Brains
As the mega passes grow in both mountain access and price, being a casual skier is no longer worth the hefty cost. The Ikon Pass nearly spans the entire skiable world, covering both hemispheres, five continents, 13 countries, and 70 resorts. So what’s the most value someone can get from one Ikon Pass?
Did you know that access to Southern Hemisphere mountains spans both years on the same Ikon Pass? The 2025-26 pass grants seven days at four total Southern Hemisphere resorts—three in Oceania and one in South America—valid in either summer 2025 or 2026. That’s why optimal usage doesn’t begin in November, but rather in August.
The summer before this global ski odyssey, while planning it all out, that familiar itch begins to grow. Lucky for you, the pass you bought “on sale” in March is already valid in Chile that summer. You see a SnowBrains post about a monster storm rolling through the Andes and hop on the opportunity. Then ski season #2 begins in August at Valle Nevado.
South America: Where It Begins
After flying into Santiago, it’s about a two-hour drive to your destination. The most common options are a private shuttle or a rental car — but be warned, it’s a steep, winding road up the Andes. Upon arrival at your hotel, you’ll have a week of cultural exploration and incredible skiing. Enjoy the long groomers, above-treeline terrain, and the vast, open views of the Andes.
If you’re feeling adventurous, book a heli-skiing day directly from the base through Valle Nevado Heli-Ski. Freeride fans can catch the FWT qualifiers held here and watch world-class riders compete for a spot on the Tour. After long days on snow, enjoy après and soak up the South American spirit infused into Valle Nevado’s nightlife.
Once your seven Ikon days are spent, make your way back to Santiago and fly home. Now, the Northern Hemisphere ski season is right around the corner—and that burning desire for more is stronger than ever.
North America: The Vanlife Road Trip
Buckle up (literally), because your Northern Hemisphere season starts again in November, and we strongly suggest going on a van trip. Colorado’s high alpine terrain typically opens earliest, making it the first stop. With a home base in Denver or a nearby town like Nederland, you’ll have easy access to Winter Park, Copper, Arapahoe Basin, and Eldora, with slightly longer drives to Steamboat and Aspen.
Don’t underestimate early-season Colorado skiing—it might not offer every run, but it can still surprise you with challenging terrain and quality snow. These mountains make for the perfect warmup, stoking the fire for what’s ahead.
By mid-December, it’s time to move on and take an eight-hour drive west to Salt Lake City. Utah’s Ikon lineup is legendary: unlimited access to Solitude, plus seven days each at Snowbasin, Brighton, Deer Valley, and Alta/Snowbird (shared). Test out as many resorts as you can and take note of your favorites, because you’ll likely be back later in the season.
From Salt Lake, the next stop is Jackson Hole, Wyoming—a four-and-a-half-hour drive through scenic mountain passes. Push your limits in Corbet’s Couloir, grab a waffle at Corbet’s Cabin, and maybe even hit the Cowboy Bar for some swing dancing.
After four nights in Jackson, depart after Christmas for a three-and-a-half-hour drive to Big Sky, Montana. Go straight for the Big Couloir or take the daunting hike to the Headwaters to test your nerves, hopefully steep jagged drop offs don’t scare you! Then, once you’ve had your fill, drive five hours west to Sun Valley, Idaho.
After a day and a half of cruising Bald Mountain and soaking in the views, power through a seven-hour drive to Bend, Oregon, just in time to ring in the New Year. Celebrate the last night of the year and forget the early ski alarm the next day because this is one of the few acceptable times to arrive late to the mountain. After a big breakfast and a double espresso the next morning, let’s welcome January with a (hopefully) bluebird day at Mt. Bachelor. With above-treeline terrain and wide-open bowls, Bachelor is the perfect spot to reset before the next leg.
After a couple of nights in Bend, drive seven hours north to Crystal Mountain, Washington—the final North American stop before heading overseas. Crystal’s Chair 6 terrain offers endless challenges to push the limits after 2 months of training. But even with the adrenaline from Silver King and The Throne, don’t forget to take in that stunning view of Mt. Rainier.
After three nights in Washington, it’s time to board a ten-hour flight from Seattle to Tokyo.
Asia: Japanuary and Beyond
It’s Japanuary—the bucket-list month in one of the most esteemed skiing and cultural destinations. Landing in Tokyo in early January, spend a couple of days exploring and experiencing their unique culture: feast on sushi and ramen, visit temples, maybe even hold a real katana. Once your legs recover, board the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Myoko Suginohara, a resort on the volcano Mount Myoko boasting Japan’s second-highest vertical drop (3,687 feet) and over 500 inches of snow annually.
After a few days of deep turns and stunning views of Lake Nojiri and, on clear days, Mount Fuji, it’s time for the next stop: Shiga Kogen. Just an hour away by train, it’s Japan’s largest resort—18 interconnected ski areas within the Joshinetsu-Kogen National Park. With consistent powder and onsen (natural hot springs) sprinkled throughout, recovery is built into the schedule.
In mid-January, return to Tokyo and fly north to Sapporo. After exploring the city, take a quick train ride to Niseko, the “Powder Capital of the World.”
All seven available ikon days will be spent here. Niseko’s four interlinked resorts Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Annupuri, and Niseko Village are legendary for their dry “Japow.” This Japow results from dry Siberian winds swooping over the relatively warm Sea of Japan, collecting vast amounts of moisture and then dumping it consistently throughout the winter, resulting in arguably the world’s greatest snow. With respect to the daily avalanche conditions, their revered side country is well worth exploring, as well as their vast on mountain terrain. Evenings will be spent in onsens, recovering for the following day and reminiscing on the magic of Japan.
After Niseko, depart sometime in late January for one of two additional Ikon destinations in Asia: Yunding Snow Park in China or Yongpyong in South Korea. Yunding resort features a massive superpipe and terrain park as well as a variety of terrain for all ability levels. The nearby Xuexiang (China Snow Town) offers snow capped wooden houses as well as authentic Chinese cuisine and performances. Yongpyong offers more traditional terrain and cultural immersion with nearby Odaesan National Park and the ancient Woljeongsa Temple.
After a week of skiing and exploration, it’s time to head west. At the start of February, depart for Europe.
Europe: The Alpine Journey
Landing in Geneva, Switzerland, rent a van and stock up on supplies (though maybe not too much—Switzerland isn’t cheap). The first stop is just an hour away: Chamonix, France. The mecca of big-mountain skiing and mountaineering, Chamonix offers five distinct ski areas and legendary off-piste routes like the Vallée Blanche from the Aiguille du Midi tram. Evenings will be filled with fondue and wine while mornings begin with coffee and fresh pastries.
After a week in Chamonix, drive three hours east to Zermatt, Switzerland. Stay in the neighboring town of Täsch and take the train into car-free Zermatt each morning. Matterhorn Ski Paradise delivers pristine groomers and serious big-mountain terrain, all beneath one of the world’s most iconic peaks. Off the mountain, Zermatt’s beautiful town offers unmated après and dining.
Next, drive six hours south into Italy’s Dolomites, basing in Val Gardena to start. Dolomiti Superski—the world’s largest interconnected resort—is impossible to cover in a week, but highlights like Cortina d’Ampezzo and the 40-kilometer Sella Ronda loop are musts. After many nights of a much needed carbo load on pizza and pasta, you are properly recovered prior to the final European stop.
After a short three-hour drive, you arrive at Kitzbühel, Austria, ready to ski its famously steep slopes, including the legendary Streif World Cup downhill (though maybe not at 90 mph like the athletes). Enjoying the lively nightlife, dispersed through the medieval town center, while strolling along the cobblestone streets offer the perfect finale to your Alpine journey.
After a week in Kitzbühel, it’s time to drive back to Geneva, return the van, and fly home.
Even with the international adventure concluded, it’s only early March—there’s still plenty of Northern Hemisphere skiing remaining. With Ikon access still valid, you can base yourself out of Colorado or Utah and chase late-season storms wherever they hit. Maybe it’s Tahoe’s KT-22 after a big dump, Jackson Hole when the next system rolls in, or a flight to Revelstoke to test your cardio on the largest vertical descent in North America.
When the Northern Hemisphere season ends by June, there’s still one more opportunity—Oceania.
Oceania: The Southern Finale
By mid-July, it’s time to dust off the gear and head south. Fly into Melbourne, Australia, and drive three and a half hours through the Victorian bushland to Mt. Buller. Between ripping the slopes, exploring the village, and maybe even taking a sled-dog tour, there’s plenty to fill a week.
Next, drive six hours to Thredbo, known for having some of Australia’s steepest terrain and their second-highest vertical drop. With access to backcountry gates and the summit of Mt. Kosciuszko, this is Australian skiing at its best. Thredbo’s year-round event and entertainment calendar ensures the nights are as lively as the days.
From there, drive two and a half hours to Canberra and fly to Christchurch, New Zealand. Three Ikon resorts share seven total days of access here: Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Mt. Hutt. While Coronet and The Remarkables are close to Queenstown, the most challenging terrain lies at Mt. Hutt.
Just a ninety-minute drive from Christchurch, Mt. Hutt tops out at 6,843 feet and averages around 200 inches of snowfall annually. With steep zones like the South Face along with the Rakaia Saddle Chutes after a short hike, it’s the perfect grand finale.
After five continents, ten countries, and over twenty-five resorts, you’ve more than gotten your money’s worth from the Ikon Pass. In this new era of skiing, you’ve used the pass not just to save on lift tickets, but to explore the world. From the Andes to the Alps, from Japow to Aussie corduroy, skiing has become more than a sport—it is a passport.
