Aspen. Jackson Hole. Mammoth. Whistler. The names are some of the most iconic in North American skiing.
Now, thanks to a new deal between Ski Big Three and the Mountain Collective Ski Pass, you can add Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine.
Ski Big 3 General Manager Pete Woods announced Tuesday (Aug. 12) the Bow Valley has signed on with the Mountain Collective Ski Pass, which will allow thousands of North American skiers to test local slopes at discount prices, as well as give local skiers a chance to ski at iconic ski locations for half price.
“This is really huge for us. It opens up our hills for new skiers and riders,” Woods said. “This could drive thousands into the communities of Banff and Lake Louise.”
The deal has been in the works for a while, Woods said, and has the potential to attract thousands of American skiers to the Bow Valley.
“There are two sides of this for us. There are thousands of Mountain Collective pass holders that travel to multiple destinations to ski. This puts us on their list. The other side of this deal is everyone who has a Ski Big 3 pass can ski at the other resorts on the list for half price. That’s a super good perk,” Wood said.
Other ski hills included in the Mountain Collective pass include AltaSnowbird, Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows and Whistler Blackcomb. Thredbo in Australia and Valle Nevado in Chile are also part of the pass. Ski Big 3 holders do not need to purchase a Mountain Collective card.
“This aligns this fantastic valley and resorts with the best ski destination on the planet. For the next few months, we’ll be highlighted as the new destination in their marketing,” Woods said.
Travel Alberta and BLLT promote Banff and Lake Louise heavily in the U.S., and this will help their efforts, Woods said. Mountain Collective does not reveal how many passes they sell, but the number is in the thousands.
“Being accepted in the Mountain Collective showcases to all of North America what outstanding world-calibre resorts we have in Banff and Lake Louise. We are thrilled to be recognized with the very best,” Woods said.
The Ski Big 3 pass retails at $1,499 for adults. The Mountain Collective pass, which includes two free days of skiing at seven destinations, plus 50 per cent discounts on additional days and eight more mountains, currently sells for $389 (U.S.) for adults.
