What Season ski pass should I buy?, Everything you need to know about the Epic and Ikon pass
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Over the past five plus years, the ski industry has seen numerous changes. Lift ticket prices continue to increase with no sign of stopping, gear has become more advanced, and resorts are changing the way they do business, especially in the Season Pass sector. If you have been a dedicated rider, vacationer, weekend warrior, or even just the 1-2 days/year skier or boarder, you’ve probably noticed some changes in how resorts are operating.
Each year, larger ski corporations are either buying up ski resorts or partnering with them in order to include more “iconic” resort destinations on their season pass options. Once off the beaten path, resorts as well as small mom and pop mountains are now drawing more and more crowds to their locations each year. It’s the classic, never ending resort town saga of not wanting to “bite the hand that feeds you” while at the same time, hoping your once “local” resort isn’t going in the direction of being overrun by Corporate yahoos and the occasional self entitled tourist (If you’re reading this hopefully that isn’t you lol).
For someone who has had a season ski pass since junior high, I’ve never seen anything quite like it and it has been fascinating, yet sometimes agonizing to watch the acquisitions unfold. None-the-less it has been nice to venture out to new resorts and places that just five years ago would have cost the average skier an arm and a leg at the ticket window. Now, one can access most resorts all over North America as well as select ones in Europe and Japan with a season pass for around $1000. Not a bad deal, all things considered. I’m talking about the Epic and Ikon season passes that have revolutionized the ski industry and changed the game entirely.
Buying a season pass, especially if your new to it, can be a lot of information at once. In this post I’ll be giving insight on what to know, what to expect, what resorts are on each pass, the positives and negatives with each pass, as well as how to get the most out of your Epic or Ikon season pass:)
Jackson Hole is on the Ikon and Ikon Base Plus
What to know when purchasing the Ikon or Epic pass
The Epic pass was started back in 2008 and is sold through Vail Resorts, one of the larger if not the largest ski resort corporations in the world that is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. From Epic Burgers to Epic Mix (an app that provides stats such as vertical feet skied) to Epic Mountain Express, Vail Resorts has found a way to have their hands in almost every connecting piece that revolves around providing what VR has coined an “experience of a lifetime” for guests. It’s genius from a business perspective. In what appeared to be a monopoly on the ski industry for quite some time, 3 years ago the Ikon Pass was introduced.
Unlike Vail Resorts, who owns most of the resorts on the Epic Pass, The Ikon pass owned by Alterra Mountain company, offers unlimited riding at a number of their resorts, but has also partnered with a number of resorts not owned by Alterra, with unlimited riding and up to 7 days at select resorts. A move that was pretty new in the season pass world just a few years ago. Although season passes in the past offered limited days at other resorts, it hadn’t been done on such a large scale as when the Ikon was introduced. Vail Resorts has since started to catch on, offering 7 days at resorts such as Telluride in Colorado and 7 Days combined at select resorts in the Canadian Rockies..
Both passes offer a monthly payment plan and passes typically go on sale in the spring for the following winter and the best time to buy is no later then the end of summer, when pass prices typically increase. In an attempt to increase pass sales, resorts will advertise, “to lock in a pass before prices increase”. Both passes offer a protection plan as well as reward discounts on lodging, rentals, and on mountain dining, which I’ll cover in more detail later in this blog.
Copper Mountain has become a local favorite in Colorado and offers unlimited riding on the Ikon Photo: Chip Proulx
What Resorts are on the Ikon and Epic Pass
Each season, more resorts are added to the above passes. Below I have listed out the resorts on each pass, their location, and the type of access you have to each resort.
Epic Pass (No Blackout Dates)
Colorado Rockies
Unlimited Access at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte
7 days at Telluride, after 7 days you’ll get 50 percent off lift tickets
Utah
Unlimited access at Park City
Washington
Unlimited Access at Stevens Pass
Tahoe California
Unlimited Access at Northstar, Kirkwood, and Heavenly
East Coast
Unlimited Access at Stowe, Mount Snow, and Okemo in Vermont
Unlimited Access at Wildcat, Mount Sunapee, Crotched Mountain, and Attitash in New Hampshire
Unlimited Access at Liberty Mountain, Roundtop Mountain, Whitetail, Jack Frost, Big Boulder, Seven Springs, Laurel Mountain, and Hidden Valley in Pennsylvania
Midwest
Unlimited access to Boston Mills, Alpine Valley, Brandy Wine, and Mad River Mountain in Ohio
Unlimited access at Wilmot in Wisconsin
Unlimited access to Afton Alps in Minnesota
Unlimited access at Paoli Peaks in Indiana
Unlimited access at Mt. Brighton in Michigan
Unlimited access at Hidden Valley and Snow Creek in Missouri
British Columbia
Unlimited access at Whistler Blackcomb
Canadian Rockies
Seven days total combined, not for each resort, at Fernie Alpine, Kimberley Alpine, Stoneham, Kicking Horse, Nakiska, and Monte Sainte Anne. After seven days, 50% off lift tickets
Japan
Five days combined at a number of resorts in Hakuba Valley
Also Five days total at Rusutsu
Europe
With the FULL Epic pass you’ll also have access to a number of different resorts in Switzerland, Italy, France, and Austria
Lodging eservations must be booked at select properties in order to use your Epic Pass in Switzerland and Austrian resorts. Once booked, the properties will deliver your ski passes.
3 days total combined at Ski Alberg resorts in Austria including St. Anon, one of the largest ski resorts in the world.
5 days total combined at Verbier4vaallées resorts in Switzerland.
7 days total combined at Les 3 Vallées resorts in France and also seven days in Italy at Skirama Dolomiti resorts.
Instead of using your epic pass visit the ticket window of the resorts mentioned above in France and Italy to receive day passes. Pass holders receive 50 percent off lift tickets after seven days are used at Skirama Dolomiti resorts.
Switzerland
Unlimited Access to Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis
Australia
Unlimited Access at Perisher, Hotham, and Falls Creek
Ikon Pass (No Blackout Dates)
Colorado Rockies
Unlimited Access at Steamboat, Copper Mountain, Winter Park, and Eldora
7 days at Arapahoe Basin
7 days combined, not with each individual resort, at Buttermilk, Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, and Highlands in Aspen.
Utah
7 days with each resort at Brighton and Deer Valley(Skiers only)
Unlimited access at Solitude
7 days combined not with each individual resort at Alta and Snowbird
7 Days at Snowbasin
Washington
7 days at Crystal Mountain
7 days at Snoqualmie
California
Unlimited access at Palisades Tahoe (formally Squaw Valley), Mammoth Mountain, Bear Mountain, and June Mountain
Oregon
7 days at Mt. Bachelor
New Mexico
7 days at Taos resort
Idaho
7 days at Sun Valley
Unlimited at Schweitzer
Montana
7 Days at Big Sky (No access to the Tram)
Wyoming
7 days at Jackson Hole Resort
East Coast
Unlimited access at Stratton and Sugarbush resorts in Vermont
7 days combined at Killington/Pico resorts in Vermont
Unlimited Access at Snowshoe in West Virginia
7 days at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire
7 days at Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine
7 Days at Windham in New York
7 days each at Blue Mountain and Camelback in Pennsylvania
Midwest
7 days at Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands in Michigan
Alaska
7 days at Alyeska Resort
Canada
7 days each at Revelstoke, Red Mountain, Sun Peaks, Panorama, and Cypress Mountain in British Columbia
7 days combined not with each individual resort, at Banff, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay
Unlimited access at Tremblant in Quebec
Unlimited access at Blue Mountain in Ontario
Europe
7 days combined at Dolomiti Superski resorts in Italy
7 days combined at Zermatt Matterhorn resorts in Switzerland (Excluding Cervinia-Valtournenche in Italy)
7 Days combined at Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley in France
7 days combined at Kitzbühel and Mittersil in Austria
7 Days combined at Ordino Arcalís, Pal Arinsal, and Grandvalira in Andorra
Japan
7 days each at Niseko United and Arai Snow
South America
7 days at Valle Nevado in Chile
Australia
7 days at Thredbo Resort
New Zealand
7 days combined not with each resort, at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Mt Hutt
The positive and negatives of each season pass
Not gonna lie, both passes have amazing resorts for skiing and snowboarding, making it a tough decision. However, depending on where you live and what you’re looking for, will decide what pass will be purchased. Below I’ll cover the pros and cons of each pass.
Ikon Pass
Pros
Lot’s of unlimited riding options if you live in California, Colorado, and Vermont.
Resorts have more of a mom and pop feel and less of a corporate like vibe. More of a homey/community like feel with less of a tourism like vibe.
Renewal Discounts
Monthly payment plan offered
Pass insurance offered in case of emergencies and illnesses
15% off food, beverage, and retail
25% off lift tickets for friends and family
Discounts with North Face and SMITH
Discounts on Heli Trips
Lodging discounts
First Tracks- Once per month (Jan-March) at certain resorts, get first tracks before the mountain is open to the public.
Discounted summer activities
Protect our Winters membership
Elect to Defer option- If your pass isn’t used after you buy it for any reason you can defer the pass to the following winter season. Must select this before Dec 9
Discount pricing for Nurses, College students, and Military
Cons
Not as many unlimited resort options
More expensive than EPIC
Not as many midwest resort options
Ikon Military passes are more expensive then Epic military passes
Epic Pass
Pros
More unlimited riding options in the Midwest, Colorado, and the East Coast. The epic pass works great if you live in the midwest because it allows you to ride your local hill, but also take trips out west and around the world. Check out reasons to ski or snowboard in the Midwest.
Epic Coverage offered in case of job loss, illness, injury, or resort closures. May be covered for a pro-rated amount or full refund
20% off food, lodging, rentals, epic mountain express, Lessons, Golf at select courses, Keystone cat skiing, and Whistler heli-skiing
Discounts on waxing and tuning at select locations
Monthly payment plan offered
Ski with a friend Lift Tickets. Discount varies based on resort and time of year
Epic Mix app which provides Mobile pass interactive trail maps, resort info, and statistics from your day of riding such as vertical feet skied.
Discounts for Military, College Students, and people with disabilities
Cons
Most infrastructure at resorts have a similar feel and vibe. More cookie cutter approach with Epic burgers, Epic mix photos, etc.
Mountain safety- You’ve probably noticed these yellow jackets on the mountain. Although they appear to be keeping everyone safe, not all are friendly. Instead of giving out warnings they can be irrational at times and take away peoples passes.
Having more Ski Patrol on the mountain would be a better idea as they have more experience with navigating the mountain. Typically Ski Patrol are good skiers who have better judgement on whose in control and who is reckless.
Lift Lines at resorts such as Breckenridge, Keystone, and Vail can get pretty long especially during holidays and weekends.
Are there other season pass options that are less Expensive?
Yep, don’t plan on riding a lot or perhaps looking for a more affordable season pass, both Ikon and Epic have other season pass options. Under Ikon, there is the Base, Base plus, and a 4 day lift ticket pass.
Epic has a lot of different pass options including an Epic Local, Summit Value, Tahoe Local, Keystone Plus, and a 1 through 7 day lift ticket pass.
In order to get access to Snowmass in Aspen you have to purchase the full Ikon or the Ikon Base Plus
What to expect and how to get the most out of your Season Pass
Now that you’ve considered what pass you’ll buy for the upcoming season, a few things to be aware of when you’re riding different resorts are sometimes there will be lift lines, crowded slopes, bad snow, closed lifts, and traffic to the resort. Like anything in life, things don’t always go as planned. The best way to have a great day on the mountain is to be prepared and plan ahead. Weekends and Holidays can get pretty crowded so leave really early to beat the traffic. Weekdays will always be the best time to ride the resort. Also, depending on what pass you purchase, make sure to check Black Out dates around holidays, before traveling all the way to a resort. Check weather and road conditions ahead of time.
Make sure to have to the proper equipment. This includes the correct outerwear, layers, goggles, and board/skis for the day. Also make sure to get your board tuned periodically and check your equipment before heading to the mountain. I worked at a snowboard shop for years and I can’t tell you how many times people would come in with loose screws on their bindings as well as old or broken parts on their boots/bindings.
Planning ahead and having the proper equipment will allow you to get the most out of your season pass and have not only great days on the mountain, but an amazing season overall. Lastly, don’t forget to put your season pass to use. Take a weekend road trip, wake up early, book a flight, and try to get to the mountain as much as possible!
