After the serious winter that’s just ending, you may have a tough time imagining strapping on skis for next winter. But planning ahead and purchasing your lift tickets now can save serious money for the future. Here’s what to know about ski passes for the 2026–2027 season.
Skiing Options for Northern Virginians
From NoVA, there are resorts nearby in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Or we can head north to New England’s snowy vistas, like Killington in Vermont or Sugarloaf in Maine. Out West, there’s Park City, Utah, or Denver, Colorado, for a range of challenges. And many Americans are opting for a direct flight across the Atlantic to Geneva or Zurich, Switzerland, and nearby charming resorts, like Chamonix-Mont Blanc Valley.
There’s an assortment of ski pass options to wade through, including the Epic Pass, Ikon Pass, Indy Pass, and Mountain Collective Pass. Many passes have just opened their sales for the 2026–2027 season, and many offer discounts to children, teens, and military families and allow you to share substantial lift ticket discount with friends or family members. Plus, Epic Pass has lowered pass prices by 20% for Gen Z skiers.
Epic Pass
On sale now
Owned by Vail Resorts, this pass offers several plans which cover 42 resorts across the U.S., Canada, and Australia — including Vail, Colorado, and Park City, Utah. Additional partner resorts include Telluride in Colorado and Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia.
Nearby resorts include Liberty Mountain and Whitetail, along with Seven Springs, Pennsylvania. Epic offers a Northeast-focused value pass that includes many mid-Atlantic resorts, along with Stowe, Vermont. Or take a direct flight to Geneva to explore one of Switzerland’s largest ski areas, Verbier 4 Vallées, with six resorts and views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.
The pass includes friend tickets that offer 50% off lift ticket discounts to friends and family; the earlier you buy the pass, the more you get. It also includes some summer benefits at the all-season resorts, along with 20% discounts on food, rentals, lessons, and lodging at Vail Resort properties. Full adult passes starting $1,089
Ikon Pass
On sale March 12
The Ikon, though pricier than some other pass options, is still the least expensive way to ski at 70-plus destinations worldwide. It includes some iconic resorts like Aspen Snowmass, Deer Valley, Alta, and Snowbird near Park City, Utah, Taos in New Mexico, and parts of Zermatt in Switzerland. Blue Mountain Resort in the Poconos and Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia both accept it.
The main pass has no blackout days, while the base pass and limited day-session passes offer fewer days with some blackouts. The pass comes with 25% friends-and-family discounts. It also includes a 15% discount on food, beverages, and retail at some resorts. Session pass starting at $299, base pass starting at $949, full pass starting at $1,399
Indy Pass
Join waitlist to buy; previous passholders can renew now
Touting its less-crowded slopes and 300 independently operated resorts, the Indy pass sells out quickly. It includes two days at each resort and then 25% off the lift ticket for the third day. Locally, resorts include Bryce Mountain, Wintergreen, and Massanutten, along with Blue Knob in Claysburg, Pennsylvania, and Bear Creek in Macungie, Pennsylvania. The pass also offers lots of Northeastern and upper Midwest options.
Get on the email waiting list now to have a chance to purchase for the 2026–27 season. Pass renewers get a discount. The main Indy pass has no blackouts, while the base pass has some. This pass also offers more cross-country options than the others. A Learn to Turn beginner pass includes lessons and rentals for all ages. Learn to Turn starting at $189, base pass starting at $368, Indy+ starting at $419
Mountain Collective Pass
On sale now
This pass offers two days at each resort with 50% off lift tickets for any additional days, with a bonus third day at one resort (for a limited time). It’s good for mainly Western ski resorts including Jackson Hole Resort in Wyoming, Sun Valley in Idaho, and Aspen Snowmass (also on Ikon Pass) in Colorado. One of the closest to NoVA is Bromont outside of Montreal, Canada. Adult passes starting at $669
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
