Ikon announces next winter’s passes — plus, ski this spring for free

Although ski season is almost over, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your ski plans for next winter — that is, if you want to get the best price possible. We’ve already seen details for the Epic Pass but if you’ve been holding out to see what the Ikon Pass has in store, those details were just announced. While passes won’t go on sale until Thursday, March 12, the announcement offers a first glimpse at new perks, a few program changes and — unsurprisingly — a modest price increase.Overall, the updates are largely positive. Passholders will see several new benefits and tweaks designed to improve the experience both on and off the mountain, while maintaining access to the extensive network of destinations that has made the Ikon Pass so popular. There’s also the addition of a few new resorts, giving skiers and snowboarders even more mountains to explore.If you’re already thinking about next winter’s ski trips — or just like to plan ahead — here’s a closer look at what’s new for the 2026-2027 Ikon Pass and what to know before passes become available. And as an added bonus, purchasing early also unlocks 2026 spring skiing access at select resorts, letting you start using your new pass even before next season officially begins.Steamboat Ski Resort. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUYIkon Pass basicsThe Ikon Pass network is now made up of more than 70 ski resorts around the globe. 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 in the U.S., Canada and beyond, such as Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat Ski Resort, Copper Mountain, Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Deer Valley Resort, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Mont Tremblant, Taos Ski Valley, Big Sky Resort, Sugarloaf and Stratton Mountain Resort.You can find the full list of resorts on the Ikon Pass website.There is a less expensive Ikon Base Pass with some restrictions; the full Ikon Pass; and a two-, three- or four-day Session Pass.Related: How your kids can ski for free this winter2026-2027 Ikon Pass pricesFor the 2026-2027 ski season, full pricing will not be available until passes are available for sale Thursday, March 12. We were told that pricing will be personalized depending on the numerous new offers and discounts, including Renewable Rewards and family pricing.But Ikon has announced a “starting at” price for each pass option:Ikon Pass: Starting at $1,349Ikon Base Pass: Starting at $924Ikon Session Pass: Starting at $299The full Ikon Pass has no blackout dates and offers unlimited skiing at 18 destinations and up to seven days at 56 additional mountains.The Base Pass, on the other hand, has a few peak blackout dates, unlimited skiing at 15 destinations and up to five days at 54 additional mountains. Blackout dates include Dec. 26-30, 2026; Jan. 16-17, 2027; and Feb. 13-14, 2027.And for those looking to ski just a few days next season, the Ikon Session Pass allows you to purchase two to four days of skiing at 47 destinations, although blackout dates apply at all resorts. For an adult, this means around $150 per day, which may or may not be a good deal, depending on where you’re looking to ski. For example, at Steamboat, a peak-date, one-day walk-up lift ticket could easily cost over $300, making the pass well worth it. But if you’re an East Coast skier, you might not find it as useful a deal.Related: The right — and wrong — age for kids to start skiingDiscounted Ikon Pass pricingNew this year, Ikon is introducing some ways to purchase your pass at a discount, including family pricing and Squad Packs for young adults.Unlimited child passes: With this option, you can save up to $100 on every child pass with the purchase of one adult Ikon Pass. A child pass starts at $249, so this is a great way to get the little ones on the mountain, with no family cap.Squad Pack: For those between 23 and 28 years old, get a group of friends together to save on your pass. When one person buys five passes for the group, pricing for the Ikon Base Pass starts at $750 — a savings of $199 on each pass.Similar to previous years, discounted pricing will still exist for college students, nurses and members of the military. There will also be passes for kids, teens and young adults. But pricing will not be available until March 12.Steamboat Springs at dusk. DAREKM101/GETTY IMAGESSki spring 2026 with the Ikon PassThose new to the Ikon Pass can even ski this spring on it. The 2026-2027 Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass (except when noted below) allow access this spring at the following resorts:Immediate access at purchaseBig Bear Mountain ResortSnow ValleyCrystal Mountain (only Ikon Pass holders)Schweitzer (only Ikon Pass holders)Solitude Mountain ResortSnowshoeStrattonSugarbush ResortBlue Mountain, CanadaAccess April 6Arapahoe BasinWinter ParkSteamboatMammoth MountainJune MountainPalisades TahoeTremblantDeer Valley (only Ikon Pass holders)New for the 2026-2027 seasonIf you had the Ikon Pass last year, there are many enhancements for this winter, along with the addition of a few resorts.Those in the Midwest will now have access to Snowriver Mountain Resort in Michigan, Lutsen Mountains in Minnesota and Granite Peak in Wisconsin. The full Ikon Pass will give skiers and riders seven-day access with no blackout dates, while the Ikon Base Pass will give five-day access with select blackout dates. These three resorts are also included on the Ikon Session Pass.Ikon is also continuing its partnership with its four “bonus mountains” where Ikon Pass holders will receive two free (nonblackout) days at the following resorts (note that access is not available to those with the Ikon Base Pass): Wild Mountain in Minnesota, Buck Hill Ski & Snowboard Area in Minnesota, Cranmore Mountain Resort in New Hampshire and Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Massachusetts.There are a few access changes as well. Arapahoe Basin now offers unlimited access with the Ikon Base Pass, which is great for those who live in or around Colorado. Snowmass will also offer five-day access on the Ikon Base Pass with select blackout dates. And reservations are no longer needed for those looking to ski or ride at Aspen Snowmass.Returning passholders are also being rewarded with a renewal bonus of up to $300. There are five different options to select from, including:Up to $25 monthly in Mountain Credits, up to $300 in total, to be used toward on-site retail, rental, and food and beverage purchases at select Ikon Pass destinationsA credit of up to $100 from Backcountry.com and Premium membershipOne free night award worth up to 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy pointsUp to two free days of gear rentals with Ski ButlersUp-to-$50 renewal discountThere are also many new money-saving discounts from Ikon Pass partners, such as Kiehl’s, Trubar, Carv, AG1 and Away Luggage. This is in addition to existing partnerships with Smartwool, Icebreaker, The North Face, JSX, ShipSkis, US Ski & Snowboard, Protect Our Winters, Gravity Haus and Under Canvas.Related: The best ski resorts in the US for your next trip to the slopesRisk-free purchase optionsNew this year is also the option to protect your purchase all the way through midseason, starting at an additional $184.80. With this newly introduced refundable product option, as long as you haven’t scanned your pass by Jan. 15, 2027, you can opt for a refund where you’ll receive 100% cash back — for any reason at all. Passes with a single scan by this date are eligible for 50% cash back. So if the weather ends up being similar to this past season — for West Coast mountains — you can opt to get your money back.Use a payment planSki passes are a big investment. Fortunately, there’s a payment plan option for the Ikon Pass if you want to lock in the current 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 you select.If you’re paying it off in one chunk, check out 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.Points-friendly properties at Ikon Pass resortsWhile you’re mapping out your 2026-2027 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 the Epic Pass. There are exceptions, though.A few points-friendly properties to consider if you pick up the Ikon Pass are:The St. Regis Deer Valley (Marriott Bonvoy)Grand Hyatt Deer Valley (World of Hyatt)Viewline Resort Snowmass, Autograph Collection (Marriott Bonvoy)The St. Regis Aspen Resort (Marriott Bonvoy)W Aspen (Marriott Bonvoy)Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas (Marriott Bonvoy)The Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth (Marriott Bonvoy)Le Westin Tremblant (Marriott Bonvoy)SpringHill Suites Jackson Hole (Marriott Bonvoy)The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection (Marriott Bonvoy)Bluegreen Vacations South Mountain, Ascend Resort Collection (Choice Privileges)Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lincoln East — White Mountains (IHG One Rewards)Killington Mountain Lodge, Tapestry Collection by Hilton (Hilton Honors)Hilton Niseko Village (Hilton Honors)Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fraser — Winter Park Area (IHG One Rewards)Related: Our favorite ski-friendly resort hotels you can book on pointsSki into The St. Regis Deer Valley and then go for a swim. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUYBottom lineWith the 2025–2026 ski season not yet over — and potentially just starting at some resorts — it may feel early to start thinking about next winter. But with passes going on sale March 12, if you’re looking to hit the slopes next winter, you can purchase your pass at the lowest price of the year.Even better, purchasing early unlocks spring skiing at select Ikon resorts, letting you start using your new pass before this season even wraps up. If you’re already dreaming about next winter’s ski trips — or hoping to squeeze in a few more turns this spring — getting your Ikon Pass early is one of the best ways to maximize time on the mountain.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.