO
• Crystal Mountain, WA
• Palisades Tahoe, CA
• Tremblant, QC
• Mammoth Mountain, CA
• Blue Mountain, ON
• June Mountain, CA
• Solitude, UT
• Sugarbush Resort, VT
  

Plus, you’ll get up to seven days each at the following resorts:

• Sunday River, ME
• Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, CO
• Sugarloaf, ME
• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY
• Loon Mountain, NH
• Big Sky Resort, MT
• Taos, NM
• Deer Valley Resort, UT
• Brighton, UT
• Red Mountain, BC
  
• Boyne Highlands, MI
• Boyne Mountain, MI
• The Summit At Snoqualmie, WA
  
• Mt. Bachelor, OR
  
• Windham Mountain, NY
  
• Thredbo, Australia 
• Mt. Buller, Australia 
• Revelstoke Mountain Resort, BC
• Cypress, BC
• Schweitzer, ID
  
• Niseko United, Japan
• Valle Nevado, Chile

Plus, you’ll get 7 days total at the following:

• Aspen Snowmass, CO: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass and Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk
• Killington-Pico, VT: Killington and Pico Mountain
• SkiBig3, AB: Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay
• AltaSnowbird, UT: Alta Ski Area and Snowbird
• Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt. Hutt, New Zealand
• Dolomiti Superski, Italy
  
• Zermatt, Switzerland
  
• Kitzbühel, Austria
  

Ikon Base Pass

With the Ikon Base Pass, you’ll have unlimited access to 13 resorts and limited restrictions at select destinations:

• Winter Park Resort, CO
• Big Bear Mountain Resort, CA
• Copper Mountain Resort, CO
• Snowshoe, WV
• Eldora Mountain Resort, CO
• Stratton, VT*
• Sugarbush Resort, VT*
  
• Palisades Tahoe, CA*
• Tremblant, QC
• Mammoth Mountain Resort, CA*
• Blue Mountain, ON
• June Mountain, CA*
• Solitude Mountain Resort, UT*

*Blackout dates are as follows: Dec 26, 2021–Jan 2, 2022; Jan 15-16, 2022; Feb 19-20, 2022

As an Ikon Base Pass holder, you’ll also get five days at each of the following resorts:

• Cypress, BC*
• Steamboat, CO*
• Crystal Mountain, WA
  
• Sunday River, ME*
• Schweitzer, ID*
  
• Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, CO*
• Sugarloaf, ME*
• Red Mountain, BC*
  
• Windham Mountain, NY*
  
• Mt. Bachelor, OR*
  
• Loon Mountain, NH*
• Big Sky Resort, MT*
• Taos, NM*
• Deer Valley Resort, UT*
• Brighton, UT*
• Boyne Highlands, MI*
• Zermatt Matterhorn, Switzerland
• Boyne Mountain, MI*
• Thredbo, Australia*
• The Summit at Snoqualmie, WA*
• Mt. Buller, Australia 
• Revelstoke Mountain Resort, BC*
• Niseko United, Japan*
• Valle Nevado, Chile 

Plus, five days total at these resorts:

• Killington-Pico, VT: Killington and Pico Mountain*
• SkiBig3, AB: Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay*
• AltaSnowbird, UT: Alta Ski Area and Snowbird*
• Dolomiti Superski, Italy
  
• Kitzbühel, Austria
  
• Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt. Hutt, New Zealand 

Add more with Ikon Base Plus Pass ($150 more than Ikon Base Pass)

• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY*
• Aspen Snowmass, CO: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass and Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk* (5 days total)
  

*Blackout dates are as follows: Northern Hemisphere - Dec 26, 2021–Jan 2, 2022; Jan 15-16, 2022; Feb 19-20, 2022; Southern Hemisphere - July 2-17, 2022 (Thredbo only)

Mountain Collective

Prices

• $589 for adult passes, $489 for teens 13-18, $169 for children 12 and under

Overview

The Mountain Collective Pass gives skiers two days of skiing at each of 23 destinations around the world for a total of 46 days. There are no blackout dates, and after your two days at the resort, you’ll receive an unlimited amount of days at 50% off the 1-day in-resort rate. If you plan on staying the night, you’ll also get up to 25% off lodging (blackout dates may apply).

Mountain Collective Pass

With the Mountain Collective Pass, you’ll get two days at each of the following resorts:

• Alta Ski Area, UT
• Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, CO
• Aspen Snowmass, CO
• Big Sky Resort, MT
• Grand Targhee Resort, WY
  
• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY
• Mammoth Mountain, CA
• Palisades Tahoe, CA
  
• Snowbird, UT
• Sugarbush Resort, VT
  
• Sugarloaf, ME
• Taos Ski Valley, NM
• Banff Sunshine, Canada
• Lake Louise Ski Resort, Canada
• Panorama Mountain Resort, Canada
  
• Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Canada
• Sun Peaks Resort, Canada
  
• Niseko United, Japan
• Mt. Buller, Australia
• Valle Nevado, Chile
• Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, New Zealand
• Thredbo Alpine Village, Australia

• Chamonix, France

Indy Pass

Price

Indy Pass: starting* at $299 for adults, $129 for kids 12 and under

Indy+ Pass: starting* at $399 for adults, $179 for kids 12 and under

*Early season pricing ends 11/30/2021. The adult tickets increase by $30 and kid tickets increase by $10 for each pass.

Overview

For those who want to support or just prefer independent resorts, the Indy Pass might be for you. With the Indy Pass, you get unrestricted access to 54 resorts and restricted access to even more. You can redeem for free-day tickets twice at each of the 80 partner resorts for a total of 160 days. The Indy+ Pass allows for 2 days of skiing or riding at each resort with no blackout days. If you need to do so, you can purchase a third ticket at each resort for 25% off the daily rate.

Indy Pass

Enjoy two days of skiing at each of the following 80 resorts:

• 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort, WA
  

• Antelope Butte, WY
  

• Apex Mountain Resort, Canada

• Beaver Mountain, UT
• Berkshire East Mountain Resort, MA
• Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort, MI
  
• Black Mountain, NH
  
• Blue Knob All Seasons Resort, PA
• Bolton Valley Resort, VT
• Brundage Mountain Resort, ID
• Bryce Resort, VA
• Buck Hill, MN
  
• Caberfae Peaks, MI
• Canaan Valley Resort, WV
• Cannonsburg Ski Area, MI
• Castle Mountain Resort, Canada
• Cataloochee Ski Area, NC
• Catamount Mountain Resort, NY/MA
• China Peak, CA
  
• Crystal Mountain, MI
  
• Detroit Mountain, MN
  
• Eaglecrest Ski Area, AK
• Eagle Point, UT
• Geto Kogen, Japan
• Granite Peak, WI
  
• Greek Peak Mountain Resort, NY
• Hoodoo Ski Area, OR
• Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area, WA
• Jay Peak, VT
  
• Little Switzerland, WI
  
• Lost Trail Powder Mountain, MT
  
• Lutsen Mountains, MN
  
• Magic Mountain Ski Area, VT
• Manning Park, BC
  

• Massanutten Resort, VA

• Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort, WA

• Mohawk Mountain, CT
• Montage Mountain PA
  
• Mt. Ashland, OR
  
• Mt. Shasta Ski Park, CA
• Nordic Mountain, WI
• Ober Gatlinburg, TN
• Okunakayama Kogen, Japan
  
• Pats Peak, NH
• Pine Mountain Resort, MI
• Pomerelle, ID
• Powder Mountain, UT
  
• Powder Ridge Winter Recreation Area, MN
• Red Lodge Mountain, MT
• The Rock Snowpark, WI
• Saddleback, ME
  
• Sasquatch, BC
  
• Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek, MI
• Seven Oaks, IA
• Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, PA
• Shimokura, Japan
• Silver Mountain Resort, ID
• Ski Marmot Basin, AB

• Snow King, WY

• Snow Ridge, NY
• Snow Valley, CA
• Sovereign Lakes Nordic Center, BC
• Soldier Mountain, ID
• Spirit Mountain, MN
• Suicide Six Ski Area, VT
• Sundown, IA
• Sunrise Park Resort, AZ
• Swain, NY
• Swiss Valley Ski and Snowboard Area
• Tamarack Resort, ID
• Tazawako, Japan
• Terry Peak Ski Area, SD
• Titus Mountain, NY
  
• Trollhaugen, WI
• Tyrol Basin Ski and Snowboard Area, WI
• Waterville Valley, NH
• West Mountain, NY
• White Pass Ski Area, WA
• Whitepine, WY
• Winterplace, WV
  

Holiday Blackouts: 49 Degrees North, Big Powderhorn, MI, Brundage Mountain, ID, Crystal Mountain, MI, Manning Park, BC, Mohawk Mountain, CT, Montage Mountain PA, Pine Mountain, MI, Red Lodge, MT, Saddleback, ME, Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek, MI, Shawnee Mountain, PA, Sundown, IA, Waterville Valley, NH, Winterplace, WV: Not valid Dec. 25-Jan. 3 2021, Jan. 15-17, 2022, Feb. 19-21, 2022

Magic Mountain, VT, Caberfae Peaks, MI: Not valid Jan. 15-16, 2022 and Feb. 19-20, 2022

Holiday Blackouts as shone above + Saturdays Jan. 22, 2022-March 5, 2022: Granite Peak, WI, Lutsen Mountains, MN, Silver Mountain, ID

All Saturdays + Dec. 19, 2021-Jan. 3, 2022 + Jan. 15-17, 2022, + Feb. 19-21, 2022: White Pass, WA

As shown above + all weekends from Jan. 8-Mar. 13 , 2022 + Feb. 22-25, 2022: Beaver Mountain, UT, Cannon Mountain, NH, Mission Ridge, WA, Powder Mountain, UT, Sasquatch, BC

Power Pass

Prices

• Power Pass: $1,099 for adults 37-64, $899 for adults 30-36, $799 for adults 25-29, $749 for adults 19-24, $649 for youth 13-18, $799 for Seniors 65 and up
• Power Pass Select: $799 for adults 37-64, $649 for adults 30-36, $549 for adults 25-29, $475 for adults 19-24, $425 for youth 13-18, $549 for Seniors 65 and up
  
• Local Power Pass: $549 for adults 37-64, $499 for adults 25-36, $449 for adults 19-24, $375 for youth 13-18, $349 for Seniors 65 and up
• Free Power Kids Pass: Free for children 12 and younger

Overview

The Power Pass is another annual ski pass that gives skiers access to a handful of mountains. Depending on the pass, you’ll get unlimited skiing at select mountains, as well as free lift tickets to a variety of others. 

Power Pass

The Power Pass gives skiers unlimited skiing at the following six mountains with no blackout dates. You can also get six 25%-off tickets for use at all eight mountains that you can share with friends and family.

• Arizona Snowbowl, AZ
  
• Brian Head, UT
  
• Hesperus Ski Area, CO
  
• Nordic Valley, UT
  

• Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, NM

• Purgatory Resort, CO
• Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort, NM
• Spider Mountain, TX
  

Plus, Power Pass holders will also get three free lift tickets at each of the following mountains:

• Copper Mountain, CO
• Loveland Ski Area, CO
• Monarch Mountain, CO
• Sundance Mountain Resort, UT

Local Power Pass

The Local Power Pass will give you unlimited skiing at the following four mountains with no blackout dates:

• Hesperus Ski Area, CO
• Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, NM
• Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort, NM
• Nordic Valley, UT (Sunday-Thursday access only)

You’ll also get an additional six 25% off tickets that can be used at all six mountains. With the Local Power Pass, you’ll also get three free lift tickets at Monarch Mountain and five free weekdays at Purgatory, Snowbowl, Brian Head, and Spider Mountain (blackout dates: Dec. 26, 2021-Jan. 1, 2022).

Free Power Kids Pass

If you’ve got children 12 and younger, they’ll be able to join you on the slopes for free with the Free Power Kids Pass. That’s right, any child 12 years old or younger can get a free season pass. That pass comes with unlimited skiing at the following eight mountains with no blackout dates:

• Arizona Snowbowl, AZ
• Brian Head, UT
  
• Hesperus Ski Area, CO
  

• Nordic Valley, UT

• Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, NM
• Purgatory Resort, CO
  
• Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort, NM
• Spider Mountain, TX
  

Other discounts to look for if a pass isn’t for you

Annual passes make sense for many skiers but not all. Luckily, many of these pass programs offer even deeper discounts for students, seniors, and military personnel. You can also look to take advantage of weekday-only and locals-only days where you can get your skiing in without committing to an entire season on the slopes.

Using one of the best travel credit cards for your everyday spending throughout the year could help you save big come winter. If you want to get the most out of your pass, you’ll likely have to drive or fly to a number of these destinations. These expenses can really add up. Having a rewards card and joining hotel loyalty programs could earn you points and miles that amount to a legit discount even over the course of just one season.

The short story? Buying an annual pass can help you save on the mountain, and a travel rewards credit card can help you get there for less. Plan how to manage your money on the slopes by thinking ahead. And if travel rewards feel like a complicated hobby to get into, we recommend you start out with one of these beginner travel credit cards.

What is the best ski pass?

This depends on how much skiing you’ll be doing and which mountains you’ve been sizing up — whether you prefer the slopes of bigger ski resorts or the twists and turns of local independent mountains. Many of the pass programs outlined above have different levels of passes, so you shouldn’t have any issue finding one that will give you the most bang for your buck.

Whichever pass you go with, if you know you’ll be ascending the mountain several times this year, an annual pass (combined with your travel rewards credit card) is the best way to get your skiing in at the most affordable prices.