Epic Pass vs Ikon Pass: California Ski Resorts Compared

🌲 Lake Tahoe — Epic

4 mountains

Epic owns the south and east shores of Lake Tahoe. Heavenly's views across the lake are unmatched anywhere in skiing. Northstar is the most polished resort in the region. Kirkwood gets the most snowfall. Sierra-at-Tahoe is the locals' value pick. Together they give Epic a commanding presence in Tahoe.

Heavenly

Epic

CA3,500 ft vertical❅ 300" avg$255 day ticket

Northstar California

Epic

CA2,280 ft vertical❅ 300" avg$240 day ticket

Kirkwood

Epic

CA2,000 ft vertical❅ 500" avg$210 day ticket

Sierra-at-Tahoe

Epic

CA2,212 ft vertical❅ 450" avg$180 day ticket

🌲 Lake Tahoe — Ikon

1 mountain

Ikon's single Tahoe entry is Palisades Tahoe — and it's the biggest resort in the region. Formerly Squaw Valley + Alpine Meadows, Palisades at 6,000 acres offers more combined terrain than all four Epic Tahoe mountains combined. One resort, but an enormous one.

Palisades Tahoe

Ikon

CA2,850 ft vertical❅ 450" avg$240 day ticket

⛰ Eastern Sierra

Epic: 0 · Ikon: 2

Ikon wins the Eastern Sierra entirely. Mammoth Mountain is California's most visited ski resort and one of the longest-season mountains in the US. June Mountain is its smaller sibling — uncrowded and on the same pass.

Mammoth Mountain

Ikon

CA3,100 ft vertical❅ 400" avg$249 day ticket

June Mountain

Ikon

CA2,590 ft vertical❅ 250" avg$105 day ticket

🏙 Southern California

Epic: 0 · Ikon: 3

All three SoCal ski resorts are on Ikon — Bear Mountain, Snow Summit (both Big Bear), and Snow Valley. Epic pass holders from LA or San Diego have no pass-covered option. For Southern California residents, Ikon is the only pass that makes sense.

Bear Mountain

Ikon

CA1,665 ft vertical❅ 100" avg$100 day ticket

Snow Summit

Ikon

CA1,200 ft vertical❅ 100" avg$90 day ticket

Snow Valley

Ikon

CA1,141 ft vertical❅ 100" avg$89 day ticket

📋 Full Mountain List

All pass-affiliated mountains at a glance

Mountain	State	Pass	Vertical	Avg Snow	Day Ticket
Mammoth Mountain	CA	Ikon	3,100 ft	400"	$249
Palisades Tahoe	CA	Ikon	2,850 ft	450"	$240
Heavenly	CA	Epic	3,500 ft	300"	$255
Kirkwood	CA	Epic	2,000 ft	500"	$210
Sierra-at-Tahoe	CA	Epic	2,212 ft	450"	$180
Northstar California	CA	Epic	2,280 ft	300"	$240
June Mountain	CA	Ikon	2,590 ft	250"	$105
Bear Mountain	CA	Ikon	1,665 ft	100"	$100
Snow Summit	CA	Ikon	1,200 ft	100"	$90
Snow Valley	CA	Ikon	1,141 ft	100"	$89

* Pass affiliations and prices subject to change. Verify with Epic Pass and Ikon Pass before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Epic Pass or Ikon Pass better for Lake Tahoe skiing?

It depends on what you prioritize. The Epic Pass covers four Tahoe resorts: Heavenly, Northstar California, Kirkwood, and Sierra-at-Tahoe. The Ikon Pass covers one: Palisades Tahoe, which is the largest resort in the Tahoe region at approximately 6,000 acres. If you want access to multiple Tahoe resorts, Epic has the advantage. If you want the single biggest terrain footprint, Ikon's Palisades Tahoe is hard to beat.

Is Mammoth Mountain on the Epic Pass?

No. Mammoth Mountain is included on the Ikon Pass, not the Epic Pass. Mammoth is California's most visited ski resort, with 3,100 feet of vertical drop and a season that regularly extends into June.

Is Palisades Tahoe on the Epic Pass?

No. Palisades Tahoe, which includes the former Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, is included on the Ikon Pass. With approximately 6,000 skiable acres across two connected mountains, it is the largest ski resort in the Lake Tahoe region.

What ski resorts in Southern California are on a major pass?

All three major Southern California ski resorts are on the Ikon Pass: Bear Mountain, Snow Summit, and Snow Valley, all located in the Big Bear area. The Epic Pass has no Southern California resorts. If you live in Los Angeles or San Diego and want a season pass that covers local skiing, the Ikon Pass is the only option.

Is there an Epic Pass resort near Los Angeles?

No. The Epic Pass does not include any ski resort within practical driving distance of Los Angeles. The nearest Epic Pass resorts are near Lake Tahoe in Northern California, roughly 8 to 9 hours by car. Southern California skiers who want season pass access to nearby mountains should look at the Ikon Pass for Bear Mountain, Snow Summit, and Snow Valley.