Snowbasin and Sun Valley have announced they’ll be joining the Epic Pass with a multi-year partnership beginning in the 2019-2020 winter season. The two resorts will still be independently owned and operated, but Epic Pass holders will receive seven days of direct-to-lift access at each location—Epic Local Pass holders get two days at each mountain—in addition to half price day tickets after using the allotted free days.
The addition of Snowbasin is of particular significance to skiers in the Beehive State, who until now had been limited to just one local resort, Park City Mountain, with the Epic Pass. After Alterra swooped in with the Ikon Pass offering unlimited skiing and riding at Solutide and seven days each at Alta, Snowbird and Deer Valley, Vail’s Epic Pass was in danger of being overlooked by those outside of the Park City sect. Snowbasin’s varied terrain featuring everything from wide open groomers to steep, rocky chutes has always been revered as a bit of a local secret, and their lodge and dining options are as top-notch as any in the country. Its addition to the Epic Pass is certain to open the Ogden resort to an entirely new segment of skiers while giving Epic Pass holders a welcome bit of Utah-based variety.
Sun Valley was one of America’s first true destination resorts and is just over a four and a half hour drive from Salt Lake City. A long weekend trip to the iconic mountain in Idaho just got a lot more affordable for Utah skiers. I wouldn’t expect the full Vail-resort experience to take over either Snowbasin or Sun Valley as long as they maintain their independent ownership, so the sovereign vibes could be a nice added perk. Epic Pass holders will have to wait until next winter to reap the benefits, but the Ikon vs. Epic debate in Utah just got a little more heated.
