
Yeah, it's that time of year. Time to shell out the coin for a season pass. After seeing an article in the local paper about "deals" at the local resorts, I got to wondering. How does Utah season pass prices compare to other resorts around the country and to each other? Lets take a look. Keep in mind I have a family of 4 that all snowboards(2 adults and two kids age 10 and 13). Also I only include the unlimited passes, no blackout dates, because thats how I roll. I don't have time to sit on the sidelines when there is pow. Also all prices listed are preseason pricing, if you buy late, you pay more. Also I hate the argument that you will only ride the backcountry. That means no riding on storm days, high avalanche days and no park riding, something I refuse to give up. Yes I ride the backcountry often, but having no season pass is not an option. Also doing laps on the lift when there is pow is a no brainer.
Utah
5th/6th grade pass good to all resorts in Utah FREE!!!!! (limited visits)
If you have kids this is an incredible offer. Take advantage of it.
Snowbird $1999 for a family 4 pack. $999 for an unlimited adult tram pass. $649 for a young adult (born after 1984), $629 college pass. My home mountain and personally the best place to ride powder on a consistent basis. I love this place!
Brighton $1887 for my family of 4. $849 for an adult pass. $499 young adult (born after 1986) and college pass. .
Solitude $2356 for my family of 4. $999 adult unlimited. No college or young adult.
The Canyons $2117 for my family of 4. $899 for an unlimited adult pass. $419 College and young adult.
Park City $2675 for my family of 4. $1250 for an unlimited adult pass. $500 College and young adult.
Snowbasin $2000 for my family of 4. $950 adult unlimited. $600 College and young adult.
Powder Mtn Their pass pricing is based on first come first serve. Expect to pay between $690-$85o for and unlimited adult pass and $495-600 for young adult.
Deer Valley and Alta JUST FLIP THEM THE BIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Colorado
EPIC PASS (good at 6 resorts, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, A-Basin and Heavenly in California) $599 adult, $299 child (age 5-12) unlimited, no blackout dates. This is the best deal I have ever seen on a pass. When I lived in Vail in the early 90's my young adult pass was $599. Wish this deal was around then. Utah needs to step up and come up with something comparable.
Summit Pass (good at Breckenridge, Keystone, A-Basin) $399 adult, $199 child. Another incredible deal!
Aspen/Snowmass/Buttermilk/Aspen Highlands (all one pass good at those 4 resorts) $4186 for my family of 4. Glad I don't ride there! $1499 adult unlimited. No College or young adult, only child passes.
Crested Butte $1798 for my family of 4. $899 adult unlimited.
Wyoming
Jackson Hole $3350 for my family of 4. $1675 adult unlimited. $905 under 18. Keep in mind this was August pricing, the prices have gone up quite a bit. I love this mountain, one of my favorite resorts ever. Not a good deal considering they don't open until mid December and close earlier than any other resort I know of. But a good powder day at the Hole is priceless and the hiking is the best I have seen anywhere in the country, especially with the open boundary policy!
Grand Targhee $1449 for my family of 4. $575 adult unlimited. $199 College (not sure what schools are nearby though)
California
Squaw Valley $3966 for my family of 4. $1299 adult unlimited. $999 Young Adult.
Northstar/Sierra at Tahoe $1906 for my family of 4. $699 adult unlimited. $399 young adult.
Kirkwood $1736 for my family of 4. $559 adult unlimited. $359 College.
Mammoth/June Mountain MVP pass if you bought last April, $576 adult, $288-$432 Child. If you buy now expect to pay well over a grand per pass.
Washington
Mt Baker $1740 for my family of 4. $680 adult unlimited. $600 college pass.
Crystal Mountain $2347 for my family of 4. $799 adult unlimited.
Alpental $1716 for my family of 4. $479 adult unlimited.
Stevens Pass $1336 for my family of 4. $399 adult unlimited.
Look it costs money to go on the hill, but if you are a family what other winter activities are there out there? Its money well spent! Better than having the kids on the XBOX all day long. Also I love hearing the boo hooing from people about pass prices that spend a ton of money on their golf habit, their expensive car payments, expensive mountain bikes, etc... Its all about priorities. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I went without fixing my AC in my car all summer to come up with the coin and its hot in the SLC in summer.