A new perk from Ikon Pass gets skiers access to first tracks at 14 mountains
Though many travelers are eagerly anticipating the start of summer and the return of beach vacations, diehard skiers and snowboarders are instead busy planning next year's ski season and eagerly awaiting the first snowfall.
Winter sports enthusiasts know it's not only much easier to book the best slope-side hotels on points when you plan ahead, but also that ski passes are cheaper the earlier you buy, too.
The Ikon Pass team previously announced spring skiing started early at some resorts this year. That's great news for those of you who can still visit either Mammoth Mountain or Squaw Valley Resorts which will remain open until the end of May. Next season's newly purchased passes can get you on those mountains this season, too.
Now, Ikon Pass has announced a new benefit for season ticket holders that's sure to have you shopping for snow pants instead of swimsuits.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
The program, announced today, is called Ikon Pass First Tracks, and it's a new benefit for winter 2021 and 2022 passholders. It grants first access to untouched powder and corduroy just to Ikon Pass holders, before the lifts open to the public. Fresh powder and no crowds? Where do we sign up?
Ikon Pass First Tracks
Ikon Pass First Tracks will be available one designated morning per month in January, February and March of 2022 at each participating Ikon destination during the 2021 and 2022 winter season. Designated days will most likely vary by destination and will be announced (along with more details) by Nov. 1, 2021.
Ikon Pass First Tracks is currently being planned for the following 14 North American resorts in the Ikon Pass network: Steamboat, Winter Park Resort, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort, Stratton, Sugarbush Resort, Snowshoe, Crystal Mountain, Tremblant, Blue Mountain, Deer Valley Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort.
This fresh powder perk will apply to the 2021 and 2022 Ikon Pass, Ikon Base Pass, Ikon Base Plus Pass and Ikon Session Pass based on pass access.
Other Ikon Pass Benefits
Ikon Pass holders unlock access to 45 mountain destinations across five continents — though the vast majority are right here in North America. This includes popular spots in the Rockies such as Steamboat and Aspen Snowmass in Colorado; Alta and Deer Valley in Utah; and Taos in New Mexico. East Coast residents are also covered with access to resorts like Stratton, Killington-Pico and even Showshoe Mountain in West Virginia. However, different types of Ikon passes grant access to different resorts.
Ikon Pass: Unlimited skiing/riding at 15 destinations, plus up to seven days at another 28 — with no blackout dates
Ikon Base Pass: Unlimited/skiing/riding at 13 destinations, plus up to five days at another 28 — with limited blackout dates
Ikon Session Pass 4-Day: Four days total at 37 destinations — with limited blackout dates
All Ikon passes come with free Adventure Assurance, including credits in the case of COVID-19 closures and the option to defer the value of an unused pass, no questions asked. And, if you decide you’re no longer interested in skiing next winter, you can elect to defer by Dec. 9, 2021, and put the entire purchase price as a credit toward a 2022 to 2023 pass.
Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass holders also have access to a variety of on-mountain discounts at ski school, on rentals, at retail shops and on lift tickets for friends and family. For more on Ikon Pass pricing and details, check out our Ikon Pass purchase guide.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: 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.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: 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.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees