The Teams

4aprice4aprice
in NELSAP Forum Posts: 203
The thread I just posted a little while ago is kind of a lead in to this one. Also Rick Bolger's  comment in the Burke thread sparked this.

 I expect in the coming weeks that the 2018-2019 Pass Products will be released and there will be plenty of buzz when that happens.  There are several big groups or consortium's vying for your skiing dollar 

IKon  Pass                                  

Steamboat
Winter Park
Aspen/Snowmass
Copper
Eldora
Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows
Mammoth
Big Bear
June Mt
Jackson Hole
Big Sky
Stratton
Killington
Snowshoe
Tremblant
Blue Mt (Ont)
Sugarloaf
Sunday River
Loon Mt
Deer Valley
Alta
Snowbird
CMH (heli)

Epic Pass

Telluride
Vail
Beaver Creek
Whistler/Blackcomb
Breckenridge
Keystone
Park City
Heavenly
Northstar
Kirkwood
Stowe
Wilmont
Mt Brighton
Afton Alps
Persher (Overseas?)
Arapahoe Basin

The Freedom Pass team

Black Mt (NH)
Bolton Valley
Crystal Mountain (Mi)
Eaglecrest (AK)
Granite Gorge
Lost Valley (Me)
Magic
Mcintyre
Pajarito (NM)
Plattekill
Sipapu (NM)
Ski Cooper (Co)
Whaleback
Dartmouth Skiways

Peaks Pass

Attitash
Jack Frost/Big Boulder
Crotched
Hunter
Mt Snow
Wildcat

Of course there are some other small packages like the White Mt Superpass and the NY state areas passes but those are the major ones I see.

So I want this to be kind of rumor mill (a skiing version of baseballs hot stove league) Additions or subtraction from these groups? What about some of the current independents? Areas cut loose from Max Pass?  Areas for sale?  What are they going to do? Anyone hear any rumors?  Rampant speculation, conspiracy theory's  and outlandish rumors are encouraged.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ
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Comments

  • ski_itski_it
    Posts: 4,667
    Anyone ever hear of a Skier's Association Pass... or something like that? Not the USSA Gold pass.
    ISNE-I Skied New England | NESAP-the New England Ski Area Project | SOSA-Saving Our Ski Areas - Location SW of Boston MA
  • bmwskierbmwskier
    Posts: 1,032
    Mountain Collective? Currently it's advertising:

    • 2 days at Alta

    • 2 days at Aspen Snowmass

    • 2 days at Banff Sunshine

    • 2 days at Jackson Hole

    • 2 days at Lake Louise

    • 2 days at Mammoth

    • 2 days at Revelstoke

    • 2 days at Snowbasin

    • 2 days at Snowbird

    • 2 days at Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows

    • 2 days at Sugarbush

    • 2 days at Sun Valley

    • 2 days at Taos

    • 2 days at Telluride

    • 2 days at Thredbo

    • 2 days at Ski Queenstown / Coronet Peak / The Remarkables

    "Making ski films is being irresponsible with other people's money, in a responsible sort of way..." <div>Greg Stump</div>
  • 4aprice4aprice
    Posts: 203
    bmwskier said:

    Mountain Collective? Currently it's advertising:

    • 2 days at Alta

    • 2 days at Aspen Snowmass

    • 2 days at Banff Sunshine

    • 2 days at Jackson Hole

    • 2 days at Lake Louise

    • 2 days at Mammoth

    • 2 days at Revelstoke

    • 2 days at Snowbasin

    • 2 days at Snowbird

    • 2 days at Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows

    • 2 days at Sugarbush

    • 2 days at Sun Valley

    • 2 days at Taos

    • 2 days at Telluride

    • 2 days at Thredbo

    • 2 days at Ski Queenstown / Coronet Peak / The Remarkables

    If its got Telluride on it, it's last years model as Telluride will now be on Epic.  Ikon is saying Mountain Collective will exist but has not announced in what form.

    Alex

    Lake Hopatcong, NJ
  • joshua_segaljoshua_segal
    edited February 2018 Posts: 4,839
    The only one of those plans that seems to include substantial variety of larger areas in the northeast is the Peak Pass.

    I suspect  lot of northeasterners who bought the MaxPass addition last year, will think twice for 2018-9.

    How much is "The Freedom Pass"?
  • NewEnglandSkier13NewEnglandSkier13
    Posts: 5,479
    joshua_segal said:

    The only one of those plans that seems to include substantial variety of larger areas in the northeast is the Peak Pass.


    I suspect  lot of northeasterners who bought the MaxPass addition last year, will think twice year.

    How much is "The Freedom Pass"?

    Depends on what area you get the season pass to. It's included as a season pass benefit for all of the member areas and does not cost extra.
    - Sam
  • rickbolgerrickbolger
    edited February 2018 Posts: 2,962
    joshua_segal said:

    I suspect  lot of northeasterners who bought the MaxPass addition last year, will think twice for 2018-9.
    unless they add the NY group, I'm out. It's a shame because it's been wonderful this season and I would buy it again in a heartbeat.  I didn't buy the add on, I bought max only.  
  • 4aprice4aprice
    edited February 2018 Posts: 203
    The only one of those plans that seems to include substantial variety of larger areas in the northeast is the Peak Pass.

    I suspect  lot of northeasterners who bought the MaxPass addition last year, will think twice for 2018-9.

    How much is "The Freedom Pass"?
    Ikon is going to have Stratton, Killington, Loon, Sunday River and Sugarloaf.  Thats a pretty good variety of eastern areas.  I kind of expect Epic to respond in some form too but how I'm not sure.

    For me it will be either Ikon or Epic as I will go west 2 or 3 times.  My Max pass use is pretty much Vermont/New Hampshire and Colorado/Utah  so for my own purposes I don't see much differences between Max and Ikon.

    And just to add (and hopefully not sound snarky), the main purposes of these products is to try to get one to the western resorts so I wouldn't expect them to be too eastern oriented with the exception of Peaks.

    The questions I have is, what about the Triple Peak areas?, NY State Areas?  Places like Sun Valley/Snowbasin, Jay/Burke (for sale), Smuggs?  Maybe another pass product on the horizon? or do they go it alone?  

    My experience with Max was it drove me to go to those areas on the pass east and west.  Currently we are looking into a trip to Aspen next year so Ikon is probably how we go, but if we decide to hit Vail or Breck or Telluride (on the bucket list )some year purchasing Epic would be the way to go. 

    I should add that as long as we are here in NNJ, we will keep passes at Camelback.  The access alone is worth the cost and I  basically see it as a gym membership in the budget.  Do I overpay for my skiing?, I'm sure many would say absolutely, but we love the outdoors so its worth it to us.

    Alex

    Lake Hopatcong, NJ


  • ski_itski_it
    edited February 2018 Posts: 4,667

    So did any one buy the Mt Bohemia season pass to exclusively ski elsewhere on the Freedom pass?

    Incomplete and out of date for next season, but may have some use next season...

    2017/2018 Pass & Discount Summary

    Most of these may have different levels, special timed out deals, blackout dates, # of days, added benefits and product offerings (resorts included) could change year to year. See #13 Killington may switch passes next season. Some sell out. Buy early for the best prices. Some you can buy in the spring for next season and use this season.

    0. Mountain Rider's Alliance      http://www.mountainridersalliance.com/

    I read they had a pass, but I can't find it online.

    1. Epic Pass $799 https://www.epicpass.com/passes/epic-pass

    Vail, Beaver Creek, etc 11+ resorts.

    2. M. A. X. Pass $699 https://www.themaxpass.com/ Steamboat,
    Killington, Sugarloaf, etc 22+ resorts.

    2a. M. A. X. Pass Add-on $249

    Skiers or riders who buy a qualifying season pass from one of the included resorts (like Sunapee) can add a M.A.X. Pass for $249. Get an additional five days of skiing/riding at each of 21 participating resort (excluding the resort accessed with the qualifying season pass).

    3. Mountain Collective Pass $369 https://mountaincollective.com/ Sun
    Valley, Alta Snowbird, etc  11+ resorts

    4. Powder Alliance Pass $ price depends https://www.powderalliance.com/
    Crested Butte, Snowbasin, 13+ resorts

    5. Peak Resort Pass $699 https://www.peakpass.com/ Attitash,
    Crotched, Hunter, Mt Snow, Wildcat, etc 7+ resorts. 15-25% off one ticket for
    friends.

    5a. Peak Resort Passport $149 https://www.peakresorts.com/passport/

    Ski one day at each of Attitash, Crotched, Hunter, Mt
    Snow, Wildcat and get one day free at any of those four.

    6. Rocky Mountain Super Pass plus $489 https://www.skicolorado.com/#home
    Winter Park, Copper Mountain, etc 6+ resorts

    7. USSA Gold Pass $10,000
    http://ussagoldpass.org/ The Gold
    Pass represents the ultimate direct to lift ticket with access to over 250
    resorts. 50 days max. at each resort. A large portion is tax deductible.

     8. Ski Vermont 3Pass $130 5Pass $205 https://skivermont.com/3and5passinfo

    Good for most of Vermont. Sells out.

     9. Mountain Playground Card $39 http://mountainplaygroundgroup.ski/

    For only $39 you'll be supporting independent and
    community ski areas that keep skiing fun and accessible. Plus, get discounts on
    lift tickets and exclusive deals with brand partners. 50% off Sunday River, etc...

    10. New England Pass $1079 and lower http://www.newenglandpass.com/ Sunday
    River, Loon Mountain and Sugarloaf

    11. Ski Maine Mountain Pass $435 http://www.skimaine.com/ski-maine-store/201718-ski-maine-mountain-pass/

    Eleven Maine ski resorts

    12. Freedom Pass $ depends http://freedompass.ski/ The Freedom Pass is
    a pass add-on at Fourteen ski areas across the United States. Buy a pass at a
    participating mountain, take it to any other mountain on the pass, and get
    three free days of skiing . Bolton, Dartmouth, Whaleback, etc... 14 resorts

    13. Ikon Pass $ TBD https://www.ikonpass.com
    Killington, Steamboat, etc.. New for 2018/19 which may mean Killington will be
    removed from offerings above. IDK.

    14. Mt Bohemia Season Pass $99.00 http://www.mtbohemia.com/season-passes/

    Buy on First Saturday in December - Bohemia ONLY pass
    $99.00 Mt Bohemia also has a $99 season pass that gives you free days at other
    ski areas. It doesn't say if you would need to use your pass at Mt Bohemia in
    order to get the benefits of the other ski areas. I also read the Freedom Pass
    was a $50 add-on here. Again, watch the fine print if you can find it.

    15. WNEP Ski Card $99 
    http://wnep.com/2017/12/15/wnep-ski-card-2017/

    White Face, Mountain Creek, etc..

    16. Fox 44 Ski Card 
    http://www.mychamplainvalley.com/ski-and-ride-card

    Bolton, Cannon, Mad River, Smuggs, etc.. 11+ resorts

    17. Irving Gas Ski Card 
    https://www.theirving.com/ski
    With every three fuel purchases of 10 gallons or more, we'll email you a BOGO
    ski voucher for 24 resorts. Jay, Okemo, Sunapee. Mostly mid-week. Some on
    Sundays.

    Participating BOGO Mondays thru Fridays:

    -Ski Bradford (Haverhill, MA), -McIntyre Ski Area (Manchester, NH)-Ski Mount Southington (Plantsville, CT) -Smugglers Notch
    (Jeffersonville, VT) -Mad River Glen (Waitsfield, VT) -Ski Ward (Shrewsbury,
    MA) -Bolton Valley (Richmond, VT) -Shawnee Peak (Bridgton, ME) -Dartmouth
    Skiway (Lyme Center, NH) -Okemo Mountain Resort (Ludlow, VT) -Nashoba Valley
    Ski Area (Westford, MA) -Mohawk Mountain (Cornwall, CT) -Black Mountain
    (Jackson, NH) -Mount Sunapee Resort (Newbury, NH)

     Participating BOGO Sunday thru Fridays:

    -Lost Valley (Auburn, ME) -Camden Snow Bowl (Camden, ME)-Catamount (Hillsdale, NY) -Middlebury Snow Bowl (Hancock, VT) -Burke Mountain (East Burke, VT)-Pats Peak (Henniker, NH)-Jay Peak Resort (Jay, VT)-King Pine (Madison, NH)-Black Mountain (Rumford, ME)-Suicide Six Ski Area (Woodstock, VT)

     

    ISNE-I Skied New England | NESAP-the New England Ski Area Project | SOSA-Saving Our Ski Areas - Location SW of Boston MA
  • 4aprice4aprice
    Posts: 203
    ^^ Thanks for the summary.  

    Of course Max and Rocky Mountain Super Pass are no more, but it will be fun to track the changes and partnerships for what ever products come out.  And I expect we will start to see things over the next 2 weeks.

    Alex

    Lake Hopatcong, NJ
  • NELSAPNELSAP
    Posts: 1,096
    A pass with 2 days at a lot of different mountains works if they are all near each other....most of the mountains are not near each other, and by the time you travel/stay at them, it negates any kinds of savings on 2 tickets. Unless I'm missing something?

    JD
  • 4aprice4aprice
    Posts: 203
    NELSAP said:

    A pass with 2 days at a lot of different mountains works if they are all near each other....most of the mountains are not near each other, and by the time you travel/stay at them, it negates any kinds of savings on 2 tickets. Unless I'm missing something?

    JD

    If your talking about Mountain Collective, it was/is 2 days at a resort, then 1/2 price any day after.  Max is 5 days at a resort.  The interesting thing is Mountain Collective was the brain child of Aspen and Max came from Intrawest.  The 2 are together now and have all the data on what was successful and what was not.  Again the purpose of the pass is to get you to travel to the major resorts.

    Alex

    Lake Hopatcong, NJ
  • rickbolgerrickbolger
    Posts: 2,962
    that's a great round up ski_it thank you!

    unfortunately it looks like I'll be slumming with the Fox 44 card again

    Peak Resort Passport is only available at Boston Ski Show as far as I can tell
  • ski_itski_it
    edited February 2018 Posts: 4,667
    rickbolger said:

    that's a great round up ski_it thank you!


    unfortunately it looks like I'll be slumming with the Fox 44 card again

    Peak Resort Passport is only available at Boston Ski Show as far as I can tell
    Two seasons ago we bought one at the show. No problems. This year we bought one online in Nov. for a Christmas present. In late Dec. still no Pass so we tried to get it while at Wildcat. The guest service guy tried for 30+ mins to print it and finally said you need to go to where you bought it, Attitash. But but we bought it online?? No kidding I got dressed and took two runs while the Mrs waited in vain. So we finally got it while at Mt Snow.
    So later the kid waits in the ticket line at Mt Snow...no you need to go inside...no you need to go back outside....grr.

    I'll just say that their systems do not appear to be tied together well.

    ISNE-I Skied New England | NESAP-the New England Ski Area Project | SOSA-Saving Our Ski Areas - Location SW of Boston MA
  • rickbolgerrickbolger
    Posts: 2,962
    Sugarbush on Ikon Pass
  • 4aprice4aprice
    Posts: 203
    rickbolger said:

    Sugarbush on Ikon Pass

    They are on Mountain Collective so the the connection is there.  Mountain Collective is still going to exist, but in what form?

    Boy that would throw the gauntlet down on Stowe and Epic.  They might have go for Jay if that happened, they may anyway.   I expect them to be as busy as Altaterra.

    Alex

    Lake Hoptcong, NJ
  • CannonballCannonball
    Posts: 681
    Ikon just came out.  https://www.ikonpass.com/en/compare

    If you live out west this is a huge improvement over Max Pass.  If you live in the East, it's much worse.  Doesn't work for me at all. 
  • NELSAPNELSAP
    Posts: 1,096
    Agreed - if you go out west for several trips a year, and also ski at Killington/Stratton, it may not be a bad deal. But compared to all the great options with the Max Pass this year, it stinks.

    JD
  • 4aprice4aprice
    edited February 2018 Posts: 203
    Cannonball said:

    Ikon just came out.  https://www.ikonpass.com/en/compare


    If you live out west this is a huge improvement over Max Pass.  If you live in the East, it's much worse.  Doesn't work for me at all. 
    Let the fun begin

    So, its interesting that the Boyne areas, Snowbird/Alta and Banff are all grouped as 1.  I can see why it doesn't work for you Cannonball.  

    For me the its pretty good.  Stratton, Killington Suarbush and Loon are all in my wheelhouse. 2 weekends at each and the western choices between our 2 bases in Denver and Salt Lake City are excellent.  

    Let see what Epic does.  Lots of free agent mountains hanging out there.

    Alex

    Lake Hopatcong, NJ
       
  • 4aprice4aprice
    Posts: 203
    NELSAP said:

    Agreed - if you go out west for several trips a year, and also ski at Killington/Stratton, it may not be a bad deal. But compared to all the great options with the Max Pass this year, it stinks.

    JD

    Gotta remember JD, the pass is intended to make you want to travel out west.  Max Pass was different and is now gone.  

    The western and eastern games are different.  $900 for a Unlimited Stratton Pass is not price either.

    Alex

    Lake Hopatcong, NJ 
  • CannonballCannonball
    Posts: 681
    Yes, if you ski SoVT and get a western trip in it could be worthwhile.  The final deal breaker for me was that they combined the days for Loon/Sunday River/Sugarbush.  Under the Max Pass I used all 5 days at Loon and all 5 days at Sunday River (and I should have got up to SL for 2 days).    

    Also, while it's still a good deal out west it doesn't have as many options as the Max Pass for somebody doing a single trip (as opposed to living out there). Under the Max Pass there were several option to hit 4+ mountains in a vacation.  I did a loop in Canada that where I got 13 days at 4 mountains. Similar loops could have been done in Colorado, CA, and PNW.   Under Ikon you can still do that in CO, but not in the other regions. 
  • obienickobienick
    Posts: 1,435
    Why did the Max Pass go away?
  • 4aprice4aprice
    Posts: 203
    obienick said:

    Why did the Max Pass go away?

    Max Pass was the born out of Intrawest.  Intrawest was bought by the Altaterra group thus Ikon was born and Max ended.  It is interesting that while not in name The Rocky Mountain Super Pass lives on.  Sure hope Epic releases soon so we can comparison shop and I going to be really interested to see what places like Okemo and the NY State areas do.

    Alex

    Lake Hopatcong, NJ
  • 4aprice4aprice
    Posts: 203
    Still no Epic announcement. Inquiring minds want to know.  Me wonders if they are up to something.   I have a hard time believing they are just sitting there watching Icon make the news.  

    Alex

    Lake Hopatcong, NJ
  • NELSAPNELSAP
    Posts: 1,096
    Remember to not neglect your favorite mid-small size independent area :)
  • 4aprice4aprice
    Posts: 203
    NELSAP said:

    Remember to not neglect your favorite mid-small size independent area :)

    Absolutely.  Couldn't survive without our home bump.  Been a multiple pass holder for a while.

    Alex

    Lake Hopatcong, NJ
  • 4aprice4aprice
    Posts: 203
    Epic comes out tomorrow.

    Alex

    Lake Hopatcong, NJ
  • rickbolgerrickbolger
    Posts: 2,962
    well it looks like there's a $669 pass to Stowe, with blackouts, $900 with no black outs. I know that it's epic® but is it a game changer?
  • rickbolgerrickbolger
    Posts: 2,962
    Triple Peaks just went Epic
  • JMaulJMaul
    edited March 2018 Posts: 580
    rickbolger said:

    well it looks like there's a $669 pass to Stowe, with blackouts, $900 with no black outs. I know that it's epic® but is it a game changer?

    rickbolger said:

    Triple Peaks just went Epic

    So. If only considering East Coast, $669 gets unlimited Stowe with blackouts (50% off during the blackout) and 7 days each at Okemo & Sunapee (50% off after the 7).  Hmmmm.
    You ski because even if you don't do it well, it's still a blast....
  • joshua_segaljoshua_segal
    Posts: 4,839
    Killington's 2018-9 passes just went on sale.  Bought mine.  Price is up about 5% from last year.
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