Most ski resorts across the pond join the U.S. multipasses as partner resorts, so the access rules differ from at an owned hill. There may be additional restrictions that we\u2019re not used to here in the States, including needing to book specific lodging properties to unlock your lift access, using your days consecutively, and stopping at the ticket off to show your pass and get a local card to use on lifts. That\u2019s why it\u2019s imperative to take the time to understand all the rules around skiing in Europe with your pass. You don\u2019t want to get turned away in the lift line because you didn\u2019t read the fine print.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a breakdown of the European skiing on tap this coming season on all of the major multipasses.<\/p>\n
Ikon Pass<\/p>\n
Ikon Pass<\/a> features some of the heaviest hitters in European skiing, including Zermatt, Chamonix, St. Moritz, Ischgl, and Italy\u2019s Aosta Valley. It also has the most straightforward access at its Alps partners, with five days on the Ikon Base or seven days on the Ikon Pass with no limitations or blackout dates at any of the resorts. So if you\u2019re traveling over the holidays or trying to coordinate with your kids\u2019 spring break dates, you don\u2019t have to worry about not being able to use your days.<\/p>\n Ikon Pass European Resorts<\/p>\n Chamonix Mont Blanc, France As is common in Europe, these larger resorts are composed of several smaller ski areas, and your Ikon Pass gets you five or seven days to split between all of them. For example, St. Moritz comprises three main resorts, with another six smaller ski areas rounding out the offerings. You get five days on the Ikon Base and seven on the Ikon Pass to use in total at all of the ski areas under the larger St. Moritz umbrella.<\/p>\n The Fine Print<\/p>\n You can go straight to the lifts<\/a> at Chamonix, Kitzb\u00fchel, Zermatt, and St. Moritz. At Grandvalira, Ikon Pass holders need to visit the ticket window and show their pass in exchange for a local lift ticket. And while your Ikon Pass is direct-to-lift at Dolomiti Superski, all skiers need to have proof of liability insurance to ski there. Go without, and risk a fine and possible pass confiscation. More info on that here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Finally, the Friends & Family discount is not applicable at any of the European resorts on the Ikon Pass. The resorts are also not accessible on the Ikon Session Passes.<\/p>\n Epic Pass<\/p>\n Unlike the Ikon Pass, Vail Resorts owns two Swiss resorts\u2014Andermatt-Sedrun and Crans Montana. That means that Epic Pass<\/a> holders wanting to ski in Europe get unlimited, blackout-free access to both of these resorts for the 2026-\u201927 ski season, and Epic Local pass holders get five days at each with no blackout dates.<\/p>\n On top of that, Epic Pass also has partnerships with eight additional European resorts. (They count it as 32 ski areas on the website<\/a>, but as noted above, the larger resorts each encompass a number of smaller slopes, and the designated number of days you get with your pass includes all of the ski areas that comprise each resort.)<\/p>\n The only partner resort available on the Epic Local is Switzerland\u2019s Verbier 4 Vall\u00e9es, with five days for Epic Local passholders; note that blackout days apply. The rest of the Alps partner resorts listed below are not on the Epic Local.<\/p>\n Epic Pass European Resorts Andermatt-Sedrun Epic Pass Partner Resorts<\/p>\n Verbier 4 Vall\u00e9es, Switzerland (now on Epic Local) The Fine Print<\/p>\n Access varies at each of the Epic Pass Alps resorts, so don\u2019t make any assumptions when making your plans. There are lots of hoops to jump through, especially if you want to use your Epic Pass at the partner resorts, to read carefully. Also, Buddy Tickets and Ski With a Friend discounts can\u2019t be used at the Alps partner resorts.<\/p>\n Andermatt: Unlimited access with no blackouts on the Epic Pass, and five days with no blackouts on the Epic Local. You have to visit a ticket office to show your pass and get a local access card. At that time, pass holders will have the option to add seven-day Matterhorn access via the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn train for $50 CHF ($55 at press time).<\/p>\n Crans Montana: Unlimited access with no blackouts on the Epic Pass, and five days with no blackouts on the Epic Local. More details will be shared after the sale closes.<\/p>\n Verbier 4 Vall\u00e9es: Epic Pass and Epic Local pass holders both get five days at the region\u2019s six linked ski areas. You no longer have to book qualifying lodging to get your five days. Read the fine print here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Skirama Dolomiti: Epic Pass holders get seven consecutive days of skiing at the eight resorts that comprise Skirama Dolomiti. They must be booked in a row, with no rest days, to get all of them. Stop at a ticket office to show your Epic Pass and get a local access card. Expect to pay a $5 deposit, which will be refunded when you return the card.<\/p>\n Les 3 Vall\u00e9es: Epic Pass holders get seven consecutive days of skiing at the seven ski areas that comprise the largest ski resort on the planet. Like in Italy, they must be skied in a row to use all seven. Also, you have to book at least 10 days in advance, then stop a ticket window to show your Epic Pass in exchange for a local pass.<\/p>\n Ski Arlberg: Stay at least three nights at an approved accommodation and get three days of skiing with your Epic Pass. Some hotels might require a longer minimum stay, but still only offer three free lift tickets, which must be used on consecutive days. Stop by a ticket window with your Epic Pass for a local lift card. You can find the list of 20-plus hotels here<\/a>.<\/p>\n S\u00f6lden: Epic Pass Holders have to present their physical Epic Pass card or mobile pass on the My Epic app and photo ID in exchange for a magnetic key card and a small deposit. The deposit will be refunded when you return the key card.<\/p>\n Mountain Collective![\"Chair](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Chamonix_color-scaled.jpg\"\/)
Ikon Pass holders can go straight to the lifts at Chamonix.\u00a0(Photo: Ikon Pass)<\/p>\n
\nDolomiti Superski, Italy
\nGrandvalira Resorts, Andorra
\nKitzb\u00fchel, Austria
\nZermatt Matterhorn, Switzerland
\nSt. Moritz, Switzerland
\nIschgl, Austria
\nAosta Valley, Italy
\nMeg\u00e8ve, France<\/p>\n![\"Andermatt\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_3184-scaled.jpg\"\/)
Andermatt\u2019s high-alpine skiing comes with classic Alps vistas. Add on Matterhorn access while you\u2019re there. (Photo: Sierra Shafer)<\/p>\n
\nOwned By Vail Resorts<\/p>\n
\nCrans-Montana<\/p>\n
\nSkirama Dolomiti, Italy
\nLes 3 Vall\u00e9es, France
\nSki Arlberg, Austria
\nSaalbach Hinterglemm, Austria
\nMayrhofen and Hintertux, Austria
\nSilvretta Montafon, Austria
\nS\u00f6lden, Austria<\/p>\n
\n![\"Chamonix\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-143288036-scaled.jpg\"\/)
The ski touring in the massive peaks around Chamonix is world-class. (Photo: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
![\"Ski](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ski-Welt-Austria.png\"\/)
Austria\u2019s Ski Welt is one of 28 Alps resorts on the Indy Pass. (Photo: Courtesy of Ski Welt)<\/p>\n