Interesting Changes for Epic and Ikon Passes for Winter 26/27
March 23, 2026
It can be depressing to write about the NEXT winter when this winter is hopefully far from over. I try not to focus on next year until I have taken my last turns of the winter. But some changes Vail and Aspen have recently announced for their multi resort passes for next winter deserve attention now. And that is because there is a sliver of hope that these 800 lb. gorillas may be listening to their disgruntled skiers.
Quick reminder – we hate what Vail and Aspen have done to the industry.
Oh wait…that wasn’t the reminder I wanted to type. Sorry, that sort of typed itself. The reminder I meant to type – Ikon (Aspen) and Epic (Vail) multi-resort passes account for more than 50% of skier visits in North America. So whether we like it or not, what these giants do with their pass programs matters.
First the news from Epic/Vail. Amazingly they have listened to us! Well, at least they are addressing one of our main concerns for the industy: how to get younger people hooked on the sport. See our article which highlights how the aging skier population is a problem for the industry – Is the Ski Industry Thriving or Dying. The Epic Pass for 26/27 will feature a 20% discount for skiers ages 13 to 30. More good news, the general price increase is roughly 3.5% as compared to the 6.5% increase there was for the current winter. Adult prices range from $809 to $1,089, but the 13-30 year old skiers would pay $649 to $869. I begrudgingly give them credit for a modest price increase, and, more importantly, recognizing we need to make the sport cheaper for teens and young adults.
Interestingly, Alterra/Aspen decided to take on another issue plaguing the ski industry – having to buy your pass well before plans are settled and you know what the conditions will be. The best pricing for all the multi-resort passes for next winter starts now. Pricing goes up until some time in the fall or early winter when sales are cut off. What if plans change or the winter sucks (like this winter has for much of western North America)? The conditions this winter have resulted in lots of complaints from skiers that they will lose money on their passes. If you buy insurance through Alterra certain refunds will be available for winter 26/27. If by January 15, 2027 the holder has not used the pass they can get a 100% refund; if they have used it once they can get a 50% refund. In a slight nod to the expense issue for the young, if one person buys five Ikon Base passes for a group of skiers ages 23-28 the price per pass is reduced by $200. Unfortunately, prices are up roughly 5%, ranging from $950 to $1,350.
Time will tell whether these are just minor mid-course corrections by the big boys or a trend. Stay tuned.
Be Well; Ski Well.
Kevin Dennis is a life long ski bum with a 34 year legal career on the side. Now retired, he skis 80+ days a year. While he lives in Alta UT in the winters, he has traveled extensively through skiing and has skied almost every major resort in North America (and many you have never heard of). He continues to hit the road often throughout the western United States and Canada and trips over the last several years have included ventures in British Columbia, Montana and Colorado. Whether you want to know about the behemoths like Aspen or Squaw or are interested in the road less travelled (Lost Trail Powder Mountain in Montana or Whitewater in BC anyone?), Kevin has been there, has an opinion and you will most likely have to tell him to shut up after a half hour!
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