Season-Pass Buddy Tickets Flourish In West; Most Come With A Cost
Attached to season passes, so-called "buddy passes" have become more and more prevalent as a way for passholders to share a day on the slopes -- and for marketing directors to introduce first-time visitors to their mountains.
As an add-on to both multi-mountain and single-resort season passes, these extra tickets can be free or come with a discount off the daily rack rate, either at the ticket window or online. Some have blackout restrictions or a limit per-day use. A few only come with season passes purchased at the end of last season.
The Ikon Pass ran a 50% off discount period for specific resorts that ended on Oct. 30. After that, Ikon passholders can redeem 12 buddy passes at most North American resorts for 25% off the regular day ticket rate.
The Epic Pass updated its "Friends Tickets" program so that passholders of any variety can get day tickets for half off the daily rack rate. If the Epic Pass was bought before April 14, passholder gets 10 buddy passes to distribute throughout the season. If purchased after that date, six such tickets come along.
The two-days-free Indy Pass now comes with two $40 "discount codes" to redeem at Indy any resort for tickets for family or friends. For more, passholders can email the pass director for more codes.
Mountain Collective has added eight 25% off buddy tickets each for its two-days-for-free passholders to distribute at member resorts. Holiday blackouts apply.
The Southwest's Power Pass has joined the buddy ticket parade. Passholders get six buddy tickets that take 30% off the online rate. Even passholders can use them as blackout dates don't apply.
The four-resort Cali Pass offers up to half off the daily rate on 10 buddy tickets per passholder. Only one can be used a day at any of the mountains.
Beyond the multi-mountain passes, many independent resorts across the West offer their own versions of buddy tickets. And, a small number of them give these extra tickets out for no cost.
They include Washington's Bluewood and Mission Ridge, both handing out two freebies; Oregon's Mt. Hood Meadows (one) and Ski Bowl (four); and, southwestern Idaho's Kelly Canyon (one).
Utah's Cherry Peak restricts buddy tickets to its Gold Pass holders, the most expensive season pass, who get two free billets for night skiing only. And, Lake Tahoe's Diamond Peak handed out one buddy ticket only along with season pass bought before April 30. Otherwise, passholders get $40 off four buddy tickets for the season.
A number of other Western resorts have set up their own buddy pass program, including Taos Ski Valley with 40% off six passes, and Powderhorn with four at the same discount.
