Reply To: Help me to go skiing with Virgin Points

[jj]

@Ash, the Ikon Pass is a season ticket that covers about half of the North American ski resorts. The competing Epic pass covers most of the others, and both also cover a few European resorts.

The passes go on sale in the spring, and the price gradually increases until they are withdrawn in the Autumn. If you buy early, the breakeven point is usually about 4-5 days skiing in larger resorts.

The two passes have transformed North American skiing, and ticket-office prices have escalated to discourage day visitors. From the perspective of the resorts, the passes provide early-season cashflow and a big spending commitment from the punters. Skier days have soared as people seek to maximise the value in their pass, and, as most resorts have significant vertical integration, the operators cream additional revenue from services like food, accommodation and ski rental – prices for which have also escalated in response.

It’s a phenomenally successful business model that has been written about endlessly in the business press.