A slopeside beach, new gondolas and more ski upgrades from the company behind Ikon Pass
In recent years, the ski industry has seen a major shift toward mega passes, with the Alterra-owned Ikon and Vail-owned Epic passes being the two biggest players.
Day lift ticket pass prices have been skyrocketing, exceeding $200 at some resorts, giving skiers and riders almost no viable choice but to purchase a season pass if they plan on skiing more than a few days per season.
Fortunately for skiers with Ikon passes in their pockets, Alterra Mountain Company recently announced it would be investing $344 million to improve five of its 15 North American destinations, including terrain expansion, base area redevelopments and new gondolas.
The announcement comes at the perfect time: The end of a season during which a number of Epic Passholders were dissatisfied with the reduced hours, overcrowding and limited terrain at many Vail-owned resorts.
While the issues likely stem from a variety of factors, like staffing shortages, low wages in costly resort towns and lack of affordable housing, one thing is for sure: Many skiers and riders will likely be looking for alternatives to the Epic Pass for next season.
For those who are exploring their options, here are a few things Alterra has planned for next year's ski season.
[table-of-contents /]
Palisades Tahoe
After years of anticipation, a gondola connecting the bases of the Village at Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Lodge will be completed, making it easier than ever to access more terrain in a single day.
Previously, skiers had to make the drive from one base area to the other, requiring more time in the car and less time on the slopes. The $65 million gondola will transport 1,400 people per hour in an eight-person gondola in 16 minutes, making it possible for skiers and riders to access 6,000 acres of terrain, pushing Palisades Tahoe into the third-largest ski area in North America.
Steamboat Ski Resort
As part of a multiphase redevelopment plan, $90 million will go toward relocating the lower terminal of the Christie Peak Express lift and the first leg of the Wild Blue Gondola, allowing guests to access a new learning center at mid-mountain. Redevelopment of Steamboat Square has also been ongoing and will continue with a new food hall, ice rink and guest amenities.
Crystal Mountain
As part of a $100 million investment in infrastructure over the next five years, Alterra will create additional parking and a new skier services facility at Crystal Mountain, a resort in Washington state.
The 25,000 square foot building, which will be called Mountain Commons, will include a new guest services and ticketing area as well as retail, dining and an expanded slopeside beach area. The project is anticipated to be ready for the 2023 to 2024 ski season.
Mammoth Mountain
Replacement of two integral lifts at Mammoth Mountain, the Canyon Express at Canyon Lodge and Broadway Express at Main Lodge, will begin this summer.
The six-person high-speed lifts are slated to be up and running for the 2023 to 2024 ski season. The mountain will also begin upgrading Woolly's Adventure Summit, which will include the building of expanded tubing runs and a summer tubing surface; the installation of one of the longest mountain coasters in North America; and the eventual addition of an adventure ropes course and a permanent base lodge. Mammoth will also be upgrading its snowmaking system in an attempt to offer more terrain earlier in the season.
Additional summer plans include a revamping of the Mill Cafe and continued planning for a redevelopment of the Main Lodge and Mammoth Mountain Inn.
Related: 7 ski resorts we can't wait to visit again
Deer Valley Resort
New for the 2022 to 23 ski season, a chairlift will be built to access Deer Valley's Wide West learning area. The lift will provide access to expanded beginner terrain, giving beginners the option to leave the main arrival area and experience more learning terrain for the ski school.
Plans for the Snow Park Village, which is currently in the permitting stage, are also continuing. The Village will include a new plaza and arrival area, including accommodations, food and beverage options, retail and a ski beach. It's anticipated that the construction of the Snow Park Village will begin in 2023.
Related: Review of the St. Regis Deer Valley
Bottom line
In addition to the aforementioned upgrades, skiers and riders should know that three new destinations are joining the Ikon Pass network: Chamonix in France, Sun Valley in Idaho and Snowbasin in Utah (both Sun Valley and Snowbasin are ditching Epic Pass in favor of Ikon).
Ikon passes for the 2022 to 2023 ski season will go on sale on March 10. New passholders will get instant spring skiing action at five resorts, and passes start at $249 for a two-day Ikon Session Pass. But travelers who want full access to all 50 ski destinations with no blackout dates should expect to spend $1,079.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees