Zermatt, the world’s most famous ski resort, is part of the Ikon Pass – the international ski pass.
This is the fifth winter of the Ikon Pass, which offers 50 ski resorts, including the famous ski resort of Zermatt.
First European Ski Area on Ikon Pass
The Zermatt ski area was the first European ski area to be included on the Ikon Pass. Although it’s not included with the Ikon Pass, it’s also possible to ski to Cervinia in Italy, which connects with Zermatt.
In recent years, Kitzbuhel (Austria), Chamonix (France), Grand Valira (Andorra) and Dolomiti Superski (Italy) have all been added as well.
What is the Ikon Pass?
The Ikon Pass is a global lift pass allowing the holder to ski on five continents and choose between over 50 ski destinations.
Zermatt isn’t the only big-name destination as the Ikon Pass also includes Mammoth Mountain and Jackson Hole in the States, Banff’s ‘Big 3’ (Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, Mt. Norquay) in Canada, Mt Hutt in New Zealand and Niseko in Japan.
The addition of Zermatt increased the combined ski area by 300km, which is 100km more than the total ski runs you can access from Banff.
Swiss quality and Italian lifestyle
The Zermatt lift company had this to say about being included on the pass when they were first added to the Ikon Pass in 2019.
“Zermatt and Matterhorn Ski Paradise are pleased to be the first European destination on the Ikon Pass.
We look forward to offering our best Swiss quality and lifestyle to Ikon Pass holders everywhere.
We are excited to share our passion and devotion to skiing within the Ikon Pass community and its impressive destination partners across the globe.”
Sandra Zenhäusern, Director of Marketing, Zermatt Bergbahnen AG
When can you ski in Zermatt on the Ikon Pass?
Ikon Pass holders can access the Matterhorn Ski Paradise area on seven separate days, with no black out dates. Ikon Base Pass holders are eligible for access for five days.
In some resorts, there are restrictions on dates that you can use the pass. However, these do not apply in Zermatt, even on peak season dates: with an Ikon Pass, you can visit and ski at any point during the ski season.
Please note that this does not include the international extension to Cervinia in Italy. However, it is possible to upgrade to this for CHF46 per day.
What else does the Ikon Pass include?
For winter 2023/24 the Ikon Pass includes discounts for brands such as Outside+, The North Face and Smith.
There’s also a credit of USD100 available to use at Ikon Pass Travel – a new online travel planning service exclusively for members of the Ikon Pass community.
What is the cost of an Ikon Pass?
An Ikon Pass for the 2023/24 season start from USD $1159. An Ikon Base Pass is available for USD $829.
To put that in perspective a six-day Matterhorn Ski Paradise lift pass normally costs CHF400 (~USD408) and a seven-day pass is CHF455 (~USD464).
Please note that to ski in Zermatt you will have to pay a one-off CHF5 for the actual RFID card required to use the lifts.
Can I buy an Ikon Pass for 2023/24?
Yes, Ikon Passes for 2023/24 went on sale on 16 March 2023. Prices go up on a regular basis, so don’t wait too long to buy yours.
Why Zermatt?
Ikon has chosen to team up with Zermatt as they see the resort as a true icon that is known around the world.
Experience Zermatt’s glacier skiing, traditional Swiss fondue, plus its infamous European après ski across two countries, on one pass.
Erik Forsell, Chief Marketing Officer for Ikon Pass
Naturally, Zermatt’s snow record was a big influence on the decision to join the Ikon Pass.
Also Zermatt is easy to reach as it is well located near the international airports of Zurich and Geneva.
If you are an Ikon pass holder and are planning to visit Zermatt, then check out our luxury accommodation options on our website.
Or if you prefer a chat please call us: Ed or Suzanne can help arrange every detail of your stay in Zermatt via our Concierge Service. Simply call us on +41 79 247 15 88
