Four New England Ski Areas Dropped from MAX Pass Replacement
The new Ikon Pass covers half as many areas as the MAX Pass.
Friday, January 26, 2018, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
The popular MAX Pass has been discontinued and will be replaced by the Ikon Pass, according to an announcement by Alterra Mountain Company yesterday. While prices and restrictions have yet to be announced, the new offering is designed to rival Vail Resorts' popular Epic Pass.
The MAX Pass (Multi-Alpine Experience) was created as a rival to the Epic Pass in 2015 by Boyne Resorts, Intrawest, and Powdr, and grew from 22 areas to 44 in 2017-18.
Alterra Mountain Company was founded last year as a joint venture of KSL Capital Partners (Squaw Vallley) and Henry Crown and Company (Aspen), encompassing the areas owned by Intrawest, Mammoth Resorts, and Deer Valley Resort.
The new Ikon Pass includes areas operated by Alterra, Aspen, Boyne, and POWDR.
Ikon Pass Areas:
Maine: Sugarloaf, Sunday River
New Hampshire: Loon
Vermont: Killington, Stratton
California: Alpine Meadows, Big Bear, June Mountain, Mammoth, Squaw Valley
Colorado: Aspen/Snowmass, Copper, Eldora, Steamboat, Winter Park
Montana: Big Sky Resort
Utah: Alta Ski Area, Deer Valley, Snowbird
West Virginia: Snowshoe
Wyoming: Jackson Hole
Canada: Blue Mountain, Tremblant
Four MAX Pass areas have been dropped from the new Ikon offering:
Okemo
Pico
Sunapee
Wachusett
In a series Facebook posts, Killington confirmed that Pico has been excluded from the Ikon Pass and that, "we felt joining the Ikon Pass was the best option to experience world class mountains in the country's major ski markets."
A spokesperson for Okemo stated, "We have been aware of the upcoming announcement of the Alterra Mountain Company coming out with a new pass and the elimination of the MAX Pass. Okemo management is considering options for future pass partnerships that will continue to add value for passholders and drive visitors to ski and ride Okemo." Okemo's operator also operates Sunapee.
Update 01/27/2018: Wachusett responded to an inquiry about not being part of the MAX Pass replacement by directing questions to "the folks at MAX Pass."
