The Best Ski Destinations on the Ikon Pass

Plan the Trip of a Lifetime

Want to plan an unforgettable ski vacation? A multi-resort pass is one of the best ways to visit numerous resorts without breaking the bank. While most people think of these passes as designed for locals, they’re also a great way for visitors to hit the slopes at multiple resorts throughout a season or even in one trip.

The Ikon Pass is one of the most popular ski passes, offering access to 50+ resorts across North America, Europe, and Asia. Whether you want a family-friendly adventure with beginner trails or an advanced experience for expert skiers, you’re sure to find resorts to meet your needs on the Ikon Pass. As vacation enthusiasts, we’re here to help make your trip one for the books, and that starts with offering the best recommendations and advice. Read on to learn more about the best resorts to visit on the Ikon pass and tips for how to plan an exciting trip with your loved ones.

Perks of the Ikon Pass

You may be thinking, why would I need a full-season pass to multiple resorts if I’m only planning to visit for a week? The truth is the cost of buying single-day lift tickets at multiple resorts for multiple people (even for a short trip) can add up quickly. It is likely more cost effective to purchase an Ikon Pass – not to mention, it allows the chance for you to visit these resorts more than once in a season without having to purchase additional single-day passes. In addition to the cost savings, the Ikon pass delivers other perks, including:

• Access to multiple resorts and varying terrain
• Dining and retail discounts at participating resorts
• Friends and family discounts to share with others
• First tracks access one morning per month at participating locations

Which Level of Ikon Pass Should You Choose?

The Ikon Pass offers you varying tiers of access depending on how much you plan to visit the included destinations in a single season. This allows you to only choose the level of access you need without paying for perks you won’t use. Before purchasing your pass, we suggest planning how often you plan to visit and for how many days. Then compare your plan to the pass options to find the one to best suit your needs. There are four levels of Ikon Pass you can choose from:

• Ikon: This is the highest level of pass that gives you the most access. It gives you unlimited days at 17 destinations and up to 7 days each at 42 destinations. You’ll enjoy no blackout dates and a 15% discount on food and retail at participating destinations. Plus, you’ll have 12 friends and family discounts to share.
• Ikon Base Plus: This pass gives you unlimited access to 14 destinations and 5 days each at 45 destinations. There are limited blackout dates and you’ll get 10% off food and retail at participating locations. You’ll also have 8 friends and family discounts to share.
• Ikon Base: With this pass, you’ll have unlimited access to 14 destinations and 5 days each at 39 locations. There are limited blackout dates, and you enjoy 10% off food and retail at participating locations. You’ll also get 8 friends and family discounts to share.
• Ikon Session: This pass level is a great option for visitors who aren’t planning to ski for more than a few days. With this pass, you can choose to have access for 2, 3, or 4 days total at any of 43 destinations. You can visit the same resort for all your days or split your days between multiple resorts. There are also limited blackout dates that apply to this pass.

Popular Ikon Pass Destinations

With more than 50 destinations included as part of the Ikon Pass, you can plan an exciting trip to numerous resorts in one trip or spend your entire vacation at one resort you love. The beauty of the Ikon Pass is that you get to choose your own adventure and create a personalized trip to suit your needs. These are some of the most popular U.S.-based destinations for Ikon Pass holders:

• Colorado: With six Colorado resorts on the Ikon Pass, this state is one the best places to snag runs at multiple resorts in one trip. You can enjoy the varying terrains in the Colorado Rockies at Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Snowmass, Copper Mountain, Eldora Mountain Resort, Steamboat, and Winter Park Resort.
• California: Spend your vacation on an epic road trip hitting all the resorts around the great state of California. Start in the north at the resorts surrounding Lake Tahoe, like Palisades Tahoe and Sierra-at-Tahoe. Then, start your journey south to visit Mammoth Mountain before ending your adventure at Big Bear Mountain Resort.
• Utah: Utah also has six resorts on the Ikon Pass, and they’re all less than 2 hours apart, which means you can easily manage all six in a single trip. Centered around Park City, you can stay in one location near the city and venture out each day to a different resort. You’ll have access to Deer Valley Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort, Brighton, Alta Ski Area, Snowbird, and Snowbasin.
• Vermont: With 3 resorts on the Ikon Pass, Vermont is also a popular destination for ski and snowboard enthusiasts. An Ikon Pass will grant you access to Sugarbush, Killington-Pico, and Stratton – choose one to visit or pack them all into a single trip!

Types of Ski Terrain Offered at Ikon Resorts

For the best ski vacation, you want to make sure you’re comfortable with the terrain offered at the resort. As a beginner, you don’t want to be stuck at a resort that has only a few beginner- friendly trails. As an advanced skier, you may become bored at a resort that doesn’t offer a challenge. So planning ahead for your abilities is the best way to ensure a good time for everyone. Here’s our recommendations for the best resorts to meet varying needs:

• Family-Friendly: If you’re hitting the slopes with kids, Winter Park, Deer Valley, and Steamboat are excellent options, offering skiing instruction for all ages and specialty kids camps to help little ones gain confidence on the slopes.
• Beginners: If you’re still getting used to traversing ski terrain, you’re likely looking for some beginner-friendly runs. For the best terrain for novices, we suggest Copper, Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat, or Winter Park. (If you or someone in your group is a bit more advanced, don’t worry – these resorts offer plenty of intermediate and advanced terrain as well.)
• Terrain Parks: Ready to perfect your boardslide? There are plenty of terrain parks at Ikon resorts where you can hit all your tricks. If you’re looking to visit a resort with a stellar terrain park, you may want to check out Buttermilk Terrain Park at Aspen Snowmass, Big Bear Mountain Resort Terrain Parks, or Unbound Terrain Park at Mammoth Mountain.
• Advanced and Extreme Terrain: If you consider yourself a seasoned professional on the slopes, you might be looking for some adrenaline-pumping runs to take things up a notch. For advanced terrain, the Utah resorts are a great option – try Deer Valley, Snowbasin, or Alta.
• Glade and Tree Skiing: Want to take a ride through snow-covered pines? If so, we suggest finding your way through the trees at Arapahoe Basin, Steamboat, or Brighton.

Tips for Planning an Ikon Resort Adventure

Planning an epic ski vacation is no small feat. You’ll need to do your research about the resorts you want to visit and plan how they’ll fit into your vacation schedule. The number one tip we always give people is to consider visiting during the week. The slopes can become extremely crowded on the weekends, which also causes longer wait times at lifts and more traffic on the roads. In addition to planning a mid-week visit, be sure to keep these tips in mind when planning your ski trip:

• Try to Visit Multiple Resorts: When planning your trip, make a detailed itinerary to help you map out a way to visit multiple resorts during your stay – this is easiest in destinations where there are a lot of resorts in close proximity, like Colorado or Utah. You’ll get the most bang for your buck by visiting multiple resorts. 
• Avoid Peak Season If Possible: Peak season for ski resorts usually runs from December to February (and sometimes extends into March when spring breakers descend on mountain towns for some ski time) – this is when the slopes will be the most crowded. While it’s certainly ok to visit during this time, you’ll enjoy fewer people on the runs if you come early in November or wait until spring skiing in April.
• Discover Hidden Gems: Instead of focusing all your attention on the biggest name resorts, find hidden gems that are less crowded. Arapahoe Basin, Solitude, and Sierra-at-Tahoe are some of the most underrated resorts on the Ikon Pass. They offer exceptional terrain and often have smaller crowds.
• Take Advantage of Discounts: If you don’t have your own gear, rental equipment can quickly blow your vacation budget. Look into visiting the resorts that allow you to use your Ikon discount on rental gear. (Not every resort offers this perk.)

Your Ski Trip Starts Here

Ready to plan an unforgettable ski vacation? Now that you know all the best Ikon destinations, it’s time to start thinking about accommodations. You could stay in a bustling hotel with all the other visiting skiers or you could stay in a private home that you and your family can enjoy all to yourselves. Which sounds better to you? 

SkyRun offers vacation rentals in many destinations on the Ikon Pass, with options for small and large groups, ski-in/ski-out properties, or homes right near the in-town gondolas. Check out our locations that are near some of the best ski destinations on the Ikon Pass:

SkyRun Aspen

• Aspen Mountain
• Aspen Highlands
• Buttermilk
• Snowmass

SkyRun Copper

• Copper Mountain Ski Resort

SkyRun Keystone

• Arapahoe Basin

SkyRun Nederland

• Eldora Mountain Ski Resort

SkyRun North Tahoe

• Palisades Tahoe

SkyRun Steamboat

• Steamboat Ski Resort

SkyRun Winter Park

• Winter Park Resort

SkyRun Summit

• Copper Mountain Ski Resort
• Winter Park Resort

SkyRun Park City / Deer Valley

• Deer Valley Resort 
• Solitude Mountain Resort
• Brighton
• Alta Ski Area 
• Snowbird
• Snowbasin

SkyRun Vermont

• Sugarbush Resort

All these destinations and more are within your reach when you plan a vacation with SkyRun! A stay at one of our properties means a comfortable place to unwind and enjoy some après-ski time with your loved ones. Purchase your Ikon pass, book your home, gather your gear, and get ready to make memories in the mountains this ski season!