Breaking down the VALUE of the IKON and EPIC passes!

[@travismcgill5179]

this was my first year having an ikon pass, i upgraded because of blackout dates over christmas. It's the best investment you could make, i went from skiing once or never each year to putting 33 days on it this season. you can justify a day trip so much easier and if you want to leave before the mountain closes you dont feel like youre wasting money. it's a big pill to swallow at first but you will 100% get your money out of it. super thankful to have one

[@LucasCatania17]

Exactly man! So stoked you had such a stellar season beo

[@LucasCatania17]

thanks for watching! this video might not mean much but I thought it was interesting to see the access provided from the epic and ikon passes!

[@thisoledad1946]

I was thinking how you could afford to ski at all these crazy expensive places! I’m living on the east coast and only go on the school breaks thanks,Christmas, spring break. So it’s hard to decide where to go

[@davidday2373]

This was my 1st full season riding ever. Got the IKON Pass👍I've been up almost 60 days!!! Hit 14 resorts (CA, CO, and UT), 3 road trips #VanLife Its late April and I'm still riding 🏂. Beginner to Advanced in one season 😎🤙

[@LucasCatania17]

Awesome man!! I love that!

[@alitasci]

you are the reason why every year prices go up lol

[@davidday2373]

@@alitasci Ha. 2024, on my 3rd IKON Pass. Stacking a ton of days at Big Bear, Mammoth, and Palisades the past 2 month current roadtrip. Just broke 1 million vertical feet, accordingto the app 🤙. (I get the Military/Veteran discount 😉)

[@mtadams2009]

I am a East Coast skier who has had a season pass at Killington for decades. The new business model in skiing has made getting a Ikon pass necessary too. Day ticket prices have gone completely off the rails. I guess the only way around it is to ski places like Loveland and such, 200 plus a day is insane. Nice review

[@LucasCatania17]

Exactly right. Kind of impossible to get day tickets now!

[@scottaiken210]

Always the debate on my end to buy or not to buy. I've been averaging two trips a year but obviously depends on destination. Better planning required but def chasing the snow! No brainer for local to purchase early...great stuff!

[@LucasCatania17]

Thanks scott! Definitely a toss up if you’re doing limited trips each year but could still be worth it depending on where you’re headed!

[@pranavmalavalli5582]

Bought the ikon pass for the first time, and it was great! Got like 22 days and got to ski so many resorts. Hit Mammoth, Taos, Palisades, Alpine Meadows, Snowbird, Solitude, Alta, Deer Valley, and Brighton. Utah got dumped on the whole week I was there, It was incredible. Can't wait for next season! Will be hitting jackson hole and big sky

[@je5406]

Awesome! Make sure you make those reservations at Jackson Hole. They limit Ikon slots significantly so you gotta book your days early.

[@LucasCatania17]

Wow dude sounds like an incredible season!! Good stuff bro

[@pranavmalavalli5582]

@@LucasCatania17 dream come true bro

[@bigslacker666]

This is an awesome breakdown and I did the same kind of math. I got the Epic Tahoe local pass for $550 IIRC. That gets me Heavenly and Kirkwood where I do nearly all my skiing/snowboarding, also some CO resorts and park city. 46 days as of today (7" of fresh in April, haha!) which would be just over $8k if I bought single day tickets. HUGE value if you're going to be at the mountain a lot. And huge props to you for getting in so many days travelling on the weekends. That's serious dedication compared to rolling out of bed and driving 10 minutes to the lift. You're a f'in soldier!

[@LucasCatania17]

Thanks steve! Sounds like you had an incredible season my friend!

[@thomasgreen5592]

I have passes for the low

[@shawneggers4484]

Great video. I love how you mention the ‘convenience cost’ (as I call it) of having the pass. It really is something that holds a lot of value in itself :)

[@LucasCatania17]

Exactly! The hassle of waiting in line for tickets is worth getting a season pass haha

[@reginay7729]

Getting a pass is totally a way to go if you’re thinking about skiing more than 5-7 days. I think the prices of both are pretty reasonable for next season and was lil surprised that EPIC seems to be bit cheaper (than other years and compared to IKON) but IKON has acquired/included few new resorts for next season. Nice haircut btw! Isn’t it so much easier to wash and handle it when it’s shorter?? You forget when it’s long

[@LucasCatania17]

Yea I was surprised about the epic pass being cheaper but honestly there’s so many more resorts on the ikon pass at the point! The hair is definitely better a bit shorter haha!!

[@owen730]

Great vid as always man. Unfortunately Vail/Epic Pass has ruined some iconic mountains out here in the northeast. Wildcat, Sunapee, and Attitash were heavily mismanaged and abnormally crowded this year. They literally took the independent spirit / iconic ski experience out of these places Can't ever support Vail/Epic after what I saw this year. Ikon/Indy/New England Pass all the way next season!

[@benyacyshyn7252]

I agree. I would get a ikon pass but where I live it’s not that worth it. I’ll be getting a mountain collective pass next year

[@striker5570]

2nd for Indy pass

[@LucasCatania17]

Thank you bro! Always appreciate the support on the channel. Definitely a bummer with some experiences with vail resorts but as long as you have what works for you and you’re getting out there to enjoy the mountains, that’s all that matters!

[@justinbayola]

What a great breakdown of your passes. Epic year!

[@LucasCatania17]

Thanks bro!!

[@thomasgreen5592]

I have for the low

[@dhyde2025]

This year I did Ikon only. I rode or skied every weekend and a couple of work hooky days. 7 Brighton 7 Alta/Bird 2 deer valley. 21 days at solitude. 2 at Jackson hole. Or about $5,000 bucks with the stated lift tickets.

[@rmnley]

Your videos definitely pushed and inspired me to go for an ikon this coming season, instead of just tearing around Bridger and big sky. Already have a big late december/january huge ski trip planned in my month off. Keep it up man, looking forward to the summer content.

[@LucasCatania17]

That’s awesome man. Stoked the videos inspired you to try other places!

[@srbshadow27]

Im in high school and I’m planning to do a gap year before I head off to college. One of the things i’m planning on doing is traveling around the west and skiing for a couple of months. These passes would save me thousands of dollars, so I just want to thank you for the helpful info. Keep up the great work!

[@jbro6236]

7:05 There are easier ways of getting chains on. Love the video! Thanks for putting this all together.

[@Micheal-Ireland]

Thanks for doing this, Lucas!

[@JDunigan88]

Great breakdown, I’ve done some math on this and already had an idea but your video convinced me to grab one, been almost ten years since I rode Colorado! Subscribed, great mountain shots of your lines bro!

[@ActionXander]

Super informative, Lucas! Great breakdown on the expenses and value. I'm definitely renewing my Ikon Pass 🤙🏻

[@LucasCatania17]

Thanks bro! Ikon is honestly such a sick deal!

[@ActionXander]

@@LucasCatania17 absolutely! Even better if you're a nurse or in college to get an even bigger discount

[@grandillusion52]

Good analysis. Yea, I think next year I'm gonna switch to the Ikon. I definitely want to ski Alta and Snowbird more next season especially with them getting dumped on so much.

[@LucasCatania17]

Yeah tough to beat ikon especially in Utah bro

[@ljfsu3081]

I live in Texas and I’m trying to decide between these two passes or mountain collective. It’s got 14 days this year but its hard living out of state but its def worth i

[@MTJeepin]

I live in NW MT, most resorts are pretty far for me but I think the basic 2 day Ikon pass will pay for itself with a trip to Big Sky and Jackson.

[@LucasCatania17]

Yup big sky and JH are expensive so def worth it for those!

[@willhughes5530]

Can we get a EAST COAST trip next winter?? Check Stowe or Mad River?

[@LucasCatania17]

Ehhhh probably not my friend

[@michapiotrstankiewicz2713]

Living in Europer, it is crazy how expensive these ski passes are in US

[@timsozio7619]

Enjoyed the review! Got a head start for next season and already got my epic pass.

[@LucasCatania17]

Awesome man!!

[@thomasgreen5592]

I have passes for the low

[@gradyhester4456]

Good info bro! I alternate between the two based on where I plan to ski. They have tiers for fewer days/blackout dates that are less expensive. One offers a veteran discount that I love and the other pass military discount excludes veterans. These prices are getting off the charts so this is no longer a middle class income sport! Been skiing since 2000 so keep replaying old tapes of lift passes under 100$. Thanks again for the content, Grady

[@LucasCatania17]

Thanks Grady. Prices have certainly changed since the 2000s haha

[@jamesrogers8170]

Lucas ,Great video. Analysis. I am going with the Ikon 22-23. Plan to hit Winter Park and A Basin in addition to Killington and Stratton. 21-22 hit 18 days. Heavenly , Kirkwood , Northstar , Okemo and Mount Snow. Love your videos…..

[@LucasCatania17]

Thanks James! Ikon will be sick for next year!

[@owencote1]

Thank you so much for doing this video! I am moving to Utah in a month, and I didn't know which pass to get.

[@asajayunknown6290]

Six mountains within an hour of SLC next year! A couple of the are unlimited on the full Ikon

[@LucasCatania17]

Hell yea dude! Probably would recommend the ikon pass unless you want to ride park city!

[@kevincafaro8846]

great info. I would not be able to reap the benefits as you did, but I definitely agree it is a savings. you didn't mention the Mountain Collective, any thoughts on that one? really enjoy your skiing. i was at Big Sky, I believe the same time your skied there with your Dad. to bad about the conditions there. anyway, looking forward to next year!

[@LucasCatania17]

Thanks Kevin! Mountain collective is a great pass for what it offers. Might look into it for next year

[@flubby1982]

One extra thing to add in is if you ski with kids. I have 3 kids that ski and along with myself and my wife that is 5 passes per day. When we did the math before the season when we knew that we would be Utah skiing at several resorts. The passes more than paid for themselves when we skied Utah with the IKON at just 2 places (Deer Valley & Brighton). Just to ski Utah for a week at the 4 different resorts (Brighton, Solitude, Deer Valley & Alta) would have been well over $3,000 for my family. After that we went to Jackson & Big Sky so the IKON pass was a huge deal for us. Plus the blackout dates are far, far more open on the IKON versus the EPIC in my opinion. the only extra costs are the lodging and gas you have to spend to get there.

[@LucasCatania17]

Very true! Didn’t even think about the kids part

[@thomasgreen5592]

I have passes for the low

[@suneilkumar]

For East Coast skiers, I thought Ikon was far superior to Epic. With Epic, I was mainly going to mediocre Sunapee with the occasional trip to Stowe. With Ikon, I got the best in Vermont (Killington, Stratton, Sugarbush), and the big classics Sunday River, Loon, and Sugarloaf. Ikon in New England isn't perfect, but it gives an incredible skiing experience and is far better than the other passes. Can't wait for next season already.

[@davidkloehn5676]

I bought an iKon pass this season and have skied 23 days, hoping for one of two more still. Equivalent one day purchases would have been $4,346.00 before taxes. That's on the base price pass cost of $729. I feel like I got my monies worth

[@LucasCatania17]

You definitely did man!!

[@davidday2373]

Dude, I've been up so many times... doing the math, I'm down to something like $12 per day! 🤯 I spent more on gas than on the Pass, ha ha.

[@nesslessman6379]

Yep, I’ve had both passes for years. I’m also a weekend warrior. Going on day 30 and the late storms are coming! Squaw is still awesome and so is kirkwood! Mammoth looks to stay open longer than anyone this season. You should make another trip out west!🤘🏻

[@LucasCatania17]

That’s sick man! I think both passes are the way to go!

[@asajayunknown6290]

Ikon!😎. Five places, all with a different vibe, in Colorado, near my home.

[@LucasCatania17]

Yes dude so good!

[@irishman3375]

Sup bro, been busy, just got back from Zion, did Angels landing, pretty cool hike. Mountain biking season soon, might be able to get in 1 or 2 more ski days though. Ive got the Epic pass and being my 1st year in CO, I'll probably stick with it, Breck is 2hrs from the house in the Springs. Great content as always, keep livin the dream.

[@LucasCatania17]

Yea epic is awesome for Colorado!

[@journeywithstu7199]

I know it’s the time where folks start thinking about other things to do, but I went to both copper and a-basin yesterday and both were skiing the best they had this year. IKON ftw.

[@LucasCatania17]

That’s awesome dude! Sounds like some legit late season riding

[@julianjondee6972]

Nice vid I would get it but I won’t travel so I just got the season pass for Killington but i might consider because I think ikon has some nice east resorts

[@LucasCatania17]

Makes sense if you don’t travel much bro

[@julianjondee6972]

@@LucasCatania17 yeah I more than doubled the value so it was a great season

[@mikabae]

Lucas! c: Wow, very nice breakdown! Hope you're having a lovely day

[@LucasCatania17]

Thank you Mimi!

[@alainbrouillaud484]

Lucas… North Americans ARE GETTING RIPPED OFF!!! Europeans get so much more for so much less. You can ski at most resorts in Switzerland a 5 day pass will be less than 400CHF… the one exception is if you buy the combined Zermatt / Cervinia lift ticket then it will be more than 500CHF. Season passes at most include multiple resorts with several hundred kilometers of skiable terrain. The mountains are bigger… the runs are much longer… the infrastructure is superior… the food is off the charts… ski villages have way more charm and character for the most part. I wish you and Johnathan Buckhouse would start a revolution… the prices you are paying are insane!!!!

[@born2drum1]

You kinda skipped out on the biggest vail resorts in Colorado which would’ve definitely added a lot more to your epic total, but I feel like as long as you have a mountain or 2 local to you plus several large ones you want to visit then the passes are absolutely worth it. Which one is right for you just depends on your home base in my opinion.

[@patkelly5910]

Nice breakdown....I have my 3rd iKon pass in a row.....got my money's worth for sure. Do you track your runs and vert with the app? I bet you ski way over a Million vertical feet this year!

[@LucasCatania17]

i do not track my runs man

[@IRicktoth]

I got myself the epic pass going to be taking full advantage of it this season

[@bigx9963]

Got Epic veteran pass for 2021-22 season for $420 ski in California, Utah and Colorado over 30 days. Save a ton of money

[@LucasCatania17]

Damn that’s a steal! Thank you for your service my friend

[@thomasgreen5592]

I have passes for the low

[@boeunchea782]

How does buddy passes work?

[@nuno8138]

Time to come back to Ikon pass for me

[@LucasCatania17]

Haha see you there nuno!

[@DoonkZombie]

Just letting you know snowbasin and sun valley have switched from epic to ikon pass

[@LucasCatania17]

Yea I know

[@TheSnifmister]

I bought the iKon pass this year but next year I'm going to get the epic

[@maxcondra4991]

These type of passes are great i wish more places in mn did this unfortunately they are all separate I'm thinking about getting a pass here soon since most are on sale now. I know the epic pass is only around 800 for the local pass which covers the whole U.S.

[@josemedina6103]

Hey Lucas or to anybody who can answer my question, I’m looking forward to get my first ikon pass but still confused with the days.. with ikon base pass says is up to 5 days that means 5 days of ski per week, month or for the whole season ? Once again, I’m confused with how many days I can go..

[@LucasCatania17]

5 days for the whole season

[@jgg0207]

Would you do something like the Snowbird season pass + ikon base? The resort lets you buy the Ikon Base for like 260 if you buy a season pass.

[@LucasCatania17]

I don’t ski snowbird enough for a season pass there!

[@thomasgreen5592]

I have passes for the low

[@bradbozz6807]

Yeah the time saved alone dealing with tickets is worth the cost... Due to circumstances I was only able to get 3 trips in, or 12 days. Got the epic pass for $750, avg $150/day would be 1800$....so just those 3 trips saved a ton. Last season got 18/19 days in. We go during the week, so crowds are toooo bad. Gonna probably check out the ikon pass this next season though. Know it's not a "which is better" but which did you enjoy more this year?

[@LucasCatania17]

Enjoyed the resorts on ikon more!

[@thomasgreen5592]

I have passes for the low

[@ynot0714]

I had the Epic this season and I definitely got my money's worth. Got in 12 days total in PC and Snowbasin along with a couple days each in Breck and Keystone. Bummed Snowbasin and Sun Valley aren't on Epic next year! Don't know if it will be worth it for me to get both passes. I'm still waiting for One Wasatch to become a reality. ....if ever....7 mountains 1 pass....

[@LucasCatania17]

Awesome dude! Sounds like you definitely got your moneys worth!

[@harusapapi]

Can somebody explain me, why are in US so inflated prices of 1 day ski tickets ? As a European when I compare when the most expensive day tickets in most posh Swiss ski resort is I say 75-80 EUR why is in way smaller US resort a day ticket for $200. They buy the same lifts, snowcats. They pay their staff even less than i Europe so why. Is some extra service in those 1 day passes included, which explain that prise rise? Or is 1day ticket price deliberately inflated, so then more day or season passes look more like good deal and because I dunno most customers spend in resort more than 1 ski day very little number of people pay that price? Thx volks.

[@born2drum1]

It’s only this expensive at the r major resorts. Smaller mountains and ones not owned by large conglomerates have kept their prices relatively low. But prices in the US in general have shot up like crazy since 2020…

[@peatier7626]

the epic pass did somthing deceptive, they give u 10 buddy passes on the most expensive pass FREE but on the midweek epic pass they advertise 10 free buddy passes, but it's a discounted rate not free like the expensive one!! (wow) then they also have 5 additional discounted friend tickets witch is the same thing, they made it look like they offer 10 free days at local mountain, and your friends get stuck with bill, also u can use buddy passes on yourself at resorts that arnt on pass?? also i paid 1300 for a theme park pass and redeemed 30 thousand dollars this year it still works till the end of the year to...

[@peatier7626]

update, so to bring a guest with me midweek to my local mountain using 1 buddy pass costs 90+ dollars. not much of a deal... this was tested on dec 6th also when 10 percent of the mountain is open and no one is there.

[@roddyv1792]

good breakdown

[@LucasCatania17]

Thanks!

[@nolanv0757]

Is there a certain mode you set your gopro 360 max to so that it looks really steep?

[@ezpznoob8092]

I think its a different lens

[@LucasCatania17]

No I just use the 360 mode. I wouldn’t say the camera is making it “look really steep” the terrain is actually steep..

[@nolanv0757]

@@LucasCatania17 thanks so much I didn’t mean it like that it’s just I go down some of the same runs and my old GoPro looks like it’s a blue when it’s super steep. I love how yours makes it real life 🙏

[@ADHski]

@@LucasCatania17 Can attest :)

[@MiloPorte]

Couldn’t agree with you more!!

[@LucasCatania17]

Thanks bro!

[@abclimbing]

The biggest drawback to the ikon pass is it doesnt even get you on the lone peak tram, which is another $80 if u can even buy it. I live in the midwest and for next year I got 4 days at abasin for $220 and 3 days at crested butte for $206. So, $426 total for 7 days at some gnarly resorts. Should be fun.

[@LucasCatania17]

Yea very true that it doesn’t get you on the tram!

[@WatchTower71]

With Snowbasin switching to Ikon, I’ll definitely be using the Ikon pass this coming season

[@mrlahey586]

This sucks that snowbasin is going ikon it's now going to be a cluster F-ed out over crowded resort li,e every other ikon mountain. Ikon=shit.

[@LucasCatania17]

Yes that’s definitely a good choice! Ikon has so much now

[@hopNglo]

I’ve been Epic for 6 years or so. Unfortunately, other than Killington it’s hard to justify Ikon on the East Coast. I wish I could switch to Ikon.

[@LucasCatania17]

Epic is the way to go for east coast

[@BrandonMeyer1641]

I live in Colorado and buy the ikon base pass. Slap on a discount code and you break even in around 2-3 days. Get in more than 12 days and you’re laughing

[@LucasCatania17]

That’s amazing dude!

[@m.e.9974]

And then there is gasoline cost.Regardless,those passes are wonderful, and you utilized them well.

[@LucasCatania17]

Yup exactly!

[@devinroettger9639]

I see where the value is coming from, but there’s other deals out there other than Epic/Ikon. Don’t think it’s fair to compare walk up day passes for each resort! That’s what the big money makers want you to think!

[@LucasCatania17]

Ok man I’m just comparing the passes that I used dude

[@junstirr1860]

What negativity is there with the passes? You mentioned long lines. Why is long lines due to these passes?

[@SECULARDEVELOPMENT]

Insane day ticket prices

[@LucasCatania17]

Yea seriously!

[@LandonBain]

for three grand you can get an epic and a big sky+ ikon for 3300+ tax

[@rmnley]

haha im rocking Big Sky/Ikon this coming season. Maybe Bridger mid week also, haven't decided

[@LucasCatania17]

Nice man!

[@ezpznoob8092]

Epic is cheaper but it depends on lodging opportunities mostly

[@LucasCatania17]

Yea there’s so many factors that go into it!!

[@smilesriley7771]

I have them 300 each

[@ccpmarch1980]

💳💳⛷🤙

[@craigiannucci9914]

Anyone in 2024

[@The_Blessed_Cowboy]

Vertical pass for Revy. No blackout days, use the days when I want, load more days as needed.

[@This_Just_N]

Lucas seasons not over come back to abay

[@ezpznoob8092]

Does it always last till july?

[@LucasCatania17]

Still going at snowbird too!

[@This_Just_N]

@@ezpznoob8092 not always, looking like only early-mid june this year

[@alainbrouillaud484]

Lucas adding to my first post… Season pass at Mürren, Switzerland (more vertical than Jackson Hole) including the Jungfrau Ski Region (Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg, Männlichen & Grindewald) is 850CHF with early season pricing! We are talking Arial tramways, Funiculars, Gondolas, Trains, High-Speed chairlifts and a few t-bars & poma lifts here and there. I forgot to mention the “Piz Gloria” 360 degree revolving restaurant. The free riding is awesome btw. I realize hardly anyone is buying day passes. Stop at King Soopers, 7-Eleven etc and get a discounted day pass. I wish (if I had the money) to show you around the Alps… it is a whole different program 😀⛷

[@LucasCatania17]

So that’s $900USD for a single resort? How is that better than $900 for a mega pass that grants you access to tons of different resorts? Just wondering

[@alainbrouillaud484]

@@LucasCatania17… The Jungfrau Ski Region consists of Mürren-Schilthorn, Wengen, Männlichen, Kleine Schiedegg and Grindelwald… not to mention Gstaad, Adelboden-Lenk and Hasiltal. Vail resorts has purchased Andermatt - Sedrun. I hope they don’t “F” it up… they won’t be able to force the Swiss skiers to commit to the ticket scheme they run in North America. Swiss skiers have so many options, they won’t accept an “Epic” vs “Ikon” reality.

[@tiagoa.pinto-pereira5771]

For me it is the day pass prices that are insane in the US. Switzerland is so much cheaper for day passes the calculation would be a lot harder to get value out of a pass at this price. About 75USD for a day pass in Verbier, and Switzerland is expensive and it is an expensive resort. Bit more in Zermatt facing the Matterhorn. Still about 97USD and you get the report in Italy too.

[@alainbrouillaud484]

@@tiagoa.pinto-pereira5771… ABSOFREAKINLUTELY!!!