6 September 2023
Editor’s note: This post was updated with new information.
Although we are just starting to say goodbye to summer, some will jump with joy that ski season is right around the corner. In fact, in 2022, some ski resorts started spinning their lifts in late October.
This means it’s the perfect time to start outlining your ski plans for the upcoming ski season. It’s not only much easier to book the best slope-side hotels on points when you plan early, but ski passes are cheaper the earlier you buy — especially the Ikon Pass. And since the Ikon Pass offers many pass options, you’ll be sure to find one that works best for your ski habits.
So let’s see how you can ski all winter for less.
Steamboat. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Ikon Pass basics
The Ikon Pass network is now made up of 55 ski resorts. 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, Copper Mountain, Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, Deer Valley, Jackson Hole, Tremblant, Taos, Big Sky, Sugarloaf, Stratton and more in the U.S., Canada and beyond.
You can find the full list of Ikon resorts here.
Like previous years, Ikon offers many different pass options, allowing you to purchase the pass that works best for your skiing habits.
There is a less expensive Ikon Base Pass with some restrictions; a mid-tier level Ikon Base Plus Pass with the same restrictions but more mountain access; the full Ikon Pass and a two-, three- or four-day “session” pass.
Related: Kids ski free — save on your family’s next ski vacation
2023-2024 Ikon Pass prices
For the 2023-2024 ski season, the initial Ikon Base Pass prices are:
Adults: $929
Ages 13-22: $669
College students/nurses/military: $659
Kids ages 5-12: $349
Kids ages 4 and under: $99 (though many mountains offer free skiing to 4-year-olds)
The Base Pass has a few peak blackout dates, unlimited skiing at 14 destinations and up to five days at 34 additional mountains.
You can add five-day access to Aspen Snowmass, Deer Valley Resort, Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, Alta, Sun Valley, Snowbasin and Taos for an additional $275 with the Ikon Base Plus Pass for adults. (Blackout dates include Dec. 26-Dec. 31, 2023, Jan. 13-14, 2024, and Feb. 17-18, 2024; Thredbo blackout dates include July 1-13, 2023, and July 6-21, 2024.)
Skiing at Snowmass. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
For the 2023-2024 ski season, the full Ikon Pass prices are:
Adults: $1,259
Ages 13-22: $939
College students/nurses/military: $899
Kids ages 5-12: $419
Kids ages 4 and under: $149 (though many mountains offer free skiing to 4-year-olds)
This pass has no blackout dates and offers unlimited skiing at 16 destinations and up to seven days at 39 additional mountains.
Related: Best ski schools for kids
For the 2023-2024 ski season, the Ikon Session Pass pricing is:
Adults: $469 for four days, $389 for three days, $279 for two days
Ages 13-22: $389 for four days, $319 for three days, $239 for two days
College students/nurses/military: $389 for four day, $319 for three days, $239 for two days
Kids ages 0-12: $279 for four days, $229 for three days, $179 for two days (although many mountains offer free skiing for kids up to 4 or 5 years old)
This pass gives you four days of skiing at 40 destinations, although blackout dates apply at all resorts. For an adult, this means $117 to $140 per day, which may or may not be a good deal, depending on where you’re looking to ski.
For example, at Steamboat last season, a one-day walk-up lift ticket could cost as much as $275, and a four-day consecutive ticket could cost close to $1,100. This makes the pass well worth it. Although, if you are an East Coast skier, you might not find it to be as good a deal.
Related: Hotels near Ikon ski pass resorts you can book with points
While we’ve already seen one price increase, another increase will probably come just before the resorts open this fall. So, if you want to ski for less, lock in your pass soon before the next round of increased pricing.
Steamboat Springs at dusk. DAREKM101/GETTY IMAGES
New for the 2023-2024 season
Although there aren’t any jaw-dropping changes from Ikon compared to last season, there are a few things to note.
For starters, when purchasing a 2023-2024 Ikon Pass, you’ll receive two discount codes for eligible Smith products, 20% off a $200 or more purchase at The North Face and a free Outside+ membership.
There also have been a few — although not many — access changes. Taos Ski Valley is no longer part of the Ikon Base Pass or Ikon Session Pass. You’ll need to purchase the slightly more expensive Ikon Base Plus Pass for access. If this is your mountain of choice, you’ll need to rethink which pass makes the most sense for you.
However, if you plan to ski at Schweitzer in Idaho, you’ll be pleased to know that you’ll now have more access. This is because Alterra Mountain Company — the parent company of the Ikon Pass — recently purchased Schweitzer. Up until now, Schweitzer was a partner resort, giving you some access to the mountain. Now, you’ll receive unlimited days with the Ikon Pass (but those with the Ikon Base Pass will continue to receive five days to the resort).
Additionally, while you’ll no longer need to make reservations for Taos, reservations will now be required for Deer Valley Resort for the 2023-2024 season.
Related: These are the best ski resorts in the U.S.
Assurance plan
Making an expensive purchase and not knowing what the next season will bring can be a scary thought.
Fortunately, Ikon still offers its “Confidence to Buy” plan for the 2023-2024 season. This is the same plan introduced in the past few years and is automatically included in the price of your lift ticket. This allows any passholder to receive a credit for the price paid to apply to the following year’s (in this case, the 2024-2025) ski season for any reason, no questions asked.
You’ll have until Dec. 14, 2023, to select this option, which should be more than enough time to figure out what the ski season will look like. Note: If you already purchased your pass this past 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 and fortunately, there’s a payment plan option for the Ikon Pass if you want to lock in today’s 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 selected.
If you’re paying it off in one chunk, these are 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.
Related: Best credit card to use for ski trips
Points-friendly properties at Ikon Pass resorts
As long as you’re mapping out your 2023-2024 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 Epic Pass. There are exceptions, though.
A few points-friendly properties to consider if you pick up the Ikon Pass include:
St. Regis Deer Valley (Marriott Bonvoy)
Viewline Resort Snowmass (Marriott Bonvoy)
St. Regis Aspen (Marriott Bonvoy)
W Aspen (Marriott Bonvoy)
Sheraton Steamboat (Marriott Bonvoy)
The Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth (Marriott Bonvoy)
Le Westin Resort and Spa, Tremblant, Quebec (Marriott Bonvoy)
SpringHill Suites Jackson Hole (Marriott Bonvoy)
The Cloudveil (Marriott Bonvoy)
Bluegreen Vacations South Mountain Resort, Loon Mountain (Choice Privileges)
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lincoln East – White Mountains, Loon Mountain (IHG Rewards)
Killington Mountain Lodge (Hilton Honors)
Hilton Niseko Village (Hilton Honors)
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fraser – Winter Park Area (IHG Rewards)
Related: 15 of our favorite ski-friendly resort hotels you can book on points
Ski into the St. Regis Deer Valley and then go for a swim. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Bottom line
If you’re looking to hit the slopes this winter, this is the time to decide if an Ikon Pass makes sense for you. With daily pricing at the mountain costing an arm and a leg these days, an Ikon Pass can bring your cost down immensely.