In North America ski resorts are lining up in two camps to be part of one multi-resort season pass or another.
There are multiple pass options but the two leading contenders are Vail Resorts' 'Epic Pass' or the Alterra Group's 'Ikon Pass'.
This new way of buying your skiing has fast become the way that millions of skiers in North America now purchase their ski pass. For "little more than the cost of a week's ski pass" (in a Colorado resort with an expensive lift pass), the tickets give season-long access to dozens of resorts around North America and around the world.
Prices for 19-20 have not yet been revealed but at current exchange rates they're likely to be around £600-£700
Each winter the two groups add more resort and Vail's (first) big news for 19-20 is they're adding the classic resort of Sun Valley in Idaho as well as Snowbasin Resort in Utah to their offer.
Epic Pass holders will receive seven days of skiing or snowboarding with no restrictions at both resorts.
"Sun Valley is a four-season renowned mountain resort and provides visitors from around the world with diverse mountain experiences and world-class dining and shopping. Together with nearby (Vail owned) Park City Mountain Resort, Snowbasin has an incredibly rich winter sports history and this expanded access provides two great options for Epic Pass holders in Utah," said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts.
Resorts already included on The Epic Pass, which is available to buyers all over the world (and Vail Resorts have reported has been purchased by skiers in more than 100 countries), include Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler Blackcomb, Breckenridge, Telluride, Fernie, Kicking Horse, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Hakuba Valley in Japan, Perisher in Australia and a number of leading ski areas in Europe and South America, among others.