So, you bought an Ikon Pass, now what?
You’re probably texting your friends and family members reveling in the stoke that will come next season, but now’s not the time to relax. It’s time to plan!
You gotta make the most out of that Ikon Pass next season, right?
That should be easy considering you’ll have access to 49 resorts, but what about a road trip spanning 10 days, 7 resorts, 4 states, and memories that will last forever?
Well my friends, you’re in luck, but be warned that this road trip is not for the faint of heart. This is an aggressive itinerary to maximize the most of your Ikon Pass across a 10 day road trip.
I know most of you have jobs to get back to, but 6 or 7 days off of work should be manageable if you start planning now.
*Haven’t bought your Ikon Pass yet? Now’s the time! Prices go up and promos end on April 22. Click here for more info.
Check it out below!
*Trip starts from Denver, CO.*
Day 1: Eldora Mountain Resort, CO
^Credit: Eldora Mountain Resort/Ikon Pass
Details: Take a short 1.5 hour drive to enjoy the home mountain feel of Eldora Mountain Resort. Eldora is located just outside of Boulder, CO.
Mountain Stats: 1,240′ vertical, 300″ of snow, 680 acres of skiable terrain, expansive snowmaking over 100% of groomed terrain.
^Credit: Eldora Mountain Resort/Ikon Pass
Access: Unlimited access for Ikon, Ikon Base Plus, and Ikon Base passes.
What’s Next: Travel 1.5 hours for lodging and RV parking options in Dillon, CO. Plan to ski at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, CO the next day.
Day 2: Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, CO
^Credit: Matt Lorelli/Unofficial Networks
Details: Short 20-30 minute drive from Dillon, CO to Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. A-Basin is widely-considered to have the best terrain in Summit County thanks to the legendary Pallavicini Lift, and the Steep Gullies.
Mountain Stats: 2,530′ vertical , 350″ of snow, 1428 acres of skiable terrain, beautiful views across steeps, groomers, trees, and more.
^Credit: Matt Lorelli/Unofficial Networks
Access: Blackout dates for all passes. 7 days of access for Ikon Pass, 5 days for Ikon Base Plus and Ikon Base.
What’s Next: Return to Dillon, CO for a night of lodging/rest. Plan to hit the road early the next morning for Utah.
Day 3: Brighton Resort Night Skiing, UT
^Credit: John Alberts/Brighton Resort/Ikon Pass
Details: 7.5 hour drive from Dillon, CO to Salt Lake City, UT. Plan on hitting the road in the early to mid-morning to enjoy incredible night skiing at Brighton.
Mountain Stats: 1,745′ vertical, 500″ of snow, 1,050 acres of skiable terrain during day operations. 22 runs, 4 chairlifts accessible from 4-9PM Monday-Saturday nights during the season.
Access: No blackouts for full Ikon Pass, blackouts for all other products. 7 days of access for Ikon Pass, 5 days of access for Ikon Base Plus and Ikon Base pass.
What’s Next: Option to find lodging in Big Cottonwood Canyon, or travel out of the canyon to Salt Lake City. Plan on taking skiing Alta or Snowbird the following day.
Day 4: Alta Ski Area/Snowbird, UT
^Credit: Alta Ski Area/Ikon Pass
Details: Alta Ski Area is one of three ski resorts in the country that still doesn’t allow snowboarding, so there’s an option to visit Snowbird if somebody in your crew prefers one plank instead of two.
Mountain Stats: Alta- 2,538′ vertical, 540″ of snow, 2,614 acres of skiable terrain. Snowbird- 3,240′ vertical, 500″ of snow, 2,500 acres of skiable terrain.
^Credit: Snowbird/Ikon Pass
Access: Blackouts apply. 7 days of combined access between Alta Ski Area and Snowbird for Ikon Pass. 5 days of access for Ikon Base Plus. No access for Ikon Base Pass.
What’s Next: Plan on staying back in SLC or in Little Cottonwood Canyon. You will be taking Day 5 off, thankfully.
Day 5: REST/Travel
Details: The first day without skiing on the trip. You’ll be beat after 4 days of hard skiing. Plan on taking your time as you travel 5 hours from SLC to Sun Valley, ID.
Day 6: Sun Valley Resort, ID
^Credit: Matt Lorelli/Unofficial Networks
Details: Brand-new to the Ikon Pass, you might as well take advantage and enjoy the best groomers in the entire country on the slopes of Sun Valley, ID.
Mountain Stats: 3,400′ vertical, 200″ of snow, 2,434 acres of skiable terrain.
Access: No blackouts and 7 days of access for Ikon Pass. Blackouts and 5 days of access for Ikon Base Plus Pass.
^Credit: Matt Lorelli/Unofficial Networks
What’s Next: Make sure to chug some Red Bulls or coffee. You’re going to hit the road out to Jackson Hole, WY after a long day of skiing at Sun Valley. The drive should take about 4.5 hours.
Option to spend the night in Sun Valley/Ketchum, ID if you’re not up for it. No shame! You will take Day 7 off to rest and explore Jackson, WY.
Day 7: REST/Explore Jackson Hole, WY
Details: There’s really not a better ski town to take a day off in than Jackson Hole, WY. Hit the bar, soak in a hot tub, walk around town, do whatever you gotta do to recharge your batteries!
Day 8: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY
^Credit: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort/Ikon Pass
Details: Take a short drive up to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to enjoy some of the best skiing and riding on the continent.
Mountain Stats: 4,139′ vertical, 459″ of snow, 2,500 acres of skiable terrain.
^Credit: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort/Ikon Pass
Access: No blackouts and 7 days of access for Ikon Pass. Blackouts and 5 days of access for Ikon Base Plus Pass.
What’s Next: Another night of rest in Jackson. Enjoy it!
Day 9: Travel to Steamboat Springs, CO
Details: You’re a long way from Colorado, so let’s take the day to drive from Jackson to Steamboat Springs. Wake up late, maybe get in a lap or two up at Jackson before you hit the road. Your call.
Drive time should take about 6.5 hours.
Day 10: Steamboat Resort, CO
^Photographer: Loryn Kasten. Credit: Steamboat Resort/Ikon Pass
Details: This is your final day. Make the most of it! Get out there early and ski/ride hard on Steamboat’s expansive terrain.
Mountain Stats: 3,668′ vertical, 313″ of snow, 2,965 acres of skiable terrain.
^Photographer: Loryn Kasten. Credit: Steamboat Resort/Ikon Pass
What’s Next: Spend as much time as you can on the mountain before driving the 3 hours back to your home base or flight in Denver, CO.
Give each other high-fives, reminisce about the conditions, and plan to sleep for 24 hours. You’ve earned it.
*Haven’t bought your Ikon Pass yet? Now’s the time! Prices go up and promos end on April 22. Click here for more info.
Featured Image Credit: Ross van der Wal on Unsplash
