Alterra Mountain Company has announced an amazing new multi-resort season pass that is going to make many skiers very excited. Ever since Vail Resorts announced the Epic Pass in 2008 skiers in the US have been patiently waiting for a pass that truly competes on the same level – with unlimited access all season long to a mix of major resorts. There were a few others that tried such as the MAX pass, The Rocky Mountain Super Pass or the Powder Alliance but they didn’t have the same number of big scale resorts to come close. Then there was the Mountain Collective which we love, but it wasn’t an unlimited season pass.

Finally there is one. The newest resort conglomerate, Alterra, has joined forces with a bunch of other major resorts in US and Canada to create the Ikon pass. Many details are yet to be released (including the price and which resorts will have unlimited access, and which will have limited days), but what we do know is that it includes more than a handful (23) of excellent major resorts in Canada and the US. What we love about it is that Alterra has joined its own resorts with a bunch of independent resorts instead of just coming out with a pass just their own (and kudos to the independent resorts too for joining forces).

Colorado: Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat, Winter Park Resort, Copper Mountain, Eldora

California: Squaw Alpine, Mammoth, June, Big Bear

Wyoming: Jackson Hole

Utah: Deer Valley, Alta, Snowbird

Montana: Big Sky Resort

Maine: Sugarloaf, Sunday River

New Hampshire: Loon

Vermont: Stratton, Killington

West Virgina: Snowshoe

Ontario: Blue Mountain

Quebec: Tremblant

CMH heli skiing is also included – but no, don’t think you’ll get unlimited heli time – details are yet to be released but it looks like there will be certain booking privileges to pass holders.

There are so many questions that remain and we can’t wait to hear the answers as they are released.  We suspect (totally unconfirmed) that the regular pass will have unlimited access to Alterra Resorts, while the partner resorts may have a capped number of days. But we've heard a whisper that there will be a FULL/premium pass on offer which may possibly include unlimited access to all resorts. The price is anyone’s guess, though it will have to be competitive with Epic to succeed. 

Stay tuned for more information.