Ikon Pass Status Changing at Arapahoe Basin for Winter 25/26

Originally posted on Powder | By Ian Greenwood | Last updated Mar 7, 2025 6:18 AM ET

Those who purchase a 2025/2026 Ikon Pass will receive unlimited access to Arapahoe Basin, Colorado—a change from this winter when the Ikon Pass only provided seven days of access to the ski resort.

Access with the Ikon Pass Base, which includes five no blackout days at Arapahoe Basin, remains unchanged.

The Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass for next winter have a starting price of $1,329 and $909, respectively.

The 2025/2026 Ikon Pass, which goes on sale March 13, will work this spring at Arapahoe Basin, too, starting on March 31, alongside several other destinations. The resort typically remains open into June, meaning there will be plenty of time to take advantage of the bonus period.

"Essentially, for the 25/26 season, Ikon Pass will function as an A-Basin season pass," wrote Arapahoe Basin's COO, Al Henceroth, in a statement.

Arapahoe Basin-specific season passes for the 2025/2026 season will still be available.

Arapahoe Basin is finishing up its first season under Alterra Mountain Company ownership. The conglomerate finalized its acquisition of the resort in November 2024.

Henceroth said in his statement that Arapahoe Basin faced two primary issues this winter that involved managing skier traffic on busy days and growing visitation numbers on its quieter days "so we can keep our long season and be sustainable and reliable for our employees, guests, and community."

According to Henceroth, the inclusion of unlimited Ikon Pass access at Arapahoe Basin will help boost skier and snowboarder traffic during those quiet days.

Meanwhile, the implementation of parking reservations—which was new for Arapahoe Basin this winter—took aim at controlling crowds.

The parking reservations are required at the resort between late December and early May on weekends and holidays and cost $20 in the main lots unless your vehicle has four or more passengers.

Henceroth said the parking reservation system "has been the most effective way to control the number of people arriving to ski," citing previous skier and snowboarder traffic related measures the resort tried, like limiting tickets or passes.

He said that this winter, there have been no days where Arapahoe Basin was parked out, or its parking lots contributed to highway problems. According to Henceroth, about 30% of parking reservations at Arapahoe Basin have had four or more passengers.

Parking reservations will continue next winter at Arapahoe Basin. Details are forthcoming.

"So far, the first season of parking reservations and Alterra ownership has gone very well," Henceroth said.

"In our wild, crazy and changing world, we remain committed to preserving the A-Basin experience," he added.