As soon as flakes start to fly and ski destinations begin cranking up their lifts, it’s game on for the powder seekers among us to shred as much pow as the season permits. No one wants to waste time sourcing passes and worrying about their cost. That’s where the Ikon Pass comes in: This multi-resort pass grants (discounted) access to some 300,000 skiable acres across more than 50 destinations on five continents.
Alterra Mountain Company, a Denver-based family of 16 year-round mountain destinations, rolled out the Ikon Pass for the first time in 2018. The success of it “demonstrated the desire of skiers and riders for a new product that offers access to destinations with incredible terrain, unique character, and an independent spirit,” the company’s vice president of communications, Kristin Rust, told iBestTravel in its earlier days.
Since then, the Ikon Pass has more than tripled the number of skiable acres accessible to pass holders and added a host of benefits to the Ikon package. Learn what the pass includes, how much it costs, and all the perks that come along with it ahead.
Ikon Pass Destinations
The Ikon Pass allows avid skiers to shred at many bucket-list mountains, from the Canadian and U.S. Rockies to the Alps to Japan’s famed Niseko range.
Most of the resorts included are concentrated in the U.S. There are 36 domestic destinations spanning from Mammoth in the West to Sunday River in the East. Deer Valley, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, Steamboat, The Highlands, and Sugarbush are just some of the U.S. mountain resorts the Ikon Pass grants access to.
A couple of dozen more are spread around the world, including Chamonix Mont-Blanc in France, The Remarkables in New Zealand, Mont-Tremblant in Canada, and Valle Nevado in Chile.
If you’re lucky enough to live near a ski resort, note that Ikon Passes are often sold as regular season passes for those falling under Alterra Mountain Company’s umbrella (Mammoth, Deer Valley, Big Bear, Winter Park, Snowshoe, and others). Additionally, it’s possible to buy local season passes for select resorts in the U.S. and Canada through the Ikon Pass website.
Other Benefits and Features
In addition to acting as a season pass, the Ikon Pass comes with a special trip-planning service available only to pass holders. Ikon Pass Travel allows you to compare airfare and hotel rates, create custom packages, and plan trips through specialists. On the Ikon Pass website, you can save dream destinations and trips, even off-mountain entertainment, to your personal wishlist to simplify future planning.
Ikon Pass holders enjoy early booking privileges for CMH Heli-Skiing (the world’s largest heli-skiing company) and 15% off summer trips. Moreover, they receive retail, food, and beverage discounts at select resorts across the U.S. and Canada, plus discounted tickets for their guests.
For an additional fee, they can add injury insurance, covering all eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses incurred while using the Ikon Pass.
Ikon Pass Options
There are three Ikon Pass options with varying access and blackout dates.
Standard Ikon Pass
The standard Ikon Pass offers unlimited access to 15 destinations and up to seven days each at 40 destinations, with zero blackout dates. Ikon Pass holders have access to all 50-plus destinations.
Adult passes cost $1,259, young adult passes (13 to 22) $939, child passes (five to 12) $419, and four-and-under passes $149. Nurses, military personnel, and college students receive a discounted price of $899.
Ikon Base Pass
The Ikon Base Pass is a more affordable option with additional limitations. This grants unlimited access to 14 destinations and up to five days each at 34 destinations, with 10 blackout dates in the Northern Hemisphere and 16 blackout dates for the Southern Hemisphere.
Adult passes cost $929, young adult passes (13 to 22) $669, child passes (five to 12) $349, and four-and-under passes $99. Nurses, military personnel, and college students receive a discounted price of $659.
Ikon Session Pass
The most economical option is the Ikon Session Pass, which allows skiing for two to four days at 40 destinations. You can split your days up at different resorts, providing a highly customizable pass. This option also includes 10 blackout dates.
Two-day passes cost $279 for adults, $239 for young adults 13 to 22, and $179 for children 12 years old and younger. Three-day passes are $389 for adults, $319 for young adults, and $229 for children. Four-day passes cost $469 for adults, $389 for young adults, and $279 for children. Furthermore, nurses, military personnel, and college students receive discounts on ticket prices.
