As outdoor activities grow more popular than ever before, more and more people are turning to skiing as their hobby of choice. However, this comes with the need to understand all the terminology related to skiing- including ski passes. So what exactly is a ski pass?

A ski pass is essentially a ticket that shows that you have paid the money that allows you to ride the lifts and slopes of a ski resort. Ski passes are what customers are required to have on them at all times in order to participate in activities at ski resorts. 

If you’re interested in learning more about ski passes, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s take a deep dive into ski passes, what they mean, and the different kinds that you can purchase. 

 All About Ski Passes and What They Include

In simple terms, ski passes prove that you’ve paid for your ability to ride ski slopes and lifts at ski resorts, and they include the ability to use these amenities. There are a variety of different kinds of ski passes you can get your hands on, and the biggest difference between them is the amount of time you’re allotted. 

Usually, you purchase ski passes through a specific resort, but there is a type of pass called an Epic Ski Pass that provides you with access to multiple ski resorts in different places. Let’s take a look at the different kinds of ski passes you can get your hands on. 

Partial Day Ski Passes

The type of ski pass that allows you to ski while using the lifts and slopes of a ski resort for a certain time window during the day is called a partial day ski pass. Often times, ski resorts separate their available public ski times by the first half of the day and the second half of the day. 

Partial day ski passes allow you to choose either the first or second half of the day to ski during. Your pass permits you to use the lifts and slopes during those hours, and you often purchase these when reserving beforehand or upon arrival.

Full-Day Ski Passes

Full-day ski passes are the exact same concept, but they allow you to ski for the entire day the ski resort is open. Rather than simply skiing for a partial part of the day, you’ll be allowed to ski during the ski resort’s full opening hours. 

Season Passes

Season passes are the Willy Wonka golden ticket of ski passes. These allow you to use a ski resort’s lifts and slopes for an entire season. While these are far pricier than their partial-day or full-day counterparts, they are more cost-effective in the long run and are a prime choice for people who spend a lot of time skiing. 

What is an Epic Ski Pass?

Finally, an Epic ski pass is a ski pass that partners with ski resorts to give you access to multiple notable ski resorts across the United States (and certain international locations as well.) It also provides benefits like refunds on Covid-19 related closures, discounts on ski resort food and drinks, and more. 

Epic Passes offer passes for one through seven days or an Epic Season Pass, which is the most cost-effective choice of them all, and the top choice for many serial skiers. Many people interested in skiing like to go through Epic Ski Passes for the benefits they provide. 

In Summary

Ski passes are the physical passes that prove that you’ve paid to use the lifts and slopes of a ski resort. There are many different kinds of ski passes, usually differentiated by the amount of time they allow you to use said ski resort services. Consider your priorities before choosing which type of ski pass is right for you. Good luck!

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