Alterra operates 15 ski resorts across North America under a single pass system

Alterra Mountain Company is a private operator that owns and runs ski resorts in the United States and Canada. The company owns 15 mountains outright, plus holds a stake in several others. The defining feature of Alterra's business is the Epic Pass — a single season pass that grants access to all of Alterra's owned resorts, plus partner mountains in other countries.

Alterra was formed in 2018 when Boyne Resorts and Peak Resorts merged. The combined company then acquired additional mountains over the following years. Today, the Alterra-owned mountains span from Vermont to British Columbia, and include some of the largest resorts in North America.

The Epic Pass is the reason most skiers and snowboarders know Alterra's name. Rather than buying separate passes for each mountain, a single Epic Pass holder can ski multiple Alterra resorts in one season. This structure changed how many people budget for winter sports and where they choose to ski.

Key Takeaways

  • Alterra owns 15 ski resorts across the United States and Canada, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Whistler Blackcomb.
  • The Epic Pass grants unlimited access to all Alterra-owned mountains plus limited days at partner resorts in Japan, Australia, and Europe.
  • Epic Pass pricing and blackout dates vary by pass tier, with options ranging from limited-day passes to unlimited season passes.
  • Alterra also owns or operates mountains that are not included in the Epic Pass system, so pass coverage depends on which specific resort you want to visit.

The 15 mountains Alterra owns directly

Alterra's owned resorts are concentrated in Colorado, with additional mountains in Utah, Wyoming, Vermont, British Columbia, and Ontario. In Colorado, Alterra owns Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Loveland. These five resorts alone account for a large share of Colorado's ski terrain.

Outside Colorado, Alterra owns Canyons Resort (Utah), Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (Wyoming), Stowe Mountain Resort (Vermont), Whistler Blackcomb (British Columbia), Blue Mountain (Ontario), Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain (Michigan), La Grave at Bridger Bowl (Montana), and Sugarloaf (Maine). Each operates independently but all are included in the Epic Pass network.

Alterra also holds a minority stake in several other resorts, including Powdr Corp mountains and international partners. These stakes do not always include Epic Pass access, so the resorts you can visit on a single pass depend on which specific pass tier you purchase.

How the Epic Pass system works and what it covers

The Epic Pass comes in multiple tiers, each with different access levels and prices. The Epic Pass (unlimited) grants unrestricted access to all 15 Alterra-owned mountains for the entire season, with no blackout dates. The Epic Local Pass covers the same mountains but with blackout dates during peak periods like Christmas week and Presidents' Day weekend.

Alterra also sells the Epic 7-Day Pass, which provides seven days of access spread across the season at Alterra mountains, plus limited access to partner resorts. Below that is the Epic 4-Day Pass, which works the same way with four days instead of seven. These limited-day passes are designed for people who ski fewer than 10 days per season.

All Epic Pass tiers include access to partner resorts in Japan (Niseko United), Australia (Perisher), and several European mountains. The number of days you can use at partner resorts varies by pass tier — unlimited pass holders typically get more partner days than limited-day pass holders.

Blackout dates and peak-period restrictions

Blackout dates are days when certain pass tiers cannot be used. The Epic Local Pass, which is cheaper than the unlimited Epic Pass, has blackout dates during the busiest weeks of the season. These typically include Christmas week (December 20–January 2), Presidents' Day weekend (mid-February), and spring break week (varies by year).

The unlimited Epic Pass has no blackout dates and can be used any day the mountain is open. Limited-day passes (4-day and 7-day) also have no blackout dates, but they are consumed one day at a time, so you must plan when to use them.

Blackout dates change slightly from year to year and can vary between resorts within the Alterra system. Before purchasing, check the specific blackout calendar for the mountains you plan to visit most often.

Pass pricing and how it compares to daily lift tickets

Epic Pass prices are set each summer for the following winter season and vary based on when you purchase. Early-season pricing (usually June through August) is lower than prices set closer to the ski season. Prices also differ by region — a Local Pass for someone in Colorado costs less than a Local Pass for someone in the Northeast, because the Colorado pass has more blackout dates.

Exact prices change annually and depend on your home location and the pass tier you choose. Alterra publishes pricing on its website each June. To decide whether a pass makes financial sense, divide the pass price by the number of days you plan to ski. If that number is lower than the average daily lift ticket price at your home mountain, a pass usually saves money.

Daily lift ticket prices at Alterra resorts range widely — a single day at Vail or Whistler Blackcomb costs significantly more than a day at smaller Alterra mountains like Loveland or Boyne Highlands. This variation is one reason the Epic Pass appeals to people who ski multiple mountains: they can visit expensive resorts without paying the full daily rate at each one.

Who owns Alterra and how the company is structured

Alterra Mountain Company is privately held and owned by investment firms including Boyne Resorts (the original owner of Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain) and KSL Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on travel and leisure. The company does not trade on public stock exchanges.

Alterra operates each of its 15 mountains with some local autonomy — each resort has its own management team and makes decisions about terrain, pricing, and operations. However, the Epic Pass system and broader strategy are set at the corporate level in Denver, Colorado, where Alterra's headquarters is located.

This structure means that while you buy a pass from Alterra, you interact with individual resort staff when you visit. Lift ticket windows, ski schools, and rental shops are run by each mountain, not by a central Alterra office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Epic Pass at mountains that are not Alterra-owned?

Your Epic Pass works at Alterra's 15 owned mountains and at partner resorts in Japan, Australia, and Europe. It does not work at mountains owned by other companies, such as Vail Resorts (which operates Vail separately from Alterra) or independent resorts. Check Alterra's website to see the full list of partner mountains included with your specific pass tier.

What happens if I buy an Epic Pass and then move?

You can use your pass at any Alterra mountain regardless of where you live. However, if you purchased a Local Pass with blackout dates based on your original location, those blackout dates do not change if you move. You would need to purchase a new pass for your new location if you want different blackout dates.

Do children and seniors pay less for Epic Passes?

Yes. Alterra offers discounted pass rates for children (typically ages 5–12) and seniors (typically 65 and older). Prices for these groups are lower than adult rates but vary by pass tier and location. Check Alterra's website or contact a specific resort for current pricing for your age group.

Can I transfer my Epic Pass to someone else?

Epic Passes are non-transferable and tied to the person who purchased them. You cannot give your pass to a friend or family member. If you need to stop using your pass, Alterra's refund policy varies depending on when you purchased it and when you request the refund — check the terms at the time of purchase.

What is the difference between the Epic Pass and the Epic Local Pass?

The Epic Pass costs more and has no blackout dates, so you can ski any day the mountain is open. The Epic Local Pass costs less but cannot be used during peak weeks like Christmas and Presidents' Day. Choose the Epic Pass if you ski during holidays; choose the Epic Local Pass if you ski mostly on weekends and weekdays outside peak periods.