Have Ikon Pass, Will Ski: Make the Most of #VanLife With Your Ikon Pass this Winter

Brought to you by Ikon Pass

Have adventure van, will ski. Well, maybe not exactly.

Have Ikon Pass, will ski. That’s more of a correct, declarative statement.

And, with pass in hand, the saying: “have van, will ski more” does start to ring true. More being the operative word.

A collection of 41 global destinations brings with it a strong allure to travel. And with 33 of those destinations residing within the most beautiful landscapes of North American, a game of connect the dots becomes infinitely more interesting.

• Related: A California Road Trip – The Ikon Pass Provides Constant Refills at the Best Resorts on the West Coast

Welcome to vanlife, the lifestyle that takes you out on the road in a van, an RV, a truck with a camper, or an adventure mobile. Whatever it is, it’s something you can catch zzz’s in-between getting from state to state and destination to destination. To help bridge that gap, here are some tips and resources for the open road, as discovered and shared by the robust community of Ikon Pass adventure pros.

• Related: Get the Ikon Pass for The Ultimate North West Winter Road Trip

To build or to buy is a common consideration when toying with the idea of living out of a vehicle. For those that can swing it, purchasing a built-out van can make a lot of sense. It’s simple, straightforward, and often includes many creature comforts. For those that spend the time and efforts to build out their own setup, it’s all about unique features, personalization, and gaining an intimate knowledge of the on-board systems. This knowledge can come in quite handy when fixing an electrical issue on the side of a deserted road in the middle of the night, miles from town.

• Related: Canada’s Extreme IKONic Road Trip

Prefabbed or by way of blood, sweat, and toil, all van owners agree on four critical elements when adventuring in the cold.

1. Ensure that you’re equipped with a comfy, warm bed
2. Have a system and a space for drying out wet gear
3. Crank up that heater (you’ll want one) and insulate the windows in addition to the walls
4. Get your WiFi working. Whether it’s boosting off of a cell phone or investing in a satellite set up, an internet connection opens up the possibility to work from almost anywhere. And this is what the dream is all about, making that cheddar from the road. Because cheddar lets you buy, well, cheddar, and all the other much needed food necessities. If you do find a spot where there’s no signal, that’s likely a good sign you shouldn’t be working anyway.

Once your rig is ready for the open road – insulation and WiFi included – it’s time to find out where to recharge your adventure batteries, aka, get some sleep. Time spent roaming google earth does wonders for this process, as many ski mountains don’t allow sleeping in the parking lot. Be on the lookout for forest service roads, nearby winterized campgrounds, Planet Fitness parking lots, Walmart parking lots, and good old-fashioned neighborhood streets. If parking and sleeping in town, always remember to be considerate and community-minded.

• Related: The Legendary RV Culture of Crystal Mountain, WA’s B-Lot

There are several destinations on the Ikon Pass that do welcome campers and vans to stay the night, however. Of these, Crystal’s lot B is heralded as the mother ship and has a well-established community that convenes every winter. For $40/night, Crystal is unique in the offering of full RV hookups. Other options include Revelstoke Mountain Resort and Taos Ski Valley, both of which are designated self-contained environments. When planning, always make sure to check with the desired resorts to confirm specifics and local restrictions.

• Related: Road Trip for Families with the Ikon Pass

It’s a dream for many of the Ikon Pass community, driving to and from some of the best skiing in the world. And while vanlife appeals, in reality, it simply may not be for everyone. So, if you’re curious, how do you indulge your adventurous desires and determine if living out of a rambling, 19’ x 6‘ metal box is a lifestyle you’ll actually love? Well, you take a ski trip.

With the proliferation of the “digital nomad” and the vanlife lifestyle, there are many companies who will rent you an adventure rig for your ‘19/20 ski trip (and beyond). If you go this route, just remember to review vans for comfort and warmth in cold climates, and it’s always important to do the upfront research about where you can park your beastly rig if staying overnight near a destination. Some good places to start are:

• https://www.outdoorsy.com – think Airbnb but for things that move, opening up the road to Ikon Pass Destinations coast to coast.
• https://adventuretravelsportrentals.com – for visiting Ikon Pass Destinations based in Colorado.
• https://www.nativecampervans.com – for visiting Ikon Pass Destinations throughout Denver, Colorado, Salt Lake City, Utah & Las Vegas, Nevada.
• http://www.basecampervans.com – for visiting Ikon Pass Destinations near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Of course, your own car might still do just fine in getting you to the mountain. In the end, no matter how you make there, be it family mini-van, a hand-me-down civic that’s been through 3 older siblings, or if it’s your home on wheels, just keep the rubber side down and that fire for adventure burning.

After all, have Ikon Pass, will ski.