Two of the largest family-owned resorts remaining in the ski and snowboard industry will come into the Epic Pass portfolio next season.
Sun Valley and Snowbasin, both owned by the Holding family, announced that for the 2019-2020 season, Epic Pass holders will get seven free days at each mountain – and half off the ticket window price on subsequent visits. Holders of other Epic Pass versions, such as the Local or 4-Day passes get more limited access to the two mountains.
Pass-holders at Idaho's Sun Valley or Utah's Snowbasin will get 50 percent off the window price at any of 18 resorts owned and operated by Vail Resorts, which issues the Epic Pass. That includes Snowbasin's neighbor Park City Mountain in Utah. Sun Valley becomes the first Epic Pass partner in Idaho.
"Snowbasin and Sun Valley are crown jewels of our family-owned businesses and we are always looking for new ways to provide outstanding service to our guests," noted Carol Holding, whose husband, Earl, bought Sun Valley in 1977. "As we remain committed to investing in and operating our properties for many years to come, this multi-year alliance with the Epic Pass will bring value to our pass holders and introduce more guests to our unique traditions."
Sun Valley Resort, located in the Rocky Mountains of central Idaho, opened in 1936 as the nation’s first destination ski resort and put up the world’s first chairlift. Snowbasin began in 1941 and was host to the alpine speed events for the 2002 Winter Olympics.