Epic and Mountain Collective ski passes for 2015-16 season now on sale

If you’re already thinking about next year’s ski season, you now can buy the Mountain Collective Pass and the Epic Pass that provide unlimited skiing and riding at top resorts in the West.

The 2015-16 Mountain Collective Pass adds a new ski resort and another state: Sun Valley ski area in Idaho. It costs $369 for adults and $99 for children 12 years old and younger (when purchased with an adult pass).

Mountain Collective‘s statement says the price is good for a limited number of passes.

The pass gives skiers and riders two days at each destination starting next ski season:

--Mammoth Mountain and Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows in California,

--Alta and Snowbird in Utah,

--Aspen Snowmass in Colorado,

--Jackson Hole in Wyoming, and

--Canadian resorts Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine in Alberta and Whistler-Blackcomb in British Columbia.

In addition to 16 days of skiing, pass holders also receive a 50% discount on unlimited additional days (no blackout dates) and lodging perks of up to 25% off room stays.

It also includes membership in the nonprofit Protect Our Winter, which rallies the winter sports community to fight climate change.

Those who buy passes now also will receive a bonus day at one of the eight destinations of their choice and two days of skiing at Valle Nevado and Chile this summer.

The 2015-16 Epic Pass covers 11 resorts in the U.S. It costs $769 for adults and $399 for children 5 to 12. There also are seven-day and four-day pass options too. And it comes with perks on accommodations and discounted tickets for friends and family.

Prices are guaranteed through April 12.

The resorts include:

--Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area in California,

--Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado,

--Park City in Utah,

--Afton Alps in Minnesota, and

--Mt. Brighton in Michigan.

Info: Mountain Collective, Epic Pass