It seems that MC's price has been steadily creeping up without a parallel increase in access. For almost $500 dollars early season it seems much more compelling to buy an Ikon Base Pass for the extra ~$150 as long as you aren't specifically targeting Jackson Hole or Aspen Snowmass (or upgrade to an Epic Local with the recent price drop if we aren't exactly comparing apples to apples). I love the idea of the MC for a sick week in Wyoming/Idaho skiing JHMR and Targhee, possibly using your extra day at one of these, or an Alta/Snowbird trip (was an amazing offering when Snowbasin was also on the MC!). It is hugely compelling partnered with another pass like an Indy for a powder highway road trip considering it has the unique offerings of Sun Peaks and Panorama. Aside from some really specific use cases though, mainly for destination focused skiers, it just seems a little too limiting to pull the trigger on so far. I 110% agree it has huge potential, but I think it needs some tweaks. Possibly some more Northeast presence, but I am biased as a east coast skier, or a double down on aspirational areas like BC, Utah, or Tahoe.
The Indy Pass continues to rapidly expand! Ever since I bought my Indy Pass in the late spring or early summer of this year, my pass has already seemingly increased in value like 20%...
On the other hand, you have the Mountain Collective, which I refer to as the Boujee Indy Pass. It has that same model where you can get mild lodging discounts at the resorts on the pass, two days free at each resort, and 50% off additional days. And most of the resorts on the Mountain Collective are independent operations like the resorts on the Indy Pass, although of course the Mountain Collective is composed of some of the most iconic ski resorts while the Indy Pass shines a light on the hidden gems and local treasures. But the Mountain Collective seems to be shrinking, opposite of the Indy Pass! I've seen old articles online, and the Mountain Collective used to have Sun Valley, Snowbasin, Mt. Norquay and even Whistler Blackcomb on it. It's slowly being eaten up by Vail acquisitions and partnerships, and Alterra's concurrent Ikon Pass partnerships with resorts on the Mountain Collective.
While I have utmost confidence in the future of the Indy Pass, that same model doesn't seem to be working so well for the Mountain Collective, and I'm really wondering if it'll continue to be around, although the Jackson Hole and Aspen Mountain CEO seemed confident it would. Maybe I'm wrong - maybe tons more people than I realize purchase the Mountain Collective. It certainly would work well for anyone living in or near the Canadian Rockies.
It baffles me too. I used to call the Mountain Collective a low-rent Ikon Pass, but I've come to appreciate it as a better version of the Ikon Session Pass, since most of the best mountains are on it. It pairs really well with Indy, and the third bonus day at one resort is terrific. The only thing I could see killing it is if Alterra decided it's resorts/partners couldn't double up passes. While I haven't confirmed this, multiple people have told me that resorts get more $ for an MC visit than an Ikon visit, so they have incentive to keep it.
Those are good points, if ski resorts get more $ per MC visit than an Ikon Pass, and it's not a burden to keep around, there isn't a reason for the MC to disappear unless Alterra does the same thing Vail did and force their resorts & partners to sever ties with other mega-passes and alliances.
I see a lot of potential in the MC and would love to see another megapass come up and compete with the Ikon Pass and Epic Pass, I think added competition to the Epic and Ikon Passes could possibly result in even better prices and offerings by all parties, I'm sure Free Market Bro would agree with us too.
But here's why I think the model that the MC and Indy Pass share works exceedingly well for the Indy Pass but just isn't the most enticing or best fit for the MC...
The Indy Pass has an absolutely ridiculous network of resorts. Chances are you don't have to spend much money or time traveling to redeem some free lift tickets and experience a fun Indy Pass resort. Indy Pass resorts also tend to be smaller to midsized, meaning two free days usually will be ample time to really explore the resort and experience it enough to be satisfied that you got the full, intended experience. And if you want a third day at an Indy Pass resort, that 25% discount will make the impact on your wallet not bad at all since Indy Pass resorts already charge affordable ticket prices.
But on the other hand, MC resorts tend to charge agonizing ticket prices, so much so that the ticket discounts after you've redeemed your two free days will still result in painful ticket costs that will quickly add up to the price of a full Ikon Pass.
MC resorts also tend to be huge... And
I'd say with confidence that two days is not enough time to fully explore and experience the resorts of the MC's rather impressive lineup, if you're trying to stay within the realm of free ticket redemptions. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that MC resorts usually need a good deal of time and expenses to travel to, unless you happen to live near them, which is less likely than living near a net of Indy Pass resorts.
The Mountain Collective is certainly a better deal and more enticing than an Ikon Session Pass, and even the Epic Day passes prior to all of the Epic Pass related price reductions this season. But I want to see the Mountain Collective become competitive with the Ikon Base Pass and Epic Local Pass for its price point. Maybe additional free days, or stronger ticket discounts beyond the free redemptions, or stronger lodging discounts... Because I'd absolutely love to stay at a hotel close to or on a ski resort, but the MC and Indy Pass's miniscule 10%-15% discounts for $300+ a night ski resort hotels is not gonna make it much easier on my budget, and I'll still end up staying 30 minutes to an hour away at a Best Western or Wyndham owned hotel. Lol
The Mountain Collective has an incredible lineup of resorts, it just needs to offer a bit more and it can become competitive with the Ikon Base Pass and Epic Local Pass. There is so much potential to the MC in my opinion!
One important thing to note about MC is that you get a third day at a resort of your choice, which I belive you choose when you buy the pass. I agree that half off $200+ still feels absurd.
We skied Blacktail last year during a late season trip to whitefish. We met the general manager and the first thing I said was “we have to find out how to get you on the Indy pass.” I’m happy to read he listened! Such a fun mountain to ski and other than having a waitress who seemingly refused to serve us because we had the audacity to wear masks inside the restaurant, Lakeside is an extraordinarily beautiful town. I’m not sure how people navigate the road in mid-winter, however. For whatever it’s worth we had a lot of fun skiing Blacktail and I would go back if given the chance.
It seems that MC's price has been steadily creeping up without a parallel increase in access. For almost $500 dollars early season it seems much more compelling to buy an Ikon Base Pass for the extra ~$150 as long as you aren't specifically targeting Jackson Hole or Aspen Snowmass (or upgrade to an Epic Local with the recent price drop if we aren't exactly comparing apples to apples). I love the idea of the MC for a sick week in Wyoming/Idaho skiing JHMR and Targhee, possibly using your extra day at one of these, or an Alta/Snowbird trip (was an amazing offering when Snowbasin was also on the MC!). It is hugely compelling partnered with another pass like an Indy for a powder highway road trip considering it has the unique offerings of Sun Peaks and Panorama. Aside from some really specific use cases though, mainly for destination focused skiers, it just seems a little too limiting to pull the trigger on so far. I 110% agree it has huge potential, but I think it needs some tweaks. Possibly some more Northeast presence, but I am biased as a east coast skier, or a double down on aspirational areas like BC, Utah, or Tahoe.
The Indy Pass continues to rapidly expand! Ever since I bought my Indy Pass in the late spring or early summer of this year, my pass has already seemingly increased in value like 20%...
On the other hand, you have the Mountain Collective, which I refer to as the Boujee Indy Pass. It has that same model where you can get mild lodging discounts at the resorts on the pass, two days free at each resort, and 50% off additional days. And most of the resorts on the Mountain Collective are independent operations like the resorts on the Indy Pass, although of course the Mountain Collective is composed of some of the most iconic ski resorts while the Indy Pass shines a light on the hidden gems and local treasures. But the Mountain Collective seems to be shrinking, opposite of the Indy Pass! I've seen old articles online, and the Mountain Collective used to have Sun Valley, Snowbasin, Mt. Norquay and even Whistler Blackcomb on it. It's slowly being eaten up by Vail acquisitions and partnerships, and Alterra's concurrent Ikon Pass partnerships with resorts on the Mountain Collective.
While I have utmost confidence in the future of the Indy Pass, that same model doesn't seem to be working so well for the Mountain Collective, and I'm really wondering if it'll continue to be around, although the Jackson Hole and Aspen Mountain CEO seemed confident it would. Maybe I'm wrong - maybe tons more people than I realize purchase the Mountain Collective. It certainly would work well for anyone living in or near the Canadian Rockies.
It baffles me too. I used to call the Mountain Collective a low-rent Ikon Pass, but I've come to appreciate it as a better version of the Ikon Session Pass, since most of the best mountains are on it. It pairs really well with Indy, and the third bonus day at one resort is terrific. The only thing I could see killing it is if Alterra decided it's resorts/partners couldn't double up passes. While I haven't confirmed this, multiple people have told me that resorts get more $ for an MC visit than an Ikon visit, so they have incentive to keep it.
Those are good points, if ski resorts get more $ per MC visit than an Ikon Pass, and it's not a burden to keep around, there isn't a reason for the MC to disappear unless Alterra does the same thing Vail did and force their resorts & partners to sever ties with other mega-passes and alliances.
I see a lot of potential in the MC and would love to see another megapass come up and compete with the Ikon Pass and Epic Pass, I think added competition to the Epic and Ikon Passes could possibly result in even better prices and offerings by all parties, I'm sure Free Market Bro would agree with us too.
But here's why I think the model that the MC and Indy Pass share works exceedingly well for the Indy Pass but just isn't the most enticing or best fit for the MC...
The Indy Pass has an absolutely ridiculous network of resorts. Chances are you don't have to spend much money or time traveling to redeem some free lift tickets and experience a fun Indy Pass resort. Indy Pass resorts also tend to be smaller to midsized, meaning two free days usually will be ample time to really explore the resort and experience it enough to be satisfied that you got the full, intended experience. And if you want a third day at an Indy Pass resort, that 25% discount will make the impact on your wallet not bad at all since Indy Pass resorts already charge affordable ticket prices.
But on the other hand, MC resorts tend to charge agonizing ticket prices, so much so that the ticket discounts after you've redeemed your two free days will still result in painful ticket costs that will quickly add up to the price of a full Ikon Pass.
MC resorts also tend to be huge... And
I'd say with confidence that two days is not enough time to fully explore and experience the resorts of the MC's rather impressive lineup, if you're trying to stay within the realm of free ticket redemptions. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that MC resorts usually need a good deal of time and expenses to travel to, unless you happen to live near them, which is less likely than living near a net of Indy Pass resorts.
The Mountain Collective is certainly a better deal and more enticing than an Ikon Session Pass, and even the Epic Day passes prior to all of the Epic Pass related price reductions this season. But I want to see the Mountain Collective become competitive with the Ikon Base Pass and Epic Local Pass for its price point. Maybe additional free days, or stronger ticket discounts beyond the free redemptions, or stronger lodging discounts... Because I'd absolutely love to stay at a hotel close to or on a ski resort, but the MC and Indy Pass's miniscule 10%-15% discounts for $300+ a night ski resort hotels is not gonna make it much easier on my budget, and I'll still end up staying 30 minutes to an hour away at a Best Western or Wyndham owned hotel. Lol
The Mountain Collective has an incredible lineup of resorts, it just needs to offer a bit more and it can become competitive with the Ikon Base Pass and Epic Local Pass. There is so much potential to the MC in my opinion!
One important thing to note about MC is that you get a third day at a resort of your choice, which I belive you choose when you buy the pass. I agree that half off $200+ still feels absurd.
We skied Blacktail last year during a late season trip to whitefish. We met the general manager and the first thing I said was “we have to find out how to get you on the Indy pass.” I’m happy to read he listened! Such a fun mountain to ski and other than having a waitress who seemingly refused to serve us because we had the audacity to wear masks inside the restaurant, Lakeside is an extraordinarily beautiful town. I’m not sure how people navigate the road in mid-winter, however. For whatever it’s worth we had a lot of fun skiing Blacktail and I would go back if given the chance.