How to Choose the Best Season Pass Based on Where You Ski
This article originally appeared on Ski Mag
Check Out The Complete Season Pass Buyer’s Guide
What’s the Best Multipass for Storm Chasers and Frequent Fliers?
Your 12 Most Commonly Asked Epic and Ikon Pass Questions Answered
Welcome to season pass season! Every spring, during the best month of the ski season, the big megapasses--Epic, Ikon, Indy, Mountain Collective, et al--make their pitch to win your business for next ski season. While all of the passes will remain on sale into the fall, there are benefits to buying early, including guaranteeing the lowest price and the most perks, like Buddy Passes and Friends & Family discounts. And since you can pay over time with both passes, there's no good reason to put it off.
This collection is designed to help you make the most informed decision to choose the right pass for you. While Ikon and Epic are the focus, this guide also considers the Mountain Collective, Indy Pass, Power Pass, and Powder Alliance multi-resort options where they make the most sense. Explore this space for articles parsing the differences, the benefits, and the pros and cons to the Ikon and Epic passes to help you figure out which option is right for you.
First, The Passes
Epic Pass
The original mega pass, the Vail Resorts product offers skiing at 37 North American resorts plus 10 ski areas in Japan, three in Australia, and 26 partner resorts in the Alps. The full Epic Pass offers unlimited skiing with no blackout dates at 41 ski areas, while the Epic Local features unlimited, blackout-free skiing at 29 resorts, unlimited blackout-restricted access at 8 five ski areas, and 10 blackout-restricted days (combined) at its marquee destinations of Vail, Beaver Creek, and Whistler Blackcomb. Epic Pass also offers over a dozen regional passes and a suite of day pass products ranging from one- to seven-day options.
Star Players
Vail Mountain, Telluride, Whistler Blackcomb, Stowe, Park City
Purchase Deadline
By April 16, 2023 to get 10 Buddy Passes included; passes typically stay on sale until early December
Epic Pass Prices
Epic Pass: $909
Epic Local: $676
What's New With the Epic Pass for the 2023-’24 Season? Read This.
Ikon Pass
Alterra Mountain Company rolled out its competition to the Epic Pass in 2018. The full Ikon Pass provided unlimited, blackout-free access to 15 resorts, plus seven days at another 39 ski areas. The Base Pass gets you unlimited skiing, blackout-restricted at 14 resorts, plus five days at another 33. Nestled between the two is the Base Plus Pass, which adds access to Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, Deer Valley, Alta, Snowbasin, and new for next season, Taos Ski Valley, for about $200 more than the Base.
Star Players
Big Sky, Jackson Hole, Aspen Snowmass, Snowbird, Revelstoke, Taos Ski Valley
Purchase Deadline
Buy by April 21, 2023 for the lowest prices; passes typically stay on sale until early December
Ikon Pass Prices
Ikon Pass: $1,159/$959 renewal
Ikon Base Plus: $1,049/$999 renewal
Ikon Base: $829/$779 renewal
Find Out What’s New on the 2023-’24 Ikon Pass
Mountain Collective
The ultimate powder-seeker's pass, the Mountain Collective comprises 24 resorts where pass holders get two days at each, one bonus 3rd day at the resort of your choice, plus the 50 percent-off additional days. This is a great add-on product to capture any of the big-name resorts that aren't on your primary pass, or if you have the flexibility to road trip all winter long. (Sigh.)
Star Players
Taos Ski Valley, Alta, Jackson Hole, Big Sky, Banff Sunshine
Purchase Deadline
Usually in December
Mountain Collective Price
$570
Indy Pass
This rapidly growing consortium of 120 independently owned ski areas was formed in 2019 by founder Greg Fish as the anti-megapass, and a way to escape the crowds that have been taking over the destination resorts. Fish recently sold to tech company Entabeni Systems, which has been handling the back end functionality for Indy Pass since its inception. New for 2023-’24, pass holders will get a physical card for direct-to-lift access, and Indy Pass sales will be capped for the first time ever.
The Indy Plus Pass provides two blackout-free days, while the Indy Pass offers the same two days with some blackout restrictions. There's also Indy AddOn passes, which you buy at a reduced cost in addition to your home mountain's season pass, and you get two day at all of the other Indy Pass resorts.
Star Players
Powder Mountain, Jay Peak, Mt. Hood Meadows, Tamarack
Purchase Deadline
Already off sale due to capacity concerns; it might be offered again later in the year
Indy Pass Prices
Indy Pass: $279/$149 kids 12 and under
Indy Pass Plus: $379/$189 kids
Indy AddOn: $199/$99 kids
Indy AddOn Plus: $299/$149 kids
Powder Alliance
This reciprocal pass collects 16 resorts across the U.S., Canada, and Japan, with most of the North American resorts concentrated in California, the Pacific Northwest, and Alberta. The concept with the Powder Alliance is a little different: There's no cost. Rather, if you purchase a season pass at any of the partner resorts, you get two free days of skiing at the rest.
Star Players
Timberline, Silver Mountain, Loveland Ski Area, Sierra at Tahoe
Purchase Deadline
Deadline is at the discretion of each partner resort.
Powder Alliance Price
No cost for this reciprocal pass
Power Pass
This Southwestern-focused pass features eight ski areas in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado, plus Willamette Pass, Ore., added last fall. The company that owns the Power Pass, Mountain Capital Partners, recently bought Chile’s Valle Nevado, but hasn’t announced if it will join the pass.
Power Pass holders get unlimited skiing at each resort plus three more free days at Colo.'s Copper Mountain, Loveland Ski Area, and Monarch Mountain, and Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah. Pass owners There are also 12- and four-day Power Pass options with restricted access to many of the resorts.
Star Players
Purgatory Mountain Resort, Brian Head Resort, Willamette Pass
Purchase Deadline
TBD
Power Pass Prices (last season’s)
Power Pass: $449-$699
12-Day Power Pass: $299-$599
4-Day Power Pass: $199-$299
Which Multipass Pass to Buy Based on Region
Each pass has a winner when it comes to where they offer access to the most resorts--sometimes it's clear and sometimes it's a little murky. Sure, one pass might offer access to more resorts in a region, but it might not be unlimited access, and five or seven days at a ski area just isn't enough for locals. However, if you're spending the week, limited access is just fine. Use the guide below to help inform your decision.
Colorado
Of the 30-plus resorts in Colorado, 11 are covered by either the Epic or Ikon passes. Epic Pass offers access to six resorts, with the Epic Local serving up five. The Ikon Pass also has six resorts on the Full pass, and four on the Base.
These are the 12 Best Ski Resorts in Colorado
Where Epic edges out Ikon slightly here in the unlimited vs. limited access game. Epic Pass skiers can ride unlimited days at five resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breckenridge, and Crested Butte, with seven days at Telluride. Ikon Pass holders have unlimited access at four resorts: Winter Park, Copper, Steamboat, and Eldora, with seven days each at Aspen Snowmass and Arapahoe Basin.
Best Season Pass for Colorado
Epic Pass, but only slightly. In Colorado, it comes down to resort preference and how important it is to have unlimited access at more ski areas.
Also Consider
The Mountain Collective is a strong contender in Colorado, especially for Epic Pass buyers who also want to ski Arapahoe Basin and Aspen Snowmass.
California
It's also a close call in California, where Epic Pass dominates in the Tahoe area (Northstar, Kirkwood, and Heavenly, all with unlimited access), while Ikon is stronger in southern California--Big Bear, June, Snow Valley, and Mammoth, plus Palisades Tahoe up north, also all with unlimited access. So depending on where in the state you live, or where you plan to visit, it could be no brainer.
Best Pass for California
Ikon in the south, Epic in the north.
Also Consider
For Californians, the Powder Alliance pass is a good one to consider. Buy a season pass at any of the 16 partner resorts--four of which are in California--and get three days at all of the rest. The four California resorts are Sierra at Tahoe, China Peak, Mountain High, and Dakota Ridge. Also, the Indy Pass added Dodge Ridge and Mountain High, giving pass holders two days apiece at five California ski areas, three of which are in the central and southern parts of the state.
Pacific Northwest
Neither Ikon nor Epic offer a truly great deal for skiers in Washington and Oregon. On Epic, Stevens Pass is the only resort, but pass holders do at least get unlimited access. On Ikon, there are no resorts with unlimited access since Crystal moved to seven days on the full pass and five on the Base Pass. Ikon does also offer seven and five days on the Full and Base respectively at Mt. Bachelor and Summit at Snoqualmie.
Best Pass for PNW
Ikon Pass, if you can live with limited days.
Also Consider
The Indy Pass features an impressive eight resorts in Washington and Oregon, including two days apiece at Hoodoo, White Pass, Mission Ridge, and Mt. Ashland.
Midwest
There's really no competition in the Midwestern states, with Epic Pass featuring 10 resorts across Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio. Ikon only has two, and they're both in Michigan (Boyne Mountain and The Highlands). There are also seven very reasonably priced regional Epic Passes targeting Midwestern skiers, including the Ohio Pass and season passes for Wilmot, Afton Alps, and Paoli Peaks skiers. So for breadth of terrain, options for unlimited ski days, and value-minded pricing, Epic offers much more to choose from.
Best Season Pass for the Midwest
Epic Pass if you hope to ski anywhere regularly without having to get on a plane.
Also Consider
Midwestern skiers should seriously think about buying an Indy Pass; there are 21 Midwest ski areas on the 120-resort collective, with two days at each, starting at $279.
East (including Quebec and Ontario)
The East is another place where you need to look deeper than just the number of resorts on each pass. Epic Pass serves up 16 resorts, all with unlimited access. However, six of them are small Pennsylvania ski areas--great if you live near there, not so great if you don't. The main attractions on the Epic Pass in the East are Stowe, Mt. Snow, and Okemo in Vermont and Attitash and Wildcat in New Hampshire. Switch from the full Epic to Local and you lose holiday access to Stowe.
The Best Ski Resorts in Vermont
Ikon is no slacker in the East, however, with 10 resorts, including some Eastern heavy hitters such as Stratton, Sugarbush, and Killington, Vt., and Sunday River and Sugarloaf, Maine. The only unlimited access, however, is at Stratton and Sugarbush, with seven and five days, respectively, at the others. Snowshoe, W.Va., is also an unlimited destination on Ikon, so if you live within driving distance of it, that's something to consider.
Best Season Pass for the East
Ikon Pass, if you live in New England, Epic Pass if you're closer to the mid-Atlantic region.
Also Consider
Hands down, the Indy Pass is a great value for East Coast skiers with two days at 29 ski areas from Ontario to North Carolina.
Southwest
Seeing as how Epic Pass has virtually no presence in Arizona and New Mexico (well, there are seven days at Telluride, which you could argue is pretty Southwestern), Ikon's seven and five days at Taos Ski Valley win this round. Note that Taos is no longer on the Ikon Base. Either buy the full Ikon or the Base Plus for your seven or five days, respectively.
Best Season Pass for the Southwest
Ikon Pass; Epic doesn't have any resorts south of Colorado
Also Consider
The Power Pass offers unlimited skiing at eight Southwestern ski areas, including Pajarito and Sipapu in New Mexico and Arizona Snowbowl.
Northern Rockies
Ikon clinched this one when it nabbed Sun Valley from Epic, adding to a resort tally that boasts several serious destinations, including Big Sky and Jackson Hole. Idaho's Schweitzer is also on Ikon. That said, none of these offer unlimited skiing, making Ikon a no-brainer for ski travelers but not so much for locals.
Best Season Pass for the Northern Rockies
Ikon Pass; Epic doesn't have any resorts in the Northern Rockies.
Also Consider
Epic Pass holders who want to check out some of these iconic destinations can partake of the Mountain Collective, with two days apiece at Sun Valley, Big Sky, Jackson, and Grand Targhee, and 50 percent-off additional days.
Utah
Ikon Pass wins thanks to Snowbasin migrating over from Epic, leaving Epic with only Park City Resort. Don't get us wrong, Park City is a huge draw for Epic, but for Utahns who want options, they have Snowbird, Alta, Solitude, Brighton, Deer Valley, and Snowbasin on the Ikon Pass. Sure makes it enticing,
That said, only Solitude has unlimited access. On Epic, Park City is unlimited on the full Epic Pass, but Local pass holders lose holiday access--something to consider if you're planning a Christmas trip.
Best Season Pass for Utah
Ikon Pass, because there's just so much to choose from in Utah now.
Also Consider
The Indy Pass's three Utah resorts include Powder Mountain, which is among the least crowded and most interesting resorts in the state. Also, Epic Pass holders who want to sample the goods at Alta, Snowbird, and Snowbasin can do so on the Mountain Collective.
Western Canada
Lots of numbers go into the decision when it comes to which pass better serves Western Canada's Alberta and B.C. provinces. Epic Pass features seven days at Kicking Horse, Fernie, and Kimberley in B.C., plus unlimited access to Whistler Blackcomb*, among the crown jewels in the Epic tiara. *Epic Local only offers 10 days total at WB, and those are split between Vail and Beaver Creek, as well.
Ikon Pass doesn't offer any unlimited access to its Western Canada resort partners, which include Lake Louise and Banff Sunshine* in Alberta and B.C.'s Revelstoke and RED Mountain. Full Ikon Pass holders get seven days, while Base pass holders get 5. *Days are combined between Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise.
Best Season Pass for Western Canada
Epic Pass, due to unlimited Whistler Blackcomb access.
Also Consider
The Mountain Collective is a great supplemental pass in Western Canada thanks to two days apiece at Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, Panorama, Sun Peaks, and Revelstoke.
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