ikon pass vs epic pass comparison in canada
Both Ikon Pass and Epic Pass have some amazing deals to offer skiers and snowboarders around the world. While both passes have their own pros and cons, we are here to help you compare the two passes in Canada. Which is the best ski pass in Canada? We will touch on several important considerations in this IKON Pass vs EPIC Pass comparison in Canada below!
Ikon Pass
The Ikon Pass is a heavy hitter in the ski pass game and seems to be growing each year. We have outlined what the Ikon Pass includes in Canada below. The pass inclusions consist of two parts- unlimited skiing and limited days at partner resorts. The Ikon Pass includes unlimited skiing at Blue Mountain and Mt Tremblant, with limited ski days at Red Mountain, Skibig3 and Revelstoke Mountain Resort. If you are a skier living in Montreal or Toronto area, and plan on doing a ski trip in British Columbia or the Rockies this winter, this pass makes perfect sense, as well as if you plan to visit any of the American resorts on the Ikon Pass.
Ikon pass benefits in canada
Full ikon pass- $1529 cad
Unlimited skiing at Blue Mountain
Unlimited skiing at Tremblant
7 days at Skibig3 (Lake Louise, Sunshine and Norquay- total of 7)
7 days at Red Mountain
7 days at Revelstoke Mountain Resort
No blackout dates
Base ikon pass- $1119 cad
Unlimited skiing at Blue Mountain
Unlimited skiing at Tremblant
5 days at Skibig3
5 days at Revelstoke Mountain Resort
5 days at Red Mountain
Blackout dates apply (Dec 26- Jan 2, Jan 16-17, Feb 13-14)
Epic pass
The Epic Pass has been shaking up the ski industry for a few years now, offering unlimited skiing at all Vail owned ski resorts, including Whistler/ Blackcomb. The Epic Pass offers very little to skiers on the East Coast of Canada, and even to skiers on the East Coast of the USA. In Canada, East Coast skiers can only ski 7 days total in Quebec, and if they do that, the only other benefit is unlimited skiing at Whistler during a ski trip to the West Coast. For skiers around Vancouver there is an obvious appeal to the Epic Pass with unlimited skiing at Whistler/ Blackcomb, just two hours North of Vancouver. Vancouver skiers can also benefit during a trip to the RCR resorts in interior BC with a total of 7 included days. This could look like a ski week to Kicking Horse, Kimberly and Fernie, with 2,2 and 3 days at each of the resorts, which are only a few hours apart from each other.
Epic pass benefits in canada
Unlimited skiing at Whistler/ Blackcomb
7 days skiing at Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (7 total days at Kicking Horse, Fernie, Kimberly, Nakiska, Stoneham and Mont Sainte-Anne)
ski season pass comparison
It’s true, both the Ikon Pass and Epic Pass both have pros and cons. Perhaps the most significant factor when comparing the two passes is where you live and ski the most. If you live in Toronto or Montreal and ski near there, taking a trip or two each winter, I would recommend the Ikon Pass. Also, if you live on the East Coast or plan to ski in the Eastern United States, I would recommend the Ikon Pass, since it includes far more resorts on the East Coast. If you plan on attending our guided ski and snowboard tours in British Columbia, I would suggest the Ikon Pass.
If you live in Vancouver and ski locally, taking a trip once or twice a year, I would recommend the Epic Pass. If you are attending our guided ski tour in the Rockies I would suggest the Epic Pass.
Another consideration for skiers in Western Canada is that the Ikon Pass includes 21 ski days at 5 resorts, while the Epic Pass includes only 7 days at 4 resorts, plus the unlimited skiing at Whistler.
Whichever pass you end up with, we hope to see you on one of our guided small group ski and snowboard trips along the Powder Highway. These trips are a perfect way to dodge crowds and get the powder stashes with local guides! Best of all, you save big on our tours with both the Epic Pass and Ikon Pass!
About the author
Alex Ross- Lead Guide/ Founder
Let’s just say Alex didn’t want to work a real job when he grew up. He had his heart set on avoiding any kind of accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration, in order to be free for his dream job as a ski guide. Now he guides people on skis, but mostly does accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration work!