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The Best East Coast Ski Pass
Planning to ski 7 or more days this season in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, or New York? Then this guide is must-read.
What’s the best season pass for East Coast skiing? We’ll explore the top pass options to help you choose the one that fits your needs. This guide is especially valuable for those living in New York City, Boston, New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine, with easy weekend access to numerous ski resorts across the Northeast.
A season pass is the smartest choice for avid skiers—pay upfront, and enjoy unlimited lift access without the hassle of buying tickets throughout the season.
We’ll break down the pros and cons of each pass like the IKON, EPIC, and Indy Pass to help you decide which one aligns best with your skiing goals and lifestyle this winter.
IKON Pass
How much does it cost?
- Opening Season Prices
- Full IKON: $1329
- Base IKON: $909 (includes 5 days at each resort instead of 7, which is plenty for most riders)
Who’s it for?
Adventurous skiers looking for high-quality terrain and snow both on the East Coast and plan to take a trip out west. If you’re planning a ski trip to the Rockies, like Steamboat or Aspen, this is a fantastic option.
What you get
Unlimited access to 18 destinations and up to 7 days each at 41 destinations. This includes the following East Coast resorts.
- Stratton, VT (Unlimited)
- Sugarbush Resort, VT (Unlimited)
- Tremblant, QC (Unlimited)
- Blue Mountain, ON (Unlimited)
- Sugarloaf, ME (7 Days)
- Killington-Pico, VT (7 Days)
- Sunday River, ME (7 Days)
- Loon Mountain, NH (7 Days)
- Blue Mountain Resort, PA (7 Days)
Provided by the Alterra Mountain Company through partnerships with ski resorts, the IKON Pass includes top resorts in the Rockies, Lake Tahoe, and Canada. Places like Steamboat, Colorado, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Aspen-Snowmass Colorado, and most of the world class resorts outside of Salt Lake City.
The IKON ski pass is pricier than the other options as it will give you access to the highest quality resorts in North America and on the East Coast.
Verdict
The IKON Pass is the Best Overall Option for Intermediate to Expert Skiers who plan to ride 5+ Days at IKON resorts and/or take a ski trip out west.
Indy Pass
How much does it cost?
- Opening Season Prices
- Full Base Pass Indy: $329
- As of 3/13/25 the Indy Pass has sold out
Who’s it for?
Beginner or intermediate skiers looking for variety without committing to one big-name resort. This is also the go-to pass for budget-conscious explorers who prioritize affordability over luxury.
What you get
Think of the Indy Pass as a love letter to the underrated gems of skiing. With 2 full days at 230+ independent resorts, it’s perfect for riders who prioritize exploring rather than returning to the same ski area.
- Here are some standout Northeast resorts included in the pass:
- Jay Peak, VT (famously deep snow and glades)
- Cannon Mountain, NH (advanced terrain and views)
- Saddleback, ME (a hidden paradise for all levels)
- Pats Peak, NH (excellent for beginners)
- Bolton Valley, VT (night skiing heaven)
Verdict
The Indy Pass is the best option for budget friendly beginners to intermediate skiers.
EPIC Passes (there’s three of them)
The EPIC Pass is Vail Resort’s very own mega pass. They offer three different passes relevant to East Coast skiers.
Each tier is slightly more expensive than the other and gives additional access to various Vail resorts across North America. EPIC Passes also come with buddy tickets, which are discounted lift tickets for your friends who do not have the season pass.
Northeast Value Pass
How much does it cost?
- Opening Season Prices
- EPIC Northeast Value Pass: $642 ($482 Seniors/Teens)
- EPIC Northeast Midweek Pass: $482 ($365 Seniors)
What do you get?
Access to the following EPIC resorts..
- Northeast
- Okemo, VT (Unlimited – Excludes Peak Dates)
- Mount Snow, VT (Unlimited – Excludes Peak Dates)
- Hunter Mountain, NY (Unlimited – Excludes Peak Dates)
- Mount Sunapee, NH (Unlimited)
- Attitash Mountain Resort, NH (Unlimited)
- Wildcat Mountain, NH (Unlimited)
- Crotched Mountain, NH (Unlimited)
- Stowe, VT (10 Days)
- Pennsylvania
- Liberty Mountain Resort, PA (Unlimited)
- Roundtop Mountain Resort, PA (Unlimited)
- Whitetail Resort, PA (Unlimited)
- Jack Frost, PA (Unlimited)
- Big Boulder, PA (Unlimited)
- Seven Springs, PA (Unlimited)
- Laurel Mountain, PA (Unlimited)
- Hidden Valley, PA (Unlimited)
- Midwest
- Mt Brighton, MI (Unlimited)
- Alpine Valley, OH (Unlimited)
- Boston Mills, OH (Unlimited)
- Brandywine, OH (Unlimited)
- Mad River Mountain, OH (Unlimited)
Verdict
The EPIC Northeast Local pass is the best for New England and Pennsylvania riders sticking to the East Coast resorts who don’t mind limited access during holidays and peak weekends.
EPIC Local Pass
How much does it cost?
- Opening Season Prices
- EPIC Local Pass: $783 ($633 Teens)
What you get
Everything from the Northeast Value Pass, plus some serious perks out west, including unlimited access to family-friendly resorts such as Breckenridge, CO and 10 days at Whistler, BC.
- Rockies
- Breckenridge, CO (Unlimited)
- Keystone, CO (Unlimited)
- Crested Butte, CO (Unlimited)
- Park City, UT (Unlimited exclude peak dates)
- Vail, CO (10 days)
- Beaver Creek, CO (10 days)
- Canada
- Whistler ( (10 days)
- West
- Heavenly, CA/NV (Unlimited exclude peak dates)
- Northstar, CA (Unlimited exclude peak dates)
- Kirkwood, CA (Unlimited exclude peak dates)
- 5 days at Swiss and Japanese partner resorts
Verdict
The EPIC Local pass is the best deal for those combining East Coast skiing with a destination group or family ski trip out west. Think family vacations at Colorado or Lake Tahoe resorts.
Full Epic Pass
How much does it cost?
- Opening Season Prices
- EPIC Pass: $1051 ($537 Child)
What you get
The ultimate EPIC package, which extends the Local Pass offering by adding unlimited access to Telluride, CO, and resorts in the Canadian Rockies, plus 7 extra days at Telluride.
Who’s it for?
The Full EPIC Pass pays off if you’re hitting Vail, Beaver Creek, or Whistler for 10+ days in the same season.
Verdict
Northeast skiers should stick with the Northeast Value or Local Pass unless you’re planning extensive ski trips to Vail, Beaver Creek, Telluride, Whistler, or the Canadian Rockies. The additional cost isn’t really worth it otherwise.
New England Pass
How much does it cost?
- Opening Season Prices
- New England Gold Pass: $1,389 ($599 Youth)
- New England SilverPass: $999 ($459 Youth)
- New England Bronze Pass: $679
- New England Nitro Pass: $459 (Age 19-29)
- New England College Pass: $359
What you get
The New England Pass offers unlimited skiing at Sugarloaf, ME, Sunday River, ME, and Loon Mountain, NH. Skiers with the Gold pass can also upgrade to include an IKON add-on for just $299, making it a stellar deal for those wanting both New England exclusives and access to larger destination resorts.
All levels give access to these three mountains with various additional discounts and blackout date perks.
The college pass is a great deal for College students enrolled in at least 9 credits are eligible for college pricing on the New England Pass.
Verdict
Best Deal if you’re going to ski more than 7 days at Loon, Sugarloaf, or Sunday River, add on IKON to the Gold Pass if you want to take destination ski trips this year to one of the awesome IKON resorts.
Summary
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing a ski pass—it all depends on your skiing style, location, and aspirations for the season. Whether you’re a die-hard weekend warrior or a family vacationer hoping to tackle far-flung slopes, there’s a perfect pass out there for you.
| IKON | Indy | EPIC – Northeast | EPIC – Local | EPIC- Full | New England Pass | |
| Price | from $909 | from $329 | from $642 | from $783 | from $1051 | from $670 |
| Destination Resorts | Yes | Yes (Smaller ones) | No | Yes | Yes | No (IKON Addon) |
| Recommended Ability Level | Intermediate+ | Any | Beginner+ | Intermediate+ | Intermediate+ | Any |
| Best for | Terrain & Snow | Budget | Local Skiing | Local Skiing + Family/Group Trip | Local Skiing + Specific Resorts | Sugarloaf, Sunday River, or Loon |
Contact Skizi
Don’t be overwhelmed with options. Reach out with any questions about ski passes or ski destinations.
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