Uncertainty has caused ski areas to offer an array of
discounts and guarantees on annual passes for the 2020-21 season.
Some companies are also offering credits to 2019-2020 pass
holders to compensate for early mountain closures this year.
Vail Resorts will credit this year’s annual Epic Pass
holders between 20% and 80% depending on how many times they skied. The credits
can be used toward the purchase of a 2020-21 pass of at least equal value.
Vail has also extended the deadline for the cheapest Epic Pass
rates from spring to Labor Day. In addition, it is providing free insurance to
all annual pass buyers, which will allow for refunds for coronavirus-related
mountain closures as well as personal issues, such as job loss.
Similarly, the Alterra Mountain Co., issuer of the Ikon
Pass, is providing 2020-21 season pass buyers with what it is calling Adventure
Assurance, which is the option through Dec. 10 to defer the pass to 2021-22.
Smaller
pass products are in some cases rolling out more nuanced offerings. For
example, the New England Pass, which includes the Sunday River, Sugarloaf and
Loon Mountain resorts, will provide prorated refunds if the mountains aren’t
open for a combined 150 days during the upcoming ski season.