We will start by stating the obvious; skiing is an expensive sport. The current state of the ski industry offers few opportunities for middle-class families to buy ski passes. That is just a cold hard reality.
There are some products out there that attempt to bring the cost down. One example of this is the Indy Pass, which gives you two days of skiing at each of their 100+ ski areas for just $349. That’s not exactly chump change, but maybe it’s doable for your average American family who wants to make the commitment and sacrifice to be a skiing family.
But on the other side of the spectrum, you have the elite ski areas that seem to be able to charge any amount of money and still sell passes. These are ski areas where ski homes sell for tens of millions of dollars, and the local airports are jammed with PJs.
So if you have the means and you missed all the cut-off dates to buy your pass at a discount, these are the prices you will be looking at for an adult unlimited ski pass at the most expensive ski areas in America.
Note: some of these passes come with an IKON base pass included.
The Most Expensive Season Passes
Deer Valley, UT $3,145
The Wasatch Mountains provide the backdrop for the Deer Valley ski resort, which has excellent snow, world-class groomed runs, and challenging mogul fields. The resort offers a 3,000-foot vertical drop and more than 2,000 acres of skiable terrain. Restaurants in Deer Valley are noted for their excellent service and welcoming atmosphere for families, and they provide a wide variety of cuisines.
Aspen Snowmass, CO $3,099
Aspen, Colorado is a ski town that is home to four different ski areas: Snowmass, Aspen Mountain (Ajax), Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. These ski areas combined for access to more than 5,300 acres of terrain, making Aspen the ideal destination for skiers looking to ski a wide variety of terrain. Aside from the skiing, the town of Aspen is well-known for the countless food options, vibrant nightlife, and fantastic shopping that it offers.
Sun Valley, ID $2,759
Sun Valley is one of the oldest and most storied ski resorts in the country. It has been home to movie stars and astronauts. It’s a one-of-a-kind destination that fuses the traditions of the Wild West with the aesthetics of the Old World. Despite the huge season pass price, Sun Valley is still a bucket list location for many skiers.
Telluride, CO $2,600
More than 2,000 acres of terrain that is accessible by lift can be found at the Telluride Ski Resort, which is also known for its breathtaking vistas of the San Juan Mountains. There are 19 lifts that give you access to Telluride’s 4,425 feet of vertical drop. With a maximum elevation of 13,150 feet and a lift-served height of 12,515 feet, the mountain has ample ski terrain for skiers of all abilities. In addition to the great skiing, Telluride is one of the most stunning ski towns in America.
Windham, NY $1,999
Windham does not have the same level of clout as the other ski resorts on this list. It’s a ski area located a few hours drive from New York City. So why the exorbitant pass price? To be honest, we are not quite sure. Our theory on this one is that Windham is attempting to bill itself as the Deer Valley of the East. A title that you could say Windham is achieving on some levels.
Big Sky, MT $1,699
Big Sky has exploded in popularity over the past few years. With huge investments in the mountain’s infrastructure and unprecedented population growth in nearby Bozeman, the resort’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down. With all this money flowing into the resorts and surrounding area it’s not surprising to see pass prices at this lofty level.
Alyeska, AK $1,499
Skiing in Alaska is a truly unique experience that I wish every skier could experience at least once. The skiing at Alyeska is unlike anything you will find in the contiguous United States. It’s a remote location, wilderness and views make Alyeska a magical ski resort that will have you forking over the cash. Seriously, if you got some money burning a hole in your pocket you should head up there and check this place out.
Whitefish, MT $1,399
Whitefish Mountain Resort is located in northern Montana and was once known as the Big Mountain. This resort has breathtaking views of Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest (that’s if the fog ever lifts for you to see them). The resort is perfect for skiers of all abilities since it has a wide variety of terrain and a full calendar of events throughout the year.
Schweitzer, ID $1,349
Schweitzer offers a premium ski experience that is under the radar and off the beaten path. The skiing at Schweitzer is fantastic and the views are stunning. With a slew of improvements over the past few years, it’s not hard to see why this ski area can get away with a premium pass price.
Sugar Bowl, CA $1,219
Once owned by the Disney Family, Sugar Bowl is a real gem of a ski area. Unlike its neighboring Tahoe ski resorts, Sugar Bowl has a low-key, friendly vibe despite its challenging terrain and draw-dropping dumps. You might need to pay up for a pass but with that you get small lift lines and uncrowded slopes.
*This list was compiled by hand by visiting all the ski area websites. If we missed a ski area that should be on this list, please let us know.Â
ALSO, READ
The most expensive lift tickets or day tickets are not any better. You can read that list here – The 10 Most Expensive Lift Tickets In The United States