With the season’s first snowfall just over the horizon, the Ikon Pass has geared up for the 2019-2020 season with a growing collection of unique destinations.
With an Ikon Pass in your pocket, you can seek out adventure across 41 destinations worldwide — from the West Coast to East Coast, up and down the Rockies, north of the border, and south of the equator.
If you’re a skier, you likely know the Ikon Pass. It includes some big-name resorts like Copper Mountain, Jackson Hole, Banff, and Alta. And this year, it’s adding a few more incredible destinations for the skier who likes to hit the road.
New Mountains, More Adventure
Arapahoe Basin
New to the Ikon Pass for 2019-2020, from the highest lift-served terrain in Colorado to the newly opened territory The Beavers, Arapahoe Basin boasts unique, celebrated independence and character that stands alone. Featuring a summit elevation of 13,050 feet, there are plenty of cornices, gullies, blacks, blues, and bowls to explore before joining the afternoon parking lot session at A-Basin’s famed snow beach.
With the longest ski season in Colorado, from the first chair to the tailgate, Arapahoe Basin opens up more steeps, more deeps, and more days to seek out that perfect line.
Zermatt
A renowned European destination, Zermatt sets the stage for an iconic and quintessential European ski trip. Featuring vast terrain, the slopes flourish from the foot of the Matterhorn, providing for impressive scenery and immense, expansive terrain.
Nestled at the base, the village of Zermatt centers around a historic old town, built upon a tourism history that dates back to the early 1800s. From top to town, a trip to Zermatt pairs charming cobblestone streets with full days of snowbound exploration.
Mount Buller
Affectionately known as “Melbourne’s mountain,” Mt. Buller was added to the Ikon Pass this last spring. Known for being an excellent spot for first-timers, it’s where many Australians get their first taste of snow.
However, with over 300 hectares of skiable terrain, there’s something for every ability level. Runs range from the wide beginner’s slopes of Bourke St and Burnt Hut Spur to the challenge of black runs like Chamois.
New Lifts, More Terrain
With new terrain opening up across many Ikon Pass destinations, an overhaul of lifts was needed to make accessibility faster and more enjoyable. Look for new lifts at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and Winter Park resorts, improved direct-to-lift access at Deer Valley Resort, and a brand-new iteration of Steamboat’s gondola.
Be sure to check in with your favorite local mountains. Catch up with the improvements and additions that have been underway this summer.
For 41 destinations and a community of ski fanatics, the 2019-2020 season is quickly approaching, with several Ikon Pass destinations opening their lifts in October.
If this year is even close to last year, it will be another season for the books. And with the countdown on, it’s time to put that trail map in the freezer, build that altar to Uller, and start crafting that bucket list of magical memories and perfect powder days to be found in a brand-new season.
This article is sponsored by Ikon Pass.