 Poster: A snowHead
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To start with; No EPIC for me !
Might work for somebody and it is a great product ...
IKON offers bit more (IMO) but did not work out so great last season. Ended up using most days in Europe/Alps which would be bit cheaper and more flexible (no prepay) if buying local pass at the time of visit. But it did work out within a ski budget. This is mostly due to bad snow year in the Rockies/ US West and not aligning with my travel needs and abilities.
I usually have a "season pass" at Mount Bohemia, MI, USA ... $99 and some access to small hills around  Check it out, Japow of the UP !!!
However, what are the other pass options for NA based (living and working not so close to any major mountains but close to major airport  lately 15-20 days skier, with majority (10-15 days in the Alps)
Example of what I would like to see would be Dolomites (or Aosta Valley) pass in reverse - get unlimited skiing (in respective regions Dolomites/Aosta) with 5 days each at selected NA (Snowmass, Big Sky, Mammoth, Snowbird, Big3, Steamboat ... etc.) resorts for €1000 !!!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Wrong web site?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You know it's not ... you are here
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I’m the only one awake. Everyone else is sleeping.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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They will wake up eventually, don't worry.
I think it is a serious questions that some of us might have on mind enough to warrant a public forum response ... serious response 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Indy Pass (cheapest with more resorts than any other pass including about 30 in Europe and 20 in Japan) or Mountain Collective?
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| Phantom Phil wrote: |
| Indy Pass (cheapest with more resorts than any other pass including about 30 in Europe and 20 in Japan) or Mountain Collective? |
Indy pass is sold out for next season.
Mountain Collective may work, depending where and for how long you wish to ski at each. We've used it before to our advantage. Get in early enough for the bonus day, and before it increases.
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Indy pass sounds closest to your needs. Stuff like Swiss Magic pass or Tirol or Salzburg Superski does not have the same reciprical benefits in NA AFAIK.u
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Bones wrote: |
| Indy pass is sold out for next season. |
They always go back on sale briefly in the Fall. Join the waitlist tho'.
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| Phantom Phil wrote: |
| Bones wrote: |
| Indy pass is sold out for next season. |
They always go back on sale briefly in the Fall. Join the waitlist tho'. |
True, they do - and you'll have to be really lucky on the waiting list.
It sold out this season in 38 minutes of release IIRC so I'd imagine that waiting list is already quite long
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Bones, Waiting in line (like Disneyland) and Wait Lists are marketing devices. My bet is that you'll get one if you go on the wait list. Also Indy seem to keep adding more and more resorts so there must be an increase in passes available.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Phantom Phil wrote: |
| @Bones, Waiting in line (like Disneyland) and Wait Lists are marketing devices. My bet is that you'll get one if you go on the wait list. Also Indy seem to keep adding more and more resorts so there must be an increase in passes available. |
That!
I was on the waiting list in some previous years. I was “invited” to purchase each and every time.
I wasn’t even sure I wanted it but signed up just in case. Never actually took it up. It’s also not a lottery. You just have a short window to purchase it. I haven’t heard of anyone on the waiting list NOT “invited” to actually buy either.
Also, these are largely for first timers. Previous pass holder got in before all these gimmicks. I bet there’re many on that waiting list were like me who ended up not buying.
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@Cheapski, given the resorts you've described, why not Ikon? Not sure Indy is right for a MI-based (I assume, since you get a Mt. B pass) person. Flying somewhere for 2-3 days will break the bank. Yes, last season sucked for Ikon resorts....and pretty much all NA resorts other than in BC. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. To make Indy work, you'd have to log some serious miles in the car. Also, waiting on the Indy wait list could deny you the option of Ikon, the skiing version of musical chairs when the music stops.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Scooter in Seattle, @Cheapski is NA based, contemplating NA focus passes. The options for people like him had been discussed to death in NA based social media.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Phantom Phil wrote: |
| Indy Pass (cheapest with more resorts than any other pass including about 30 in Europe and 20 in Japan) or Mountain Collective? |
Not really if you look at his requirements:
| Cheapski wrote: |
Example of what I would like to see would be Dolomites (or Aosta Valley) pass in reverse - get unlimited skiing (in respective regions Dolomites/Aosta) with 5 days each at selected NA (Snowmass, Big Sky, Mammoth, Snowbird, Big3, Steamboat ... etc.) resorts for €1000 !!! |
There’s probably a facebook group somewhere in MI that had already discussed it at length. But if he didn’t find what he needs there, it probably doesn’t exist. Tough.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@abc, did you even read my post?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Scooter in Seattle, yes I did. You’re right. Ikon is the best of the bunch. But I got the impression he doesn’t feel it’s good enough for his need. Hence my comment of “tough”.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Fri 1-05-26 22:02; edited 1 time in total
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Yes, IKON is the closest to what in my ideal world would work for me. The only downside is being limited to 5 days at European resorts and for my two week trips it's either move to another resort (I found it doable but somewhat inconvenient having to book trains, plan route, book hotel ...) or buy additional days and stay put. (no additional days discount as Mountain Collective). Usually manage to take 2 trips to Europe
What I was hoping for is that there is similar product as IKON or Epic in Europe that would give you up to five days at some NA ski areas. Les 3 Vallees season pass has 3 days at Vail resorts but that's about it.
I would pay bit more to have that option (extra days over 5 allotted). On my second trip to Dolomites this season I ended up paying for extra 6 days.
Best "plan" I came up with is IKON base plus extra days (days over 5) at the "cassa" - just like last year. That would come to around $1700 (€1500) for my 15-20 days skiing which is acceptable
I have until May 7 before IKON goes up in price.
Some great suggestions here, thank you all. Chicago !
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Not sure if you bought your pass yet, but seems like the Ikon is the pass for you. If you purchase the full Ikon, you would get 7 days at each resort. Unfortunately, the friends and family discount does not work in Europe. Moving once a week isn't that bad and now Valle d' Aosta is on the Ikon, which has some lesser ski traffic and great mountains. The Mountain Collective is only valid in Chamonix and Megeve.
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FAQ
