With both economic and weather conditions fluctuating wildly in recent years, more ski resort operators have partnered up to offer multiresort passes that lock in revenue either before the season starts or early on while hedging their bets on conditions that can wreak havoc on daily lift-ticket demand. Here's a primer:
Epic Pass
Resort operator: Vail Resorts
First season: 2008-09
Number of resorts: 13
Notable participating resorts: Vail, Park City/Canyons, Heavenly, Northstar
Adult price* for 2016-17 season: $809
Restrictions: None
Max Pass
Resort operators: Intrawest, Powdr and Boyne
First season: 2015-16
Number of resorts: 25
Notable participating resorts: Steamboat, Mount Bachelor, Alyeska, Solitude, Mont Tremblant, Killington
Adult price* for 2016-17 season: $599
Restrictions: Five-day maximum per resort
Mountain Collective
Resort operators: Aspen Skiing Co., Whistler Blackcomb, Mammoth Mountain
First season: 2011-12
Number of resorts: 12
Notable participating resorts: Aspen/Snowmass, Alta/Snowbird, Mammoth, Whistler Blackcomb, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows
Adult price* for 2016-17 season: $379
Restrictions: Two-day maximum per resort
Powder Alliance
Resort operators: Angel Fire, Crested Butte, Mount Hood, Sierra-At-Tahoe
First season: 2013-14
Number of resorts: 14
Notable participating resorts: Angel Fire, Crested Butte, Mount Hood, Sierra-At-Tahoe
Adult price* for 2016-17 season**: All season-pass holders at the alliance's individual resorts are automatically members of the Powder Alliance (Mount Hood season pass: $509; Crested Butte season pass: $629).
Restrictions: Three-day maximum at each resort outside of season-pass holder's home resort.
*Multiresort passes are discounted during the spring prior to the ensuing ski season
**2016-17 season pass prices not yet released