What Does the Ski Butler Acquisition Mean for Ikon Pass Holders (and What’s a Ski Butler)?

This article originally appeared on Ski Mag

Multi-passes have long provided skiers with an added element of ease. With the purchase of a single pass, skiers get immediate access to resorts all over the world. But the services at each resort can vary, sometimes dramatically. That disparity is about to get a little less noticeable at Ikon Pass destinations thanks to Alterra Mountain Company's recent purchase of Ski Butlers, a ski gear rental company that brings equipment to your lodging for in-room fitting and delivery.

Alterra, which also owns the Ikon Pass and 15 ski destinations in North America, is planning to expand Ski Butlers’ offerings in their resorts almost immediately. First up is Mammoth Mountain in California, which will offer Ski Butlers' rental services starting this winter.

Ski Butlers, which was founded in Park City, Utah in 2004, has differentiated itself from other ski rental companies by delivering equipment to guest accommodations for a fitting at a date and time selected by the guest. It also offers on-mountain equipment swaps within an hour for any reason, and packs up and picks up the gear at the end of a guests' stay.

Q&A: When To Bring Your Skis and When to Demo?

"We've spent 18 years focused on building a service-oriented business that our customers absolutely love, and we've been successful in doing that," said Bryn Carey, founder and CEO of Ski Butlers in a Sept. 8 press release. "We believe Alterra Mountain Company can help us scale that business to reach as many skiers and riders as possible while staying true to the ethos of our team and the experience our customers expect."

Ski Butlers' pricing is competitive with base area rentals shops, and a little spendier than what you'll probably find at smaller rental shops in town. We priced out five days of premium ski and boot rentals through the Butlers as well as Aspen Snowmass' Four Mountain Sports shops, of which there are nine throughout the resort's four mountains. Butlers only costs $10 more--$405 vs. $395--and you don't have to schlep your gear back to the shop if something's not working for you. The added convenience is a small but noticeable difference when you have limited time on the slopes.

With the acquisition, Ski Butlers, which is still based out of Park City, will remain a standalone business and maintain its current staff.

Ski Butlers' services are already available in several ski communities with resorts on the Ikon Pass, including: Steamboat, Lake Tahoe, Park City, Jackson Hole, Aspen Snowmass, Big Sky, Copper, Sun Valley, and Chamonix. The purchase will link Ikon Pass' 50 ski worldwide destinations with Ski Butlers' already-established operations in 50 ski spots around the world.

"The Ski Butlers team has set the standard for guest satisfaction in the ski industry," said Jared Smith, president and CEO of Alterra Mountain Company in the acquisition press release. "As we continue to invest in building out a premier guest experience at each of our destinations, partnering with Ski Butlers is a natural addition."

For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.