Epic vs. Ikon: A Coloradan’s Guide to 2025-26 Season Passes

It’s an ongoing debate: Epic or Ikon? Some fans are unwavering in their support of one or the other. But people considering a shift or who are buying their first big pass have a lot to consider. Epic season passes are already on sale, and Ikon passes go on sale Thursday, March 13.

To help Coloradans decide between the two, we've looked into the passes, from new perks and pricing to comparing in-state destinations — because, really, how often will you be visiting Switzerland versus Summit County?

What new benefits are on next season’s Ikon pass?

Alterra Mountain Company, owner of the Ikon Pass, acquired Arapahoe Basin last February, leading fans of the formerly independent ski area to wonder if things were headed downhill. Though paid parking reservations were implemented, Ikon access to A-Basin remained at five days during the 2024-25 season. While the Ikon Base Pass will maintain this limit, next season’s full Ikon Pass offers unlimited access to A-Basin, with no blackout dates.

Current Ikon Base Pass holders have another good reason to upgrade to a fuil Ikon Pass this year. In doing so, they’ll receive an extra week of spring skiing at select destinations. And they'll receive it fastt: This season, starting March 31, they can enjoy unlimited access to A-Basin, Winter Park and Steamboat, as well as five other domestic destinations. Come April 7, new Ikon Base Pass holders will gain unlimited spring skiing access to Winter Park and Steamboat, plus four other resorts outside of Colorado.

Early Ikon Pass buyers can also take advantage of an extended summer perk. Rather than just one complimentary bike park ticket (included in the Ikon Base Pass), full pass holders now receive two free tickets. These can be redeemed at 24 resorts, including Steamboat and Aspen Snowmass.

What new benefits are on next season's Epic Pass?

Vail Resorts, which owns Epic Pass, recently revitalized the Golden Peak area of Vail Mountain. This coming season, it plans to develop Vail’s West Lionshead area into a fourth base village with new lodging, restaurants and retail businesses. Investments will also be made towards upgrading Breckenridge’s Peak 8 base area, along with enhancing beginner and children’s experiences at Keystone Resort’s River Run Village.

Outside of capital improvements, Epic Pass perks next season remain largely unchanged in Colorado.

What resorts are included on the Ikon 2025-26 season passes?

The upcoming season’s Ikon Pass includes unlimited access to eighteen destinations. In Colorado, these include A-Basin, Denver’s own Winter Park Resort, Eldora Mountain, Copper Mountain and Steamboat Ski Resort. Ikon Pass also offers up to seven blackout-free days at each of its 41 other destinations, including Aspen Snowmass, which comprises Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk Ski Resort.

Meanwhile, the Ikon Base Pass includes unlimited access to fourteen destinations, including Winter Park, Eldora and Copper. With limited blackout dates, Base Pass holders can also enjoy up to five days each at 39 destinations, including A-Basin and Steamboat.

What resorts are included on the Epic 2025-26 season passes?

Epic Pass provides unlimited access to 42 destinations, including Colorado’s Keystone Resort, Breckenridge Ski Resort, Vail Ski Resort, Beaver Creek and Crested Butte. It also includes seven total days at Telluride, plus limited days at several other partner resorts — some with special restrictions.

Next season’s Epic Local Pass offers unlimited access to Keystone, Breckenridge and Crested Butte, plus 31 other domestic resorts (five with blackout dates). Excluding peak dates, this pass also includes ten days total between Vail, Beaver Creek and British Columbia’s Whistler Blackcomb, plus limited days at thirteen resorts in Europe and Japan.

What discounts do next season’s Ikon passes include?

New next season, Ikon Pass holders receive 20 percent off membership with Gravity Haus. The homegrown hotel chain has eight locations, including Steamboat, Winter Park and Aspen (as well as Breckenridge and Vail, where you’ll find Epic Pass resorts). Ikon Pass holders also receive an exclusive booking discount on Under Canvas glamping destinations.

Additionally, this upcoming season’s Ikon Pass provides up to 20 percent off SIXT car rentals; 20 percent off products from The North Face, Db, 4FRNT and Shaun White-founded Whitespace; 30 percent off the US Ski & Snowboard Team’s fan program, and up to 40 percent off gear from Blenders.

While the aforementioned discounts are exclusive to the full Ikon Pass, both it and the Ikon Base Pass provide up to twelve friends-and-family lift tickets at 25 percent off the window rate. Both passes also provide up to 15 percent off food, drinks and retail purchases at select resorts.

What discounts do next season’s Epic passes include?

Epic Mountain Rewards apply to both the full Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass. This includes 20 percent off dozens of resort lodging options, such as The Arrabelle at Vail Square, Gravity Haus Breckenridge and all Keystone properties.

Pass holders also save 20 percent on Epic Mountain Express shuttle transportation from Denver International Airport to Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail and Beaver Creek. Additionally, 20 percent discounts apply towards food at select on-mountain locations, gear rentals and group lessons. You also get one free wax and 50 percent off a tune-up at Epic Mountain Gear which, along the Front Range, has outposts in Littleton, Westminster, Aurora, Park Meadows and Boulder.

For a limited time, Epic Pass purchases also include ten buddy passes, which allow friends and family to save up to 45 percent on lift tickets. Additionally, regardless of when you buy, Epic provides six “ski with a friend” tickets that provide varying discounts based on use date.

What do Ikon passes cost for the 2025-26 season?

The coming season’s full Ikon Pass starts at $1,329 — a $90 or 7 percent increase compared to the previous season. The Ikon Base Pass increased by $40, now starting at $909. There are also two, three and four-day Ikon Session Passes that start, respectively, at $259, $389 and $459 per adult.

Passes will become available for purchase on March 13. Those renewing their Ikon passes will receive up to a $100 discount for a limited time. Additionally, early Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass purchasers can save as much as $200 on up to two child passes with the purchase of an adult pass; this discount applies to youth ages five through twelve.

What do Epic passes cost for the 2025-26 season?

This upcoming season’s Epic Pass also increased by 7 percent — with the $69 bump, it now starts at $1,051. Children between the ages of five and twelve can receive a full Epic Pass for as low as $537.

Compared to last season, the Epic Local Pass increased by $52 and now starts at $783. Teens ages thirteen to eighteen and youth ages five through twelve can receive this pass for as low as $663 and $407, respectively.

Finaly, Epic Day Passes provide access for one to seven days and save buyers up to 65 percent compared to lift ticket rates. Ski for less than $100 per day at 32 destinations, including Keystone and Crested Butte.

Aside from Epic and Ikon, what other season pass options are available?

In addition to singular resort season passes, other options include the Mountain Collective pass (which grants two days at each of its 26 destinations, including Aspen Snowmass) and the Power Pass (which offers various access levels to twelve mountains, including Purgatory Resort).

There’s also the Indy Pass, which provides two days at each of its 250 independent resorts. Those in Colorado include Loveland Ski Area, Echo Mountain, Hoedown Hill, Granby Ranch, Howelsen Hill, Sunlight Mountain Resort and Powderhorn Mountain Resort.