It should come as no surprise that Colorado is home to some of the finest, world-class ski mountains and resorts in the country. What may come as a surprise, especially if you’re new to the area, is the sheer number of multi-mountain season passes available for unlimited days of riding. Here, we’ll focus on three of the most well-rounded, multi-mountain season passes Colorado has to offer, regardless of your skill level.
The Epic Pass is perfect for the skier or snowboarder on the go. Featuring unlimited, unrestricted access (no blackout dates) to Colorado’s premier mountain resorts such as Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin, you’ll be kept busy exploring the terrain of these 5-star mountains.
Better yet, enjoy the same unlimited and unrestricted access to three mountain resorts along Lake Tahoe, California: Northstar Ski Resort, Kirkwood Mountain, and Heavenly Mountain Resort. Still want access to even more slopes? With the Epic Pass you’re in luck. Enjoy Stow Mountain Resort in Vermont, Afton Alps in Minnesota, Mt. Brighton in Michigan, and Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin. The last unlimited and unrestricted mountains included with the Epic Pass are far from local: Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, as well as the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere – Perisher Ski Resort in the Australian Snowy Mountains.
The Epic Pass has a few more tricks up its sleeve. It is the only pass that includes significant access to European slopes. Four countries, six resorts, and perhaps one of the best excuses to take a vacation…the Epic Pass has it all. Dive into European powder in France at Les 3 Vallées, Paradiski, and Tignes-Val d’Isère; head to Italy for three free days of skiing at Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta; stop through Switzerland for five consecutive days of free skiing at Les 4 Vallées; and finally, make your way to Austria for three consecutive days of free skiing at Arlberg.
Somewhat of a younger sibling to the Epic Pass, the Epic Local pass does not disappoint. With unlimited, unrestricted access to Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Wilmot, Afton Alps, and Mt. Brighton, you certainly won’t be bored partway through the season.
You’ll also be able to enjoy unlimited riding with limited restrictions at Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood. These resorts are restricted during peak holiday dates: November 24, 2017 – November 25, 2017; December 26, 2017 – December 31, 2017; January 13, 2018; and February 17, 2018 – February 18, 2018.
Lastly, you’ll get 10 holiday-restricted days at Vail, Beaver Creek, Stowe, and Whistler Blackcomb.
Perhaps the Rocky Mountain Super Pass website describes the allure of this pass best: “5 Colorado mountains. 2 sides of the divide. No blackout dates. Just more bluebird days.” But the allure hardly ends there. First, let’s look at the resorts with unlimited access and no restrictions included with your pass: Winter Park Resort, Copper Mountain, and Eldora Mountain Resort. These are some of the closer, if not closest, mountains to get to if commuting from Boulder or Denver, and less time in the car certainly means more time on the mountain.
This pass also offers six days of free skiing at Steamboat Ski Resort, three days at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, three days at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon, and three days at Alyeska Resort in Alaska.
Furthermore, this might be the most international pass of the bunch. With the Rocky Mountain Super Pass+, you’ll be able to enjoy seven days each at the following resorts: Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand; Cardona Alpine Resort, New Zealand; Tomamu Ski Resort, Japan; Alts Bandai, Japan; Nekoma, Japan; Hildarfjall, Iceland.
No matter which pass you purchase, you won’t be disappointed. Hitting the slopes this winter? Which pass will you choose?