Ikon Pass Suggests Five US Resorts

15th November 2021

It advises on the resort best for families, best for foodies, best for snowboarders, best for luxury and best for spring skiing. NEW

Fancy a ski trip to the USA next season but unsure where to go?

We asked the people at Ikon Pass for a few recommendations:

Best for families: Winter Park, Colorado

With easy access from state capital Denver, Winter Park offers families a convenient option for a long haul ski trip without compromising on experience.

The resort offers an array of runs for all ages and abilities as well as an excellent ski school for those new to skiing or looking to improve their ability.

Other family-friendly activities at Winter Park include snowshoe tours, tubing and piste basher rides.

Winter Park. Image c/o Ikon Pass

Best for foodies: Steamboat, Colorado

Steamboat is an authentic Colorado resort through and through, home to cosy cabins, sweeping mountain views and a lively events calendar which is reflective of its Western heritage.

Hungry skiers will find there’s no shortage of dining options at the resort.

Timber & Torch is arguably one of the best, offering hearty American meals and excellent cocktails, or there’s a one-of-a-kind sleigh ride and dining experience at Haymaker.

For Mexican street food, skiers can look out for the Taco Beast, a piste basher serving Mexican treats in different locations around the mountain.

Steamboat is also undergoing a major refurbishment which will introduce new dining options in the main village.

Steamboat. Image c/o Ikon Pass

Best for snowboarders: Mammoth Mountain, California

With a summit at 11,053 ft, Mammoth Mountain is the highest resort in California, famed for its varied terrain and incredible views of the Sierra Nevada.

Popular with snowboarders, the Unbound Terrain Parks at Mammoth Mountain are some of the best in the world and offer 100 acres of halfpipes, jibs and jumps.

In January 2022, Mammoth Mountain will host the Toyota US Grand Prix of Snowboard and Freeski which has been responsible for launching the careers of Olympic medallists including Shaun White.

Mammoth Mountain. Image c/o Ikon Pass

Best for luxury: Deer Valley, Utah

A ski-only resort, Deer Valley prides itself on offering a five-star experience where no detail is spared.

From beautifully groomed pistes to fine dining restaurants, luxury-seekers will find that Deer Valley has everything they need and more.

Book a stay at the Montage Deer Valley which has an extravagant spa – complete with saunas, steam rooms, whirl pools and a vast treatment list – perfect for relaxing aching muscles after a day on the slopes.

Best for spring skiing: Palisades Tahoe, California

Palisades Tahoe, less than a two hour drive from California’s state capital, Sacramento, is famed for having one of the longest ski seasons in the USA.

This winter, the resort opened on 29 October – only the third time ever that it has opened in October – and is not expected to close until mid-May 2022.

With blue skies and California sunshine, spring skiing is popular with locals during the warmer months and you’ll often find skiers taking to the slopes in just a t-shirt and salopettes.