Member of the Month

theabortionator
April, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Ikon Base Pass- Overwhelmed with Options

profile picture
Humme27
Posts: 1 - Karma: 12
I am currently trying to plan out a ski trip with my boyfriend for this winter and am having trouble deciding with all the options available. I have done research on all of them but thought I would get some opinions from others who have been.

We both have the IKON base pass.

We are both intermediate skiers-typically sticking to blues and this trip hopefully adding in more blacks on this trip. We have been to Copper, Winter Park, Eldora, Kicking Horse, and Breckenridge and are trying to go somewhere new!

Of course the views are all beautiful, but if there is anywhere that stands out I would love to know.

So far I am looking into the following, but am open to others on the IKON pass.

1. ASPEN/SNOWMASS/ASPEN HIGHLANDS/BUTTERMILK

2. JACKSON HOLE

3. BANFF SUNSHINE/LAKE LOUISE RESORT/MT NOQUAY

Anyone have any thoughts on what would be best? Thanks in advance!
6 years ago
2 0
profile picture
BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9605 - Karma: 71,441
Those are all excellent choices. I'd particularly look at squaw in California and Jackson hole. Those are enormous. Alta and snowbird are actually a bit smaller than advertised and I've found that the snow quality tends to be less than advertised compared to Jackson.
6 years ago
5 0
profile picture
jakeordie
Posts: 664 - Karma: 3,277
I've been to 2 and 3 on your list with the Mountain Collective pass, and had a great time at both. I found the terrain at Jackson Hole is next level, and the average skier there is very experienced so you both might find it overwhelming. Also you might sense a little animosity from the local community towards Ikon pass visitors.

I found Banff to be a beautiful little town, the culture was refreshingly different compared to ski towns in the US. Great atmosphere and variety of skiing between the Big 3 resorts too. Possible downside would be dealing with Canadian border customs dudes, they're pretty hardcore :/

**This post was edited on Jul 19th 2019 at 5:05:20pm
6 years ago
1 0
profile picture
Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5084 - Karma: 18,592
Humme27I am currently trying to plan out a ski trip with my boyfriend for this winter and am having trouble deciding with all the options available. I have done research on all of them but thought I would get some opinions from others who have been.

We both have the IKON base pass.

We are both intermediate skiers-typically sticking to blues and this trip hopefully adding in more blacks on this trip. We have been to Copper, Winter Park, Eldora, Kicking Horse, and Breckenridge and are trying to go somewhere new!

Of course the views are all beautiful, but if there is anywhere that stands out I would love to know.

So far I am looking into the following, but am open to others on the IKON pass.

1. ASPEN/SNOWMASS/ASPEN HIGHLANDS/BUTTERMILK

2. JACKSON HOLE

3. BANFF SUNSHINE/LAKE LOUISE RESORT/MT NOQUAY

Anyone have any thoughts on what would be best? Thanks in advance!


When are you planning on traveling?

Where do you live? Road trip or plane?

Anything else you like to do on vacations? Sightseeing, nightlife, etc.?
6 years ago
0 0
profile picture
OregonDead
Posts: 7063 - Karma: 26,514
Mammoth is on the Ikon pass right?
6 years ago
2 0
profile picture
vibecheck
Posts: 3112 - Karma: 15,206
Dont come to jh no ikons are wanted
6 years ago
0 6
profile picture
LivingDaLife
Posts: 352 - Karma: 1,349
Definitely Banff. Big Sky is worth checking out too, great place even if you aren't an advanced skier it has plenty of options.
6 years ago
0 0
profile picture
ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6447 - Karma: 70,192
OregonDeadMammoth is on the Ikon pass right?

Yessir
6 years ago
0 0
profile picture
theabortionator
Posts: 52562 - Karma: 173,842
Highlands is one of my favorite mountains. Ajax is sick too. Aspen is actually still a fun ski town. Most of the people who own 8 trillion dollar homes are only there for an hour every 7 years.

Jackson hole is a cool mountain, I wish I'd spent more time there. But have gotten a few good days there.

Accommodation can be rough near any hugely popular mtn towns but it can be done, or if you're willing to drive a little. Honestly if buttermilks terrain park program wasn't in shambles when I worked there I might have stayed in Snowmass.

Everything really comes down to personal experience. Who you're with/aren't with, the crowds, the snow, the weather, etc. Highlands def will always have a special place in my heart. Almost all solo days charging there. Place spoke to me.
6 years ago
3 0
profile picture
snomaster
Posts: 3348 - Karma: 5,783
Ditch the boyfriend and shack up in my van. Ill even cook you breakfast.



How the fuck are people taking this thread seriously???
Please send us more Ikon intermediates!
6 years ago
3 3
profile picture
Biffbarf
Posts: 7388 - Karma: 79,012
snomasterDitch the boyfriend and shack up in my van. Ill even cook you breakfast.



How the fuck are people taking this thread seriously???
Please send us more Ikon intermediates!


I've refrained from posting on this till now because I didn't want to harsh the positive vibes.

OP's extremely lucky she got a straight answer, times have changed.

Unfortunately, perpetual intermediates are what keep ski areas in business, and the lord sayeth love thy gaper
6 years ago
6 0
profile picture
50Kal
Posts: 2836 - Karma: 5,541
Aspen area is pretty dope. Snowmass has some good on hill hotels. Otherwise it’s not a bad drive to basalt or glen wood springs.
Xgames will be the most expensive time for the area.
6 years ago
0 0
profile picture
OregonDead
Posts: 7063 - Karma: 26,514
BiffbarfI've refrained from posting on this till now because I didn't want to harsh the positive vibes.

OP's extremely lucky she got a straight answer, times have changed.

Unfortunately, perpetual intermediates are what keep ski areas in business, and the lord sayeth love thy gaper


For real. I was told GTFO in response to some of my first posts. But now people are complaining NS is dead.
OP isn’t asking to go straight to your powder stash. Why not try to suggest some fat groomers.
(OP go midweek to pretty much any of these places.)
Keep the bull wheels turning.

**This post was edited on Jul 21st 2019 at 12:19:24am
6 years ago
0 0
profile picture
theabortionator
Posts: 52562 - Karma: 173,842
snomasterDitch the boyfriend and shack up in my van. Ill even cook you breakfast.



How the fuck are people taking this thread seriously???
Please send us more Ikon intermediates!



I could see if you're going "fresh account is this real life?" But if ikon intermediates is your worst concern. Most of the mtns were already blown up as fuck. Find somewhere new to ski if you're going to be forever riled.

I don't fuck with lines. There are plenty of places/days that i avoid or go to snaller hills/touring.

Im sure place on the pass have gotten more crowded, but jhole wasn't exactly the best kept secret or anything.
6 years ago
3 0
profile picture
snomaster
Posts: 3348 - Karma: 5,783
Anyone taking this seriously is being trolled
6 years ago
2 1
profile picture
TheWeaz
Posts: 803 - Karma: 1,903
jakeordieAlso you might sense a little animosity from the local community towards Ikon pass

**This post was edited on Jul 19th 2019 at 5:05:20pm


As someone who’s skied jackson for the past couple years I can confirm you might get some animosity but it will only be from crusty old OG locals, if you see someone with an air force patch theres a good chance they won’t be very friendly.

On the other hand I have tons of friends with Ikon passes and honestly just don’t be that person proudly displaying it on your goggle strap or some shit, don’t put an Ikon sticker on your helmet or skis/ board and you’ll be fine.

That said the fun terrain at jackson is all fairly advanced so maybe wait till later in your trip to go, also don’t go on any sort of holiday or you’ll be pissed off waiting in more lines than skiing. If you can manage to spend your 5 days at jackson during the week of a non holiday you’ll enjoy a much more peaceful vibe, the locals just get pissed off on holidays and weekends when the mountain gets over run by people visiting.
6 years ago
0 0
profile picture
PeppermillReno
Posts: 4884 - Karma: -719
As you can see JH locals are cunty but its cheap as anywhere to visit I got the Motel 6 in town for 39 bucks/night during Feb vacation. But the line for the tram was 2+ hours. But if you are an intermediate you don't need the tram and can enjoy the rest of the mountain.

Mammoth later in the season is a must do. Its nice and cheap especially midweek. Stays open the longest of anywhere.

If you are flying and on a budget the Utah mountains around SLC are gonna be your best bet ridiculously affordable to fly into and you can get dirt cheap hotels and everythings within an hour of the airport.

Colorado options are all good.

IDK I'd just try and take 2-3 trips if possible thats the point of having that pass.
6 years ago
0 0
profile picture
elcheapo
Posts: 3449 - Karma: 13,983
No one's mentioned Washington yet so the snow in Washington can be pretty heavy at times so I'd advise to not come to Washington.
6 years ago
0 0
profile picture
TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12697 - Karma: 119,788
Absolutely shocked right now no one has mentioned the beautiful east coast resorts like blue mountain and ones in new england
6 years ago
5 0
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 11:08PM