Ski Resort Season Pass Comparison 2026 Save big on lift tickets! Compare season passes from major ski resort chains and find the best value for your skiing style. ## Epic Pass (Vail Resorts) - $909 ### What You Get 41 Resorts Included: - Unlimited days at most Vail resorts - 7 days at partner resorts (Whistler, Telluride, Sun Valley) Top Resorts: - Vail, CO - Breckenridge, CO - Park City, UT - Heavenly, CA/NV - Whistler Blackcomb, BC (7 days) Best For: - Colorado skiers (10+ Vail resorts) - Tahoe access (Heavenly, Kirkwood, Northstar) - Park City as home mountain ROI: Break even at 8-9 days ($100/day lift ticket average) --- ## Ikon Pass (Alterra) - $1,099 ### What You Get 50+ Resorts: - Unlimited days at 14 destinations - 7 days each at remaining resorts Top Resorts: - Jackson Hole, WY - Aspen Snowmass, CO - Big Sky, MT - Steamboat, CO - Mammoth, CA Best For: - Destination skiers (travel to different resorts) - Utah access (Alta, Snowbird, Deer Valley) - Northwest skiers (Crystal, Revelstoke) ROI: Break even at 9-10 days --- ## Mountain Collective Pass - $629 ### What You Get 2 days each at 23 resorts - Additional days 50% off - Includes partner resorts worldwide Top Resorts: - Jackson Hole, WY - Aspen Snowmass, CO - Taos, NM - Revelstoke, BC - Niseko, Japan (international!) Best For: - Casual skiers (10-15 days/season) - Destination trips - Skiers who like variety ROI: Break even at 6-7 days --- ## Indy Pass - $349 ### What You Get 2 days each at 100+ independent resorts Philosophy: - Support small, independent ski areas - No blackout dates - Family-owned mountains Well-Known Resorts: - Taos, NM - Magic Mountain, VT - Monarch, CO - Bridger Bowl, MT Best For: - Budget-conscious skiers - Those who avoid crowds - Exploring hidden gems ROI: Break even at 4-5 days --- ## Regional Passes ### Colorado - Epic Local Pass ($709) Includes: - Unlimited Keystone, Breckenridge, Crested Butte - 10 days Vail/Beaver Creek combined - Restrictions during peak weeks Best for: Colorado locals, Front Range ### Utah - Alta/Snowbird Season Pass ($1,599) Includes: - Unlimited at both resorts - No Epic or Ikon affiliation Best for: Utah powder hounds ### Tahoe - Palisades Tahoe Unlimited ($1,099) Includes: - Unlimited Palisades Tahoe - No other resorts Best for: Bay Area locals --- ## Pass Comparison Matrix | Pass | Price | Resorts | Days | Best Value | |------|-------|---------|------|------------| | Indy | $349 | 100+ | 2 each | Budget seekers | | Mountain Collective | $629 | 23 | 2 each + 50% off | Travelers | | Epic Local | $709 | Limited | Varies | CO locals | | Epic | $909 | 41 | Mostly unlimited | Vail fans | | Ikon | $1,099 | 50+ | 7-unlimited | Destination skiers | --- ## How to Choose ### Ask Yourself: 1. How many days will you ski? - 5-10 days: Mountain Collective or Indy - 15-25 days: Epic or Ikon - 30+ days: Local pass to home mountain 2. Where will you ski? - One region: Local or regional pass - Multiple states: Epic or Ikon - Love variety: Mountain Collective or Indy 3. What's your budget? - Under $500: Indy Pass only - $500-800: Mountain Collective or Epic Local - $800-1,200: Epic or Ikon 4. Do you travel for skiing? - Yes: Epic, Ikon, or Mountain Collective - No: Local season pass to nearest resort --- ## Hidden Costs to Consider Beyond the Pass: - Gas/flights: $500-2,000 per season - Lodging: $100-300 per night - Food/drinks: $30-60 per day - Rentals/maintenance: $200-500 per season - Lessons: $100-200 each Total Season Cost: $2,000-10,000+ --- ## Money-Saving Strategies ### 1. Buy Early (Save $200-400) - Epic/Ikon: Prices increase in phases - Early bird (spring): Cheapest - Fall: Mid-price - December+: Full price 2026 Deadlines: - Epic: March 10 (lowest price) - Ikon: May 20 (early bird) ### 2. Add-Ons Worth It? Epic Plus Pack (+$250): - 5 buddy tickets (50% off) - 5 ski-with-a-friend tickets - Worth it if: You ski with non-passholders Ikon Base (+$200 gets you Ikon): - 5→7 days at restricted resorts - Access to more dates - Worth it if: Ski blackout periods ### 3. Share Lodging - Rent house with friends - Split costs 3-4 ways - Save $1,000+ per season ### 4. Weekday Skiing - Less crowded - Better snow preservation - Some passes include weekday-only options --- ## Special Passes ### Military ($109-409) - Epic/Ikon offer military discounts - 50-70% off retail ### Kids (ages 5-12) - Epic: $219 (unrestricted) - Ikon: $399 - Many local resorts: FREE with adult pass ### Seniors (65+/70+) - Epic/Ikon: 20-50% off - Local resorts: Often 50%+ discounts ### College Students - Ikon College Pass: $599 - Epic Student Pass: $559 --- ## New for 2026 Epic Pass Changes: - Added 3 resorts (Andermatt, Switzerland) - Price increase: $50 from 2025 Ikon Pass Changes: - Added Arapahoe Basin (unlimited!) - Price increase: $100 from 2025 Mountain Collective: - Added 5 resorts - Same price as 2025 --- ## ROI Calculator Example: Epic Pass at $909 Scenario 1 - Colorado Front Range: - 15 days Breck/Keystone - Single day tickets: $200 average - Total value: $3,000 - Savings: $2,091 Scenario 2 - Weekend Warrior: - 8 days total (mixed resorts) - Single day tickets: $180 average - Total value: $1,440 - Savings: $531 Scenario 3 - Casual Skier: - 5 days total - Total value: $900 - LOSS: $9 (should buy singles or Mountain Collective) --- ## Bottom Line Recommendations Best Overall Value: - Epic Pass ($909) - Best resort selection, most days Best for Budget: - Indy Pass ($349) - Amazing value for indie resorts Best for Travelers: - Ikon Pass ($1,099) - Premier destinations Best for Families: - Epic Pass - Kids $219, unlimited days Best for Casual Skiers (5-15 days): - Mountain Collective ($629) - Flexibility + 50% off Find ski resorts in our directory and plan your season!