Ski passes are all the rage – and some might even court a little controversy for driving up the cost of daily lift passes. But the Magic Pass seems to buck the trend, and might even win the gauntlet for best value ski pass.
For those not in the know, the Magic Pass is an annual ski pass that offers access to a vast array of resorts, primarily in Switzerland, providing an attractive option for both local and international skiers. While it’s best suited to those who live in Switzerland, or at least within a short drive of the Swiss Alps, the pricing and the resorts it covers might tempt non-Swiss skier or snowboarder to invest.
If you’re wondering about how to max your snow time next season (or this season, if you’re reading this in the depths of the winter season) then lets find out if the Magic Pass is really as magic as it seems.
Where can you ski with the Magic Pass?
The Magic Pass grants unlimited access to over 100 ski resorts, mostly located in Switzerland. These resorts range from lesser-known gems to more prominent destinations. Yes, some of the ski areas included in the price of the Magic Pass are pretty much one or two lift affairs, and some are quite low altitude. And there are loads of great value of cheap ski resorts in Switzerland that might not need the Magic Pass for affordable access. But there are some seriously top level ski resorts here too.
Notable resorts included in the Magic Pass are:
- Saas Fee: Known for its high-altitude slopes and reliable snow conditions, Saas Fee is a car-free village that offers a unique alpine experience.
- Grimentz-Zinal: These interconnected resorts in the Val d’Anniviers region provide extensive off-piste opportunities and charming village atmospheres.
- Leysin: Famous for its sunny slopes and snowpark, Leysin caters to both beginners and advanced skiers.
- Villars-Gryon-Les Diablerets: This combined ski area offers a variety of terrains suitable for all levels, along with stunning panoramic views.
- Gstaad: A high-end ski resort popular with the glitterati – but skiable with the very affordable Magic Pass!
- St Luc/Chandolin: Great mid-sized ski resort in the Valais with a good mix of family friendly and beginner slopes.
- Le Grand Bornand: French ski resort close to Geneva offering over 90kms of mixed level terrain.
- Anzere: A hidden gem just a short hop from Sion in the Valais – the south facing slopes offer stunning views across the valley.
Frankly, if you just ride two or three of those in the season for a week or two, you’d be getting good value. But of course, the Magic Pass isn’t meant to be used for two weeks but more for those who are going to get good use out of the lift passes.
How much does the Magic Pass cost?
One of the most appealing aspects of the Magic Pass is its competitive pricing. Early bird prices start from CHF 419 – which is about GB£367 or €437. If you can bag your Magic Pass early in the season (or at the end of the current one) then you really can get an absolute bargain with those Swiss ski areas.
Later in the season the Magic Pass does go up in price, and you can expect to pay closer to CHF900 (GBP788/€940) as the season starts. But even then, not bad for all you can eat Swiss skiing.
When compared to other ski passes, the Magic Pass definitely stands out as a bargain, especially for us based in Europe.
- Ikon Pass: Priced at $1,329, the Ikon Pass offers unlimited skiing at 14 destinations in North America, with limited additional access to over 40 locations around the world including St Moritz and Zermatt in Switzerland.
- Epic Pass: Offered by Vail Resorts, the Epic Pass provides unlimited access to popular American resorts such as Breckenridge, Vail and Whistler, plus limited access to Swiss resorts Crans Montana and Andermatt, with early bird prices around $1,050 (CHF920).
If you’re based in North America then the Ikon and Epic passes have become the obvious choices – without getting into issues around daily lift prices. But obviously the Magic Pass is a much more appealing package for European side skiers and snowboarders.
The Magic Pass is valid from the summer opening of the participating resorts until the end of the following winter season. So for the 2025/2026 season, this means the pass is valid from 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2026. This extended validity period allows pass holders to enjoy not only the winter skiing season but also summer activities offered by some resorts.
This does mean you can ski in places like Glacier 3000 over the summer, but you can also enjoy spa days and gondola access for mountain biking and hiking in the Swiss Alps.
Beyond the snow
As mentioned, beyond unlimited skiing, the Magic Pass offers several additional benefits:
- Summer activities: Many participating resorts offer summer activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and access to scenic lifts, all included in the Magic Pass.
- Thermal baths: Some resorts, like Leukerbad, are renowned for their thermal baths, providing a relaxing après-ski experience. Or a summer experience if thats your vibe.
- Family-friendly options: With a variety of resorts catering to families, the Magic Pass is an excellent choice for those seeking child-friendly facilities and activities.
Should you buy the Magic Pass?
Yes, the Magic Pass is a bit of a bargain. Especially if you’re based anywhere near Switzerland. But, before you impulse purchase this lift pass, consider the fact that you can often get cheap lift passes in Switzerland using their dynamic pricing. It could be possible to snag a great deal on a mid-sized Swiss ski resort for less than the price of the Magic Pass.
In addition to this, many of the smaller ski resorts on the Magic Pass offer very affordable lift tickets anyway. Somewhere like Arolla offer 6 days passes for CHF266, or you can hit Anzere for CHF235 for the same period (prices searched in March 2025).
Consider the fact hat yes, The Magic Pass includes a wide range of resorts, but there are only a few biggies on the list. Skiers seeking specific high-profile destinations might want to consider their options (or just go and enjoy these niche ski resorts instead).
With that said, you could buy this pass and ride Saas Fee for the whole winter (and some of the summer). Which is a bit of a steal.
One more thing to consider. Accommodation. Switzerland is not the cheapest place to spend your time. Unless you have the budget to visit and stay in these resorts then you might not get the best value from your Magic Pass. But if you’re based close to Switzerland or you can make two or three trips to the Alps each year winter then, yup. its almost a no-brainer.
Heres the link – Buy your Magic Pass here….
Want to max your winter season?
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