Epic vs Ikon 2026-27: which pass is better for Colorado skiers?

Q: How much is the Epic Pass vs the Ikon Pass for 2026-27?

The adult Epic Pass is $1,169 (ages 31+) and the adult Ikon Pass is $1,529 (ages 23+). Epic Local is $869 and Ikon Base is $1,099.

Q: Does the Epic Pass or Ikon Pass have blackout dates?

Neither full pass does. Epic Local cannot be used at Vail or Beaver Creek on November 27-28, December 26-31, January 16 and February 13-14. Ikon Base is blacked out December 26-30, January 16-17 and February 13-14.

Q: Will Epic or Ikon prices go up again?

Ikon told POWDER there is no further increase before sales stop. Epic Pass prices go up after Nov 15, 2026 (Vail Resorts). Vail hasn't announced the last day to buy yet.

Q: Which pass is better for young adults?

Epic prices ages 13-30 at $929 for the Epic Pass and $689 for Epic Local. Ikon's youth and young-adult prices depend on age; compare on ikonpass.com.

Q: Can I get a refund on Epic or Ikon?

Epic includes Epic Coverage at no charge. Ikon's refundable passes can be refunded until January 15, 2027: 100% with no scans, 50% with one scan.

Updated Nov 9, 2026, 10:25am MT. Prices re-checked that day on epicpass.com and ikonpass.com.

Short answer: Epic Pass prices go up after Nov 15, 2026. Buy by Nov 15 to lock in today's $1,169 adult price. [Vail Resorts] [epicpass.com]

Lock in today's Epic price: buy by Nov 15 Prices go up after Nov 15 (Vail Resorts). Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Disclosure

Short answer: For most Colorado skiers, pick the pass for your home mountain. Epic ($1,169) covers Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte. Ikon ($1,529) covers A-Basin, Copper, Eldora, Steamboat and Winter Park, plus 7 Aspen Snowmass days. On a budget, Epic Local ($869) costs less than Ikon Base ($1,099). [Epic] [Ikon]

Choose Epic if… / Choose Ikon if…

Choose Epic if:

Your home mountain is Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, Beaver Creek or Crested Butte.
You want unlimited Breckenridge and Keystone on holidays: even Epic Local includes peak dates there.
You want Telluride days: the Epic Pass includes 7.
Price matters most: Epic Local is $869 vs $1,099 for Ikon Base.
You're 13-30: the Epic Pass is $929 and Epic Local $689 at that age.
You want to buy before prices go up after Nov 15, 2026 (Vail Resorts).

Choose Ikon if:

Your home mountain is A-Basin, Copper, Eldora or Winter Park.
You want unlimited Steamboat: the full Ikon Pass has no cap there.
You want Aspen Snowmass: the full Ikon Pass includes 7 days.
You want no blackout dates at your home hill: the full Ikon Pass has none.
You bring friends without passes: Ikon gives 15 Friends & Family tickets (Base: 10).
You want a refundable option: Ikon's refundable passes can be refunded by Jan 15, 2027 if unused.

Short answer: buy the pass that's unlimited at the mountains you'll actually ski. Epic ($1,169, or Epic Local $869) is Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte. Ikon ($1,529, or Ikon Base $1,099) is A-Basin, Copper, Eldora, Steamboat and Winter Park, plus Aspen Snowmass days. [Epic] [Ikon]

Adult prices checked Oct 22, 2026, 10:45am MT on epicpass.com and ikonpass.com.

Epic vs Ikon at a glance

Epic vs Ikon for Colorado, 2026-27 season, prices checked Nov 2, 2026
	Epic	Ikon
Full pass, adult	$1,169 (31+)	$1,529 (23+)
Cheaper tier, adult	Epic Local $869 (31+)	Ikon Base $1,099 (23+)
Younger skiers	Epic Pass $929 ages 13-30, $599 ages 5-12. Epic Local $689 ages 13-30, $455 ages 5-12	See ikonpass.com (priced by age)
Colorado unlimited	Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte	A-Basin, Copper, Eldora, Steamboat, Winter Park
Colorado limited	Telluride: 7 total days	Aspen Snowmass: 7 days combined
Blackouts (full pass)	None: unlimited every day incl. peak dates	None
Blackouts (cheaper tier)	Epic Local: Vail and Beaver Creek not on peak dates (Nov 27-28, Dec 26-31, Jan 16, Feb 13-14)	Ikon Base: Dec 26-30, Jan 16-17, Feb 13-14
Friend discounts	5 Epic Friend Tickets (passes bought after May 25): 50% off ages 13+, 25% off kids	15 tickets (Base: 10): 25% off window rates (the 50%-off window ended Nov 3)
If plans change	Epic Coverage included free	Refundable passes: refund by Jan 15, 2027 (100% if unused)
Next deadline	Prices go up after Nov 15 (Vail Resorts); last day to buy not announced	Last day to buy not announced (last season Dec 11, 2025)

Prices checked Nov 2, 2026 on epicpass.com and ikonpass.com. Sources: [Epic Pass] [Epic Local] [Ikon Pass] [Ikon Base] [Ikon FAQ]

Colorado coverage, resort by resort

Resort	Epic	Epic Local	Ikon	Ikon Base
VailOpening: Nov 13	Unlimited	10 days total with Beaver Creek + Whistler; no peak dates	-	-
Beaver CreekOpening: Nov 25	Unlimited	Shares those 10 days; no peak dates	-	-
BreckenridgeOpening: Nov 11	Unlimited	Unlimited incl. peak dates	-	-
KeystoneOpening: Oct 30	Unlimited	Unlimited incl. peak dates	-	-
Crested ButteOpening: Nov 25	Unlimited	Unlimited incl. peak dates	-	-
TellurideOpening: not confirmed by the resort	7 total days (physical card)	-	-	-
Arapahoe BasinOpening: Oct 28	-	-	Unlimited	Unlimited, blackouts apply
Copper MountainOpening: Nov 8	-	-	Unlimited	Unlimited, blackouts apply
EldoraOpening: Nov 13 (tentative)	-	-	Unlimited	Unlimited, blackouts apply
Winter ParkOpening: Nov 13	-	-	Unlimited	Unlimited, blackouts apply
SteamboatOpening: Nov 21	-	-	Unlimited	Up to 5 days, blackouts apply
Aspen SnowmassOpening: Nov 26	-	-	7 days combined (Aspen Snowmass)	Snowmass only, up to 5 days

Neither pass covers Loveland, Wolf Creek, Monarch or the other Colorado independents. Sources: [Epic Pass] [Epic Local] [Ikon Pass] [Ikon Base] [Ikon FAQ]

Which pass for which skier

You ski Breckenridge or Keystone most weekends: Epic Local ($869). It's unlimited there, peak dates included.
You want Vail or Beaver Creek over the holidays: the full Epic Pass ($1,169). Epic Local limits those two to 10 days and skips peak dates.
Your home hill is A-Basin, Copper, Eldora or Winter Park: Ikon Base ($1,099), as long as you can live with the blackout dates. If you can't, the full Ikon Pass has none.
You want Steamboat or Aspen trips: the full Ikon Pass ($1,529): unlimited Steamboat and 7 days at Aspen Snowmass. Ikon Base caps Steamboat at 5 days and Aspen at Snowmass only.
You're 30 or younger: check Epic's 13-30 pricing ($929 Epic, $689 Epic Local) against Ikon's age-based prices on ikonpass.com before deciding.
You ski with friends who don't have a pass: Ikon gives more discounted tickets (15 on the full pass, 25% off); Epic gives 5 at 50% off for ages 13+.
You ride mostly at Loveland, Monarch or Wolf Creek: neither. Look at those resorts' own passes on our Colorado page.

Both passes go well beyond Colorado. Check the destinations you'd travel to on epicpass.com and ikonpass.com.

Does El Niño change the answer? Mostly not for I-70 skiers. El Niño 2026-27 and Colorado skiing: which pass and resorts to pick.

Epic and Ikon deadlines

Epic: Epic Pass prices go up after Nov 15, 2026 (Vail Resorts). Vail hasn't announced the last day to buy yet. We'll email the day it does. [epicpass.com] Epic price tracker
Buy or compare Epic passes on epicpass.com (affiliate link)
Epic price increase: prices go up after Nov 15, 2026 (official, Vail Resorts). POWDER reported on Oct 13 that sales end Dec 6; Vail hasn't confirmed that date. [epicpass.com]
Ikon Friends & Family: the 50%-off window ended Nov 3; tickets are now 25% off. [Ikon FAQ]
Ikon upgrade deadline: Dec 10, 2026. [Ikon FAQ]
Ikon last day to buy: not announced. Last season: Dec 11, 2025. [Alterra] Ikon deadline tracker
Ikon refund deadline (refundable passes): Jan 15, 2027. [Ikon FAQ]

Epic Local ($869) vs Ikon Base ($1,099)

The two cheaper passes are where most Colorado skiers end up, and they're built differently. Epic Local ($869) is unlimited at Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte, including peak dates. Vail and Beaver Creek share 10 total days (with Whistler Blackcomb), and those days can't be used Nov 27-28, Dec 26-31, Jan 16 or Feb 13-14. No Telluride. [Epic Local]

Ikon Base ($1,099) is unlimited at A-Basin, Copper, Eldora and Winter Park, with up to 5 days at Steamboat and at Snowmass. It's blacked out everywhere Dec 26-30, Jan 16-17 and Feb 13-14. [Ikon Base]

So: Epic Local keeps your I-70 home hills (Breck, Keystone) open over the holidays but rations Vail. Ikon Base costs more, covers a different set of I-70 hills, and goes dark on holiday weeks.

Get one email before the next Epic or Ikon deadline Get notified

Where to stay with either pass: Frisco

Frisco sits between Epic's Breckenridge and Keystone and Ikon's Copper and A-Basin, so it works whichever pass you pick. Map priced for Dec 11-13; change the dates in the map.

Affiliate disclosure: this lodging map is from Stay22. If you book through it, Skier Stash may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we make money

FAQ

Is Epic or Ikon better for Colorado?

It depends which mountains you ski. Epic covers Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte; Ikon covers A-Basin, Copper, Eldora, Steamboat and Winter Park, plus 7 days at Aspen Snowmass. Pick the pass that's unlimited at the hills you'll actually drive to.

How much is the Epic Pass vs the Ikon Pass for 2026-27?

Adult Epic Pass $1,169 (31+), adult Ikon Pass $1,529 (23+). Epic Local is $869 and Ikon Base $1,099. [Epic] [Ikon]

Is Epic Local or Ikon Base better?

Epic Local ($869) if you ski Breckenridge or Keystone, including holidays. Ikon Base ($1,099) if you ski A-Basin, Copper, Eldora or Winter Park and can skip the blackout dates.

Which pass gets you Vail?

Only Epic. The Epic Pass is unlimited at Vail; Epic Local gives 10 total days shared with Beaver Creek and Whistler, not on peak dates. [Epic Local]

Which pass gets you Steamboat or Aspen?

Ikon. The Ikon Pass is unlimited at Steamboat and gives 7 days combined at Aspen Snowmass. Ikon Base allows up to 5 days at Steamboat and Snowmass only. [Ikon] [Ikon Base]

Does the Epic Pass or Ikon Pass have blackout dates?

Neither full pass does. Epic Local can't be used at Vail or Beaver Creek on Nov 27-28, Dec 26-31, Jan 16 and Feb 13-14. Ikon Base is blacked out Dec 26-30, Jan 16-17 and Feb 13-14.

When is the deadline to buy Epic or Ikon?

Epic Pass prices go up after Nov 15, 2026 (Vail Resorts). Vail hasn't announced the last day to buy yet. Ikon hasn't announced its last day either; last season it was Dec 11, 2025. Ikon's Friends & Family tickets are now 25% off (the 50%-off window ended Nov 3). [Alterra] [Ikon FAQ]

Will Epic or Ikon prices go up again?

Ikon told POWDER there's no further increase before sales stop. Epic Pass prices go up after Nov 15, 2026 (Vail Resorts). Vail hasn't announced the last day to buy yet. [POWDER]

Which pass is better for young adults?

Epic now prices ages 13-30 at $929 for the Epic Pass and $689 for Epic Local. Ikon's youth and young-adult prices depend on age; compare on ikonpass.com. [Epic] [Epic Local]

Can I get a refund on Epic or Ikon?

Epic includes Epic Coverage free. Ikon's refundable passes can be refunded until Jan 15, 2027: 100% with no scans, 50% with one. [Epic] [Ikon FAQ]