Ski season is officially underway, and if you’ve been debating getting an Ikon Pass for this winter, the clock is ticking. With Dec. 11 being the final day to purchase the pass, you only have a couple of days left to lock in access to dozens of top mountains this season.
This year’s pass lineup is also stronger than ever, thanks to the addition of several new European and Asian resorts that give skiers and snowboarders more mountains than ever to explore. Whether you’re planning just a couple of trips or chasing powder all season long, the Ikon Pass has an option to fit your ski style.
Here’s a closer look at what’s included and how to choose the right Ikon Pass before the window closes Dec. 11.
Ikon Pass basics
The Ikon Pass network is now made up of more than 60 ski resorts around the globe. Some of them provide unlimited skiing, while others have a capped number of days based on the exact type of Ikon Pass you purchase.
Eligible resorts can vary by pass level. These resorts include both bigger and smaller names, such as Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat Ski Resort, Copper Mountain, Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Deer Valley Resort, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Mont Tremblant, Taos Ski Valley, Big Sky Resort, Sugarloaf and Stratton Mountain Resort in the U.S., Canada and beyond.
You can find the full list of resorts on the Ikon Pass website.
There is a less expensive Ikon Base Pass with some restrictions, the full Ikon Pass and a two-, three- or four-day Session Pass.
Related: How your kids can ski for free this winter
2025-2026 Ikon Pass prices
For the 2025-2026 ski season, the full Ikon Pass prices are:
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- Adults: $1,519
- Skiers ages 13 to 22: $1,179
- College students/nurses/members of the military: $1,179
- Kids ages 5 to 12: $449
- Kids ages 4 and younger: $149 (though keep in mind that many mountains offer free skiing for kids up to 4 or 5 years old)
This pass has no blackout dates and offers unlimited skiing at 18 destinations and up to seven days at 53 additional mountains.
For the 2025-2026 ski season, the Ikon Base Pass prices are:
- Adults: $1,099
- Skiers ages 13 to 22: $819
- College students/nurses/members of the military: $819
- Kids ages 5 to 12: $379
- Kids ages 4 and younger: $99 (though many mountains offer free skiing for kids up to 4 or 5 years old)
The Base Pass has a few peak blackout dates, unlimited skiing at 14 destinations and up to five days at 51 additional mountains.
Blackout dates include Dec. 27-31, 2025; Jan. 17-18, 2026; and Feb. 14-15, 2026. Southern Hemisphere blackout dates include July 4-19, 2026.
Related: The right — and wrong — age for kids to start skiing
For the 2025-2026 ski season, the Ikon Session Pass pricing is:
- Adults: $569 for four days, $479 for three days and $349 for two days
- Skiers ages 13 to 22: $459 for four days, $389 for three days and $289 for two days
- College students/nurses/members of the military: $459 for four days, $389 for three days and $289 for two days
- Kids ages 0 to 12: $349 for four days, $289 for three days and $229 for two days (though many mountains offer free skiing for kids up to 4 or 5 years old)
This pass gives you up to four days of skiing at 44 destinations, although blackout dates apply at all resorts. For an adult, this means $143 to $175 per day, which may or may not be a good deal, depending on where you’re looking to ski.
For example, at Steamboat, a peak-date, one-day walk-up lift ticket could easily cost over $300, and a 4 Out of 5 Days ticket could cost as much as $1,356. This makes the pass well worth it. But if you’re an East Coast skier, you might not find it as useful a deal.
New for the 2025-2026 season
If you had the Ikon Pass last year, there are a few enhancements for this winter, along with the loss and addition of a few resorts.
Those in New York state will be sad to hear that Windham Mountain Club is no longer part of any Ikon Pass product for this upcoming season.
Those looking to ski in Europe will now have access to Ischgl in Austria, offering 1,237 acres of skiable terrain. This resort also typically has a longer season than most, with snow from November to May. There’s the addition of Valle d’Aosta in Italy, which encompasses five different mountains, and Megeve Ski Resort in the French Alps as well.
Or, if your travels are taking you to Asia, nine different ski resorts have been added to the pass throughout Japan, China and South Korea.
In the Northeast and Midwest, Ikon has partnered with four more resorts, and as part of its “bonus mountain” benefits, Ikon Pass holders will receive two free (nonblackout) days at the following resorts (note that access is not available to those with the Ikon Base Pass):
- Wild Mountain in Minnesota
- Buck Hill in Minnesota
- Cranmore Mountain Resort in New Hampshire
- Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Massachusetts
There are a few access changes as well. Arapahoe Basin now offers unlimited access with the Ikon Pass, which is great for those who live in or around Colorado. And Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico is now part of the Ikon Base Pass.
There are also many money-saving discounts from Ikon Pass partners, such as Gravity Haus, Whitespace, 4Frnt Skis & Gear and Sixt.
Additionally, reservations will still be required at select resorts for the 2025-2026 season.
Related: The best ski resorts in the US for your next trip to the slopes
Assurance plan
Making an expensive purchase and not knowing what the next season will bring can be scary.
Fortunately, Ikon still offers its “Confidence to Buy” plan for the 2025-2026 season. This is automatically included in the price of your lift ticket. It allows any passholder to receive a credit for the price paid to apply to the following year’s (in this case, the 2026-2027) ski season for any reason, no questions asked.
Although this date is creeping up, you still have until Dec. 11 to select this option. Note: If you already purchased your pass in the spring and used it during the spring ski season, you won’t be able to qualify for the credit.
Use a payment plan
Ski passes are a big investment. Fortunately, there’s a payment plan option for the Ikon Pass if you want to lock in the current price and spread out payments.
You’ll put $0 down and then have the option to split the payment over three, six or 12 months — just pay attention to the annual percentage rate. During checkout, you can see your options and the cost depending on the plan you select.
If you’re paying it off in one chunk, check out the best credit cards to use for ski pass purchases. Ski tickets don’t always code under one particular bonus category, so a card that awards bonus points on everyday purchases can be your best bet.
Points-friendly properties at Ikon Pass resorts
While you’re mapping out your 2025-2026 ski passes and resorts, you might as well factor in hotels.
Marriott properties seem to align most frequently with the Ikon Pass, and Hyatt properties often align well with the Epic Pass. There are exceptions, though.
A few points-friendly properties to consider if you pick up the Ikon Pass are:
- The St. Regis Deer Valley (Marriott Bonvoy)
- Grand Hyatt Deer Valley (World of Hyatt)
- Viewline Resort Snowmass, Autograph Collection (Marriott Bonvoy)
- The St. Regis Aspen Resort (Marriott Bonvoy)
- W Aspen (Marriott Bonvoy)
- Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas (Marriott Bonvoy)
- The Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth (Marriott Bonvoy)
- Le Westin Tremblant (Marriott Bonvoy)
- SpringHill Suites Jackson Hole (Marriott Bonvoy)
- The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection (Marriott Bonvoy)
- Bluegreen Vacations South Mountain, Ascend Resort Collection (Choice Privileges)
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lincoln East — White Mountains (IHG One Rewards)
- Killington Mountain Lodge, Tapestry Collection by Hilton (Hilton Honors)
- Hilton Niseko Village (Hilton Honors)
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fraser — Winter Park Area (IHG One Rewards)
Related: Our favorite ski-friendly resort hotels you can book on points
Bottom line
With winter in full swing and the season’s best snow still ahead, this is your final chance to secure an Ikon Pass before sales end Dec. 11. Buying now also ensures you won’t be stuck paying an arm and a leg when the time comes while also unlocking valuable passholder perks like discounts on dining and retail, plus deals for friends and family. If you’re looking for more access this winter to top mountains and the flexibility to chase the snow, now’s the time to get your pass before the window closes for good.