IKON vs Epic, Multi-Resort Pass to Suit Your Style

IKON vs Epic: What do you need, a season pass, a resort pass, or a multi-day pass? It’s always been a ski industry tradition that the earlier you purchase your season ski pass, the better deal you get. That’s still true; however, ski passes have morphed into more than a lift ride these days. Buying early might even mean for the summer season. Season passes, of which there are many to choose from, have become multi-resort passes that buy you a lot more than just accessing lift service in the wintertime.

The Ticket Window – Purchasing a Pass

Most resorts in Colorado still sell day passes; however, they might require you to purchase your ticket online rather than at the on-site ticket window. The ticket you purchase is often part of the new family of “Resort Passes,” such as the IKON and Epic Pass. Needless to say, resort on-site ticket windows are becoming a thing of the past. Who likes to stand in line anyway?

The IKON vs Epic Pass -The Big Multi-Resort Passes

Multi-resort passes, the IKON and Epic Pass, are the new norm for various reasons. These passes provide access to big pools of top-quality resorts in Colorado, throughout North America, and the World. Both passes offer many choices, from multi-day passes to season passes that provide unlimited access to resorts within their respective pools for an entire season.

Which Resort Pass is Right For Me

Which one do you want, the IKON vs Epic Resort Pass? You only need to figure out which pass is right for you. Sounds simple enough, except that each pass has many variations, blackout days, limitations, benefits, and more. It really comes down to where you want to go skiing and riding and when you want to go. Check out our Colorado Resort Map to locate your favorite resorts. Hopefully, the places you want to ski or ride are within a respective pool. If you buy an IKON pass, for example, and one of the places you want to ski requires the Epic pass, you will have to figure something out. Hopefully, a friend will get you a buddy pass (up to 45% discount) via their Epic pass. This situation is true for both of these resort passes, but the IKON Pass only offers friends and family a 25% discount.

• Epic Buddy Pass – up to 45% discount for guests.
• IKON Friends and Family – 25% discount for guests.

The Gems Pass

Another option to gain ski days at resorts not included with either the IKON or the Epic Pass is to consider purchasing a Gems Pass. The Gems Pass is similar to the IKON Pass but exclusive to Colorado. This pass has a lineup of 20 Colorado Resorts, some of which are only included in the Gems Pass.

Why These Multi-Resort Passes

With so many people vacationing and living in or near resorts, there is an increasing demand for accessing many resorts versus just one. Especially when resorts are concentrated in regions. Perhaps it makes more sense, such as dollars and cents, for resorts to join together and share the financial responsibility versus competing to make the “best skier deal.” Or, maybe it’s been a natural process of the “bigger” resort buying other resorts after a bad snow year or for financial reasons. Whatever the reason for these encompassing resort passes, it’s a win for everybody.

How to Choose Between the IKON vs Epic

Choosing between the IKON vs Epic multi-resort passes depends on where you will be vacationing or living (at least part of the time), whether you plan on traveling internationally, and which resorts you want to visit.

The Difference – IKON vs Epic

The IKON Pass is perfect for the globe-trotting skier or rider who wants to drop into some of the world’s biggest pipes, shutes, and bowls and stay on the hunt for powder snow. Plus, the IKON Pass provides a travel planning service to help with travel details and ensure a great vacation experience. Local season IKON passes are available for a select group of resorts.

The Epic Pass also accesses an amazing assortment of world-class resorts in Colorado, North America, and worldwide. One major difference is that the Epic Pass has an assortment of regional passes. Regional passes are perfect for those who prefer to stick closer to home or at a favorite vacation location. This pass accommodates children and the needs of the family a bit more, too.

IKON and Epic  Resort Pass Similarities

Both of these passes are like purchasing a multi-resort membership and benefits subscription. Resorts that once were mostly ski resorts have blossomed into year-round activity centers, providing seasonal activities for all types of people, young and old. Pass subscriptions include discounts on skiing and riding in the winter and year-round perks such as access to mountain bike parks and mountain activity centers, gondola sightseeing rides, golf, lodging, food, hot springs discounts, gear discounts, and so much more.

Check out the Benefits

• IKON Pass benefits get lifted.
• Epic Pass Mountain Rewards.

These passes are designed for the avid resort visitor. They make the experience hassle-free, invite you to try more activities, and encourage you to keep coming back with all your friends in tow…

BOTH Multi-Resort Passes Offer Ticket Discounts to Friends

Both of these multi-resort resort passes, the Epic (Buddy) and IKON (Friends & Family), offer discounts to your closest compadres. Knowing somebody with one of these passes gets you on the slopes at a significant discount, and some. Having a friend with the “other” pass will be helpful to round out your hit list of resorts for the year. Both passes have an incredible lineup of discounts and benefits. Once you begin exploring the benefits, you will be strategize your vacation plans.

BOTH Epic and IKON

Both provide multi-day passes just like the ones from yesteryear. However, they come with fewer perks than the selection of season passes via either Epic or IKON.

BOTH Honor Special Groups

Veterans, disabled people, seniors, and groups will find programs catering to their needs.

The IKON Resort Pass

The IKON pass collection is a flexible ski and snowboard resort pass accepted at 50+ top destinations worldwide. Passholders must be at least 23 years old. These passes are perfect for those who enjoy sampling what world-class resorts have to offer. Holding an IKON pass opens the doors to many ever-updating perks. Your IKON Pass account enables visibility to discounts such as lodging, food, gear, and more. This Pass is a membership that provides access to a Travel Specialist who will help you plan your vacation and select the best lodging and gear reservations at the best price. If your winter vacation dream has always been to ski or ride at your choice of world-class resorts throughout the season… The IKON pass is your hassle-free dream come true. Learn more about IKON multi-resort passes.

The Epic Resort Pass

The Epic Ski Pass embodies the Vail Resorts complex, which has united 42 top resorts in North America and Worldwide. Essentially, this is the pass for you if you are a fan of Vail Resorts and its associated resorts and embrace Epic Rewards. The Epic Pass accomodates family needs more so than the IKON Pass.

The Epic Collection of Passes

The Epic collection of resort passes emphasizes regional multi-resort access and provides access to top resorts across North America and Worldwide. For those who live or frequent resorts within a regional area, you can buy Epic Passes specifically for that region. Below are some examples of regional passes in Colorado:

• Epic Local Pass – access Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Park City
• Summit Value Pass – the ultimate pass to access Keystone and Breckenridge
• Keystone Plus Pass – ski and ride at Keystone plus access limited days at Breck and Crested Butte

All Epic passes include Epic Rewards (exclusions apply to Epic Day Pass), automatically unlocking 20% off lodging, food, gear rentals, golf, bike rentals, and more at participating resorts. The Epic Pass also includes summer lift access and additional summer benefits.

There are over 25 types of Epic Passes available for purchase. Here’s a simple breakdown of how they work:

The Epic Resort Pass (adults and children) – $1004

The Epic Pass offers unlimited access and no restrictions to world-class resorts such as Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, and others in North America and worldwide. It accommodates families via child passes and provides benefits (Epic Rewards) such as 20% off food, lodging, golf, bike rentals, summer lift access, and more at participating resorts. It even covers you if you become injured or ill and will refund your pass.

• The Epic Pass – provides unlimited access to all their associated resorts, plus seven days at Telluride.
• Limited access to partner resorts in North America, Japan, and Europe.
• Honors Epic Mountain Rewards
• Refunds for job loss, injury, illness & more with Epic Coverage.
• Discounted tickets for friends and family.

Regional Epic Resort Pass – Price Varies

The Epic Regional family of passes provides some unlimited access and some access with restrictions to resorts within certain regions. There are many Regional Epic Passes to choose from. They all:

• Honors Epic Mountain Rewards
• Refunds for job loss, injury, illness & more with Epic Coverage.
• Discounted tickets for friends and family.

Epic Local Pass – (adults and children) Price Varies According to Age

The Epic Local Pass makes skiing and riding affordable. Not only is your lift access affordable, but all the included discounts (Epic Rewards) on food, lodging, and gear make the entire vacation experience (or local participation) much more attainable and hassle-free.

• Ski and ride at the same resorts as the Epic Pass, with some limited access to partner resorts in Japan.
• 10 combined days of access to Vail, Beaver Creek, and Whistler Blackcomb, excluding restricted peak days.
• The pass includes Epic Mountain Rewards benefits
• Refunds for job loss, injury, illness & more with Epic Coverage.
• Discounted ticket prices for friends and family.
• The Resort Pass includes summer benefits.

Epic Day Pass – 1 to 7 days at all 38 resorts for the 24/25 season (ages 13 and up)
– price varies according to days and resorts

More about the Epic Day Pass and the restrictive dates.

• Choose access to a group of 22, 32 or all 39 resorts in North America and Europe.
• The pass includes Epic Mountain Rewards benefits – 20% off food, lodging, group lessons, rentals and more.
• The Resort Pass includes summer benefits.

The IKON Pass Collection

The IKON Pass – $1,359

This is the most versatile ski pass in the collection. It’s perfect for those who prefer to frequent some of the best resorts worldwide at any time, even during the holidays. This pass provides the most access and no blackout dates at 59 unique destinations worldwide. You can even stay for up to 7 days at select destinations. The list of destinations includes top world-class resorts. View the list and purchase your pass.

IKON Base Pass – $969

This is a perfect pass for those with flexible schedules who want to sample some of the best skiing in the US and internationally. Enjoy unlimited access at 14 of our nation’s best resorts with limited blackout dates at just a few. Spend up to 5 days at select destinations worldwide with limited blackout dates. Learn more and purchase your pass.

IKON Season Pass 4-Day – $475

This pass allows you to ski or ride for up to four days at 42 US and International destinations. You can use your ski days at a single resort or split them up between a few; blackout days apply. This pass is a savings for those planning their winter vacation at a specific resort or checking out a few resorts. Learn more and purchase your pass.

by Kathleen Fitzsimmons