Ikon Pass

Jackson Hole Planning to Run Gondolas and Tram Next Season

Jackson Hole has provided some detail on lift operations for the 2020-21 season. The resort plans to run all its lifts, including gondolas and the aerial tram, with capacity changes.

Ikon Adds Red Mountain as a Pass Partner

Alterra has announced that Red Mountain in British Columbia, Canada will partner with Ikon starting in the 2020-21 season. With COVID restrictions looming, it’s unlikely that U.S. passholders will be able to take advantage of the addition this season.

Jackson Hole Adding Bootpack to Rendezvous Peak, Details Additional Operational Plans

Jackson Hole provided additional information on 2020-21 season operations today. Guests will be able to hike to Rendezvous Peak on account of tram restrictions, and passholders will not need to make reservations.

Alterra Releases 2020-21 Lift Ticket and Ikon Pass Reservation Policies (Many Resorts Don’t Require One)

Alterra released their initial ticket and pass policies for the upcoming winter today. Many Ikon resorts, including the overwhelming majority of unlimited destinations, will not require reservations. However, multi-day pass products for Alterra-owned mountains will be severely limited.

Big Sky Announces 2020-21 Operating Plans, May Add Bootpack to Lone Peak

In a letter to skiers and riders today, Big Sky released their initial 2020-21 winter operating plan. Season passholders will not need to make reservations, although Ikon and Mountain Collective passholders will.

Video: Squaw Valley KT-22 Run

A run down Squaw Valley's expert KT-22 area, starting at Downhill Cliffs and proceeding to Strawberry Fields. Video taken in February 2020; snow conditions were below average for the time.

Buttermilk

Aspen’s beginner-centric mountain offers a good learning environment and excellent terrain parks, but the area is otherwise uncompetitive and overpriced.

Loon

This popular New Hampshire resort offers a competitive lift fleet and excellent snowmaking, but other mountains offer more unique terrain and better crowd management.

Summit at Snoqualmie

Really more of a large hill than a mountain, this area offers a solid learning environment for Seattle-area residents. Destination-goers should look elsewhere.

Pico

This central Vermont mountain gets overshadowed by bigger competitors, but it offers decent terrain and an escape from the crowds.

Sun Valley - Dollar Mountain

Sun Valley’s beginner zone is way too small and variable to warrant a trip to on its own. But for those in town already, its unconventional footprint may be worth stopping by.

Alpental

This small resort offers incredible advanced and expert terrain close to Seattle. However, weekend crowds are a major problem.

Stratton

This southern Vermont mountain delivers an ideal family experience thanks to excellent grooming and easy navigation, but you’ll be giving up some snow and terrain quality for the location.

Eldora

This small Colorado resort is seriously outclassed by destination competitors, but its convenient location makes it a decent day trip option.

Sugarloaf

Maine’s largest ski area is a competitive East Coast choice, but it’s a hard sell against more conveniently-located alternatives.

Sugarbush

This charming Vermont resort offers diverse, demanding terrain and a local feel. However, the best expert runs aren’t always o

Mount Norquay

Banff’s town hill is way too small to be a destination in its own right, but it offers a local vibe and empty slopes.

Killington

Size, snow quality, and terrain diversity make this East Coast mountain incredibly appealing, but navigation could be easier.

Tremblant

This busy, frigid resort offers a well-rounded East Coast experience and spectacular base village.

Taos

This New Mexico resort is no substitute for the larger destinations, but it brings a distinct vibe that adventurous travelers will appreciate.

Crystal

Despite some notable lift capacity shortcomings, this decently-sized resort offers one of the most well-rounded experiences in Washington state.

Red Mountain

While it lacks creature comforts that typical travelers might expect from a destination ski resort, this Western Canada resort offers a raw, authentic big mountain experience.

Brighton

While it isn’t the biggest and can be annoying to get around, this Utah mountain offers exceptional Cottonwoods snow for a bargain—especially for families.

Aspen Mountain

The oldest Aspen ski area offers incredible views of town on a relatively compact footprint, but the resort could use logistical enhancements in lower-mountain areas.

Solitude

The modestly-sized Utah mountain packs a demanding footprint and excellent snow, but true beginner and intermediate terrain offerings are limited.

Snowmass

The largest resort in the Aspen conglomerate is one of the best in Colorado, delivering a well-rounded experience worthy of the asking price.

Sun Peaks

This massive Interior British Columbia resort offers impeccable grooming and a family-friendly footprint but falls short in particularly distinctive terrain.

Panorama

This remote Canadian resort brings impressive vertical and a ton of character, but it may not offer quite as well-rounded of an overall mountain experience as some competitors.

Deer Valley

While this ski-only Utah resort gets high marks for its top-tier hospitality, the overall mountain experience is unbecoming of its expensive ticket price.

Mammoth

This massive resort offers a highly competitive experience only hours from Southern California, although variable weather patterns may not make it the best place to fly to.

Steamboat

While it’s not the most striking ski resort in the world, standout tree terrain and significant recent lift and terrain improvements help this northern Colorado resort hold its own against the other destinations.

Sun Valley

This Idaho mountain offers a world-class terrain experience for families, but snow and conditions are not as consistent as at other Rockies resorts. Despite a recent terrain expansion, the mountain still isn’t ideal for experts.

Palisades Tahoe

Two of Tahoe’s best ski areas have now been linked as one continuous lift-served destination, but the resort still functions as two separate mountains in many ways.

Winter Park

Although it can get crowded, this conveniently located Colorado destination has a lot to offer for a wide variety of visitors.

Arapahoe Basin

While slow lifts and a lack of on-site lodging may turn some people away, this local favorite offers some of the most extreme terrain in Colorado.

Aspen Highlands

While modestly sized, this Aspen resort offers a surprisingly local feel and a diverse, demanding expert footprint.

Revelstoke

This one-of-a-kind Canadian Rockies resort should be on every expert’s bucket list, but it feels like it hasn’t been developed to its full potential.

Banff Sunshine Village

This absolutely striking resort has consistent snow and terrain for everyone, although frigid spells are common during the core season.

Big Sky (With Tram Add-On)

This massive resort offers one of the most well-rounded terrain experiences in North America, but a number of logistical problems persist.

Lake Louise

While it sees the occasional extreme cold spell, this Banff resort’s jaw-dropping vistas and varied terrain distinguish it from competitors.

Big Sky

This massive resort offers one of the most well-rounded terrain experiences in North America, but a number of logistical problems persist.

Jackson Hole

This Teton resort lives up to its extremely demanding reputation. Beginners need not apply.

Snowbasin

Despite a lack of on-site lodging, this Utah resort stays competitive thanks to diverse hills, striking peaks, and top-of-the-line facilities.

Snowbird

It’s hard to beat this Utah resort’s top-tier snow quality, innovative mountain logistics, and expert terrain.

Copper

This Colorado favorite offers very competitive terrain, but many lifts outside base areas are slow.

Alta

This Utah resort prohibits snowboarding and offers limited slopeside lodging, but it receives some of the best, most consistent snow anywhere in North America.