IKON vs Epic Pass

Both Epic and IKON Passes offer different season’s pass-types for different places. Both have cheaper passes with more restrictions and they each offer different benefits. Epic’s menu of passes is generally cheaper, but IKON has more resorts in its stable (even poaching some from Epic).

Now, which Pass do you pick to get the most out of the 22/23 Ski & Board Season? Not an easy answer. Each Pass has its unique benefits. At the end of the day, one may prefer the Epic Summit Pass, for example, because Keystone and Copper are their favorite resorts. You may pick the IKON Pass because you love the Travel Service feature and additional summer activities.

Basically, the best Pass is the Pass that is right for you. Below are the questions to ask yourself and the answers you need to narrow down the search. Then be sure to visit the pass webpage before you book.

Start by Considering these:

• How much do you plan to ski/board this season?

• Epic has a refund policy for life events (pregnancy, loss of job, etc.)
• IKON has a credit program where you can carry full or partial passes over to the next season.
• Where will you spend the most time?

  • USA (Out West or the Mid-West?), Europe, Asia All over the globe?

• Do you have a home resort?
• Will you be skiing enough to have Multiple Passes?
• When Will You Travel? Can You say blackout dates?
  • The IKON Pass offers a Travel Service Feature to Plan your Ultimate Winter Adventure.
• What can you afford?

While you may not choose a pass based on amenities, each Pass Level does have different perks. You may want to upgrade from a basic Pass to take advantage of the benefits based on your needs and desires.

How to Choose the Pass or Passes for You?

We have approached this review the way we approach getting new gear for the season.

For Example, if you plan to sample a variety of resorts, then you would purchase an all-mountain ski or board. (Check out our 2022 Ski Guide or Snowboarding Guide for detailed reviews).

If you are only skiing or snowboarding in the North East, US, you would look for a ski that can handle the icy conditions commonly seen there and a pass to match.

With lift tickets ranging from $150 to $300 plus/per person/per day, it makes sense to purchase a pass for a multi-day trip to a single resort. It also makes sense to buy a Pass for the resort/area you ski the most. You may need multiple passes to bet the most bang for your buck if you fall in between.

Similarities

Before we talk about differences, let’s take a quick look at what is the same.

• Each Pass offers Multiple Pass levels, which equates to different prices and benefits.
• Each offers discounts to specific groups (Military, College, etc.).
• Each has monthly/flexible payment plans and refund/credit policies.
• Each offers discounts on in-season gear, food, lodging, and summer activities.

On the summer activities, if they factor into your pass purchase, check them out in detail before purchasing. Many of the summer activities include chair lift rides, golf, etc. Some locations have extensive biking trails and trail bike lessons.

For example, The IKON Pass includes Big Bear Mountain. Some of their summer perks include group mountain bike lessons and rentals. Whereas the Epic Pass includes free ski and snowboard tuning.

Now, the fine print. All Prices are based on a single adult with no discount.

IKON Vs Epic: Compared by Price and Restrictions

The IKON Passes has 50 Locations and has more options for International Resorts.

• The IKON Pass – $1,179

• No Blackouts
• 14 Unlimited Destinations
• Up to 7 Days at 37 Destinations

• The Base Pass & Base Pass Plus (Plus has 6 additional destinations) $869 $1,069, Respectively
  • Blackout Days
  • Unlimited at 13 Locations (Steamboat limit is 5 Days)
  • Up to 5 Days at 38 Destinations
• IKON 2,3,4 Day Passes $269, $369, $449, Respectively
  • Blackout Days
  • 38 Destinations

The Epic Passes

Epic boasts 38 Resorts, primarily in the U.S.

• Epic Pass – $875
  • 38 Resorts
  • Epic Mountain Rewards
    • 20% off food, lodging, rentals & more

• Epic Day Passes 1-7 Days -Prices Vary

Choose 22, 32, or all 38 owned and operated North American and European resorts plus Epic Mountain Rewards.

,

• Local/Regional Passes

Local and regional passes include access to Tahoe, Keystone, Summit Value Pass, Northeast Value Pass, and Mid Week Pass.

For Example, The Summit Pass grants you access to Keystone and Breckenridge Resorts plus,

• Epic Mountain Rewards
• Refunds for job loss, injury, illness & more with Epic Coverage.
• Plus, discounted tickets for you, friends, and family.
• Specially Passes for Military, College, Australia, Seniors & Adaptive.

For Example, the Adaptive Pass is $421 and includes access to all the resorts, no blackouts, and the Epic Mountain Rewards.

So where are you going to ski or board? The list of both Epic and IKON resorts is below.

The Locations

IKON

United States of America

West

• Palisades Tahoe
• Mammoth Mountain
• June Mountain
• Bear Mountain
• Snow Summit

Pacific NW

• Crystal Mountain
• Alpental
• The Summit at Snoqualmie
• Schweitzer
• Sun Valley

Dollar Mountain

• Banff Sunshine
• Mount Norquay
• Lake Louise Ski Resort
• Revelstoke Mountain Resort
• Cypress Mountain
• Red Mountain
• Panorama
• East
• Tremblant
• Blue Mountain

Rockies

• Aspen Mountain
• Aspen Highlands
• Buttermilk
• Snowmass
• Steamboat
• Winter Park Resort
• Copper Mountain
• Arapahoe Basin
• Eldora Mountain Resort
• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
• Big Sky Resort
• Taos Ski Valley
• Deer Valley Resort
• Solitude Mountain Resort
• Brighton
• Alta Ski Area
• Solitude Mountain Resort
• Brighton
• Alta Ski Area
• Snowbird
• Snowbasin

MidWest

• The Highlands
• Boyne Mountain

East

• Stratton
• Killington
• Pico Mountain
• Sugarbush Resort
• Snowshoe Mountain
• Sunday River
• Sugarloaf
• Loon Mountain
• Windham Mountain

Chile

• Valle Nevado
• Switzerland
• Zermatt Matterhorn

Austria

• Kitzbuhel

Italy

• Dolomiti Superski

France

• Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley

Australia

• Thredbo
• Mt. Buller

New Zealand

• Cornet Peak
• The Remarkables
• Mt Hutt

Japan

• Niseko United
• Lotte Ara

Epic

Country/Regions

Rockies

• Vail
• Beaver Creek
• Breckenridge
• Park City
• Keystone
• Crested Butte

West

• Heavenly
• NorthStar
• Kirkwood
• Stevens Pass

NorthEast

• Stowe
• Okemo
• Mount Snow
• Hunter
• Attitash
• Wildcat
• Mount Sunapee
• Crotched

Mid-Atlantic

• Liberty
• Roundtop
• Whitetail
• Jack Frost
• Big Boulder

Midwest

• Wilmot
• Afton Alps
• Mt Brighton
• Alpine Valley
• Boston Mills
• Brandywine
• Mad River Mountain
• Hidden Valley
• Snow Creek
• Paoli Peaks

Canada

• Whistler Blackcomb

Australia

• Perisher
• Falls Creek
• Hotham

If these locations don’t fit your fancy, the Mountain Collective Ski Pass and the Indy Pass have alternative passes with conditions that can increasingly compete with IKON and Epic.

If you have reviewed your locations, decided on top amenities, and purchased your pass, check out the rest of your gear for wear and tear. If you find your helmet, gloves or goggles need replacing, use your pass discount and our gear guides, and purchase new ones before the season begins. (Helmut, Glove, Goggle Guide).

So, again, happy 2022/23 ski season. We hope to see you on the slopes.