Epic vs Ikon Pass Calculator: Which Pays Off?
Your resorts and days → which 2026/27 pass covers them for less.
Your plan · 8 days at 2 resorts
Epic Local Pass: $849 covers all 8 daysThe cheapest of the four that covers your whole plan.
Who is buyingAge
Your days run in a row from it, resort 1 first — each one checked against the passes’ blackout dates.
Prices by age, the military and college prices, and each resort’s access read on the pass pages, Oct 9, 2026.
Epic works at Vail’s resorts, Ikon at Aspen, Jackson Hole, Mammoth and Alta. For 2026/27 an adult Epic Pass is $1,145 and an Ikon Pass $1,449; the Epic Local ($849) and Ikon Base ($1,019) cost less and limit days or dates. Add your resorts and days to see which pays off.
How to use it
Pick up to three resorts and type the days you plan at each. The calculator runs the plan through all four season passes: what each covers, where a day limit or a restricted date bites, and which covers the whole plan for the least. Say who is buying — the skier’s age, and a college student, a service member or a veteran — and each pass shows at that skier’s own price. Pick your first ski day and every day of the plan is checked against the passes’ blackout dates — the calculator says which days a pass is not valid and which pass works on them; with no dates yet, tick the box if any days fall on the holidays. Type the day-ticket price you are quoted to see each pass with tickets for the days it does not cover, and after how many days it pays for itself. A resort that asks Ikon holders for a lift reservation — Jackson Hole, Deer Valley, Loon — shows the days to book.
The four passes, 2026/27
Adult prices as the pass pages showed them on October 9, 2026 (Epic counts adults from 31, Ikon from 23; children, teens and young adults pay less — the next table). Epic’s pages had announced a rise on October 7; after it, they showed the same adult prices.
| Pass | Adult price | Unlimited at | Limited or restricted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epic Pass | $1,145 | 15 of the resorts here | Telluride: 7 days in total; the Canadian Rockies resorts: 7 days in total |
| Epic Local Pass | $849 | 12 of the resorts here | Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler: 10 days in total; no peak dates there or at Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Stowe |
| Ikon Pass | $1,449 | 16 of the resorts here | Up to 7 days each at 19 more; no blackout dates |
| Ikon Base Pass | $1,019 | 13 of the resorts here | Up to 5 days each at 17 more; blackout dates; not at Alta, Deer Valley, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley or Snowbasin |
In the passes’ own words: the Epic Pass’s unlimited resorts are open “Every day of the season, including peak dates.” The Epic Local: “Ski or ride a total of 10 days combined at these resorts. Pass Holders will not have access on peak dates.” The Ikon Pass: “Every mountain, the most access, no blackout dates, and every Peak Perk.” The Ikon Base: “Most of the 70+ destinations, limited blackout dates, & select Peak Perks.”
Epic and Ikon blackout dates, 2026/27
Only the two cheaper passes have them. The Epic Pass and the Ikon Pass are valid every day. The Epic Local’s restricted (peak) dates and the Ikon Base’s blackout dates, as the pass pages print them:
| Pass | Not valid on | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Epic Local Pass | Nov 27–28, 2026 · Dec 26–31, 2026 · Jan 16, 2027 · Feb 13–14, 2027 | 8 resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Whistler Blackcomb |
| Ikon Base Pass | Dec 26–30, 2026 · Jan 16–17, 2027 · Feb 13–14, 2027 | All 30 of its resorts here |
| Epic Pass | No blackout dates | — |
| Ikon Pass | No blackout dates | — |
That is the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving (the Epic Local only), the days after Christmas, and the weekends before Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 18, 2027) and Presidents’ Day (February 15, 2027). Epic’s page names the resorts: “This pass excludes access on the following dates at Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler Blackcomb, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe.” Everywhere else on the Epic Local — Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte among them — those days are open. A trip of 3 days at Park City from December 27 comes out as Epic Pass: $1,145 covers all 3 days: the Epic Local covers none of them.
Ikon Pass reservations, 2026/27: which resorts ask for one
Three Ikon destinations here ask Ikon Pass holders to book each ski day ahead. In Ikon’s own words: “For the 26/27 winter season, lift reservations will be required at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Deer Valley, and Loon Mountain.” Every other resort in the calculator takes the Ikon passes without one, and the Epic passes ask for none. Pick one of the three with a first ski day and the calculator lists the days to book and how far away the first one is.
| Resort | On | Reservation | In the resort’s words |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Hole | Ikon Pass, up to 7 days | Required | “To help manage capacity and offer the best guest experience, we require lift reservations for all Ikon Pass holders.” “Days may sell out.” |
| Deer Valley | Ikon Pass, up to 7 days | Required | “26/27 Ikon Pass reservations are available now.” “Reservations can be made at your Ikon account and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.” |
| Loon Mountain | Ikon Pass, up to 7 days; Ikon Base, up to 5 days | Required | “Ikon Pass holders are required to make a reservation prior to arrival.” |
| Aspen Snowmass | Ikon Pass, up to 7 days; Ikon Base, up to 5 days | Not any more | “Reservations are no longer needed for lift access at Aspen Snowmass.” (Alterra, which runs the Ikon Pass) |
How far ahead to book. There is no window to wait for: the season’s days are open now and go first come, first served, so book the day your dates are set — holiday weeks first, since Deer Valley asks Ikon holders to “reserve early to secure access, especially during holiday periods”. A full day is not always lost: “Yes, Ikon Pass holders may make a same-day reservation depending on availability.”, and other holders’ cancellations free days up. Book in your account on ikonpass.com or in the Ikon Pass app — “An Ikon Pass holder can make reservations for themselves and any Ikon Pass holder in their Ikon Pass account.” — and cancel a day you will not ski by 11am Mountain Time that day. At Deer Valley, a skier with no reservation “may be granted a one-time grace period per season”; the second time brings a warning, and the third: “3rd instance: Your Ikon Pass access to Deer Valley will be suspended for the remainder of the winter season.” Bonus Mountains never ask: “No lift reservations are required to visit Bonus Mountains.”
A plan of 4 days at Jackson Hole from December 27 and 3 at Aspen Snowmass comes out as Ikon Pass: $1,449 covers all 7 days, with the four Jackson Hole days, December 27–30, to book — all four on the holiday dates — and none at Aspen.
Students, military and kids: what each pass costs them
Each pass’s own price for a skier of that age or group, 2026/27. Epic sells young adults (18–30) its passes at about 20% off — “Introducing new savings for skiers and riders 30 and under — save 20% off the price of an Epic or Epic Local Pass.” — with no student card needed; Ikon’s young-adult price runs from 13 to 22. College students get Ikon’s lower price through a college club: “If you are a college student looking to purchase a pass, please contact a participating club below.” and “The Ikon Pass College Club Program sales will end Dec. 1st, 2026.”
| Who | Epic Pass | Epic Local | Ikon Pass | Ikon Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 (age 4) | — | — | $199 | $149 |
| Child, 5–12 | $585 | $445 | $449 | $349 |
| Teen, 13–17 | $909 | $675 | $1,049 | $729 |
| 18–22 | $909 | $675 | $1,049 | $729 |
| 23–30 | $909 | $675 | $1,449 | $1,019 |
| 31 and over | $1,145 | $849 | $1,449 | $1,019 |
| College student, 23–30 | $909 | $675 | $949 | $639 |
| Active duty or retired, or family (18+) | $225 (Military Pass) | $849 | $899 | $589 |
| Their children, 5–17 | $225 (Military Pass) | $445 | $449 | $349 |
| Veteran, or family (18+) | $646 (Military Pass) | $849 | $1,449 | $1,019 |
A dash: the page prints no price at that age. The Epic Military Pass is Epic’s own pass for service members — “Epic Military Passes will require verification.” — and it leaves out Telluride and the Canadian Rockies: “Epic Military Passes do NOT include access to the partner resorts listed below.” Ikon’s military prices are its base prices: “Armed forces: active duty, retired (with 20+ years of service), and reserve personnel can purchase on base with a valid military ID.” and “Spouses and dependents are also eligible when presenting a valid dependent military ID.” Online, Ikon says: “When Ikon Pass is available for purchase, discounts are available for active licensed nurses, enrolled college students, plus active duty and retired military personnel in North America (verified by SheerID).” — its pages do not print that discount, so the calculator uses the prices they do print.
Worked examples
Breckenridge 5 days and Park City 3. Epic Local Pass: $849 covers all 8 days — unless a day falls on its peak dates at Park City; then only the Epic Pass covers every day.
Vail 8 days and Whistler 5, with a quoted day ticket of $250. Epic Pass: $1,145 covers all 13 days; the Epic Local stops at 10 days across Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler.
Aspen Snowmass 10 days and Jackson Hole 4, with a quoted $220. Ikon Pass: $1,449 covers 11 of 14 days: 7 days at Aspen Snowmass, then day tickets.
Three days at Winter Park, with a quoted $180. Day tickets: $540 — less than any pass.
A 20-year-old college student, six days at Aspen Snowmass. Ikon Pass: $949 covers all 6 days — the college-club price, $100 under Ikon’s young-adult $1,049.
An active-duty skier, Breckenridge 5 days and Park City 3. Epic Military Pass: $225 covers all 8 days.
Common mistakes
- Counting days a pass does not give. “Up to 7 days” on the Ikon Pass is 7 at each of those resorts; the Epic Local’s 10 are shared by Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler together.
- Forgetting the holiday dates. The Epic Local and the Ikon Base are not valid on their restricted dates at the resorts they name — Christmas week and the MLK and Presidents’ Day weekends among them. A trip that starts on December 26 loses its first days, not its last.
- Turning up at Jackson Hole, Deer Valley or Loon without a reservation. An Ikon pass there needs a booked day, one for each skier; Aspen Snowmass no longer asks.
- Reading last season’s dates. The dates change every season; the ones here are the 2026/27 passes’.
- Waiting for a price drop. Pass prices rise through the fall and the passes stop selling before the season.
- Paying the adult price for a young adult. Epic’s adult price starts at 31 and Ikon’s at 23: a 25-year-old pays Epic’s young-adult price.
- Buying through anyone else. Buy on epicpass.com or ikonpass.com (or, for Ikon’s military and college prices, on a participating base or through a club).
Plan the trip
Read the ski trip packing list, things to do in Whistler, Jackson Hole and winter travel destinations. Then size your gear with the ski size calculator, plan the first nights up high with the Altitude Sickness Planner and see your elevation.
FAQ
How much does the Epic Pass cost?
$1,145 for an adult (31+) for 2026/27, as epicpass.com showed it on October 9, 2026; the Epic Local Pass is $849. Young adults (18–30) and teens pay $909 and $675, children (5–12) $585 and $445.
How much does the Ikon Pass cost?
$1,449 for an adult (23+) for 2026/27; the Ikon Base Pass is $1,019.
Is Epic or Ikon better?
The one that covers your resorts: Epic for Vail, Breckenridge, Park City, Heavenly and Whistler; Ikon for Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Alta, Mammoth, Steamboat and Winter Park. Put your plan in the calculator; type the day-ticket price you are quoted and it also says after how many days each pass pays for itself.
What are the Epic Pass blackout dates?
The Epic Pass has none. The Epic Local Pass’s restricted dates for 2026/27 are Nov 27–28, 2026, Dec 26–31, 2026, Jan 16, 2027 and Feb 13–14, 2027, at Vail, Beaver Creek, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe and Whistler Blackcomb only.
What are the Ikon Pass blackout dates?
The Epic Pass and the Ikon Pass have none. The Epic Local is not valid on its peak dates at eight resorts, and the Ikon Base’s blackout dates are Dec 26–30, 2026, Jan 16–17, 2027 and Feb 13–14, 2027. Pick your first ski day above and the calculator checks each day.
Which Ikon Pass resorts require reservations, and how far ahead do I book?
For 2026/27, Jackson Hole, Deer Valley and Loon Mountain: Jackson Hole and Deer Valley on the Ikon Pass (they are not on the Base), Loon on both. Aspen Snowmass no longer asks, and the Bonus Mountains never did. Book as soon as your dates are set — the days are open now, first come, first served — in your account on ikonpass.com or in the Ikon Pass app, for yourself and every Ikon holder on your account. A same-day reservation works only if any are left; cancel by 11am Mountain Time on the day if you will not ski.
Is there an Ikon Pass or Epic Pass student discount?
Ikon’s is through a college club: $949 for the Ikon Pass and $639 for the Base, until December 1, 2026 (and a discount online, verified by SheerID, that its pages do not price). Epic has no student price for its main passes; it has a young-adult price for everyone 18–30, $909 and $675, and college passes for single regions.
Is there an Epic or Ikon military discount?
The Epic Military Pass is $225 for active duty and retired members and their families, and $646 for veterans and their families — every Epic resort but the partner resorts. Ikon’s military base price is $899 for the Ikon Pass and $589 for the Base, at a participating base with a military ID.