Ikon Pass Increasing Friends & Family Discounts to 50% for a Limited Time
The nearly 15 minute ride time of the West End double will drop by more than 50% for the 2026-27 ski season.
Background
For a short window this October, Ikon Pass holders will be able to offer their friends and family special discounted tickets, as per the pass issuer. From October 9-30, 2025, passholders can share discounted lift tickets of up to 50% off window rates, an increase from the usual 25%, at select Ikon destinations. As a reminder, Ikon full and Base Pass holders get up to 12 Friends & Family tickets (10 for Ikon Base) that can then be redeemed and used throughout the 2025-26 season, with select blackout dates for Ikon Base Pass holders.
The following resorts are participating in the promotion:
Steamboat
Winter Park
Palisades Tahoe
Stratton
Snowshoe
Mammoth
June Mountain
Crystal Mountain
Blue Mountain
Big Bear Mountain Resort
Sugarbush
Deer Valley
Solitude
Schweitzer
Arapahoe Basin
Copper
Eldora
Killington
Pico
Mount Bachelor
Brighton
Snowbird
Alyeska
Our Take
This move appears to be a direct response to Epic’s recently announced 50% off Epic Friend Tickets, which are permanent rather than temporary. Ikon’s offer is currently framed as a limited-time pre-season promotion, but it indicates that Alterra is paying close attention to the growing competitiveness around lift ticket pricing.
Lift ticket prices have risen dramatically in recent years, with peak-day window rates at major resorts now regularly surpassing $250. These prices have made skiing without a season pass increasingly difficult to justify, especially for casual skiers or those planning shorter trips. By increasing Friends & Family discounts, the large ski companies seem to recognize that their products are becoming less appealing to anyone who does not commit to a pass before the season starts.
There are, however, key differences between Ikon’s approach and Epic’s. While Ikon’s discounted tickets can be redeemed at any point during the season, they (at least for now) must be shared during a short October window. This timing may limit their impact because many of the people who would benefit from discounted lift tickets have not finalized winter plans this early. Epic’s program, by contrast, allows discounted tickets to be purchased throughout the season, which is likely to reach more potential visitors over time. In addition, several popular ski resorts, including Jackson Hole, Alta, and Big Sky, are absent from the promotion.
This is not the first time Ikon has experimented with boosted Friends & Family discounts. Last season, select mountains offered 35% off, but the offer was limited in scope. The new 50% discount represents Ikon’s most aggressive effort yet, though its effectiveness will depend heavily on whether the preseason timing resonates with prospective skiers. It also remains to be seen whether Ikon decides to extend this discount to be issuable during the winter season itself.
Considering the Ikon Pass? Check out our detailed comparison against competing Epic, Mountain Collective, and Indy offerings. You can also check this comparison out in video form below.
