Multi-Resort Ski Pass Index 2026

Epic is better if you ski mostly Vail Resorts properties (Vail, Beaver Creek, Park City, Whistler Blackcomb) and want unlimited access — USD 1,066 buys unlimited days at 42 resorts. Ikon is better if your priority resorts are Jackson Hole, Aspen Snowmass, Alta, Snowbird, Niseko, or Zermatt — none of which Epic covers. Cost comparison for 10 ski days: Epic USD 107/day at unlimited resorts; Ikon USD 128/day at unlimited resorts. Ikon's international coverage (Zermatt, Chamonix, Dolomiti Superski, Niseko, Valle Nevado) is significantly stronger than Epic's. If you're skiing fewer than 8 days total and visiting multiple destinations, Mountain Collective (USD 549, 2 days each at 25 resorts) frequently beats both. Lock-in deadlines: both passes price increase September 1 each year, with 35–40% Memorial Day weekend (late May) pricing for next season's pass.

Epic Pass covers Verbier (4 Vallées), Crans-Montana, Andermatt-Sedrun, Skirama Dolomiti, Les 3 Vallées (5 days), Paradiski (5 days), Niseko United (7 days). Ikon Pass covers Zermatt (5 or 7 days), Chamonix Mont-Blanc (5 days), Dolomiti Superski (5 days), Kitzbühel (5 days). Indy Pass covers Engelberg, Madonna di Campiglio, Folgaria, and 30+ smaller European resorts (2 days each). Magic Pass covers 90+ unlimited Swiss/French/Italian resorts (CHF 489) — exceptional value if you ski Swiss midsize resorts (Aletsch Arena, Anzère, Saas-Fee, Belalp, Champéry, Crans-Montana, Engelberg). Most American skiers visiting Europe pick Ikon for the marquee Zermatt + Chamonix + Dolomiti combination; locals buying for a single country pick Magic Pass (Switzerland) or domestic season pass.

Best pricing window: April–May for next-season passes (early bird pricing 35–40% below walk-up). Epic Pass: typically goes on sale early March, hits lowest price end of May (Memorial Day weekend), increases September 1 (~12% jump), increases again November 1 (~10% jump), then walk-up pricing only from December 1. Ikon Pass: same pattern, prices increase September 1 and December 1. Mountain Collective: prices increase September 1 and October 1. Indy Pass: now has dynamic 'capped sales' selling out faster than other passes — typically sells out by October each year for the cheapest tier. If you're buying for the 2026–27 season, the deadline for lowest pricing has passed; current prices are mid-season tier with capacity limits. For 2026–27 the buying window opens March 1, 2026.

Blackout dates apply to Epic Local, Ikon Base, Mountain Collective, Indy Pass, and Powder Alliance — but NOT to full Epic Pass or full Ikon Pass. Typical blackouts: Christmas Day, December 26–31 (week between Christmas and New Year), the entire week of US Presidents Day weekend (mid-February), Saturdays during peak season at some resorts. If you only ski Christmas week, Presidents Day weekend, or Spring Break (mid-March), you must buy the full Epic Pass (USD 1,066) or full Ikon Pass (USD 1,279) — the Base/Local versions exclude all the peak weeks where you'd want to use them. For non-blackout-week skiers (most weeks of January, early February, and late March/April), the Base/Local passes save USD 250–500 with negligible practical impact.