Which ski pass suits you?

Now that winter is just around the corner, it’s time to think about purchasing a ski pass this season. With so many ski areas to choose from, it can be difficult to know which pass is best for you.

Below is a comparison of seven ski passes near BYU that you may want to consider this season.

Ikon pass

Cost of a lift pass: $1,059 for students
Driving time from BYU: N/A
Number of ski lifts: N/A
Route levels: N/A

The Ikon Pass is unique among these options because it is a multi-mountain ski pass.

The pass includes 17 resort pass holders who can visit without restrictions throughout the season, and 42 other resorts who have a maximum of seven visits each.

For locations in Utah, pass holders can visit Solitude mountain resort as often as they want during the season. For limited visits, pass holders can ski Snowbird, Alt, Deer Valley And Snow bucket.

Sun dance

Ski pass cost: $649
Driving time from BYU: 0 hours 25 minutes
Number of ski lifts: 9
Levels of the routes: 21% beginner, 32% intermediate, 47% expert
Number of routes: 72

For students looking for a short drive, the closest resort to BYU is Sundance, just a 25-minute drive away. It is also the second cheapest ski pass option.

Park City

Ski pass cost: $778
Driving time from BYU: 1 hour and 2 minutes
Number of ski lifts: 40
Levels of the routes: 8% beginner, 42% intermediate, 50% expert
Number of routes: 330+

With a Park City ski pass you get two mountains for the price of one because Canyons Village is also part of Park City.

If you are an enrolled student, this pass is the cheapest option available to you, especially if you find friends to carpool with.

To find the student option, look under the additional ages for the Youth Pass.

Park City has free parking right at the base for groups carpooling of four or more.

Alt

Ski pass cost: $1,149
Driving time: 1 hour and 4 minutes
Number of ski lifts: 5
Number of routes: 116
Level of the routes: 15% beginner, 30% intermediate, 55% expert

What makes Alta unique from the other ski resorts on this list is their skier-only policy. If you’re a snowboarder, keep scrolling because this pass isn’t for you.

According to Quinn Hopkinson, a BYU student, “Alta Ski Area is only for the real ones. Skiers only and guaranteed the deepest, fluffiest powder in Utah.”

Brighton

Cost of a lift pass: $649 for students
Driving time: 1h 11m
Number of ski lifts: 7
Number of routes: 76
Level of the trails: beginner runs 21%, intermediate 40% and advanced 39%

BYU student Addie Hopkinson acknowledged, “Brighton has some of the best terrain parks around.” But you have to “be prepared for crowds, it’s always so busy.”

Snowbird

Ski pass cost: $1,149
Driving time: 1h 1m
Number of ski lifts: 14
Number of routes: 140+
Level of the routes: 8% beginner, 26% intermediate and 66% advanced

Snowbird pass holder Brad Tew said, “It’s definitely an advanced mountain that will push the limits of any skier/snowboarder.” But he replied: “There is so much ski area that even on a busy day the crowds spread out and you don’t have to wait long.”