Hello skiers and riders of the Southeast, and happy summer!
Hopefully you have been enjoying this time of year with various outdoor activities, much needed travel, or just simple moments spent with friends and family. The smells of sunscreen and barbecues are synonymous with right now.
Nonetheless, time marches on, and before we know it the colors of autumn will creep in while the temperatures start to plummet. All indicators point to the weather phenomenon named El Niño staying put for a while, which historically means wetter and colder forecasts for our region.
Oh yeah!
With that in mind, now would be a good time to consider your options on how you want to play in the potential powder. If you are an avid snow sports enthusiast that logs in numerous visits per season, you most likely have already obtained, or are at least giving consideration, to a season pass at your favorite ski area. If this is still a possibility, then please know that now is the time to buy, and we say that because the prices will go up as the calendar flips its pages each month.
There are a lot of options out there for you to choose from, and the process of discovery can be a daunting task at times. However, we would like to assist by offering the published information as of today in a consolidated format. All of this was obtained from each resort’s own website, and the specific web links will be displayed, plus any additional announcements, below this chart.
As a disclaimer, this research was done independently at each ski area’s website, and it is solely based upon what was shown. Information in to us is information out to you, the readers.
*** Please note that these rates are specific to each individual ski area. There are other passes, the Indy and IKON, that are valid at a few of the locations within our region too. Go to their websites for further details. ***
North Carolina and Tennessee
Appalachian Ski Mountain: https://appskimtn.com/memberships
- Prices go up on October 13th to $595.
- Junior Ages = 6 to 12
- Senior Ages = 60+
- They also have a “Nights-Only Season Pass” for $375 (adult) that is valid all nights, including holidays.
- They also have a “5 x 7 Pass” for $505 (adult) that says is valid for nights and non-holiday weekdays on the drop-down tab labeled “Select Pass Type” field. If memory serves me best, it was 5 days and 7 nights in total, but that was not displayed anywhere during this recent research.
Beech Mountain Resort: https://www.beechmountainresort.com/tickets-passes/season-passes/
- 2023 – 2024 rates have not been published yet. As of today, they have 2022 – 2023 rates listed.
Cataloochee Ski Area: https://cataloochee.com/tickets-passes/season-passes/
- Prices go up on November 1st to $790.
- They also have a “2023-24 Season Limited Pass” for $576 (adult) that is
- Valid any day (including holidays) EXCEPT Saturday 8:30am – 5pm
Indy Pass is valid here: https://www.indyskipass.com/resorts/mid-atlantic-region/
Sapphire Valley: https://skisapphirevalley.com/
- Keep checking their website for updated information
Sugar Mountain: https://skisugar.com/passes/
- Prices go up on October 16th to $890.
- A second price increase occurs on November 30th to $1200.
- Additional family member season passes are at a discounted rate. See website for additional information.
Wolf Ridge: https://skiwolfridgenc.com/?page_id=1435
- 2023 – 2024 rates have not been published yet. As of today, they have 2022 – 2023 rates listed.
- However, the ski area is under new ownership, so we will wait and see.
Ober Mountain: https://obergatlinburg.com/season-passes/
- The website says “Next Winter’s (2023/2024) Season Passes will go on sale September 1st, 2023. All Details and Pricing will be announced on a later date, appearing on this page. Thank You”
- Indy Pass is valid here: https://www.indyskipass.com/resorts/mid-atlantic-region/
West Virginia
Canaan Valley Resort: https://www.canaanresort.com/ski-winter-activities/skiing-snowboarding/season-passes/
- Adult / Individual Ages = 13 to 59
- Junior Ages = 6 to 12
- Senior Ages = 60 to 69
- Super Senior Ages = 70+ for $50
- Child (5 & under with adult pass-holder) = Comped
- 5 & under 70+ may pay $50 to avoid having to pick up or reload daily tickets whenever you want to ski.
- Indy Pass is valid here: https://www.indyskipass.com/resorts/mid-atlantic-region/
Snowshoe Mountain Resort: https://www.snowshoemtn.com/plan-your-trip/tickets-and-passes/winter-season-passes
- Adult Ages = 23+
- Young Adult, aka Students, Ages = 13 to 22
- Child Ages = 5 to 12
- Midweek & Creek Season pass is $349 for adults and $299 for children ages 0 to 12.
- Blackout dates, including major holidays, apply. See the “Buy Your Midweek & Creek Season Pass” weblink for further details by clicking here.
- “The Silver Creek Season Pass will not be available for purchase for the 2023.24 winter season. Instead, we are offering the 2023.24 Midweek & Creek Season pass which offers midweek slope access (Monday-Thursday) to the Snowshoe Basin and Western Territory and unlimited access to Silver Creek Ski Area.”
- “2023.24 SNOWSHOE 2’FER PASS” provides two days of weekday slope access (Monday-Friday) to all ages for $149.
- Blackout dates around the major holidays were listed too. December 25-29, 2023; January 15, 2024; February 19, 2024.
- IKON Pass is Valid here: https://www.ikonpass.com/en/shop-passes
Timberline Mountain: https://timberlinemountain.com/season-passes
- Prices go up on November 2nd to $649 for Adults and $432 for Ages 12 & Under, Senior 60+ on the “Gold Pass” that is valid EVERY day for unlimited uses at Timberline Mountain.
- The “Silver Season Pass” is valid EVERY weekday Monday – Friday and is currently listed for $424 for adults and $282 for Ages 12 & Under, Senior 60+, but will also go up November 2nd.
- The “Bronze Season Pass” is valid ONE day per week, Monday – Friday and is currently listed for $339 for adults and $225 for Ages 12 & Under, Senior 60+, but will also go up November 2nd.
Winterplace Ski Resort: https://www.winterplace.com/season-passes
- Prices will go up to $699 for Adults, $499 for Juniors and Seniors, and $299 for the Night passes, but the date when that occurs is not listed as of 7-19-23.
- The Wild Wonderful Pass is back!
- $79 up front to receive $25 off any All Day or Evening Ticket.
- Discount is for the passholder only – one per day
- Indy Pass is valid here: https://www.indyskipass.com/resorts/mid-atlantic-region/
Virginia and Maryland
Bryce Resort: https://bryceresort.com/winter/ski-and-snowboard
- No specific season pass information is listed on their website.
- Indy Pass is valid here: https://www.indyskipass.com/resorts/mid-atlantic-region/
Massanutten Resort: https://book.massresort.com/Ecomm/Shop/Merchandise/6548646/en-us/?productsupercategoryid=17
- Indy Pass is valid here: https://www.indyskipass.com/resorts/mid-atlantic-region/
The Omni Homestead Resort: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/homestead-virginia
- No specific season pass information is listed on their website just yet.
Wintergreen Resort: https://www.wintergreenresort.com/Season-Passes/
- Prices go up on September 5th (Tier 3: September 5 – October 9) to $549 for Adults Ages 23 to 64, $499 for Juniors with ages 6 to 22 and Seniors with ages 65 to 74.
- Prices go up again on October 10th (Tier 4: October 10 through the 2023-24 Season) to $699 for Adults Ages 23 to 64, $549 for Juniors with ages 6 to 22 and Seniors with ages 65 to 74, $449 for College Students, and finally $399 for Military.
- Sister Resort Program: All Wintergreen season passholders will have unlimited access to all North American PGRI resorts. Visit their web link for further details.
- Jay Peak, VT
- Wisp Resort, MD
- Powderhorn Resort, CO
- Ragged Mountain Resort, NH
- Mt. Washington Alpine Resort, BC
Wisp Resort: https://www.wispresort.com/Season-Passes/
- Prices go up on September 5th (Tier 3: September 5 – October 9) to $549 for Adults Ages 23 to 64, $499 for Juniors with ages 6 to 22 and Seniors with ages 65 to 74.
- Prices go up again on October 10th (Tier 4: October 10 through the 2023-24 Season) to $699 for Adults Ages 23 to 64, $549 for Juniors with ages 6 to 22 and Seniors with ages 65 to 74, $449 for College Students, and finally $399 for Military.
- Sister Resort Program: All Wintergreen season passholders will have unlimited access to all North American PGRI resorts. Visit their web link for further details.
- Jay Peak, VT
- Wintergreen Resort, VA
- Powderhorn Resort, CO
- Ragged Mountain Resort, NH
- Mt. Washington Alpine Resort, BC
In Conclusion…
We know that this is a lot of information to take in, but you have some time before rates increase. A general rule of thumb for justifying a pass purchase is somewhere between 7 to 10 days a season, but only if you routinely visit the places included. If that describes you then it is highly recommended that you do not pass on the pass. Hopefully you have gone ahead already, but just in case, now is the time to act.
