Cooling temperatures and early season snowfall in the Tahoe region remind us that ski season is coming, and now is the time to consider a season pass for your favorite ski resort. Typically, season pass prices start low in the summer and begin to increase at incremental dates throughout the fall, usually peaking during the busy Christmas holiday. That means now is a great time to get your ticket to fun and adventure for this glistening winter season! Along with nearly unlimited access to some of the worlds greatest ski runs, the extra benefits for pass holders continue to get better each year as resorts compete to offer the best package you can buy.
These are some of the best mountain passes for the 2019/2020 Lake Tahoe winter season:
IKON Pass
Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows is the largest and most visited ski resort in California. This magnificent mountain hosted the 1960 Winter Olympic Games (read about the 1960 Olympics here). Their new offering, the IKON pass, will get you access not only to Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, but also 41 other major resorts worldwide. There are two pass options available – the IKON Base Pass, and the Unlimited IKON Pass. For $1,049 you can get the Adult Unlimited IKON Pass, which grants you access to world-class skiing at resorts all around the globe (including Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Switzerland and Chile). As a member of the IKON Pass community, you have the opportunity to explore new areas and receive exclusive discounts, both on and off the mountain. The IKON Pass offers a 15% discount on retail items, food & beverage purchases, and additional discounts on scenic chairlift access in the summer months. It also offers up to 25% off ski passes for the day, so you can bring your friends and family to join in on the fun. When traveling to different resorts as an IKON Pass holder, you can expect great lodging discounts and access to interesting events such as the Mountain Expo and other ski shows, all for free!
To find out more information about IKON Pass options, click here.
Vail Resorts Epic Pass
Northstar, Heavenly, and Kirkwood are some of Lake Tahoe’s most popular ski retreats, and are favorites among the locals. All three of these mountains are part of the Vail Resorts family, and purchasing the Epic Pass will grant you universal access to these great local destinations. Vail Resorts has other great sites in Colorado, Canada, and Vermont. With the Epic Pass, you also get unique access to world-class skiing at resorts in Australia, Japan and the European Alps. There are multiple pricing tiers for the Epic Pass, and each has varying blackout dates or access restrictions. The adult unlimited Epic Pass currently sells for $969. As a valued pass holder, you receive the added benefit of 6 day passes to share with your friends and family. Besides excellent ski runs, the Epic pass also offers benefits such as discounted lodging and scenic summer access. You can also get the EpicMix app to track your ski days, vertical reach, and check your exact location on the mountain. The EpicMix app will also help you plan your day by showing live wait times for the ski lifts.
To find out more information about Vail Resorts Pass options, click here.
Mt. Rose Season Pass
At a towering altitude of 8,260 feet, the base level of Mt. Rose is the highest of all Tahoe resorts. Due to its elevation, Mt. Rose is usually the first mountain to kick off the ski season for the year. For those traveling from Reno, this is usually the closest and easiest option. This ski resort offers 6 different passes to fit within your timeline and budget, and all of them can be upgraded anytime. The unrestricted Premier Pass is currently available for $725/adult. All the pass options are loaded with savings perks, such as extra tickets to share with friends, discounts on food & beverages at the resort, ski gear repair, lodging in Reno, ski apparel, and discounts for rental equipment. The Mt. Rose season pass also offers up to 50% off kids group lessons, a tremendous deal you won’t find elsewhere. Here’s a pro tip for parents that are Mt. Rose pass holders – Enroll your kids in a morning group lesson, which gets them professional training and a ticket to ski beginner runs, then enjoy the second half of the day skiing with your kids, all for less than half the price of a full day ticket.
To find out more information about Mt. Rose Season Pass Options, click here.
Boreal One Pass
While Boreal is a smaller resort, it’s a great ski park and is located directly off Interstate 80. Boreal is known as one of the only resorts to regularly offer night skiing. The Unlimited season pass at Boreal allows you to ski from 9AM to 9 PM every day of the season. Boreal is a true score for mountain lovers on budget, with prices for the Unlimited season pass starting at $359 for an adult. You can also upgrade to a premium All-Access Pass, which includes unlimited use of the indoor trampoline park at Woodward Tahoe for $569/adult. If you are just learning how to ski or snowboard, Boreal is a great place to practice, and the resort fully supports new generations of skiers & snowboarders with the new Boreal Kids Ski Free pass. The Kids Ski Free pass comes with the purchase of an adult season pass, and is offered to kids up to 8 years old. This pass also offers substantial discounts on equipment rentals. With this pass, you can also enjoy time with your family at Planet Kids located at the sister resort at Soda Springs. Similar to other ski resorts in Tahoe, Boreal’s season pass offers discounts on additional day tickets, retail items, and food & beverage purchases.
To find out more information about Boreal Pass Options, click here.
Diamond Peak Season Pass
While Diamond Peak is also one of the smaller Tahoe resorts, it boasts a warm community vibe and has amazing views of Lake Tahoe. This resort offers a free shuttle service, which is great for those busy winter holidays. You can purchase a full season pass with no blackout dates for $454/adult, or score a cheaper midweek pass for $324/adult, which excludes weekends and some days during the peak season. Like other local resorts, having a season pass at Diamond Peak gets you hefty discounts on season lockers, overnight lodging, equipment rentals, and repairs while on the mountain. The Diamond Peak Season Pass also allows you to ski a few days for free at some of the partner resorts across the country. In addition to these perks, Diamond Peak hosts pass holder appreciation events every winter and spring.
To find out more information about Diamond Peak Pass Options, click here.
Homewood Season Pass
At the ski resort In Homewood, you will find extraordinary lake views that are sure to stop you in your tracks. Homewood offers the Ultimate Pass which has no blackout dates for $679/adult. With the Homewood season pass, you can enjoy unlimited days of skiing and endless turns at 16 partner resorts across the country, all for free. Homewood Mountain Resort celebrates their loyal clients by offering a discounted loyalty pass for returning skiers from the previous ski season. Every pass holder will receive a 10% discount on rentals, retail items, group lessons, as well as food & beverages. These benefits also include 3 days of biking at Spider Mountain Bike Park in Texas.
To find out more information about Homewood Pass Options, click here.