Pass access from past years does not necessarily predict future pass access. There are a few tweaks Alterra seems to have done with different resorts they own, Crystal for one, and others such as Steamboat and Winter Park where their full pass is unlimited and the Base pass has blackouts and 5 days of access. Or unlimited access at Copper, which they do not own. That one is understandable because they needed an unlimited access I-70 resort to compete with VR. So they can do more resort-specific access rather than a blanket approach.
Aspen is not an Alterra owned resort, true, but SkiCo (that owns the 4 Aspen resorts) is a partner with KSL in Alterra, so close enough. It’s bit different than affiliated partners like Powdr, Boyne or Holding.
The end result, regardless of the ownership of a given resort, is that unlimited or limited access is not automatic.
So a couple of possibilities: Alterra keep the pass structure at Schweitzer the same for the foreseeable future, or starting 2024-25 they make Schweitzer unlimited on Ikon passes with blackouts on the Base pass, or restrict the Base pass to 5 days (also with blackouts). If they do that, it would cost locals maybe $100 more than they pay now for their unlimited season pass, with the added perk of access to everywhere else on the Ikon pass, including Red Mt a few hours away.
The risk is Schweitzer getting overcrowded. That would suck for everyone. However it’s not like there is a SLC- or Denver-sized community nearby, and I just don’t see Schweitzer becoming the tourist-magnet that Jackson, Big Sky, SLC and CO resorts are. Where most of the skiers will come from, outside the local population, is the Seattle and Portland metro regions. Those of use who live in this part of the country have lots of travel options with SLC only a 2 /12 hour flight, Denver and Steamboat about 3 hours, Reno about 2 hours; etc. Calgary is under 2 hours with another hour or so drive to Banff.
When we’ve all gotten soured on crowds, expensive accommodations and airport clusterfucks (and for many that point is long past) we will happily drive to Schweitzer, along with Bachelor, Sun Peaks, Revelstoke, Red Mt, and for some, Banff. Seattle to Portland is the closest large US city to these destinations, so the hoards from my neck of the woods will likely get spread out a bit to these different resorts.
For whatever it’s worth, even if Ikon access at Schweitzer, or anywhere else were unlimited, I wouldn’t be able to ski any more days there than I already do, and I think that’s true for most people who travel there to ski.
