It’s an age-old question. One ski season is winding down, while another looms on the horizon. You want to ski as much as you can, but what pass should you buy?

For many skiers, that boils down to two relatively similar choices: the Epic Pass and the Ikon Pass. These all-consuming multi-pass products are impossible to avoid, and if you live near the mountains, odds are good that one of your local resorts participates in their programs.

Keep reading for a primer on the basics of the Epic Pass and Ikon Pass as you decide which to buy.

Want to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates.

It depends on what you want out of your ski season. Neither the Epic Pass or the Ikon Pass is better than the other. Instead, they shine in different contexts. These are a few factors worth considering before you buy an Epic Pass or Ikon Pass:

Geography: While the Epic Pass has a larger resort portfolio than the Ikon Pass, don’t be distracted by the numbers. Instead, it’s worthwhile to think hard about where you’ll actually have the time to ski during the winter so you can maximize your investment. The more time you spend in the mountains, the better. So, if you live near a resort with unlimited Ikon Pass access, think about buying an Ikon Pass and skiing there during the weekends. Then, when you plan a ski vacation or two, you can visit other Ikon Pass mountains. The opposite is true if you live near a resort with unlimited Epic Pass access.