The Stoke is just around the corner. Photo: Ikon Pass
Editor’s Note: This piece was done in conjunction with our partners at Ikon Pass
When you own an Ikon Pass, you own a unique, global, and adventure-ready perspective. What’s more, this perspective provides access to the best ski destinations around the world. Yes, adventure has returned – and winter 2021/22 is ready and waiting.
STOKE IS HIGH
From first turns to last laughs, winter joy is whatever you make it and wherever you take it. Planning a season of discovery across new worldwide destinations? Your excitement for the new season writes that itinerary. Spending a day at Mammoth’s renowned Unbound terrain park while getting lifted off kickers? The stoke helps take you higher. Spending your next winter in a van, chasing the dream of free pow refills from Crystal Mountain to Killington? Well, the promised joy of winter paves that road, too.
STOKE IS WORLDWIDE
All around the world – at more than 40 Ikon Pass destinations – this sense of excitement both defines and unites unique mountain experiences.
Sydney Ricketts, slinging some of that Solitude sweet stuff. Photo: Ikon Pass
U.S.A.
In the States, travel is back and work from home (read: almost anywhere) is becoming a very real prospect for many. With over 30 destinations to seek from coast to coast, whether you’re hopping into a car for a well-timed, powder-rich winter road trip or if you’ve set time aside to jet over to your favorite mountains, winter 2021/22 is ready to welcome adventure with open arms.
Get ready for real High Fives at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. Photo: Ikon Pass
U.S.A. WEST COAST
When four legendary destinations in California combine with four heritage destinations in the PNW, there’s a West Coast coalition full of steeps and deeps, fun and sun. Including Mammoth Mountain and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows in California and Crystal Mountain and Mt. Bachelor in Washington and Oregon, snow seekers will find buckets of stoke loaded with SoCal beach-vibes and traditional NW rough-cut Americana, respectively.
An open season of stoke is coming to Aspen Snowmass. Photo: Ikon Pass
U.S.A. ROCKIES
Across the Rockies, there are 14 combined powder powerhouses found in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and New Mexico. With bucket-list destinations like Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole, and Solitude Resort, along with fan favorites like Winter Park and Arapahoe Basin, simply put, there’s an insane amount of adventure to be had.
In New England, Stratton owns the stoke. Photo: Ikon Pass
U.S.A. EAST COAST
Further east, sink your edges into eight icons that dot the quintessential communities of New England, including fan favorites Stratton, Killington Resort, and Windham Mountain. With so many destinations within close proximity to one another, it’s easy to sample more mountains on fewer tanks of gas. Buckle up.
Tremblant, quintessential Quebecois charm. Photo: Ikon Pass
CANADA
Featuring landmark destinations across the country, there’s simply way more to explore in Canada. Take a trip out west and seek stoke in the massive terrain of SkiBig3, lap Vancouver’s home mountain of Cypress, ride the longest vertical drop in North America at Revelstoke, and explore the wild independent spirit of RED Mountain. Towards the east, harness “la passion” of the picturesque Quebecois mountain scenes surrounding Tremblant, and carve crispy turns at Blue Mountain, conveniently located just north of Toronto.
Take it to the Matterhorn – Zermatt, Switzerland. Photo: Ikon Pass
SWITZERLAND
Zermatt is a towering force, fueling a historic mountain community to adventure higher and seek father. Across its many legendary runs and in its picturesque village streets, be prepared to recognize the stoke – “Schüren” in Zermatt’s local German – as it graces the faces of adventure seekers from near and far.
Carpet cruising at Kitzbühel, Austria. Photo: Ikon Pass
AUSTRIA
Home ground to the spectacular and famed Hahnenkamm race, first staged in 1931, Kitzbühel has a storied history of always bringing the stoke – or “schüren,” to share a local German term with the iconic Zermatt above. But this destination isn’t all about racing. Kitzbühel – brand new to the Ikon Pass for 2021/22 – is one of the world’s most stylish and cultured winter destinations, while offering memorable experiences for a broad demographic of guests. Explore vast expanses of intermediate to advanced terrain and keep the party going once the sun sets, with endless culinary offerings and a charming medieval setting.
Views to tell your grandkids about at Dolomiti Super Ski, Italy. Photo: Ikon Pass
ITALY
One destination, 12 different resorts, endless stoke – or “passione” as you’ll hear in the native Italian call it. Dolomiti Super Ski is big in all the right ways. Also new to the Ikon Pass for 2021/22, pair terrain worth a lifetime of exploration, breathtaking mountain scenery (it’s a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, by the way), an incredible range of lift access trails, and an abundant aprés scene, and you have a brand-new bucket list destination in the making.
Powder so deep, it stays with you – Niseko, Japan. Photo: Ikon Pass
JAPAN
When the land of JaPOW opens back up, the stoke, or “ストーク” as it’s written in Japanese, will very likely be waist to chest high. Niseko United is known for seasonal winds that blow in off the Sea of Japan. This unique weather pattern forms some of the planet’s most plentiful, driest, and lightest powder. Be ready to arrive with marker in hand and check off this bucket list destination while scoring some of the deepest days around.
Elevate your après deck game – Valle Nevado, Chile. Photo: Ikon Pass
CHILE
“Pasión,” a loose translation of “stoke” in the Spanish of Valle Nevado, sets the stage for a vibrant tapestry of intermixing cultures, lively conversations, and 2,225 acres of terrain set above tree line. Paired with world-renowned Chilean wine, massive outdoor hot tubs, and icy-cold pisco sours, Valle Nevado always owns the stoke. With lifts spinning through late September 2021 – and the entire southern hemisphere season of 2022 also included with your pass – now is the perfect time to start planning a trip to this Southern Hemisphere icon.
Getting Bullish at Mt. Buller, Australia. Photo: Ikon Pass
NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA
Both New Zealand and Australia share a common thread of big snow stoked days on the mountain. While the word “stoke” may be the same, these southern hemisphere vibes are uniquely Kiwi and Aussie, respectively. And when it’s summer and sunshine in North America, it’s storming across the five Ikon Pass destinations that span these two countries. This amounts to a perfect snowy Southern Hemisphere sojourn, as a pass purchased for the 2021/22 season includes access to these winter wonderlands throughout all open dates during 2022.
All friends on a powder day at Squaw. Photo: Ikon Pass
STOKE IS COMMUNITY
When you own an Ikon Pass, you’re automatically part of a global mountain community, a diverse crew that lives and breathes a love of the mountains. In this way, we are all friends on a powder day, no matter where we are – Zermatt to Niseko, U.S.A. to Canada, Grom to OG. Now is the time to grab your adventure crew, claim your Ikon Pass, and get locked into the best winter yet.
STOKE IS HERE
It’s all here and it’s all happening. Adventure has returned, travel is back, and winter 2021/22 is right around the corner. Starting from only $429 adult, unlock a season of adventure across more than 40 worldwide destinations.
Own the season. Own the stories. Own the Stoke.
