IKON or Epic for Skiing in Europe: Which Pass is Better?
/I’m a skier based in France, and for the last four years I’ve skied at least 30+ days a season. Discovering and exploring ski destinations around the Europe is a passion of mine, and I always try to find ways to make my hobby as economical as possible. Season passes are one of the most common ways to save money on skiing, and the added benefits of European partner destinations for the two main American ski passes had me curious to determine which one was better.
Continue reading for a comparison of the IKON Pass and Epic Pass for skiing in Europe, and learn why I chose the IKON Base Pass as an American skier who is based in France.
Carina Otero skiing in Zermatt Switzerland, an IKON Pass destination
Why I Chose the IKON Pass to Ski in Europe: More Flexibility & More Destinations
Prior to this season, I had already skied Zermatt, St. Moritz, Chamonix, and Kitzbühel, and loved them all. I was particularly interested in returning to Zermatt and Chamonix this season, and the Sellaronda Ski Circuit (in the Italian Dolomites) had long been on my bucket list. When considering these particular destination choices alone, it was already pretty clear that the IKON Pass was going to make more sense for me.
In addition to providing access to great destinations, the biggest advantage of the IKON Pass and the IKON Base Pass is the flexibility and clarity in their offering. The IKON Pass offers 7 unrestricted days to each of their partner destinations, while the IKON Base Pass offers 5 days each. “Unrestricted” is the key word here– there are no black out dates or lodging requirements that you have to take into consideration, and the days don’t have to be used consecutively.
IKON Pass Europe Destinations and Access for the 2025-26 Season
Chamonix Mont Blanc Valley, France
7 unrestricted days for IKON Pass or 5 unrestricted days for IKON Base Pass shared across Grands Montets, Les Houches, Le Tour/Balme, La Flegere and Le Brevent. The pass does not grant access to the Aiguille du Midi*
No lodging requirement
Zermatt, Switzerland
7 unrestricted days for IKON Pass or 5 unrestricted days for IKON Base Pass on the Swiss side. This includes access to Sunnegga, Rothorn, Riffelalp, Riffelberg, Rotenboden, Gornergrat, Trockener Steg, Schwarzee, Hirli, Furggsattel, and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. The pass does not grant access to the Italian side to Cervinia*
No lodging requirement
St. Moritz, Switzerland
7 unrestricted days for IKON Pass or 5 unrestricted days for IKON Base Pass shared across Corviglia and Corvatsch
No lodging requirement
Dolomiti Superski, Italy
7 unrestricted days for IKON Pass or 5 unrestricted days for IKON Base Pass shared across Cortina d’Ampezzo, Kronplatz/Plan de Corones, Alta Badia, Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi, Val di Fassa/Carezza, Arabba/Marmolada, 3 Peaks Dolomites, Val di Fiemme/Obereggen, San Martino di Castrozza/Rolle Pass, Rio Pusteria – Bressanone, Alpe Lusia – San Pellegrino, and Civetta
No lodging requirement
Kitzbühel, Austria
7 unrestricted days for IKON Pass or 5 unrestricted days for IKON Base Pass shared across Kitzbühel, Kirchberg and Mittersill
No lodging requirement
Ischgl, Austria
7 unrestricted days for IKON Pass or 5 unrestricted days for IKON Base Pass at Ischgl in Austria and Samnuan in Switzerland
No lodging requirement
Grandvalira, Andorra
7 unrestricted days for IKON Pass or 5 unrestricted days for IKON Base Pass shared across Ordino Arcalís, Pal Arinsal, and Grandvalira
No lodging requirement
Thanks to the IKON Pass’ flexibility, I was easily able to spread out my IKON Ski days during my visit to Chamonix, and plan a guided off-piste tour through La Vallée Blanche
*The fact that the IKON Pass doesn’t include access to the Aiguille du Midi (which serves only guided off-piste skiing in the Vallée Blanche or the observation deck) in France or the Italian side (Cervinia) of Zermatt was not an issue for me, and I was especially grateful for the IKON Pass’ flexibility when I visited these destinations. The operation of the cable cars that access Aiguille du Midi in France and Cervinia in Italy are weather dependent, so it’s not guaranteed that they will be open every day that you visit. Because you have to buy separate tickets to access Aiguille du Midi or Cervinia anyway, I always think it’s better to do so the morning-of, when you have confirmation that the cable cars are indeed running. Because it makes more sense to buy these types of tickets at the last minute, it’s definitely helpful that the IKON Pass offers the flexibility of unrestricted days, so you can simply “save” your IKON Pass days for whenever you choose to visit the stations where it’s accepted, and you don’t have to worry about losing any days because there is no “consecutive” requirement.
For example, when I visited Chamonix for one week this last season, I had a goal of skiing La Vallée Blanche, which is accessed from Aiguille du Midi. Because I had to join a group to ski with an official guide, I had to make a reservation in advance and await confirmation of suitable conditions and that we would indeed be departing that day, and then purchase a 1-day Mont Blanc Unlimited pass to access the Aiguille du Midi cable car, the Mer de Glace gondola, and the Montenvers train to return to town after the ski tour. If the tour had been called off or rescheduled for any reason, I could have simply decided to use my IKON Pass at any of the other stations within the Chamonix Valley and make the most of the ski day. Fortunately the tour of La Vallée Blanche took place on the day that was originally scheduled, and I was able to use the rest of my IKON Pass days during the remainder of my time in Chamonix.
Carina Otero skiing Corviglia in St. Moritz Switzerland, an IKON Pass destination
Epic Pass Europe Destinations and Access for the 2025-26 Season
Crans Montana, Switzerland - Epic Pass Resort
Unlimited access across Crans Montana
No lodging requirement
Andermatt, Switzerland - Epic Pass Resort
Unlimited access within Andermatt, Sedrun, and Disentis
No lodging requirement
Verbier 4 Vallées, Switzerland - Epic Pass Partner Domain
5 Consecutive days across Verbier, Bruson, La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz et Thyon. The 5 consecutive days are unrestricted for the Epic Pass and Epic Adaptive pass. The 5 consecutive days are restricted for the Epic Local Pass (Restricted dates are 11/28/25 - 11/29/25, 12/26/25 - 12/31/25, 01/17/26, 02/14/26 - 02/15/26, 02/16/26 - 02/28/26).
No lodging requirement
Skirama Dolomiti, Italy - Epic Pass Partner Domain
7 Consecutive days within Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo, Folgarida-Marilleva, Pontedilegno-Tonale, Pejo3000, Paganella Ski, Monte Bondone, and Alpe Cimbra: Folgaria-Lavarone
No lodging requirement
Les 3 Vallées, France - Epic Pass Partner Domain
7 Consecutive days within Courchevel, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Val Thorens, and Orelle
No lodging requirement
Arlberg, Austria - Epic Pass Partner Domain
3 Consecutive Days within St Anton, St Christoph, Lech, Zurs and Stuben
Lodging requirement at participating hotels
In my opinion, unless you are already an Epic Pass holder because of the mountains you regularly ski in the US, or if you have long term lodging available to you in Crans Montana or Andermatt Switzerland, the Epic Pass in Europe is not really attractive. The only situation where the Epic Pass could make sense is if the value is already worth it to you for your skiing in the US, and then you could potentially think about the access it offers in their European partner destinations as a bonus.
The days I skied in IKON Pass European Destinations last season, clearly listed in my IKON Account
IKON Pass Cost: Is it Worth it?
During the 2024-2025 ski season, I only used my IKON Base Pass in three of their European destinations and it was definitely worth it. I planned my ski trips relatively last-minute, so the flexibility of the IKON pass was the biggest advantage for me. If I added up each individual day that I skied in these destinations ($105/day in Zermatt, $80/day in Chamonix, and $82/day in Dolomiti Superski), it comes out to $1171 USD. The IKON Base Pass is currently on sale for $1009 USD. It was definitely worth it.
I would have even gotten more value from it if I had also used it in their US destinations or if I traveled to more of their European destinations, but I’m happy with how much use I got out of it this season. I also skied in Arlberg, Austria (which is a restricted Epic Pass partner destination, but I opted to get day-of ski passes directly at the ticket offices in Lech), and at a number of ski stations that I love in the Savoie region of France, for which I used a French pass called Ski à la Carte (also recommend if you are interested in skiing their destinations!)
Because IKON and Epic Passes are only available for purchase before the season typically begins, I understand that you have to start making your ski and travel plans much earlier than you may be realistically able to. For this reason alone, I think the flexibility of the IKON Pass for skiing in Europe is the biggest advantage– you can get the most value by buying your IKON Pass early, and then can make your travel arrangements later on when you decide which destinations you want to visit.
For me, the flexibility of the IKON Pass is also a matter of skiing safely and responsibly. If you have an Epic Pass and are traveling in a destination that only gives you a number of consecutive ski days, it’s harder to take a day off if you feel like it’s a day “wasted”. With unrestricted days on the IKON Pass, you can comfortably decide to spread your days out however you choose throughout the course of your trip to any of their European destinations.
Everywhere I’ve Skied
Carina Otero skiing the Sellaronda Ski Circuit in Dolomiti Superski, an IKON Pass destination
Are you looking to ski in Europe and wondering if the IKON Pass or the Epic Pass makes more sense for you and your travels? Or, do you have any questions about any of the destinations I’ve mentioned in this article? Let me know in the comments below.
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About the author
Meet Carina Otero, avid skier and the creator of She is Not Lost, an online community for celebrating female travelers and a blog providing helpful tips, useful information, and inspiration for your future travels. Carina’s passion for skiing and love of writing and photography have inspired a new blog to share her experiences and personal favorites relating to the sport:
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