Your next ski trip may be closer — and easier — than you think
With the onset of warmer temperatures, we can’t forget about the last few weeks of snow and winter fun to be had — especially skiing. As you hit the slopes for the last few times this season, now’s the time to look ahead to later this year and make sure you’re prepared for the 2022-2023 ski season with the Ikon Pass.
The Ikon Pass unlocks access to 50 ski destinations across the globe, including Steamboat Ski Resort and Aspen Snowmass in Colorado, and Alta and Deer Valley in Utah. And if you purchase next season’s ski pass now, you’ll unlock special access to spring skiing at 10 destinations for no additional cost.
Here’s a look at what the Ikon Pass is and why you should consider getting it right now — before the end of the current ski season.
Overview of Ikon Pass
The Ikon Pass is for expert and novice skiers alike — you don’t have to be a pro on the slopes to buy one. The pass gives you access to 50 destinations across five continents, and many of these destinations are conveniently located in the U.S.
For those looking to spend extensive time on the slopes, you have a choice of three types of passes for the 2022-2023 season:
- Ikon Pass: Unlimited skiing and riding at 14 destinations with up to seven days at an additional 35 destinations (and no blackout dates).
- Ikon Base Pass Plus: Unlimited skiing and riding at 13 destinations with up to five days at an additional 36 destinations (subject to select blackout dates).
- Ikon Base Pass: Unlimited skiing and riding at 13 destinations with up to five days at an additional 30 destinations (subject to select blackout dates).
If your balance of vacation days won’t allow for unlimited skiing, there’s still a pass for you — namely, the Ikon Session Pass. This unlocks a set number of ski days at 37 destinations, and it’s available with a four-day option as well as — new for next year — three-day and two-day increments starting at just $249 for adults.
And if you purchase an Ikon Pass now for the upcoming season but decide you won’t use it, you can elect to defer your pass and receive a credit toward the purchase of a 2023-2024 Ikon Pass.
Related: From picking the perfect mountain to renting winter clothes: How I’m prepping for my 1st ski trip
Spring skiing
It might seem too early to be thinking about next ski season, but when you purchase your 2022-2023 Ikon Pass now, you’ll get to use your new pass to ski this spring.
That’s right — you don’t have to wait to get in on the action.
Those who purchase an Ikon Pass, Ikon Base Pass Plus or Ikon Base Pass get immediate access to five mountains and up to 10 destinations by April 11, including Mammoth Mountain and Big Bear Mountain in California along with Winter Park in Colorado.
Check out the full list of destinations that your 2022-2023 Ikon Pass will unlock here.
New resorts
Starting next season, you’ll also be able to use your Ikon Pass at several new resorts being added to the Ikon family later this year.
Idaho’s Sun Valley joins the fray with nearly a million acres and 122 trails, as does Utah’s Snowbasin Resort — known for being one of North America’s most accessible world-class ski resorts. Both are set to join the Ikon family in 2022.
And if you’re looking to ski internationally, you’re in luck. As the iconic location of the 1924 Olympics, Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley is a popular bucket list destination for many skiers.
Easy-to-reach destinations
Luckily, not all Ikon Pass destinations require a passport. In fact, with over two dozen locations in the U.S., you’ll find that using your Ikon Pass is even easier than you thought.
Mammoth Mountain and Big Bear Mountain are both Ikon Pass destinations, and they’re an easy five-hour drive (or short 1 1/2-hour flight) from the San Francisco Bay area. And there are plenty of locations on the East Coast as well. Stratton Mountain and Sugarbush Resort are both short drives from regional airports in Albany, New York; Burlington, Vermont; and Boston.
And you can use your points to stay at hotels nearby. Stay at the brand-new Cloudveil in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, when you ski at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, starting at just 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Or you could use Hilton Honors points to stay at the Killington Mountain Lodge starting at 35,000 points per night when you use your Ikon Pass to ski at Killington Resort in Vermont.
Related: A slopeside beach, new gondolas and more ski upgrades from the company behind Ikon Pass
If you prefer to redeem World of Hyatt points during your ski vacation, you’re in luck. For 25,000-35,000 Hyatt points per night, you can stay at the Hyatt Centric Park City when using your Ikon Pass at Deer Valley Resort.
Bottom line
The Ikon Pass offers an incredible value to both experienced skiers and those looking to get into the sport at popular skiing destinations across the country and at select international resorts. When you buy a pass for the upcoming season, not only do you get access to the 50 destinations within the Ikon Pass family, you also get to use your pass this spring at select destinations before the end of the current season.
And with the new season come three new spots where you can use your pass: Sun Valley in Idaho, Snowbasin in Utah and Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley in France.
No matter where you are, there’s an Ikon Pass destination within reach.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.