Will You Save Money With the Mountain Collective?

When it comes to season passes, we’re usually not fans—especially the unlimited ones. Sure, they look appealing on paper, but for many people, the price per day just doesn’t add up. Let’s break it down: If you’re spending $1,000 on a season pass, you’d need to ski for at least 5 days (at premium resorts) just to break even. It could take closer to 10 days of skiing to get a good deal (around $100 per day).

For most people, especially those who live far from the mountains, this means committing to 3+ sizable trips a season—something that can be difficult due to time, money, and the realities of life. Between the cost of flights, accommodations, and lift tickets, it’s not unusual for people to either break even or lose money on a season pass. That’s why we typically do not recommend season passes.

However, after reviewing the Mountain Collective’s resort list and price for the 2025-26 ski season, we are endorsing the Mountain Collective Pass. We know what you’re thinking—The website that shares affordable ski resorts and begs its readers not to overpay for skiing wants me to buy a season pass? But hear us out! This pass makes sense for the typical skier. Here’s why: The Mountain Collective is affordable and offers 2 days of skiing at some of the best resorts in the world. Even better, we’ve found a way for you to ski 4 resorts in just two trips, leading to one of the most incredible ski seasons you could imagine. By booking these two trips, you’ll get an unforgettable experience and ski for just $79 per day with no blackout dates. What?!

The Best Two-Trip Scenario on the Mountain Collective Pass: 8 Days of Skiing – 4 in Utah and 4 in Wyoming

Trip One – Snowbird and Alta:

Snowbird and Alta are next-door neighbors, and there’s even a connector between the two resorts, making it easy to explore both in one trip. These two resorts boast some of the best snow conditions and terrain in North America, with Snowbird’s steep lines and Alta’s legendary powder. Both are for serious skiers—sorry snowboarders, Alta is skier-only—so be prepared for challenging terrain and deep powder. You won’t find bustling villages or weekend concerts here, but after you rip down Regulator Johnson, it’s hard not to think, “this is the best skiing in Utah.” We certainly think so!

Trip Two – Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee:

Jackson Hole is often considered one of the best ski resorts in the world for advanced skiers, and this trip gets you 2 full days on its iconic slopes. Plus, just across the way is Grand Targhee, a smaller resort with equally impressive terrain and far fewer crowds. While Jackson Hole is known for its challenging runs and dramatic scenery, Grand Targhee offers a more laid-back atmosphere, but with no compromise on quality skiing.

Most people dream of skiing just one of these resorts in a single season. But you can ski all 4! The crazy thing is, the price isn’t as wild as you’d think. If you can plan ahead, this could be one of the best deals in skiing.

Breakdown of Costs:

8 Days of Elite-Level Skiing

  • $639 (That’s $79 per day for the 4 days of skiing at Snowbird/Alta + Jackson Hole/Grand Targhee)

Accommodations in Cottonwood Heights, Utah (Snowbird/Alta Area)

  • $275 at MainStay Suites (That’s just $55 per person per night)

Accommodations in Jackson Hole

  • $265 at Teton Valley Motel (Just $53 per person per night for 5 nights)

Total for unbelievable skiing:
$639 (Lift tickets) + $275 (Utah stay) + $265 (Jackson Hole stay) = $1,179

For the cost of $1,179, you’re skiing at some of the most famous resorts in the world, with a mix of amazing snow, diverse terrain, and fewer crowds in certain areas. This price is just slightly less than a full Ikon Pass, which costs around $1,329, and would require 15 days of skiing to get to a similar $79 per day lift ticket price. The Mountain Collective Pass delivers an incredible value.

So, Is the Mountain Collective Pass Worth It for Me?

Yes! Even if you can’t take both of these major trips, as long as you take one of the trips we highlighted, you’ve already gotten your money’s worth. Plus, if you book soon, you can even score a bonus third day at any of the resorts in the Mountain Collective program, making this deal even sweeter!

If you can supplement your ski season with a second, smaller ski trip to one of the Mountain Collective's resorts, you’ll enjoy fantastic savings. For instance, just 2 days at Snowbasin, Big Sky, Taos, or Sun Valley—and you’re already getting a remarkable value (We call these Mountain Collective Weekend Getaways)! With just 2 trips to different Mountain Collective resorts, you can bring your lift ticket price down from $200 per day (at the window) to $105 per day, which is an incredible deal when you consider the quality of skiing.

Here’s the kicker:

To achieve a similar cost of about $100 per day through an Epic Pass, you’d need to ski 10-11 days to match the same value as 6 days on the Mountain Collective. To match the 8 days of skiing in Utah and Jackson Hole at $79 per day, you’d need to ski for 15 days with an Ikon Pass. Skiing just 10 days on a Mountain Collective Pass brings the price per day down to $63 per day. The more you ski, the better the value gets. So dream up as many weekend getaways as you can!

When it comes to total costs, this is where the Mountain Collective Pass stands out. The 8-day trip we outlined earlier costs $1,169 (for lift tickets and accommodations), which is less than the cost of a full Ikon Pass. The savings are significant, especially when you factor in the high-quality skiing and lower crowds at some of the resorts.

Plus, if you book soon, you’ll get a bonus third day at any of the resorts in the Mountain Collective program!