Here's Why Ski Industry Experts Say That Later Is Better on the Slopes—and Best With an Epic or Ikon Pass

As March and April near, many skiers are trading deeps and steeps for pack-up-your-gear season. For Ikon and Epic pass holders, we’re here to tell you it’s time to squeeze in one or two (or even three) more ski trips this year. If you’re a skier and somehow haven’t heard about these two ubiquitous, multi-mountain ski passes, Ikon and Epic passes grant you seasonal, unlimited access to numerous ski resorts in the U.S., Canada, and beyond. In total, the Epic Pass includes access to 85 resorts (41 where you’ll have unlimited access) and Ikon Pass includes access to 64 resorts (15 with unlimited access).

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Why are we telling you about these two passes more than midway through ski season? Because, come late winter/early spring, both of them tend to get totally underutilized, despite providing ample money-saving, mogul-mashing incentives to stay on the slopes as long as possible. Here are five ways to maximize Epic and Ikon mountain access late in the ski season before hanging up your bibs—plus one good reason to purchase your pass early for next season if you missed the boat this year.

Make the Most of Midweek Skiing at Steep Discounts and With Fewer Crowds

If you’re able to squeeze in a weekday trip, the benefits of skiing later in the season are only amplified. Joe Ogdie, general manager at The Lodge at Blue Sky, a five-star resort in Park City, UT, holds both Ikon and Epic passes—and is a true late-season skiing fan: “With the inevitable spring snowstorms, powder mornings turn into sunshine filled afternoons with warmer temperatures and longer days,” he says. "Midweek spring skiing means no lines and bluebird days."

Ogdie is partial to taking those lunch breaks at Blue Sky Ski Lounge, and notes that lift lines at the adjacent Silver Star lift that take people directly to the middle of the mountain are nonexistent. Plus, “Epic Pass gets you 20 percent off of on-mountain food,” he adds.

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Maximize April Corn-Skiing Month

If you're a fan of corn skiing, April is your best month to indulge, says Stacie Mesuda, public relations manager at Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, MT—part of the Ikon Pass. Mesuda deems spring the optimal time for that soft, edgeable snow (resembling frozen corn kernels) that conveniently coincides with the finest, mid-mountain deck weather and the best après parties of the season back at the base.

By following the sun in April, says Mesuda, you can tailor the exact kind of ski day you want. At Big Sky, “on a sunny day, you can ski the south side of the mountain (Shedhorn area) where the sun has been softening up the snow all day,” she says. “Or stay on the north side (Six Shooter area) where the snow stays in the shade and skis more like winter conditions—even on the same day when you’re skiing spring corn on the south side.”

Related: Powder Paradise: Snowcat Skiing at Colorado’s Purgatory Resort

Sam Weintraub, the founder and CEO of PeakRankings, an independent mountain ratings and reviews site based in Brooklyn, NY, is another big March spring skiing advocate, ticking off corn skiing as one of the draws. “While Washington State and Oregon aren't the top winter ski resort destinations, due to foggy weather and wet snow, these conditions preserve the snowpack through the spring and make for some of the best corn skiing on the continent,” says Weintraub.

Fresh snow can still arrive deep into the spring, too. “Big ski regions in places like Colorado, Utah, and Northern California see winter storms well into April, meaning that visitors can still score some really high-quality powder days,” adds Weintraub, who also appreciates that warmer weather and generally safer road conditions make later-season ski trips more comfortable and less of a hassle than those during the core winter season.

Access Extended Seasons Out West in April, May, and Even June

“The most overlooked time period for a destination ski trip is during the spring,” says Weintraub. “Tons of resorts in Colorado, Utah, and on the West Coast reliably operate through at least mid-April with full coverage and terrain openings—and some go as late as May or June.”

Weintraub opts for the Ikon Pass for spring skiing, with multiple resorts throughout the Western states—including Washington’s Crystal Mountain, Oregon’s Mount Bachelor, and California's Palisades Tahoe—“that regularly stay open through at least the end of May.” Ogdie notes one key Epic Pass benefit in the spring is its late-season access to Telluride Ski Resort in Telluride, CO, which he calls “the ultimate spring skiing destination.”

Get Exclusive Ski Sales With Epic Pass

Coupled with off-peak rates for car rentals, airfare, hotels, and more, it makes financial sense to book ski trips in March and April. Plus, since mountains typically close their beginner runs first, an especially smart strategy for more advanced skiers is to plan ski trips later in the season (mid- to late-April) to avoid crowds and novice skiers.

Epic Pass holders get early access to said savings bonanzas. And while non-pass holders may benefit from 10-15 percent off lodging, Epic Pass holders get a whopping 30 percent off. Throughout the ski season, Vail Resorts (owner of the Epic Pass) has notable discounts on lodging, rentals, lessons, and on-mountain food and beverages. All Epic Pass holders get 20 percent off of lodging, rentals, and lessons when booked through the Vail Resorts official website for the mountain. Holders also get 20 percent off all on-mountain food and beverages at the resort.

While a representative for Epic Pass with whom we consulted wasn’t able to share specific details of upcoming sales before they’re live, here are several examples of sales that ran this past season for a sense of what will again likely be on offer (according to our source).

● 96-hour lodging sale (February 2024)

● Pass Holder Exclusive Cyber Lodging Sale (November 2023)

● Weekday Adventure Lodging Sale for weekday stays (October 2023)

● Book Winter Early Lodging Sale (July 2023)

Receive Deep Savings on Lift Tickets and Food With Ikon Pass—Plus First Tracks Benefits

With some restrictions, Ikon Pass holders will get up to 40 percent off on lift tickets for friends and family, as well as discounts on food, beverages, and retail at a broad selection of mountain resorts stretching from Colorado to Vermont to Quebec’s Mont Tremblant. Shipping your gear? Get 10 percent off your ski and snowboard shipping with Ship Skis.

One of our favorite Ikon Pass insider tips is using its free Ikon Pass First Tracks program at select destinations. The company designates one morning each month in January, February, and March—and since March tends to be less crowded, you’ll enjoy the privilege of being first off the lift even more at these First Tracks destinations.

Save on Your Passes for Next Ski Season by Purchasing Early

Epic and Ikon Passes (which went off-sale for the current ski season in early December) will be available for winter 2024-25 this March. One of the best ski pass hacks is to purchase the new one as soon as it goes on sale each year at the lowest price to benefit from renewal discounts. Some destinations (yet to be disclosed) will allow winter 2024-25 Ikon Pass holders to start using their pass this spring during the tail-end of the current ski season.