STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Sun Valley and Snowbasin are now part of the industry-leading Epic Pass.

The multi-year alliance begins with the 2019-20 winter season, and passes go on sale in early March.

“Snowbasin and Sun Valley are crown jewels of our family-owned businesses and we are always looking for new ways to provide outstanding service to our guests,” noted Carol Holding, whose husband Earl bought Sun Valley in 1977. “As we remain committed to investing in and operating our properties for many years to come, this multi-year alliance with the Epic Pass will bring value to our pass holders and introduce more guests to our unique traditions.”

Previously, Sun Valley had been allied with the Mountain Collective.

The Mountain Collective has allowed pass holders deals with 17 ski resorts, including Snowmass, Big Sky and Lake Louise. The new Epic Pass covers 68 resorts in eight countries, said Sun Valley spokesperson Kelli Lusk.

Tim Silva, Sun Valley’s vice president and general manager, said Sun Valley Resort and Snowbasin Resort elected to join the Epic Pass to provide more options for their pass holders and to introduce Epic Pass holders to their resorts.

Local business people voiced support for the wider ranging passes like the Epic Pass at a meeting held last year at the Ketchum Innovation Center.

“Sun Valley is excited to participate in the Epic Pass starting next season,” said Silva. “Sun Valley is one of the premier ski destinations in the country and we welcome Epic Pass holders to our resort. This will offer a significant benefit to Epic Pass holders, Sun Valley and Snowbasin season pass holders and our resort communities.”

The Epic Pass, now 10 years old, provides access to Vail Resorts-owned and operated destinations and partner resorts that are allied with the Epic Pass.

Vail-owned and operated destinations include  Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in California; Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte in Colorado; Mt. Brighton in Michigan; Afton Alps in Minnesota; Mt. Sunapee in New Hampshire; Park City in Utah; Stowe and Okemo in Vermont; Steven Pass in Washington and Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin.

It also includes Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia and Perisher in Australia.

Canadian resorts accepting Epic Pass products include Naikiska in Alberta, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia, and Mont-Sainte Anne and Stoneham in Quebec.

Overseas they include Arlberg in Austria, Les 3 Vallees, Paradiski and Tignes-Val D’Isere in France; Skirama Dolomiti in Italy; 4 Vallees in Switzerland, and Hakuba Valley’s 10 ski resorts in Japan.

Prices for the 2019-20 passes have yet to be announced. But (with a focus on Sun Valley and Snowbasin):

• Epic Pass holders will receive seven days of skiing or snowboarding with no blackout dates at both Sun Valley and Snowbasin and half price off one-day window lift ticket prices after their respective days have been redeemed.
• Epic Local Pass holders will receive two days of skiing or snowboarding with limited restrictions at both Sun Valley and Snowbasin and half price off one-day window lift tickets after their respective days have been redeemed.
• Epic 7-Day Pass holders will receive up to seven days of skiing or snowboarding at both Sun Valley and Snowbasin with no blackout days of part of their seven total days on the pass beginning with the 2019-20 winter season. After the seven days, regardless of the resort at which they’re redeemed, pass holders will receive half price off the one-day window lift ticket price at both Sun Valley and Snowbasin.
• Epic 4-Day Pass holders will receive up to four days of skiing or snowboarding at both Sun Valley and Snowbasin, with no blackout dates as part of their four total days on the pass beginning with the 2019-20 winter season. After the four days, regardless of the resort at which they were redeemed, pass holders will receive half price off the one-day window lift ticket price at both Sun Valley and Snow Basin.

In addition, Sun Valley Challenger passes and College Pass holders will receive half price off the one-day window lift ticket at all Vail Resort-owned and operated destinations during the 2019-20 season.

Epic Pass discounts on food are good only at Vail Resorts-owned and operated destinations. Ditto for summer lift access.

For more information, visit www.epicpass.com.