Multi mountain pass options

What if a longtime adk skier had enough of the “issues” and is intrigued by a multi mountain pass in addition to the orda pass?   Not saying instead of - yet - as I drive by gore to get to WF Vt and NH.  

Prefer the gore or WF vibe no lodging at base needed just a mountain.   Where to start on the icon or mountain collective or what else are folks here using?  

Focus responds on the NE.   A whole new topic on the west and Canada something

The “issues” of Orda certainly seem to be piling up with the management continual gaffs / inability or desire to do routine maintenance and the attempts to kill the local culture on Mt

If you are ex military the Epic Pass is the way to go given it’s price

Ikon to me has a more appealing line up in the East with Killington, Sugarloaf and Sunday River just off the top of my head without looking up the full roster.  I’ll add that in when my son is done racing.

Here's my thought.  Probably not what I would do, but based on the little I know.

You're frustrated with Gore, but want to ski what is local to you when it's good.  Makes sense.

Why not just go with a sure bet like a season pass to Killington.  Take the guess work out and focus on two places.  It's also has the longest season in the east, so you could surely get your money's worth out of it.

You could buy a pass with Killington on it, like the Ikon, but you'd only get 7 days at Killington, and it's like $40 difference in price.  There's only one mountain in VT that has unlimited days on the Ikon, and that's Stratton.  If you consider you might only get to use it in VT, you're going to have a hard time really cashing in on a pass like that.  And it might be days that are no better than Gore.

To make those two make sense financially, I'd want to get around 15 days on my ORDA pass, and 20 days on my $900(+) pass.  Getting all those days at Killington wouldn't be hard if you have the time.  Given your location, I don't think it's too far a drive.

Hoser wrote

What if a longtime adk skier had enough of the “issues” and is intrigued by a multi mountain pass in addition to the orda pass?   Not saying instead of - yet - as I drive by gore to get to WF Vt and NH.  

Prefer the gore or WF vibe no lodging at base needed just a mountain.   Where to start on the icon or mountain collective or what else are folks here using?  

Focus responds on the NE.   A whole new topic on the west and Canada something

You're asking about 2019-20, right?  While it's obvious that Epic and Ikon are here to stay, it's much less clear what will happen with the MCP.

Assuming all three options exist, for the northeast Ikon has a few good locations.  Especially if you are willing to drive to Maine.  I've used my Ikon pass at Killington, Loon, and Sunday River so far.  Note that I mostly ski midweek.  But I got Ikon Base in the fall because I realized that the math made sense even though I already had the MCP because I have trips to three destinations out west covered by both planned.  Have friends who are using Ikon for Tremblant and then Sugarbush in March.

Epic includes Stowe plus Okemo and Sunapee.  Unless Vail Resorts buys Jay soon, not too much reason to get Epic for northeast skiing only.

How about a pass to Magic?  There is also something that gives one day at each of the VT ski areas/resorts.

marznc wrote

How about a pass to Magic?  There is also something that gives one day at each of the VT ski areas/resorts.

This a good idea. Magic is part of the Freedom Pass so you will also get 3 days each at Plattekill, Bolton Valley and some other hills in NH and even some smaller resorts out west. As for the VT card, I think you mean the Champlain Valley Ski Card https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/ski-and-ride-card which is actually a killer deal. If you’re talking foregoing your ORDA Pass in 19/20, it makes even more sense cause you will still get to do a day each at Gore and WF if a storm rolls through on a day off.

The Champlain pass looks like a good option for someone who has a season pass to a smaller hill in WNY or CNY and wants to get out to do some travel days.  Doesn't seem like it would be a good option for someone who wants to ski a lot of days on its own.

I'm also not sure how a Freedom pass solves any of the "consistency" problems that an ORDA pass holder might be complaining about.  Seems like any of the areas on that pass are going to be less consistent, if anything.

WTBS, I would probably do something like the Freedom pass if I lived where Hoser does (and I had time to actually travel and ski).  I would forgo the ORDA pass though.

Thanks all!   Yes frustrated with gore although have to drive by it for any NE hills.   Big K is very doable three hours early morning without traffic.  

Freedom pass is intriguing.  As stated probably not any better in sub optimal conditions.  

Champlain card may be the plan next year (yes this original question is for 19-20 sorry I wasn’t clear).   For $175 may be an add on to orda.  Really would miss WF.    Champlain not good holidays but that’s fine.  Other hobbies for those periods.  

Icon looks interesting if considering the west.  One at a time.   Just the orda alone is not working unless traveling to WF for decent conditions.  

Bell is close similar drive to WF but have to hit a day without people.   Really want to do platty.  Just hard to do when bell is free

Hoser wrote

Champlain card may be the plan next year (yes this original question is for 19-20 sorry I wasn’t clear).   For $175 may be an add on to orda.  Really would miss WF.    Champlain not good holidays but that’s fine.  Other hobbies for those periods.  

Not sure I'd do the Champlain as an add-on to ORDA.  It gives you one day at WF and Gore each.  That may not be as much as you want, but out of the 15 places on there, those are two of the tops.  Some of the others probably aren't even worthwhile.  Do they still do the SKI 3 passes?  That + Champlain might be a good option.

I don't really like passes that have blackouts though and wouldn't buy one unless I was sure of the days I could use.

Or can a WF only be purchased plus the Vt pass hmmm maybe.    

Hoser wrote

Or can a WF only be purchased plus the Vt pass hmmm maybe.

There is such a thing, but it seems to not be valid on holidays as well.  Not a great compliment to the Champlain pass IMO.

Looks like WF non holiday only is about 60 to 80 less than the orda three my non holiday.  Right not worth it.   One day at gore pays the difference

What are the "issues" the OP speaks of?

Primarily conditions due to lack of snowmaking during missed opportunities/ cold weather periods.   Add to that the lift ops breakdowns.   The minor things posted all over this forum are just minor like the lockers.  

Really just the poor conditions compared to five or ten years ago.   Also how WF skis so much better the last few years.   Night and day.  

I could list a dozen more minor issues.   Fix the conditions and the rest go away

Put this list together of Ikon locations for N. America for my own sanity.  I like lists by geography for trip planning purposes.

The only MCP locations not included for 2018-19 are Sun Valley and Snowbasin.  The GM of Sun Valley wasn't enthusiastic in the spring about Alterra and Ikon.  I heard from someone who would know that Sun Valley asked to be included in the MCP, as opposed to being sought out by the MCP group.

IKON Pass in N. America - Alterra in bold

California: Squaw/Alpine, Mammoth, June, Big Bear
Washington: Crystal, The Summit at Snoqualmie (Boyne)
Montana: Big Sky
Wyoming: Jackson Hole
Utah: Deer Valley, Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, Brighton (Boyne)
Colorado: Aspen Ski Co., Steamboat, Winter Park, Copper Mountain, Eldora
New Mexico: Taos Ski Valley

Maine: Sugarloaf (Boyne), Sunday River (Boyne)
New Hampshire: Loon (Boyne)
Vermont: Stratton, Killington (Powdr), Sugarbush
West Virginia: Snowshoe
Michigan: Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands

CANADA
Quebec: Tremblant
Ontario: Blue Mountain
Alberta: Lake Louise, Sunshine, Mt. Norquay (SkiBig3)
British Columbia: Revelstoke, Cypress (Boyne)

This is very helpful thanks for sharing!

   If Ikon added at least one Catskills resort I would be in.   Not one day trip available on Ikon from where I live.My Orda pass gives me 15 dollars off at two small Pa ski areas nearby me ,which I like but seems weird how this was negotiated.

Gunny J wrote

If Ikon added at least one Catskills resort I would be in.   Not one day trip available on Ikon from where I live.My Orda pass gives me 15 dollars off at two small Pa ski areas nearby me ,which I like but seems weird how this was negotiated.

That's a good point. The NYC market is so big you would think Ikon would try to get a Catskills area.  Maybe they think Killington is enough, or maybe Killington management vetoed Catskills partners.

OTOH maybe ORDA thinks they got burned by season pass buyers getting MAX passes last year (I did that). Maybe Windham feels the same way, plus they are still trying to work the high price season pass deal like it was 1985. Peaks maybe doesn't want an alternative to Hunter/MtSnow passes. That leaves Plattekill, which doesn't have the mass market appeal.

mm

Can someone tell me how the mountain is compensated?  

Obviously there is the lure of a bigger "share" of season pass sales. Greater visitation could mean more F&B.

Do they get a cut every time a mega-pass holder skis at there mountain?

There was a video interview posted on here with someone from Telluride that claimed the resort was paid by the pass company, per visit, at the prorated 5 day pass rate.

That's more than I thought.