2018-19 Sunday River, Sugarloaf, & Loon Mountain Resort Season Pass Strategies

It’s a buyer’s market for skiers and snowboarders, and the options for next year’s season-long passes are excellent.

As it stands, the best way to save on skiing/snowboarding in New England continues to be through the eponymous New England Pass, valid at Sunday River Resort, Sugarloaf, and Loon Mountain Resort for a combined total of 359 trails, 2,470 acres, and 15 terrain parks, serviced by 40 chairlifts.

Of course, what sweetens this savings are the two major incentives that come with a New England Pass purchase made before April 30, 2018: a buy now, ski now deal or the ability to lock in low spring rates with just $50 down.

2018/19 New England Passes, Pricing, and Perks:

• The Gold New England Pass is a season pass that includes unrestricted access to all three resorts. New for 18/19, all Gold New England Passes will include 10 one-day “friend” adult lift tickets available to purchase at 25 percent off window rates, a 15 percent resort retail shop discount, and 50 percent off all tickets purchased at parent company Boyne Resorts’ Western Mountains. The Gold New England Pass is on sale for $1,129 for adults, $849 for teens, $729 for juniors, and $849 for seniors.
• The Silver New England Pass includes access every day of the season excluding 12 blackout dates*. New for 18/19, all Silver New England Passes will also include six one-day “friend” adult lift tickets available to purchase at 25 percent off window rates (excluding 12 blackout dates*), plus a 10 percent resort retail shop discount. The Silver New England Pass is on sale for $749 for adults, $669 for teens, $619 for juniors, and $669 for seniors
• NEW! The Bronze Plus New England Pass is an all-ages season pass for $639 that includes Sunday through Friday, non-holiday access to all three resorts. All 18/19 Bronze Plus New England Passes will also include four one-day “friend” adult lift tickets (valid Sunday through Friday, non-holiday) available to purchase at 25 percent off window rates, plus a 10 percent resort retail shop discount
• The Bronze New England Pass is an all-ages season pass for $499 that includes midweek, non-holiday access to all three resorts. All 18/19 Bronze New England Passes will also include two one-day “friend” adult midweek, non-holiday lift tickets available to purchase at 25 percent off window rates, plus a 10 percent resort retail shop discount.
• The Gold College New England Pass—includes unlimited skiing/riding at all three resorts, as well as six one-day “friend” adult lift tickets at 25 percent off window rates each valid any day of the 18/19 season for $359.
• The Silver College New England Pass—includes skiing/riding at all three resorts excluding 12 blackout dates* for $249.
• 20s Pass—a spin-off of last season’s debut of the resort-specific Millennial Pass, new for 18/19 Sunday River, Loon Mountain Resort, and Sugarloaf will each sell a 20s Pass for ages 19-29, with access every day of the respective resort’s season, excluding 12 blackout dates*, for $449.

(*Blackout dates for The Silver New England Pass, Silver College New England Pass, and 20s Pass include: December 26 – 31, 2018; January 12 – 13, 2019; February 16 – 18 and February 23, 2019.)

Part of the resorts’ Easy Pay Plan, a $50 deposit on any season pass before April 30, 2018, allows guests to lock in low spring rates and pay the remaining balance in four automatic installments set for June, July, August, and September, with no interest and no additional fees.

All 2018/19 New England Passes are available to purchase at newenglandpass.com.

Ikon Pass Partnership

Other options for skiers and snowboarders include the new Ikon Pass and/or Ikon Base Pass—season-long passes designed to connect skiers and riders with Alterra Mountain Company’s 26 destination and premier partner destinations, including 7- or 5-days combined, respectively, at Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Loon Mountain Resort.  

The Ikon Pass is $899 for unlimited access to 12 Alterra destinations and 7-days or 7-days combined at 13 partner destinations, with zero blackout dates.

The Ikon Base Pass is $599 for unlimited access to 10 Alterra destinations and 5-days or 5-days combined at 15 partner destinations, with three blackout periods.

As an added incentive, now through April 9, families interested in Ikon can also score one Ikon Child Pass (ages 12 and under) for $199 with purchase of one Adult Ikon Pass, or one Ikon Child Pass (ages 12 and under) for $149 with purchase of one Adult Ikon Base Pass.

After April 9, Ikon Child Passes will be available for $499 for an Ikon Pass and $299 for an Ikon Base Pass.