5th April 2022 | James Cove, PlanetSKI.
Many people’s thoughts are turning to summer, but now is actually the best time to keep thinking winter if you want the best value for next season. The IKON Pass offers skiing in some of the best resorts in North America + four main resorts in Europe. NEW
Until April 21st the full adult IKON Pass is $1,079 (£823) and the IKON Base Pass is $769 (£587).
Child passes are $339 (£259) and $299 (£228) respectively.
The idea is a simple – buy your pass for next winter now and you save money later.
The price goes up in stages, and before next winter gets fully underway the pass is not available.
It is the North American way of doing things and, though it may seem strange for many Europeans, the IKON Pass offers the best value at the moment.
“This is quite simply the best time to buy your IKON pass,” said Kristin Rust from the IKON Pass on visit to London this week.
“If you want to head to North America next winter then buy your pass now and it will give you the best value, plus enable you do some weekends or other breaks to four of some of the best resorts in the Alps.”
Kristin Rust, IKON Pass. Image © PlanetSKI
See here for full details on the 2022/23 IKON Pass.
Next winter the IKON Pass can be used in Zermatt, Chamonix, Kitzbuhel and DolomitiSuperski.
Chamonix is new for the group next winter as we reported earlier on PlanetSKI:
In North America the choice is seemingly endless as most main resorts are owned or operated by just two lift pass groups – Alterra’s IKON Pass and the Epic Pass of Vail Resorts.
Vail Resorts recently announced it was taking a controlling interest in the Swiss resort of Andermatt:
“We are always looking at new resorts to work with that fit” said Kristin Rust, and though they are not currently looking at taking an interest in a European ski resort.
As we discussed any further expansion in Europe she said “nothing right now, but we are always looking”.
In the USA the IKON Pass offers skiing at Aspen, Steamboat, Winter Park, Jackson Hole, Deer Valley, Mammoth and many, many more.
In Canada is it Banff (Sunshine & Lake Louise), Revelstoke, Mt Tremblant and others.
See the end of this article for the full list.
Deer Valley, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI
The IKON Pass can also be used at resorts in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Chile.
One type of ski trip where the IKON Pass comes into its own is a road trip that takes in multiple resorts.
One lift pass for all the resorts.
PlanetSKI on the road. Image © PlanetSKI
We wrote about it earlier this winter on PlanetSKI and suggested 5 routes in the USA and Canada:
Colorado ski road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
With Chamonix, Kitzbuhel, DolomitiSuperski and Zermatt now on the IKON Pass then a road, or rail trip, to all four resorts in the Alps is also a distinct possibility.
Europe is becoming increasingly important for the IKON Pass group of resorts and ski areas.
Kitzbuhel was new in the winter of 2021/22 and though Covid restrictions impacted trans-Atlantic travel the Austrian area was pleased with the result.
“We had 5,000 skier days with people using the IKON Pass which was more than we expected in our first season,” said the marketing executive of Kitzski, Sylvia Brix.
DolomitiSuperski was also pleased with its new relationship with the IKON Pass resorts with five times more people using an Ikon Pass this past winter than they forecast.
“We certainly weren’t expecting so many people to come and use their IKON Pass,” said the marketing director of DolomitiSuperski, Marco Pappalardo.
“It has been a success.”
Most were Europeans rather than visitors from North America.
If serious Covid infections are kept at bay next winter and trans-Atlantic travel is simple, then it will be interesting to see how many Europeans buy a pass to head to North America.
Plus how many skiers and snowboarders from North America come over to Europe.
For people thinking of doing either then now is perhaps the best time to do your research and look at purchasing a pass.
It will only get more expensive.
Related Stories:
Image c/o Ikon Pass
About Ikon Pass Destinations
The Ikon Pass welcomes skiers and riders to a community of inspiring mountain destinations and the people who live and play among them across the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
Brought to you by Alterra Mountain Company, the Ikon Pass unlocks adventure at iconic and unique destinations including Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat, Winter Park, Copper Mountain Resort, Arapahoe Basin, and Eldora Mountain Resort in Colorado.
Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain and Big Bear Mountain Resort in California.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming.
Big Sky Resort in Montana.
Stratton, Sugarbush Resort, and Killington in Vermont.
Windham Mountain in New York.
Snowshoe in West Virginia.
Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain in Michigan.
Crystal Mountain and The Summit at Snoqualmie in Washington.
Mt. Bachelor in Oregon.
Schweitzer in Idaho.
Tremblant in Quebec and Blue Mountain in Ontario, Canada.
SkiBig3 in Alberta, Canada.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort, RED Mountain, and Cypress Mountain in British Columbia, Canada.
Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine.
Loon Mountain in New Hampshire.
Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico.
Deer Valley Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort, Brighton Resort, Alta Ski Area, and Snowbird in Utah.
Dolomiti Superski in Italy, Kitzbühel in Austria, Zermatt in Switzerland.
Thredbo and Mt Buller in Australia.
Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt in New Zealand.
Niseko United in Japan.
Valle Nevado in Chile.
Special offers are available at CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures, the world’s largest heli-skiing and heli-accessed hiking operation.
For more information, please visit www.ikonpass.com.
About Alterra Mountain Company
Alterra Mountain Company is a family of 15 iconic year-round destinations, including the world’s largest heli-ski operation, offering the Ikon Pass, the premier season pass across the globe.
The company owns and operates a range of recreation, hospitality, real estate development, food and beverage, retail and service businesses.
Located in Denver, Colorado, with destinations located throughout North America, Alterra Mountain Company is rooted in the spirit of the mountains and united by a passion for outdoor adventure.
Alterra Mountain Company’s family of diverse playgrounds spans six U.S. states and three Canadian provinces: Steamboat and Winter Park in Colorado; Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain and Big Bear Mountain Resort in California; Stratton and Sugarbush Resort in Vermont; Snowshoe in West Virginia; Tremblant in Quebec, Blue Mountain in Ontario; Crystal Mountain in Washington; Deer Valley Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah; and CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures in British Columbia.
Also included in the portfolio is Alpine Aerotech, a worldwide helicopter support and maintenance service center in British Columbia, Canada.
Alterra Mountain Company honors each destination’s unique character and authenticity and celebrates the legendary adventures and enduring memories they bring to everyone.
For more information, please visit www.alterramtnco.com.
This article was originally published by Planetski.eu. Read the original article here.
