Now that both Vail and Alterra are announcing their updated pass products for the 2026-2027 season, it appears we’re seeing the biggest shifts in how these passes are structured since the megapass era began.

Highlighting some of the worst lifts you can ever have the misfortune of boarding in North America.

Listing and highlighting our picks for the best ski resorts in North America that are currently on neither the Epic or Ikon Pass, and explaining why each one flies under the radar.

Ultimately, it is difficult to argue that anyone, including patrol, resort management, or the town itself, emerged from the Telluride ski patrol strike unscathed.

To many loyal skiers and riders, the problem with the ski indstury seems obvious: massive corporations like Vail Resorts and Alterra came in and forced family and local ownership to sell out. But is family-owned skiing and riding really on its last legs?

A team of conspirators selling fraudulent ski passes has been uncovered - and what started quietly in late 2020 grew over the next four ski seasons into what prosecutors describe as a “multi-year, multimillion-dollar scheme.”

North American skiing is now entering uncharted territory with an escalating labor strike situation.