Choosing a season pass is one of the biggest decisions when planning your winter. Two of the most popular options are the Epic Pass and the Ikon Pass. Both offer access to some of the best ski resorts in North America and around the world, but they have some important differences.
So, which one is right for you?
Let's compare them.
Price is often the first thing to consider. For the 2026/2027 season, the full passes have the following listed prices:
Pass Epic Pass Ikon Pass
Adult $1,169 $1,529
Young Adult $929 $1,129
Child $599 $449
The Epic Pass is more affordable for adults, while the Ikon Pass offers a lower price for children.
Prices can change throughout the season.
Both passes offer access to a large collection of ski resorts.
Epic Pass: 70 resorts, including 41 with full access and 29 with limited access.
Ikon Pass: 99 resorts, including 18 with full access and 81 with limited access.
Although Ikon offers more resorts overall, Epic has more resorts with full access. This is an important difference when planning multiple ski trips.
Each pass has its own collection of well-known destinations.
Epic Pass highlights:
Vail, Colorado
Breckenridge, Colorado
Beaver Creek, Colorado
Park City, Utah
Whistler Blackcomb, Canada
Heavenly, California/Nevada
Ikon Pass highlights:
Mammoth Mountain, California
Winter Park, Colorado
Steamboat, Colorado
Copper Mountain, Colorado
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Mt. Bachelor, Oregon
Palisades Tahoe, California
If you only plan to ski or snowboard for a few days, both companies offer alternatives to their full-season passes.
The best pass depends on your skiing habits and travel plans.
Choose Epic Pass if:
You want to save money on an adult season pass.
You frequently visit Vail, Breckenridge, Park City, or Whistler.
You prefer having more full-access resorts.
Choose Ikon Pass if:
You want access to a larger number of destinations.
You enjoy exploring different mountain regions.
Your favorite resorts include Mammoth, Jackson Hole, Mt. Bachelor, or Winter Park.
There is no universal winner between Epic and Ikon. Both offer excellent opportunities to explore different mountains and enjoy the winter season.
The smartest choice is to look at the resorts you actually plan to visit, compare the access restrictions, and consider how many days you expect to ride.
After all, the best season pass is the one that gets you to the mountains you love!
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