I've been an Ikon owner since day one and sprinkled in local Epic over the past 2 years. For 24 - 25, I switched to Unlimited Epic and a Snowshoe Creek and Midweek pass.

Money was one factor. Unlimited Epic was 561 with the military discount. The SS midweek pass was 199. That's less than I paid for Ikon alone in 23 - 24.

Our gang wants to do the Vail, Beaver Creek and Keystone next year (maybe 2X) so Epic makes sense. Plus it allows me day trips to 7S, HV and LM if we have actual snow.

I still have many ties to SS and have zero interest in fighting the crowds on weekends. If I can manage 6 days at the shoe, I can live with the 199.

Being retired did not help my ski days. I spent 2 weeks in FL in January 2024. That may increase in 2025. 

I have until early June to decide and will probably do same I've done the last few years:  Snowbird senior pass and a cheap Ikon base pass add-on.  It comes to about $1200-1300 and lately I've got my daily average cost under $20.  A new twist for me this season has been getting six free days at a couple of places (Massanutten and Monarch) that only charge minimal admin fees for 70 year olds.

I like the variety the Ikon base gives me, but a big flaw in my situation is that I live 20 mins from Alta in wintertime and technically only get one free day there with my passes :-( 

I joke with friends that if I hang in there I'll get unlimited Alta days in ten years.  They joke back at me that by then the free age at Alta will be raised from 80 to 90 :-o

Opted out of Epic this year. Secured the T-line and CV passes. Ski early and often is the motto this coming year. Yes I might miss the idea of skiing close at WT, Liberty and Roundtop but opening late December and sometimes January isn't in the cards. 

Plus I loved skiing T-Line it reminds of NE skiing. 

Opted out of Epic this year. Secured the T-line and CV passes. Ski early and often is the motto this coming year. Yes I might miss the idea of skiing close at WT, Liberty and Roundtop but opening late December and sometimes January isn't in the cards. 

Plus I loved skiing T-Line it reminds of NE skiing. 

Looks like the lowest price for the MCP and the bonus day go away in about a week.  MCP website countdown clock shows 6 days left as of May 7.

For 2024-25, the $30 renewal discount is good until the MCP goes off sale.  That usually happens by mid-December.

jimw wrote:

I bought the Snowshoe pass this year instead of the Ikon.  I'm getting ready to buy the MCP but can't decide if my third day will be at Jackson or at Targhee. 

 You can change the resort for the bonus day later by sending an email.  I've done that a couple times.  Used to be had to decide before sales ended in mid-December.  But now can do it any time.  It's noted in the FAQs.

My March 2024 trip to GT was supposed to include skiing Fri, Sat, Sun.  But GT never opened on Sat.  I sent an email just for fun asking to change to Alta for my late season trip.  Get a reply approving the change within a day.

jimw wrote:

Sweet!  Thanks for the heads up.  Just purchased the MCP for the first time vs the Ikon.

 You cannot change 3rd bonus day too late....  My recollection, MCP submits your 3rd bonus day to resorts sometime after the offer ends.  

After it is submitted, you can't make change.  I've changed my 3rd bonus couple times and I remembered I did that in ingSept (bought MCP in March/April).  

If you want to be sure, I'd suggest sending an email to MCP or call to find out when is the drop dead date you can make changes. 

fosphenytoin wrote:

jimw wrote:

Sweet!  Thanks for the heads up.  Just purchased the MCP for the first time vs the Ikon.

 You cannot change 3rd bonus day too late....  My recollection, MCP submits your 3rd bonus day to resorts sometime after the offer ends.  

After it is submitted, you can't make change.  I've changed my 3rd bonus couple times and I remembered I did that in ingSept (bought MCP in March/April).  

If you want to be sure, I'd suggest sending an email to MCP or call to find out when is the drop dead date you can make changes. 

 That was the case before but now it's possible to make a change after MCP sales have ended.

I requested a change via email from GT to Alta during my March 2024 trip because GT didn't open the second day we planned to ski.  The reply was prompt and the change was made without any hassle.

As Scott recently reported, Epic pass prices go up after Memorial Day, May 27.

If you are getting an Epic pass, is it for a trip out west?  If so, which resort(s)?

The Indy Pass will be on sale in early July.  Probably won't last long.  Wait List people have a few days to use their code (sent via text) before sales open for the general public on July 4.  People with a season pass from an Indy resort that qualifies for an Add-on price can get a 25% discount on July 3-4.

Hatley Pointe in NC is joining Indy.  Also Ragged, which is not a surprise given that Wisp and Wintergreen will be on Indy for the first time for 2024-25 and PGRI owns them as well as Jay.

The list for Indy locations in the southeast has gotten pretty long.

MD: Wisp

VA: Bryce, Massanutten, Wintergreen

WV: Canaan Valley, Winterplace

NC: Cataloochee, Hatley Pointe

TN: Ober

Plus PA resorts include Blue Knob, Shawnee, Tussey, Sawmill, Ski Big Bear, and Montage.

If you want to see a spreadsheet with all Indy locations, check out the Storm Skiing article.

Indy Pass Adds Ragged, 5 Additional North American Ski Areas & 4 in Japan; Passes Back on Sale Today - July 1, 2024

Sierra At Tahoe has joined the Indy Pass for 2024-25.  Also Taos is once again on Indy Base (5 days).

Ikon Pass adds Sierra-at-Tahoe for Winter 24/25 - August 27, 2024

I am doing the same bit that I've been doing for the last few years ... Epic northeast value pass.  I usually just ski HV, 7S and Laurel most of the season anyway (hoping for a better one!), and then do one or two trips up north.    If I want to do something outside of epic, like go to Wisp or something, I just take out the wallet.

Spoiled being a remote worker. I can pick 2 half  days a week. No Crowds. Epic is the close by to make a half day work. 

pick the best weather days.

Budget says unit cost per hr. to ski under $10. may hit $5 per hr. for lift ticket.

Gas prices look under $3 retail this winter.

Good to see Roundtop getting more snowmaking gear. 

Weather La Nina 

Cheers 

Zardog  KC3YFZ 

Full IKON!

Colorado before Xmas,

Snowshoe,

Colorado again in April, then

Valle Nevado 11 months from now.

Going to be GREAT!