Tag Archive for: M.A.X. pass

Don Burch

Reader Opinion: The IKON vs M.A.X. Pass For Northeast Skiers

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Compare Ikon and M.A.X. And Major Differences Are Revealed.

To evaluate the Ikon Pass I’ll compare it to what it replaces, the M.A.X. Pass, and look at what it offers in and of itself. Because they are at similar price points I’ll be comparing the M.A.X. Pass with the Ikon Base Pass. While both passes include a variety of resorts across the US and Canada, this discussion is based solely on Northeast resort offerings.

Apologies in advance to fellow skiers in other parts of the country for I’m writing about what I know about, the Northeast—New York and New England, I’ve skied at 12 of the 13 resorts mentioned in this article. In recent posts to SeniorsSkiing Torry Hack (3/15/18) and Jon Weisberg (3/20/18) also discuss the Ikon Pass.

The early purchase price of the Ikon Base Pass for 2018 -19 is $599 while the early purchase price of M.A.X. Pass for 2017-18 was $630. The Ikon Base Pass offers skiing at six  resorts in the Northeast compared to 13 with the M.A.X. Pass. The Ikon pass adds Sugarbush but eliminates Belleayre, Pico, Gore, Mount Sunapee, Okemo, Wachusett, Windham and Whiteface. There are no special price categories for seniors for either pass.

With the Ikon Base Pass, we’re offered five days at three of the resorts and a total of five days combined at Loon, Sugarloaf and Sunday River. That’s a total of 20 days, and there are 10 blackout days.

The M.A.X. Pass had five days at 13 Northeast resorts for a total of 65 days and no blackout dates.

When I contacted Ikon pass with my concerns about their new product, they responded quickly which was appreciated. However, this is the response I received:

“We feel this new product will replace former existing products by adding more opportunity, benefits, and appeal to skiers and riders. As this new product grows, there is always potential for more resorts to be added.”

I struggled a bit on how to comment on the first sentence. There were many responses I considered but after reflection I’ll just say it’s akin to fake news.

The second sentence is encouraging. It would be wonderful for additional resorts to be added to the Ikon Pass and all the better if there were more privately and publically owned resorts included.

Though the Ikon Base Pass is disappointingly inferior to what it replaces, it will still offer value and variety for some Northeast skiers. Like any pass, if you use them enough they are a terrific deal. Multi-resort passes such as the Ikon Base Pass offer variety, and each of the Northeastern resorts included in the Ikon Pass is top-notch. If you plan a trip to any of the Ikon resorts out west, buying the pass is a no-brainer.

The full Ikon Pass at $899 offers unlimited skiing at Stratton and seven days at the other Northeast resorts mentioned. For those interested in a lot of Stratton, this may be a very attractive option.

Whether the Ikon Base Pass is right for you obviously depends on your individual preference and circumstances.

For me and my three ski buddies who also have the M.A.X. pass, we’re going to pass on the Ikon Base Pass for next season.

 

Torry Hack

Reader Opinion: MAX Pass Replaced by Less Diverse IKON Pass

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The MAX Pass offered skiers 5 days of unrestricted access to 44 ski areas ranging from local, family-oriented areas to large, destination resorts spread out evenly across the East and West.

The MAX Pass was available through Intrawest and included 5 of its resorts. My understanding is that the Boston area had the highest concentration of MAX Pass holders, and that Mt. Sunapee and Okemo ranked in the top 5 ski areas for total MAX Pass visits.

Last April, Intrawest was bought by KSL Capital Partners, a private equity firm investing in leisure properties, and Henry Crown, the owner of Aspen Skiing Company. They formed a new company called the Alterra Mountain Corporation (www.alterramtnco.com), self-described as “a curator of 12 premier mountain destinations”, including Mammoth, Squaw, and Deer Valley. Alterra replaced the MAX Pass with the IKON Pass, starting next season.

The differences between MAX and IKON are significant:

  1. 44 diverse ski areas offered under MAX reduced to 26 large, destination ski areas, which are now skewed to the West. 12 of the 26 resorts are owned by Alterra.
  2. Unrestricted ski days reduced depending on IKON level and specific resort.
  3. Elimination of the season pass-holder discount. Max Passes were only $199 for those that paid for season passes at participating ski areas.

Now, as a MAX Pass holder I am personally disappointed that this is a less diverse product with fewer choices. There are only 8 IKON areas in the East where a lot of Max Pass holders live and ski, and those are reduced to “destination” resorts.

With all of Alterra’s acquisition and start-up activity over the past year, the company appears to be using IKON as a way to push its owned properties.

With a little feedback from current customers, Alterra may still make some changes to return greater ski area diversity to IKON so it can be enjoyed by a broader base of skiers.

Northstar
Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Unless you’re riding with people you know, ski lifts are public places, and conversational topics should reflect that.

Courtesy of Northstar

At least, that’s how I view the 8 – 12 minute ride with people who, if nothing else, have the sport in common. But experience shows that others may not share that sensitivity. How else to explain the ride on a triple where the night manager of a local hotel explained in detail how the owner was a drug dealer who used the property to launder money? Personal discretion must not have been a requirement for his job. That was a long time ago. More recently, on another triple, the man in the middle went on a racist rant for most of the ride. I told him he was using inappropriate language for a public place. He paused for a few breaths and resumed in a more obnoxious manner. I told him that based on what he said he was a racist. “No I’m not!” he yelled as we left the lift and he skied away. Regardless of age or status, lift conversation is our opportunity to bridge gaps and preserve the spirit of skiing.  Please make the effort.

IKON Pass Introduced. M.A.X. and Rocky Mtn Super Pass to be Retired 

Ikon is from Alterra Mountain Company and includes 23 resorts in the U.S. and Canada, many of which are part of the M.A.X. Pass, the Rocky Mountain Super Pass and the Mountain Collective. M.A.X. and Rocky Mountain passes will no longer be available and Mountain Collective will continue through 2018-19. The resorts include Mammoth, Squaw/Alpine, Deer Valley, Alta, Snowbird, Copper, Eldora, Aspen/Snowmass, Steamboat, Jackson Hole, Big Sky, Killington, Sunday River, Sugarloaf , Loon, Tremblant and CMH. Ikon will announce costs at a later date.

Epic Pass adds Telluride

Telluride Ski Resort will be available on Epic Pass starting next season.

Winter Olympics

Courtesy, IOC

The South Korean games run Feb 9-25 in Pyeongchang, the name of a county about 40 miles from the DMZ. Opening and closing ceremonies will be held in a roofless five-sided stadium seating 35,000. South Korea is the second Asian nation to host the games. Korea’s Yongpyong resort has been the site for World Cup ski races four times since 1998. It has 14 lifts servicing up to 2,500′ vertical.

Warren Miller

Ski Utah posted this five minute edit of the1984 Warren Miller’s Ski Country. Hearing his voice narrate the film brings me back to another time.

Patagonia Environmental and Social Responsibility Report

This three minute video presents what Patagonia has done to improve the environment, preserve outdoor recreational areas, and contribute to improved lives in 2017. It’s an eye-opener.

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Pond Skimming at Vail

Skiing’s Silly Season starts this weekend with the annual ritual of the pond skimming competition. They’re generally associated with live music, costumes, BBQ, beer and LOTS OF FUN. Seven Springs (PA), Stratton (VT), Mt Snow (VT), Nashoba Valley (MA) and others have theirs scheduled for Saturday. Many others will be in April. Mt Bachelor‘s (OR) is the latest I found — May 28. It’s unlikely many SeniorsSkiing.com readers will compete, but if you do, check out these instructions for getting a good run. Be sure to send the video!!

COLORADO

Colorado Ski Country USA announced that its 22 member ski areas reported a January/February increase in skier visits over the same months last year. Snowpack is 125 percent of average and March and April are typically the snowiest months.

MASSACHUSETTS

Nashoba Valley Ski Area’s March Meltdown will be held this Sunday. Prizes for best costumes and pond skimming. Costume theme is 80’s TV or cartoon characters.

QUEBEC

Mont-Sainte-Anne announced the start of its 6 week spring season featuring live outdoor music, a slopeside sugar shack, and sunny terraces. Last day: April 30th.

UTAH

Snow Basin celebrated #nationalpuppyday with an Avalanche Dog Fundraiser benefitting Wasatch Backcountry Rescue.

Whisper Ridge, the new Utah heli/snowcat operation about a hour north of the airport has closed for the season. The company reports a banner season. Whisper Ridge is taking reservations for the coming season: 801-876-4664 or email info@whisperridgeutah.com

VERMONT

Okemo is promoting  an “all-new, bigger, better and bolder lineup” of season passes for ’17/’18. All passes are eligible for a M.A.X. Pass add-on. Purchase by April 30 for best prices and added value. Prices drop dramatically starting at age 65.

OTHER

Zeal Optics has an end of season 30% off sale on all goggles.

KJUS skiwear is beautiful, technical and pricey. 2016-17 Fall/Winter merchandise currently available online at 20% off.

Harriet Wallis

Breaking News: Boyne, Intrawest, Powdr Launch M.A.X. Pass

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MAXSki & ride 22 resorts five times each for total of 110 days.

The Multi Alpine Experience (M.A.X.) Pass is a brand new, groundbreaking ski pass giving access to 22 mountains all over North America. M.A.X. passholders will get five days of skiing or riding at each of the 22 participating resorts for the 2015/2016 ski season. Resorts include:

  • Blue Mountain, Ontario
  • Mont Tremblant, Quebec
  • Stratton, VT
  • Steamboat, CO
  • Snowshoe, WV
  • Winter Park, CO
  • Loon Mountain, NH
  • Sugarloaf, ME
  • Sunday River, ME
  • Boyne Highland, MI
  • Boyne Mountain, MI
  • Big Sky, MT
  • Brighton, UT
  • Crystal Mountain, WA
  • Cypress Mountain, B.C.
  • Summit at Snoqualmie, WA
  • Killington, VT
  • Pico Mountain, VT
  • Copper Mountain, CO
  • Mt. Bachelor, OR
  • Boreal Mountain, CA
  • Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard, NV

Boyne, Intrawest and Powdr combined to form a fourth company, PassCO, LLC, that will handle online sales of M.A.X. passes.

The M.A.X. pass was launched a few days ago. It offers skiing and riding at 22 U.S. resorts and it goes head to head with Vail’s Epic Pass with 81 U.S. and international resorts – and Mountain Collective with 14 U.S. and Canadian resorts.

Editor’s Note: We applaud the creativity the M.A.X. pass has shown in providing multi-resort ski discounts, but we are disappointed to see there aren’t any discounted rates for Senior Skiers. Hopefully, we will see an updated price list that acknowledges seniors, the growth segment of the ski industry. Readers: How say you?