THE GREAT SKI PASS BATTLE

Wondering which resort pass to buy this year? At Scout we’ve drilled down to some of the finer details between the two heavyweights, Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass and Liftopia’s Mountain Collective.

How much does each pass cost?

Epic Pass: Adult $749, Child $389

Mountain Collective: Adult $389, Child $99

The Ski Resorts

EPIC PASS - 17 INDIVIDUAL SKI RESORTS

USA

Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Canyons, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Afton Alps, Mt Brighton, Arapahoe Basin,

Japan

Niseko

Switzerland

Verbier

France (2)

Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires

MOUNTAIN COLLECTIVE - 14 INDIVIDUAL SKI RESORTS (3)

USA

Aspen Highlands, Snowmass, Aspen (Ajax), Aspen Buttermilk, Alta, Snowbird, Jackson Hole, Mammoth, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows

Canada

Lake Louise, Norquay, Sunshine, Whistler Blackcomb

 

WHAT YOU GET IN NORTH AMERICA

Epic Pass

Included skiing days: 163(4)
Total Skiable area: 28837 acres

Total number of lifts: 231

Need to know:

- No blackout dates

- 6 ski with a friend discount tickets

- Epic Mix App to keep track of all your skiing

- Limits of 5 consectuive days at Niseko, and 5 consecutive days at 3 Vallees and Verbier when staying in resort lodging.

- Discounts via Epic Pass Club

- Resort Charge (charge to your credit card via your Epic Pass)

- Peaks Rewards loyalty program (at select resorts)

 

Mountain Collective

Included skiing days: 14

Total Skiable area: 39636 acres

Total number of lifts: 208

Need to Know:

- The 14 days are split between 2 days at each of 7 different resort groups. (2 days at Alta/Snowbird, 2 Days at Aspen Snowmass, 2 days at Lake Louise/Sunshine Village/Norquay, 2 days at Mammoth, 2 days at Whistler Blackcomb, 2 days at Jackson Hole, 2 days at Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows)

- 50% off unlimited number of day tickets at window price at each resort

- No blackout dates

- 1year membership to Protect Our Winters

- Up to 25% off lodging at select hotels

- limited supply. On sale until sold out

 

WHICH PASS FOR WHICH TYPE OF SKIER

There are a mountain of ways to analyze the data. To help you decide which one is right for you we’ve simplified it to two key skier types.

Local Mountain Skier

you will primarily ski one resort but will take a weekend road trip to try a second resort (included in the pass). this season you estimate you will ski a total of

30 DAYS IN 2 DESTINATIONS5

Epic Pass Total Cost: $749

Epic Pass Per Day: $24.96

Mountain Collective Average Total Cost: $1754

Mountain Collective Per Day: $58.47

 

Destination Skier

you’re based in the city so you love to travel and try out different resorts. this season you estimate you will ski a total of

10 DAYS IN 3 DESTINATIONS5

Epic Pass Total Cost: $749

Epic Pass Per Day: $74.90

Mountain Collective Average Total Cost: $599

Mountain Collective Per Day: $59

 

INTERESTING FACT

if you ski for 24 days or less at aspen snowmass (this season) it is cheaper to use a mountain collective pass than the resort’s season pass. 13

 

interesting fact

the epic pass pays for itself after 6 days’ skiing at vail.13

 

WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU

Epic Pass

Average Terrain Breakdown

Beginner 18%

Intermediate 40%

Advanced 42%

Average Z Rankings Pure Awesomeness Factor score: 70.6 (6)

Average Z Rankings Snow Score: 63.13 (7)

Average Vertical feet: 2951 (8)

Longest run: 5.4 Miles at Heavenly

Average distance from major airport: 54.1 Miles (9)

Mountain Collective

Average Terrain Breakdown

Beginner 21%

Intermediate 43%

Advanced 36%

Average Z Rankings Pure Awesomeness Factor score: 80.4 (6)

Average Z Rankings Snow Score: 71.93 (7)

Average Vertical feet: 3156

Longest run: 7 Miles at Whistler Blackcomb

Average distance from major airport: 49.2 Miles (9)

 

THE ULTIMATE SKI ROAD TRIP

Epic Pass

Shortest route: Start Mt Brighton, end Kirkwood.

Miles: 2737 miles

Number of states: 11

Cost of Gas: $473

Driving Days: 6

Most Random Tourist Attractions:

American Museum of Magic, Marshall, Michigan

Ferris Bueller’s House, Highland Park, Illinois

 

Mountain Collective

Shortest route: start Whistler Blackcomb, end Mammoth

Miles: 2951 miles

Number of States: 8 (including 2 in Canada)

Cost of gas: $510

Driving Days: 7

Most Random Tourist Attractions:

Museum of the Mountain Man, Pinedale, Wyoming

National Bowling Stadium, Reno, Nevada

 

Scout insider tips

Epic Pass

Best resorts for families

Beaver Creek, Keystone, Northstar

Best Resorts for experts

Vail, Kirkwood

Scout’s favorite restaurant

Matsuhisa, Vail

Best on-mountain bar for dancing in your ski boots

Tamarack Lodge, Heavenly

Best App to keep track and show off

Epic Mix

Best place for a #skelfie (ski selfie)

Beaver Creek Birds of Prey World Cup Downhill

 

Mountain Collective

Best resorts for families

Whistler Blackcomb

Snowmass

Mammoth

Best Resorts for experts

Jackson Hole, Snowbird, Squaw Valley

Scout’s favorite restaurant

Il Villagio Osteria, Jackson Hole

Best on-mountain bar for dancing in your ski boots

Cloud Nine (aspen Highlands)

Best App to keep track and show off

Jackson Hole App

Best place for a #skelfie (ski selfie)

Top of Lake Louise surrounded by the Rocky Mountains

 

What’s on Scout

Epic Pass

Number of resorts covered by Scout

11

Number of properties reviewed by Scout

74

Most expensive room on scout

Arrabelle 3 bed residence

Least Expensive room on scout

Kirkwood Resort Lodging

MOUNTAIN COLLECTIVE

Number of resorts covered by Scout

13

Number of properties reviewed by Scout

58

Most expensive room on scout

St Regis, Aspen

Least Expensive room on scout

Village at Squaw Valley