Epic Pass vs Ikon Pass: Rockies Ski Resorts Compared

🏔 Colorado — Epic

6 mountains

Epic owns the most iconic names in Colorado skiing. Vail and Beaver Creek anchor the I-70 corridor with combined 8,800+ acres. Add Breckenridge, Keystone, Telluride, and Crested Butte and you have a pass that covers every corner of the state — from the Vail Valley to the San Juans.

Vail

Epic

CO3,450 ft vertical❅ 350" avg$269 day ticket

Breckenridge

Epic

CO3,398 ft vertical❅ 300" avg$240 day ticket

Beaver Creek

Epic

CO4,040 ft vertical❅ 310" avg$295 day ticket

Keystone

Epic

CO2,340 ft vertical❅ 235" avg$210 day ticket

Telluride

Epic

CO4,425 ft vertical❅ 309" avg$225 day ticket

Crested Butte

Epic

CO3,062 ft vertical❅ 300" avg$200 day ticket

🏔 Colorado — Ikon

9 mountains

Ikon wins Colorado on volume. Nine mountains including the entire Aspen Snowmass complex (four resorts in one), Steamboat, Winter Park, and A-Basin. If you want to ski more mountains and explore more of the state, Ikon's Colorado coverage is unmatched.

Steamboat

Ikon

CO3,668 ft vertical❅ 349" avg$250 day ticket

Winter Park

Ikon

CO3,060 ft vertical❅ 327" avg$195 day ticket

Snowmass

Ikon

CO4,406 ft vertical❅ 300" avg$299 day ticket

Aspen Mountain

Ikon

CO3,267 ft vertical❅ 300" avg$299 day ticket

Aspen Highlands

Ikon

CO3,635 ft vertical❅ 300" avg$299 day ticket

Arapahoe Basin

Ikon

CO2,530 ft vertical❅ 370" avg$110 day ticket

Copper Mountain

Ikon

CO2,601 ft vertical❅ 305" avg$185 day ticket

Buttermilk

Ikon

CO2,030 ft vertical❅ 200" avg$250 day ticket

Eldora

Ikon

CO1,400 ft vertical❅ 300" avg$110 day ticket

🧂 Utah

Epic: 1 mountain · Ikon: 5 mountains

Ikon wins Utah decisively. Epic has Park City — enormous at 7,300 acres, but just one resort. Ikon counters with Deer Valley, Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, and Snowbasin — giving you the entire Cottonwood Canyons experience plus the best no-snowboard mountain in the US (Alta). For Utah skiing, Ikon is the clear call.

Park City Mountain

Epic

UT3,226 ft vertical❅ 355" avg$275 day ticket

Deer Valley

Ikon

UT3,000 ft vertical❅ 300" avg$260 day ticket

Alta

Ikon

UT2,538 ft vertical❅ 500" avg$155 day ticket

Snowbird

Ikon

UT3,240 ft vertical❅ 500" avg$205 day ticket

Solitude

Ikon

UT2,047 ft vertical❅ 500" avg$150 day ticket

Snowbasin

Ikon

UT2,959 ft vertical❅ 300" avg$145 day ticket

🦌 Wyoming & Montana

Epic: 0 mountains · Ikon: 2 mountains

Ikon wins outright here — Epic has no presence. Jackson Hole and Big Sky are two of the most iconic ski resorts in North America. If Wyoming or Montana is on your list, Ikon is the only pass worth considering.

Jackson Hole

Ikon

WY4,139 ft vertical❅ 459" avg$260 day ticket

Big Sky

Ikon

MT4,350 ft vertical❅ 400" avg$210 day ticket

🌶 New Mexico

Epic: 0 mountains · Ikon: 1 mountain

Taos is the only pass-affiliated resort in New Mexico — and it's on Ikon. One of the most technically demanding and culturally distinctive resorts in the US.

Taos Ski Valley

Ikon

NM2,612 ft vertical❅ 305" avg$170 day ticket

📋 Full Mountain List

All pass-affiliated mountains at a glance

Mountain	State	Pass	Vertical	Avg Snow	Day Ticket
Vail	CO	Epic	3,450 ft	350"	$269
Jackson Hole	WY	Ikon	4,139 ft	459"	$260
Big Sky	MT	Ikon	4,350 ft	400"	$210
Beaver Creek	CO	Epic	4,040 ft	310"	$295
Snowmass	CO	Ikon	4,406 ft	300"	$299
Aspen Highlands	CO	Ikon	3,635 ft	300"	$299
Steamboat	CO	Ikon	3,668 ft	349"	$250
Breckenridge	CO	Epic	3,398 ft	300"	$240
Snowbird	UT	Ikon	3,240 ft	500"	$205
Park City Mountain	UT	Epic	3,226 ft	355"	$275
Aspen Mountain	CO	Ikon	3,267 ft	300"	$299
Telluride	CO	Epic	4,425 ft	309"	$225
Crested Butte	CO	Epic	3,062 ft	300"	$200
Winter Park	CO	Ikon	3,060 ft	327"	$195
Taos Ski Valley	NM	Ikon	2,612 ft	305"	$170
Arapahoe Basin	CO	Ikon	2,530 ft	370"	$110
Copper Mountain	CO	Ikon	2,601 ft	305"	$185
Keystone	CO	Epic	2,340 ft	235"	$210
Deer Valley	UT	Ikon	3,000 ft	300"	$260
Snowbasin	UT	Ikon	2,959 ft	300"	$145
Alta	UT	Ikon	2,538 ft	500"	$155
Solitude	UT	Ikon	2,047 ft	500"	$150
Buttermilk	CO	Ikon	2,030 ft	200"	$250
Eldora	CO	Ikon	1,400 ft	300"	$110

* 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 Colorado skiing?

Both passes offer strong Colorado coverage, but they cover entirely different mountains. The Epic Pass includes Vail, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Telluride, and Crested Butte. The Ikon Pass includes Steamboat, Winter Park, Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, and Eldora. Ikon wins on mountain count in Colorado with 9 resorts vs 6, while Epic holds some of the sport's most iconic names.

Is Vail Ski Resort on the Ikon Pass?

No. Vail is not included on the Ikon Pass. Vail is owned by Vail Resorts, which operates the Epic Pass. If skiing Vail is a priority for you, the Epic Pass is the only season pass that includes access.

Is Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on the Epic Pass?

No. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is included on the Ikon Pass, not the Epic Pass. Jackson Hole offers 4,139 feet of vertical drop and 459 inches of average annual snowfall, making it one of the most sought-after destinations on the Ikon Pass.

What Utah ski resorts are on the Ikon Pass?

Five Utah resorts are on the Ikon Pass: Deer Valley, Alta, Snowbird, Solitude Mountain Resort, and Snowbasin. The Epic Pass includes one Utah resort: Park City Mountain, which is the largest ski resort in the United States at over 7,300 acres. For access to Alta and Snowbird in Little Cottonwood Canyon, the Ikon Pass is the only season pass option.

Is Big Sky Resort on the Epic Pass?

No. Big Sky Resort in Montana is included on the Ikon Pass. With 4,350 feet of vertical drop and 5,850 skiable acres, Big Sky is one of the largest ski resorts in North America and one of the standout reasons to choose the Ikon Pass in the Rockies.