The Wasatch Mountain Range in the northern part of Utah is one of the top places in the country to ski and ride. The scenic peaks are home to several award-winning Utah ski resorts, many of which are just a quick drive from Salt Lake City. If you really want to ski in Utah next winter but aren’t sure the best way to access these amazing destinations, consider buying a season pass.
The Ikon Pass gives you access to some of the best ski resorts in Utah, with several options to satisfy both your adventure level and your budget. Plus, it’s a convenient way to experience iconic destinations around North America and the world. Still need some convincing that the Ikon Pass is the best ski pass for skiing and riding in Utah? Let’s break this down a little more.
Is there a Utah ski pass?
Ikon Pass does not have a Utah ski pass, specifically. But it does let you ski and ride at six Utah resorts: Deer Valley, Solitude, Brighton, Alta, Snowbird and Snowbasin. It’s important to note, though, that each pass product offers a different level of access at each destination.
The Ikon Pass gets you the most days at all destinations, including the Utah ski resorts. If you buy this season pass, you can hit the slopes at Solitude as many days as you want all season long, with no blackout dates. You also get 7 days each at Deer Valley (ski-only mountain), Brighton, and Snowbasin, and 7 days combined between Alta (ski-only mountain) and Snowbird, with no blackout dates. What does combined mean, exactly? It means those 7 days can be split between both Alta and Snowbird. So, you can ski three days at Alta and four days at Snowbird, or vice versa. If you ski both locations in the same day, that counts as two days.
The Ikon Base Pass gets you on the hill at many of the same Utah destinations, but there are some differences to be aware of. You can still ski or ride as many days as you want at Solitude, but there are blackout dates. You get 5 days each at Brighton and Snowbird. There is no access to Deer Valley, Alta, or Snowbasin on the Ikon Base Pass. If you want more access, you can upgrade for an additional $200 to the Ikon Base Plus Pass, which has the same access as the Ikon Base Pass, but also gives you 5 days each at Deer Valley and Snowbasin, and 5 days combined between Alta and Snowbird. Still a little confused on the access difference? With the Ikon Base Pass, you get 5 days to use at Snowbird, but no Alta access. With the Ikon Base Plus Pass, the access between Alta and Snowbird is shared, so 5 days total for both destinations.
The Ikon Session Pass gives you two-, three-, or four-days total at a select number of Ikon Pass destinations, including two Utah ski resorts: Solitude and Brighton. So, you can ski two, three or four days at one destination or spread those days out across both destinations during the season. For example, if you purchase the 4-day pass, you can use all four days at Solitude or you can use two days at Solitude and two days at Brighton. Once all those days are used, though, you don’t have any more for the season. In addition, blackout dates apply at all Utah destinations on the Ikon Session Pass.
If Utah is your home ski region, and you want to enjoy all the Wasatch Range has to offer, the Ikon Pass is the way to go. Plus, you don’t have to worry about keeping track of limited days or blackout dates.
How much is the Ikon Pass?
The cost of a season pass depends on which product you choose to buy, and which age group you qualify for. There are 6 types of Ikon Pass products you can buy: Ikon Pass, Ikon Base Pass, Ikon Base Plus Pass, Ikon Session Pass 4-Day, Ikon Session Pass 3-Day, and Ikon Session Pass 2-Day. Within each pass product, there are different age levels you can purchase based on how old you are: Adult (ages 23+), Young Adult (ages 13-22), Child (ages 5-12); and 4 & Under (ages 0-4).
Not sure which age level to get? It’s based on how old you are at the time you buy. For example, if you’re 22 when you purchase a pass, but will turn 23 during the winter season, you would purchase the Young Adult pass (ages 13-22) since you currently fall into that age category. If you have a child that is four but will be turning five later in the year or during the ski season, you will buy the 4 & Under pass since your kid still falls in that age level at time of purchase.
Is it worth the cost to buy a ski season pass?
It depends on how much you plan to ski or ride during the winter season.
If you’re just starting out or only plan to go to the mountains a few times, the Ikon Session Pass is a great introductory product to get you out on the snow. The pass has fewer days at fewer destinations, but it’s a budget-friendly option and a good fit for the casual skier or rider. For example, if you purchase the Ikon Session Pass 4-Day and use all 4 days, your cost to ski is $105 per day (based on the adult price).
For those looking to hit multiple mountains throughout the season, the Ikon Pass is worth the price. It gives you access to all 50 Ikon Pass destinations, including all six of the Utah ski resorts, and there are no blackout dates. Which means you never have to worry about showing up on a day you can’t ski or ride. Plus, if you hit the slopes at least eight days, your cost to ski is less than $150 per day (based on the adult price).
Are there other Utah ski pass options?
Every Utah ski resort that’s accessible on the Ikon Pass may also offer a local ski pass. This means it only works at that location and is not a multi-mountain ski pass. If Deer Valley is your mountain of choice, and you have no plans to go anywhere else, you can purchase one of the Deer Valley passes, such as the Deer Valley Season Pass or Deer Valley Midweek Pass (if you’re schedule allows you to ski during the week). Solitude also has several local pass options you can buy that get you access to the resort all season long.
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The Ikon Pass is your Utah ski pass, letting you ski and ride at top resorts across the state throughout the 22/23 winter season. Lock in your pass now at the lowest prices of the season. Visit Ikonpass.com for all the details and choose which pass it right for you.
