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Epic Pass vs Ikon Pass: Which One Wins in the Pacific Northwest?

Washington, Oregon, Idaho. Stevens Pass is Epic's whole PNW story. Ikon runs Crystal, Snoqualmie, Mt. Hood Meadows, Schweitzer, and Tamarack.

Quick picks

Start with how you actually ski

Best if Stevens Pass is your mountain
Epic

One solid WA resort with night skiing. No Oregon or Idaho on Epic.

Best for real PNW coverage
Ikon

Crystal, Snoqualmie, Hood Meadows, Schweitzer, Tamarack. This is the regional pass.

Best for WA, OR, and ID flexibility
Ikon

The pass that actually connects a PNW road trip. Epic cannot.

How this region shakes out

Fast read

This is the cleanest Ikon region: five Ikon resorts versus one Epic. Epic only makes sense if Stevens is your primary hill and you do not care about Oregon or Idaho.

🌲 Washington

Epic: 1  ·  Ikon: 2

Ikon wins Washington with Crystal Mountain and The Summit at Snoqualmie. Crystal is arguably the best ski resort in the Pacific Northwest, massive vertical, consistent snowfall, and expert terrain near Seattle. Epic counters with Stevens Pass, a strong mid-size resort with great terrain and night skiing. Ikon has the edge in Washington.

🌋 Oregon

Epic: 0  ·  Ikon: 1

Epic has no Oregon presence, Ikon wins by default with Mt. Hood Meadows. Hood Meadows is the largest resort on Mt. Hood with 2,777 ft of vertical and reliable snow from November through May. Epic pass holders in Oregon must pay window rate everywhere.

🗻 Idaho

Epic: 0  ·  Ikon: 2

Ikon covers Idaho's two best destination resorts. Schweitzer in the Idaho Panhandle offers 2,900 acres with surprisingly little lift-line pressure. Tamarack is a newer resort south of McCall with serious vertical. Epic has no Idaho presence.

📋 Full mountain list

All pass-affiliated mountains at a glance
MountainStatePassVerticalAvg SnowDay Ticket
Crystal Mountain WA Ikon 3,100 ft 486" $155
Mt. Hood Meadows OR Ikon 2,777 ft 430" $125
Tamarack Resort ID Ikon 2,800 ft 300" $95
Schweitzer ID Ikon 2,400 ft 300" $130
Stevens Pass WA Epic 1,800 ft 450" $155
The Summit at Snoqualmie WA Ikon 2,200 ft 400" $90

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

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Epic Pass or Ikon Pass better for Pacific Northwest skiing?

The Ikon Pass wins the Pacific Northwest by a wide margin. Ikon includes Crystal Mountain and The Summit at Snoqualmie in Washington, Mt. Hood Meadows in Oregon, and Schweitzer and Tamarack Resort in Idaho. The Epic Pass includes only Stevens Pass in Washington. For skiers who want regional coverage across the Pacific Northwest, the Ikon Pass is the clear choice.

Is Crystal Mountain on the Epic Pass?

No. Crystal Mountain in Washington State is included on the Ikon Pass. It is one of the top ski resorts in the Pacific Northwest, offering 3,100 feet of vertical drop and an average of 486 inches of annual snowfall.

Is Mt. Hood Meadows on the Epic Pass or Ikon Pass?

Mt. Hood Meadows is included on the Ikon Pass. It is the largest resort on Mt. Hood in Oregon, with 2,777 feet of vertical drop and reliable snow from November through May. The Epic Pass has no Oregon ski resorts at all.

What Idaho ski resorts are on the Ikon Pass?

Two Idaho resorts are included on the Ikon Pass: Schweitzer Mountain Resort in the Idaho Panhandle and Tamarack Resort near McCall. The Epic Pass does not include any Idaho ski resorts. Sun Valley, one of Idaho's most famous resorts, is not on either the Epic or Ikon Pass.

Is Stevens Pass worth it on the Epic Pass?

Stevens Pass is a well-regarded mid-size Washington resort with 1,800 feet of vertical drop, 37 trails, and an average of 450 inches of snowfall per season. It offers night skiing and is the primary reason to choose the Epic Pass in the Pacific Northwest. However, if you plan to ski multiple resorts across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, the Ikon Pass offers significantly more regional coverage.

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