Getting an Ikon Pass opens the door to a winter full of adventure, whether you’re skiing familiar slopes close to home, or exploring new regions. It’s like a national park pass, but snowier.
An Ikon Pass unlocks more than 40 worldwide destinations full of new experiences. These early deals are the best you’ll find all year. There are even payment plans, so you can start building your stoke for the entire winter 2021-2022 now.
There are other perks, too. Existing passholders can save $100 with an early renewal (before May 5). Parents can save up to $200 in child passes, and there are also discounts for military, nurses, and college students. You can even get started early with spring skiing at select locations. That’s right, you can use a new pass this spring at several destinations.
It’s all part of Ikon Pass’s Own the Stoke campaign to get you hyped up for a full season on the slopes. Next, we’ll explore some of the ways to get the most out of your pass.
Get Your Ikon Pass Early
Experiences make memories, and an Ikon Pass provides the opportunity to make months of new ones. Ikon Pass has plenty of experiences to take in, and it’s not just about the big mountain staples of downhill skiing and snowboarding.
Take your turns, sure, but take some time to try out new things to truly get the most out of the mountain. Here are five activities you might not know about that can help you make the most of your Ikon Pass.
Ikon Pass Perks
1. Get to Know a Region
Visit clusters of destinations and really get to know some of the country’s most prolific snow regions of New England, the Pacific Northwest, Northern California, or the Rockies. These unique regions, with different climates and snow, are ski and snowboard hotbeds offering days’ worth of new ride experiences.
These hotspots offer several Ikon Pass destinations near one another. That means you can cross off bucket-list trails over long weekends or other extended stays. Ikon Pass bundled trips have plans for your powder runs, dining, and lodging.
2. Beyond Skiing: Fun for All Ages and Skills
Fat Biking, Snowshoeing, and Snowmobiling
With an Ikon Pass, you won’t feel like every visit needs to cram in the most runs — you’ll have all year for fun on your skis or snowboard. Sometimes, you need a break from peak crowds or just want to change up the routine. That’s when it’s a great time to try out some of the other on-snow activities at Ikon Pass destinations and make more memories.
For starters, you can find trails for cross-country skiing and fat biking. Similarly, you can explore flatter, wooded areas of the mountain by snowshoe or snowmobile.
Some destinations will lead in-depth tours on the logging or mining history in the area. The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) provides free daily snowshoe and ski tours on Aspen and Snowmass with an emphasis on the science of the terrain.
Tubing and Sledding
Family members or friends with different skill levels can meet up after runs to partake in more relaxed social pursuits. One popular option is tubing, which can be accompanied by music and fun lights after sunset.
There’s little to no skill involved, and it should elicit flashbacks to childhood. Additionally, some destinations let Ikon Pass holders ride for free on certain days.
Less common are attractions like the Outlaw Mountain Coaster in Steamboat, a sled run atop more than 6,000 feet of rails, dropping 400 feet with exhilarating dips and turns.
3. Aprés
When you’re done skiing, you can continue to take in the mountain life. Part of a visit or stay includes the restaurants and pubs for midday refueling and aprés sessions. Checking out the dining scene is part of the fun and a great way to take in the unique nature of each destination.
A burger and beer are menu staples wherever you go, but The Bag & Kettle’s Bag Burger and its secret sauce are a Sugarloaf mainstay. Steamboat’s TBar stands out from the pack because it’s a ski-in-ski-out destination built inside a former ski patrol trailer.
Go underground into Mammoth Mountain’s Clocktower Cellar and gawk at its expansive whiskey collection, with more than 160 varieties. At Aspen Snowmass, you can sip champagne while soaking in the sun and social scene around the Ajax Tavern.
These are just a few highlights from the top destinations. All the resorts offer a variety of dining and entertainment venues to fit your style and mood.
4. First Tracks and Uphill
First Tracks Pass
There’s a certain anticipation that comes from crisp mornings on the lift, looking down at the fresh snow you’re about to descend on. If you’re an early bird regular at your local ski resort, consider buying a First Tracks pass. Experienced skiers love making their way through pristine powder, and you may find it worth the extra money.
Most destinations sell these add-on passes. They aren’t part of the Ikon Pass, but you can think of your early bird savings as a down payment on next season’s early-up runs.
Uphill
Another way to get first tracks is by skinning up to dedicated access areas offered at several resorts. Destinations typically charge a small added fee for uphill armbands, while some destinations, like Copper Mountain, don’t charge extra for holders of Ikon Passes.
The 2021-2022 season is still a ways away, and resorts will likely wait to update their policies closer to reopening.
Stock Up on Stoke
Invest in next year’s adventure with a discounted Ikon Pass. You can spend your summer days remembering this year’s fun — and planning more for the next.
Of note, Ikon Pass is also rolling over its Adventure Assurance program to the 2021-2022 season. This gives Ikon Pass holders the confidence to ride in case of COVID-related closures or an option to defer the value of their unused 2021-2022 Ikon Pass, by Dec. 10, 2021, to be applied to a 2022-2023 Ikon Pass.
Get Your Ikon Pass Early
This article is sponsored by Ikon Pass. Find out more about Ikon Pass deals and destinations here.
