Epic vs. Ikon vs. Mountain Collective vs. Indy: Which Should You Choose?

The present ski season is probably not totally over, however now could be one of the best time to decide to a multi-resort cross for the 2024-25 season. The bottom charges for the favored Ikon Cross suite gained’t be round for lengthy, with costs set to rise after April 18, 2024. Present Epic Cross costs will possible stay for the subsequent few months, however those that need 10 discounted buddy tickets might want to buy a cross by April 14, 2024.

With these deadlines quick approaching, you could be debating whether or not to select up one in every of these passes for subsequent season. You might also be questioning whether or not any options to those two big-name however pricey merchandise exist.

On this piece, we’ll goal to make clear the variations between the Epic and Ikon cross suites. We’ll additionally dive into how they examine to the cheaper and lesser-known Mountain Collective and Indy Cross merchandise.

Resort Choices

Multi-Day Entry: Epic and Ikon

Each Ikon and Epic provide a considerable portfolio of resorts. However lately, Ikon has developed to cowl a substantial depth of vacation spot areas, whereas Epic has grow to be extra of a specialty cross for sure areas.

The overwhelming majority of vacation spot resorts on the Epic Cross are in Colorado and Tahoe, with the cross providing a number of choices throughout each areas. The cross additionally gives entry to 1 resort every in Utah, Washington state, and the Canadian Pacific Northwest. Those that go for a full Epic Cross will get entry to a number of resorts within the Canadian Rockies and Quebec. Epic additionally consists of entry to a number of resorts in additional native areas resembling Vermont, New Hampshire, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Midwest.

The Ikon Cross consists of entry to resorts in each area detailed above, together with a number of choices in Colorado, Utah, Vermont, Washington state, and the Canadian Rockies. Nonetheless, Ikon additionally gives entry to a number of resorts in southern California, the Northern U.S. Rockies, and Maine, in addition to one every in Oregon and New Mexico. None of those areas are included on Epic.

Not like Ikon, the Epic Cross covers a number of native, regional mountains along with vacation spot resorts. Ikon both gives 5 or seven days of entry (relying on the kind of cross) at Windham, Camelback, Blue Mountain (PA), Blue Mountain (Ontario), Boyne Mountain, and Highlands at Harbor Springs, in addition to limitless entry to Snowshoe; these within the NYC, DC, Toronto, and Northern Michigan areas might discover these choices beneficial. Nonetheless, these on the lookout for limitless entry resorts in lots of main metropolitan areas—particularly within the Midwest—will discover Epic a more sensible choice. These seeking to go to solely native mountains subsequent season might profit from taking a look at Vail’s cheaper regional cross choices earlier than committing to a real Epic product (extra particulars on these passes may be discovered right here).

For the 2024-25 season, a number of resorts will not be included on the most cost effective Epic and Ikon cross merchandise. For these based mostly in the US, the Ikon exclusions are more likely to influence considerably extra passholders, with Jackson Gap, Aspen/Snowmass, Alta, Deer Valley, Solar Valley, Snowbasin, and Taos all absent from the Base Cross. Telluride is the one U.S. resort lacking from the Epic Native Cross, however the six Canadian mountains owned by Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (together with Kicking Horse, Fernie, Kimberley, Nakiska, Mont Sainte Anne, and Stoneham) are additionally absent from Epic’s lower-tier product. These hoping to go to Telluride and the six RCR mountains must splurge for the total Epic Cross, whereas these seeking to go to the premium Ikon resorts can nonetheless save a bit of cash from the total Ikon Cross and buy an $200 Ikon Base Cross Plus add-on.

A big share of purchasers will possible be glad by the bottom choices on each passes. Nonetheless, most of the resorts excluded from the bottom passes provide a number of the greatest total experiences in North America. Alta is the 2nd greatest total mountain we’ve reviewed, whereas Jackson Gap is third, Snowmass is seventh, Snowbasin is eighth, and Telluride is tenth. That being mentioned, each base merchandise nonetheless embrace top-tier resorts, resembling Whistler, Vail, and Beaver Creek on the Epic aspect, in addition to Snowbird and Banff Sunshine on the Ikon aspect.

The Ikon Base and Ikon Base Plus passes provide no less than 5 days of non-holiday entry at every North American resort, whereas the base-tier Epic Native Cross consists of 10 complete days between Vail, Beaver Creek, and Whistler, and limitless entry—with a number of vacation blackouts—at each different Vail-owned mountain. Each full passes provide no less than 7 days of entry with no vacation restrictions at every North American resort.

A serious Epic benefit is limitless entry to a considerably increased variety of resorts. Epic gives limitless entry to all mountains owned by Vail Resorts, with a grand complete of 39 (36 in North America), 33 of that are on the Native Cross. Ikon’s limitless entry resorts, largely owned by Alterra, solely come out to 17 (14 for the Base Passes). The Epic Native Cross additionally consists of fewer blackout dates than the Ikon Base and Base Plus Passes, with solely eight resorts blacked out throughout vacation durations on Epic, versus 34 on Ikon (counting every of Killington/Pico, SkiBig3, and Aspen/Snowmass as one vacation spot).

Two-Day Entry: Mountain Collective and Indy

These planning on doing weekend journeys or street tripping between resorts might need to think about the Mountain Collective or Indy Passes, which supply two-day entry to a broad vary of resorts for extra affordable asking costs than Epic and Ikon.

The Mountain Collective Cross consists of entry to 25 resorts, 20 of that are in North America. Most Mountain Collective choices overlap with the Ikon Cross, with the exceptions being Grand Targhee, Sugar Bowl, Le Massif, Bromont, and Marmot Basin. A lot of the resorts excluded from Ikon’s Base Cross, together with Alta, Jackson Gap, Solar Valley, Snowbasin, Aspen/Snowmass, and Taos, are included on the Collective. Mountain Collective additionally gives a 3rd bonus day at one resort of your alternative, in addition to 50% off all extra days spent at its locations.

Whereas it solely gives two days of entry at every resort, the Mountain Collective Cross has no vacation blackouts. Not like the Ikon Cross, which considers Alta and Snowbird as the identical entry, Mountain Collective considers them to be completely different resorts; because of this, these planning a five-day vacation journey to Alta/Snowbird might discover the Collective Cross—with the utilization of the third bonus day—to be a greater choice than the Ikon Base Plus Cross. Moreover, passholders must use greater than two extra 50% off days at most resorts to spend greater than an Ikon Base Cross—and greater than 5 to spend greater than a full Ikon Cross. Planning on doing two vacation journeys subsequent winter? Mountain Collective is secretly your greatest pal.

The Indy Cross concentrates totally on smaller, native mountains, fairly than the vacation spot choices central to the opposite three cross suites, however offers entry to no less than 120 downhill ski resorts—with extra possible signing up for the partnership earlier than the beginning of subsequent season. A number of small-and-medium-sized choices throughout key areas such because the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic are on Indy. Choose Indy choices, resembling Canada’s Huge White, Vermont’s Jay Peak, and Oregon’s Mount Hood Meadows, are aggressive with close by Epic and Ikon locations. Nonetheless, Powder Mountain, a well-liked Utah mountain, has left the cross for the 2024-25 season. The Indy Cross is at the moment offered out for the 2024-25 season, however a restricted variety of passes could also be launched in fall 2024.

The bottom Indy Cross has severely restrictive blackout dates. Blackouts haven’t been finalized for 2024-25, however final yr, the product excluded weekend entry at 13 resorts, Saturday entry at an extra seven, vacation entry at an extra 29, and December break entry at an extra 23. The premium Indy+ Cross has no blackouts, though it retains the two-day entry phrases of the bottom Indy. Each Indy Cross tiers provide 25% off an extra third day spent at its locations.

For sure people, it could make sense to pair a two-day cross product with one of many dearer multi-day passes. The Epic and Indy Cross merchandise complement one another properly, with Indy providing entry to the Northern Rockies area that Epic is lacking, and Epic overlaying Indy’s Colorado and Tahoe blindspots.

Vacation spot Area Deep Dives

Colorado

Epic arguably has a slight—however not terribly important—edge over Ikon in Colorado. Epic gives limitless entry to just about each resort on the cross (the exceptions being Telluride on the total cross and Vail and Beaver Creek on the bottom cross), whereas Ikon solely gives limitless entry to Copper, Eldora, and Winter Park. Whereas Snowmass is our highest-rated Colorado resort, Vail, Beaver Creek, and Telluride, all of that are on Epic, will not be far behind on the expertise. Different very aggressive choices on the passes embrace Winter Park, Arapahoe Basin, Steamboat, and Copper on Ikon and Breckenridge, Keystone, and Crested Butte on Epic. Ikon additionally gives entry to Eldora, which is extra of a day-trip mountain from Denver.

Mountain Collective doesn’t provide a lot in Colorado, however the two accesses it does have—Aspen/Snowmass and Arapahoe Basin—are fairly compelling for a weekend journey. Along with a number of small hills, Indy will provide entry to Daylight, Powderhorn, and Granby Ranch for 2024-25; these resorts are nowhere close to the scale of Colorado’s true locations, however they might be enjoyable for these on the lookout for extra native hills with fewer crowds.

Utah

Ikon has a transparent edge over Epic in Utah—until you reside there and ski continuously. Alta and Snowbird are a lot better than anything on these passes in Utah, and Snowbasin is kind of compelling as properly. Ikon additionally gives entry to Deer Valley, Brighton, and Solitude, all of that are stable mountains however fall wanting one of the best vacation spot areas. Epic solely gives entry to Park Metropolis, which is an excellent mountain however can’t match the Alta/Snowbird duo in snow high quality. Ikon turns into much less beneficial if you’re utilizing it as a Utah season cross; the cross solely gives limitless entry to Solitude, whereas Epic gives limitless entry to the considerably bigger Park Metropolis. Moreover, a Utah journey might be probably the most compelling case for an Ikon improve to the Base Cross Plus, with Alta, Snowbasin, and Deer Valley all excluded from the lowest-tier cross product.

For these vacationing within the area, the Mountain Collective proves a compelling price range different to Epic and Ikon. Mountain Collective consists of two-day entry to every of Alta, Snowbird, and Snowbasin—the highest three resorts in our Utah rankings.

Then again, the Indy Cross has misplaced a few of its enchantment in Utah, with the huge Powder Mountain transferring off the cross. Nonetheless, the cross nonetheless gives entry to the smaller Beaver Mountain, which is in northern Utah, and Eagle Level, which is in very distant southern Utah. Indy additionally gives an “Allied” low cost to the small northern Utah Nordic Valley ski resort.

Lake Tahoe

It’s tougher to decide between Epic and Ikon for Tahoe. Ikon gives limitless entry to Palisades Tahoe, which is our highest rated resort within the area. Nonetheless, Epic gives limitless entry to Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Northstar, all of that are first rate choices. Palisades and Northstar are situated in northern Tahoe, whiIe Heavenly and Kirkwood are situated in southern Tahoe; because of this, Ikon may be a bit extra aggressive on the North Shore, whereas Epic may be higher for these on the South Shore. When you’re planning to enterprise south to Mammoth, Ikon gives limitless entry to this extremely aggressive vacation spot.

With Palisades and Mammoth entry gone, Mountain Collective is now actually solely helpful for its two days of Sugar Bowl entry, and may’t be used for a multi-resort journey within the area. The Indy Cross completely lacks choices in Tahoe; whereas the cross does embrace entry to California’s Dodge Ridge, China Peak and Mt. Shasta, these resorts are a lot smaller than the Tahoe locations and a number of other hours away from the area.

Northeast

These contemplating a visit to a vacation spot East Coast mountain might discover Ikon barely extra interesting than Epic. The Ikon Cross gives entry to Killington and Tremblant, that are our prime rated resorts within the area, in addition to the highly-competitive Sugarbush, Sugarloaf, and Sunday River and conveniently-located Stratton and Loon. The Epic Cross does embrace Stowe entry, however the different resorts on the cross, together with Okemo, Mount Snow, Wildcat, and Attitash, aren’t fairly on the similar degree as Ikon’s greatest regional mountains.

Then again, we’d argue Epic does embrace higher entry to day journey mountains than Ikon, with choices resembling Hunter and Mount Sunapee that enchantment to these from New York and Boston. Ikon does have Windham, Camelback, and Blue Mountain, however these resorts aren’t limitless—and within the case of Windham, it may be exhausting to safe a reservation.

For many who don’t want the fanciest facilities or a full week at every resort, Indy is a extremely aggressive different to Epic and Ikon within the Northeast. The cross gives entry to Jay Peak and Saddleback, that are two of probably the most distinctive mountains within the area, in addition to Magic Mountain, Bolton Valley, Cannon, Waterville Valley, and a spread of different smaller mountains. Notably, Indy gives entry to a handful of resorts in Massachusetts and Connecticut—states that Epic and Ikon are completely absent from.

Whereas Mountain Collective is arguably the least compelling cross on this area, it does provide entry to Quebec’s Le Massif and Bromont, which aren’t included on some other passes. Le Massif is hard to succeed in from most US cities, however due to its location on the St. Lawrence River, it gives a number of the most unusual views of any East Coast ski resort. As with Ikon, Mountain Collective additionally gives entry to Sugarloaf.

Northern Rockies

Ikon has the clear benefit over Epic within the U.S. Northern Rockies. The previous gives entry to 4 resorts throughout Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana (Schweitzer, Solar Valley, Jackson Gap, and Huge Sky), whereas the latter is totally shut out from the area. This area is one other compelling case for a Base Plus improve, as Solar Valley and Jackson Gap are absent from the lowest-tier Ikon Base Cross.

These seeking to journey to the Northern Rockies might discover one of the best vacation spot use circumstances for each Mountain Collective and Indy. The Mountain Collective Cross gives entry to all the identical resorts in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana as Ikon, but it surely additionally consists of two days of entry to Grand Targhee. Indy gives entry to 5 Idaho resorts, in addition to three every in Wyoming and Montana; most of those resorts are smaller, native hills, however Silver Mountain and Tamarack are decently-sized.

International

Epic, Ikon, Mountain Collective, and Indy all present entry to pick out resorts outdoors North America. All 4 cross merchandise embrace entry to locations in Japan, whereas Epic, Ikon, and Mountain Collective provide a number of companions in Oceania and Europe. Ikon and Mountain Collective additionally provide one South American associate—Valle Nevado in Chile.

Choose European locations on the total Epic Cross solely include 3- or 5-day entry, fairly than the everyday 7-day entry—and at a few of them, you possibly can solely use the cross if you happen to ebook lodging with the resort—which may be prohibitively costly. It’s additionally price noting that each European associate is excluded from the Epic Native Cross.

Pricing

Multi-Day Entry: Epic and Ikon

As has been the case for years at this level, the Epic cross suite holds a worth benefit over Ikon at a primary look. Nonetheless, this image isn’t fairly as easy for sure age teams.

Each Ikon and Epic provide two season cross tiers, with the higher-tier for every that includes no blackout dates and entry to some additional resorts. For these over the age of 23, costs for Epic are considerably cheaper. A full grownup Epic Cross is at the moment $982, whereas a full grownup Ikon Cross is $1,249. The lower-tier Epic Native Cross is $731, whereas the Ikon Base Cross is at the moment $869.

Nonetheless, some teenagers and younger adults may very well discover higher worth within the Ikon Cross. Each Ikon tiers provide younger grownup reductions ($929 for the total cross, $629 for the bottom) for 13-to-22-year-olds. Solely Epic’s Native Cross gives a reduced $591 teen fee—the total cross doesn’t provide one—and it solely covers ages 13 to 18. Consequently, these between the ages of 19 and 22 will truly save a bit of cash with an Ikon product over an Epic one. These aged 13-18 will save barely on a full cross buy with Ikon, however will nonetheless pay barely much less on a base cross buy with Epic.

Ikon’s 5-to-12-year-old baby reductions ($369 for the total cross, $299 for the bottom) are stronger than Epic’s ($501 full, $380 Native), particularly for the total cross. On prime of that, an grownup Ikon Cross may be paired with a baby cross to save lots of as much as $200 complete ($100 every) on each passes.

For these age 4 and underneath, Epic has the higher hand due to free passes for these kids. For ages 0-4, Ikon prices $149 for the total cross and $99 for the bottom. For households with youngsters of various ages, the value-adds from these differing worth insurance policies might successfully cancel one another out.

Each Epic and Ikon provide reductions for school college students, although as soon as once more, Epic’s particular school deal solely applies to the Native Cross. At $661, Epic’s Native Faculty Cross isn’t that a lot of a reduction from the common Epic Native Cross and nonetheless comes out barely above the Ikon Base Cross’s $619 school fee. Ikon beats Epic price-wise in the case of full passes as properly; the total Ikon Cross’s $899 school fee comes out beneath the total Epic Cross, which has no school equal, by $83.

Epic gives considerably higher navy offers than Ikon. Ikon’s navy reductions are the identical as the school low cost, however Epic gives particular Navy Cross merchandise that vary from simply $172 for lively and retired navy personnel and dependents to $561 for veterans and their dependents. These passes provide limitless entry to Vail-owned resorts however don’t embrace associate mountains. Because of this, navy members or veterans can save a number of a whole bunch of {dollars} with an Epic product over Ikon. Nonetheless, Ikon gives their similar discounted fee for nurses, whereas Epic doesn’t.

Reasonably than having its personal variable pricing, Ikon’s mid-tier Base Cross Plus is a flat $250 improve throughout all ages and specialty teams. This makes it robust to justify for younger adults, school college students, navy members, and nurses, who can improve to the total Ikon Cross for a minimal premium. The Plus improve is a downright silly buy for youngsters 12 and underneath, the place the total Ikon Cross truly prices a whole bunch much less. Ikon has been using this pricing technique for years, and we suspect that it’s a transfer to get households who need entry to the non-Base Cross mountains to improve to full Ikon.

For many who can’t afford to pay in full now, each the Epic and Ikon Cross suites provide a fee plan. Nonetheless, going this route requires a delicate credit score verify for each passes. As well as, a 0% APR on the fee plan is just not assured for the Ikon plan.

Two-Day Entry: Mountain Collective and Indy

You’d assume given the weaker entry phrases, the Mountain Collective and Indy Passes could be cheaper than Epic or Ikon. And for a typical grownup, you’d be proper. However for sure teams, the financial savings from these passes are minimal.

Mountain Collective’s resort choices are extra premium than Indy’s, and that’s mirrored within the grownup pricing. However charges for youths are rather more comparable. Mountain Collective Passes for adults 19 and older go for $605; the speed drops to $485 for teenagers 13-18 and $205 for youngsters 12 and underneath. An Indy Cross goes for simply $349 for adults and $199 for youngsters 12 and underneath, whereas an Indy+ Cross prices $469 and $259 for adults and youngsters, respectively.

The Mountain Collective Cross is probably not the best match for school college students, navy members, nurses, and younger adults aged 19-22. For these teams, an Ikon Base Cross is simply barely greater than the Mountain Collective Cross—making for an improve that’s robust to cross up until one plans on snowboarding holidays. In the identical vein, an Epic Native Faculty Cross is simply $56 greater than the Collective.

The Mountain Collective Cross may additionally not be one of the best deal for individuals who don’t care about visiting the largest and greatest mountains throughout vacation durations. An Epic Native Cross, which gives a lot stronger entry phrases to its associate mountains and nonetheless consists of vacation entry at some vacation spot resorts, is a $126 premium for adults. Finally, it relies on what mountains you intend to go to.

Navy personnel and dependents might discover each the Mountain Collective and Indy Passes to be extraordinarily robust sells. Epic’s lively and retired navy cross is a whole bunch lower than all Mountain Collective and Indy merchandise, whereas their veteran cross undercuts the Mountain Collective Cross by $44 and solely prices $100-$200 greater than the Indy suite.

For many who can’t afford to pay in full now, the Indy Cross gives an interest-free fee plan with a small down fee and month-to-month installments by way of December. That is the one installment plan of the 4 cross merchandise that doesn’t require a delicate credit score verify. Mountain Collective now gives a fee plan by way of the identical vendor as Ikon, however the 10-30% APR rate of interest is steep.

Renewal Reductions

For the upcoming winter, Ikon has introduced renewal reductions for final season’s passholders, together with $100 off the total Ikon Cross and $50 off the Ikon Base and Base Plus Passes. Nonetheless, these charges are solely helpful for these aged 23 and older, and so they can’t be paired with different age reductions or speciality charges. These reductions assist bridge the value hole between Ikon and Epic for grownup renewers, however these seeking to make a purchase order strictly based mostly off worth will nonetheless discover comparable Epic merchandise to be no less than 11% cheaper.

For the upcoming winter, Epic and Mountain Collective will not be providing renewal reductions. The Indy Cross beforehand supplied a particular renewal worth, however this fee expired in early March.

Reservations

All 4 cross merchandise would require reservations to entry no less than one mountain subsequent winter. As with final yr, Epic would require reservations for visits to Telluride for the 2024-25 season.

Ikon Passholders should make in-advance reservations to entry a number of in style resorts for the 2023-24 season, together with Jackson Gap, Huge Sky, Summit at Snoqualmie/Alpental, Aspen/Snowmass, Deer Valley, and Loon. Sure resorts, resembling Brighton and Taos, used to require reservations however not do.

Mountain Collective shares a number of the similar reservation mandates as Ikon, with Jackson Gap, Aspen/Snowmass, and Huge Sky requiring Collective company to order their spot prematurely.

Indy has not finalized their reservation insurance policies for the 2024-25 season, however final winter, the cross required reservations for ten resorts, together with in style resorts resembling Cannon and Magic Mountain.

Verdict

For the 2024-25 season, the multi-resort cross scene typically stays the course in contrast with final season. Epic stays extra of a price cross than Ikon, providing a greater upfront worth for 23+ adults and navy members, a wider local-mountain choice, and aggressive vacation spot choices in Colorado, Tahoe, and Western Canada. Epic additionally gives limitless entry to significantly extra resorts, has fewer blackout-restricted or totally excluded mountains on its lower-tier cross product, and doesn’t plan to require entry reservations.

Nonetheless, Ikon gives entry to a wider vary of vacation spot areas for the value premium. Moreover, the Ikon suite gives first rate renewal and younger grownup reductions, in addition to a stable cross deferral coverage, making the cross a stronger alternative for these uncertain of their plans subsequent winter.

With solely two days of entry at every resort, neither Mountain Collective nor Indy are true substitutes for Epic or Ikon; nevertheless, neither are dangerous methods to go for these seeking to get the most cost effective multi-resort entry charges subsequent season. Mountain Collective gives entry to most of the similar world-class resorts as Ikon—together with a lot of the mountains excluded from Ikon’s Base Cross—and lacks most of the reservation restrictions intrinsic to Ikon. Indy gives entry to probably the most resorts of all of the passes on this comparability, and its cross charges are considerably cheaper than Mountain Collective’s. Nonetheless, you get what you pay for when it comes to resort high quality, with nearly all of Indy choices being small, native hills fairly than the true locations supplied by Mountain Collective.

When you plan on buying one in every of these cross merchandise for the 2024-25 season, the time to purchase is now. We advocate selecting up your cross now if you happen to can afford to.