The Scoop on Season Passes

Photo credit: Park City Mountain

With the final colors of fall clinging to the trees in and around Park City, thoughts naturally turn toward the very season that brought so many of us here: Winter!

As we all begin to pray for snow, it’s time to decide where to lock or strap in for the upcoming ski season.

But first, if you’re looking to score a sweet deal on gear, be sure to check out one of the many “swaps” happening locally. The locals’ favorite is the Park City Ski Swap, an event that benefits and is run by Park City Ski & Snowboard (PCSS). Held at Basin Recreation from November 5-7, the Park City Ski Swap is the single largest fundraiser for PCSS, supporting the nonprofit program’s mission of developing young athletes in Park City and the surrounding communities. Friday night is considered to be the best night for deals and steals, so purchase your tickets ASAP! The ever-resourceful Ski Utah has culled a list of all swaps at the following link: https://www.skiutah.com/resources/utah-ski-swap

Photo credit: Deer Valley Resort

Deer Valley Resort
Season: Dec. 4, 2021 – April 17, 2022

Deer Valley Resort generally serves as home base for my family, as their reputation for world-class customer service is matched only by their acres of skiable terrain, with everything from bowls to groomers offering that famed “Deer Valley Difference.”

Regarding COVID-19 guidelines, DVR is following CDC recommendations and requires all visitors to wear a facial covering indoors unless eating or drinking in a designated area, and must social distance when possible. Outside, vaccinated guests are not required to wear a face covering, while unvaccinated guests must wear one if unable to social distance.

Full Season Passes are outlined in the table below:

PASS NAME OCTOBER 14 RATE OCTOBER 15 RATE
Adult (23-64 years) $2,550 $2,965
Senior (65+ years) $1,910 $2,220
Young Adult (13-22 years) $1,575 $1,890
Child (5-12 years) $715 $830
College Student $1,785 $1,960
Military Season Pass $1,785 $1,960
Tot Season Pass (4 and under) $175 $200

New this year, Deer Valley is offering “First Tracks” on specified days, providing early lift access to season pass holders on Jan. 28, Feb. 11, and March 25, 2022, with three additional First Tracks days for both Deer Valley and IKON season pass holders on Jan. 12, Feb. 16 and March 2, 2022.

Season Pass holders also receive discounts on Friends & Family passes, a Monday-Friday complimentary day ticket at Alta, Brighton, and Snowbird, discounts at Deer Valley-owned restaurants and retail outlets, and a complimentary 2022 Summer Season Pass if a 21/22 Full Season Pass is purchased before the October 14 deadline.

Another option is the Mid-Week Season Pass, with access Monday through Friday (excluding 12/26/2021 – 1/2/2021) for just $1,395 before the October deadline, with the price increasing to $1,510 afterward.

The Ikon Pass also offers days of skiing at Deer Valley, along with other local resorts like Snowbasin, Snowbird and Alta, with more info available at ikonpass.com.

To purchase passes or learn more, click here.

Photo credit: Park City Mountain

Park City Mountain
Season: Nov. 19, 2021 – April 17, 2022

Heading into the upcoming ski season, Park City Mountain has eliminated the skier reservation system it put into place last year in response to COVID-19 and is offering a 20% discount on season passes until October 14. This means the full Epic Pass, with no holiday blackout dates and access to all Vail Resorts-owned properties, is just $799 for ages 13 and older, and $407 for children. The Epic Local Pass, which excludes holidays (though half-price day passes are available for blacked-out dates), is $599 for ages 19 and older, $479 for teens ages 13-18, and $311 for children. The Park City Youth Pass – with no black-out dates, but good only at Park City Mountain and not at other Vail Resorts – is $319 for kids ages 5-12. Kids four and younger are eligible for a free Epic pass. With prices increasing on October 14, now is the time to lock in the above prices.

Park City also offers multi-day Epic Passes, ranging from one to seven days, which are good at most Vail resorts in the U.S. and at Whistler/Blackcomb, and start at $89 for one day for skiers ages 13 and older, and $47 for one day for children ages 5-13. For every day added, the price per day decreases, with the daily price for the seven-day pass just $77 ($533 total), and holidays are excluded.

There will still be COVID-19 mitigation protocols in place, including face coverings required in indoor settings, such as restaurants, lodging properties, restrooms, busses, retail and rental locations. Face coverings will not be required outdoors, in lift lines, or on lifts or gondolas. They are still requiring reservations to eat at many of the on-mountain restaurants, and guests aged 12 and older will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations to dine at indoor or on-mountain cafeteria-style restaurants.  

Benefitting active duty and retired military who served at least 20 years, the Epic Military Pass is just $151, and includes all dependents.

All passes offer 20% discounts on food, retail, lessons, and rentals, plus seven days of unrestricted skiing or snowboarding at both Snowbasin and Sun Valley for full Epic Pass holders (Epic Local Pass holders receive two days with restricted dates).

Woodward

Located along I-80 between Kimball Junction and Summit Park, Woodward offers a small-mountain experience for skiers and snowboarders, with half-pipe and park access, plus lessons that typically cost less than at the larger resorts. While they haven’t yet included their 2021-22 winter operations info online, keep an eye on their site for info coming out soon!

Photo credit: Snowbird

Snowbird
Dec. 1, 2021 – May (or even July, depending on the snowpack …)

A short drive (depending on the day) to Little Cottonwood Canyon brings you to the mecca of the most serious of skiers and snowboarders: Snowbird (though there is accessible terrain for all levels).  

Snowbird offers a variety of pass products, including the all-in Summit Pass with no blackout dates (see prices below), the Ten-2-Share Pass with 10 days of unlimited access to the Tram and chairlifts for $699 (can be shared with family and friends), the Flex-4 Tix for four days of unlimited skiing/riding for $349 (perfect for trying out the mountain), or the Mountain Collective Pass for 46 days of access to 23 destinations for $589 for adults.

Summit Pass Type 2021-22 Pass Price
Summit Adult $1,399
Summit Senior (65+) $1,079
Summit Young Adult (19-25) $1,079
Summit College/Medical Resident/Military $1,079
Summit Teen (13-18) $699
Summit Youth (7-12) $439
Summit 6 & Under $89
Summit 4-Pack (2 adults + 2 kids 18 & under) $2,799
Pricing is tax exclusive – tax rate of 7.25% not including Ikon Bass Pass add-on benefit.
Prices and benefits are valid through February 28, 2022.

The Alta-Bird pass is also a great way for skiers (no snowboarders allowed at Alta) to experience the best of both iconic resorts, with prices as follows:

Alta-Bird Pass Type 2021-22 Pass Price
Alta-Bird Adult $1,999
Alta-Bird Senior (65+) $1,749
Alta-Bird Young Adult (18-25) $1,749
Alta-Bird Military $1,749
Alta-Bird Teen (13-17) $999
Alta-Bird Youth (7-12) $699
Alta-Bird 6 & Under $169
Alta-Bird 4-Pack (2 adults + 2 kids 17 & under) $4,199
Pricing is tax exclusive – tax rate of 7.25% not including Ikon Base add-on benefit.
Prices and benefits are valid through February 28, 2022.
Photo credit: Ski Utah

Ski Utah 5th & 6th Grade Passport

Much to the chagrin (and surprise) of many parents, the Ski Utah 5th & 6th Grade Passport was only valid on weekdays last season, but that restriction has been lifted for the upcoming season, and at an all-in cost of just $45, 5th Graders can ski or ride three times at EACH of Utah’s resorts for possibly the best value on the planet! The 6th Grade Passport is a little more modest with just one ticket at each mountain, but that’s still 15 days of skiing for just $15. You can make this year one to remember by also getting the Ski Utah Yeti Pass for $649 for yourself, which provides one ticket at each of Utah’s 15 resorts to accompany your little shredder. Talk about Bucket-List-level of parenting!

Other easily accessible resorts in Northern Utah include the budget-friendly Brighton, easy-to-navigate Solitude, charming Sundance and expansive Snowbasin. A great rundown of all pass products, courtesy of Ski Utah, can be found here.

Utah’s fabled “Greatest Snow on Earth” is one of the many reasons so many people Choose Park City. Connect with Christine Grenney at 435-640-4238, or visit her website by clicking here to learn about the many mountain properties providing easy access to each of the state’s resort communities.

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