5 Reasons to Get Stoked About the Ikon Pass This Winter

You may still be rocking shorts and flip-flops, but in the back of your mind you know winter’s coming. We're only a couple short months away from praying for snow and gearing up for an insane day of pow turns. 

This year, dream big. With the Ikon Pass, the (winter) world is your oyster. While we've all been enjoying summer adventures, the folks at Ikon Pass have been negotiating the addition of new, unique skiing destinations to fuel your wanderlust. Whether it’s a tour of the Rockies or a trip to Chile, it’s high time to start planning. 

This year's Ikon Pass has two options: unlimited skiing and riding at 14 destinations with up to seven days at an additional 26 destinations and no blackout dates, and a reduced-cost pass that includes unlimited riding at 12 destinations with up to seven days at an additional 28 destinations and holiday blackout periods. Either pass will be your new favorite ticket to winter!

Here are just a few reasons to start getting stoked for ski season right now.

High Mountain Air

A new addition to the Ikon Pass, Arapahoe Basin offers the highest elevation lift-accessed terrain in Colorado. Add in the newly opened Beavers area, and you get one of the best riding experiences in the Rockies. With the most skiable days in Colorado, there’s plenty of opportunities to work Arapahoe Basin into your trip.

A European Classic

Maybe this should be the year that you take a trip across the pond to check out the European ski scene. When you dream of Zermatt, make sure that dream includes vast, open terrain with the Matterhorn looming overhead. Even at the base village of this iconic mountain, you’ll be steeped in all the history and beauty that make it European's most famous resort. 

When you’re not ripping down miles of endless runs, you’ll love wandering the cobblestone streets and basking in the Swiss vibe. 

An Australian Excursion

How many of your friends can say that they skied down under? Mt. Buller is Melbourne, Australia’s home mountain. A perfect introduction to skiing at the bottom of the world, there is terrain for every type of skier. Make Mt. Buller a part of your extended trip to Australia and use its snowy slopes to keep your form on point during our summer. 

Plus, it's a rare spot where you can scuba dive the reef and shred on the same trip.

Deep Powder

To say that the California ski areas had a big winter last season is a slight understatement. Mammoth Mountain was buried in over 700 inches of snow and stayed open through the end of July. With any luck, we’re in for a repeat of endless powder days at the California resorts. We’re already planning to seek the perfect pow turn on a road trip that includes Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows and Mammoth Mountain.

New Terrain to Explore

You may also want to check back in with some of the well-loved resorts that have been part of the Ikon Pass for years. Many Ikon destinations have new terrain to explore. Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, and Winter Park have all added new lifts. At Steamboat, get ready to be whisked up the mountain in the brand new iteration of their gondola. 

Now, forget about summer, grab your Ikon Pass and start packing up the ski gear. It’s time to begin fueling the ski season stoke.

All Photos Courtesy of Ikon Pass