After four years of being a season pass holder at Jay Peak, I have come to pose a question of whether or not the season pass is worth it. When I lived in Saint Johnsbury, it was an absolute no brainer. But as a resident of central NH, the geographic hurdles are sufficient to incite thoughts of going back to being a wanderer.

Reviewing my trip reports from the last two years, I have noticed a lot more variety concerning my ski destinations that when I lived in Saint Johnsbury. These past two years, I barely broke even on a season pass two years ago and would have lost money on a season pass last year had I paid for one. I enjoy seeking out the most snow instead of being locked down into one mountain and feeling like I am loosing money if I pay for a lift ticket somewhere else. Especially when I am already barely breaking even.

Here is how the economics break down. A Jay Peak season pass costs $635. Assuming I could get discounts (early season discounts, two-fer days via 242 Newsletter, Ski Vermont cards, Vermont Travel Club Card, late season discounts, Jay Peak Passport Card, etc.), I think my average non-season pass day ticket would be somewhere around $40 per visit. Which means that 16 days is the break even point on a season pass accounting for discounted skiing instead of sticker price (which would only be 10 days to break even but there is hardly ever a reason to pay full price any where). The additional factor to consider are days when I ski Jay and the skiing sucks. These are days that I rack up a visit but I would not have paid even the discounted rate to ski had I not had a season pass.

The final two considerations are just as important as the financial aspect. The first issue is as much as I enjoy Jay, it does not have as good of terrain as other mountains. If it is not a powder day, then more challenging and interesting skiing can be found elsewhere. And I enjoy sampling different mountains.

Finally, my turn earning suffers when I have a season pass. Most especially during March and April when I try to milk my season pass and try to use up my vouchers. I almost feel forced to go lift serviced in March and April when I could be assaulting the best skiing to be had on Mount Washington.

With a potential big snow year bearing down on the northeast, I feel this is a tough decision in some ways but a no brainer in other ways.  There are other factors at play such as never having to step up to a ticket window and not having to wait in line if I get to the mountain later than planned. Just booting up and going to the lift is a magical thing. But will that happen 16 times or more in good conditions that are worth the drive? Will I not feel locked into Jay when other mountains may have better conditions? Could I not ski Jay just as many times and just as cheaply on discounts instead of risking a season pass?

Well, I have one more week to make this decision before the season pass rates at Jay go up to normal season rates. What shall it be?