Ikon Pass Wants to Be The Travel Agent on Your Next Ski Trip

Imagine being able to book an entire ski vacation, from soup to nuts, at one website. We’re talking lifts, lodging, airfare, car rentals, ski rentals—even ski school and off-slope activities—in one click. It’s kind of like the ski vacation version of the Jetsons’ Food-a-Rac-a-Cycle (remember, where food instantly appeared at the push of a button?), minus the poor animation. Alterra Mountain Company, owner of the Ikon Pass, is bringing us one big step closer to this reality with today’s debut of Ikon Pass Travel.

A new service for Ikon Pass holders, Ikon Pass Travel lets skiers research travel options at all 47 destinations on the pass and compare prices on resort lodging, flights, rental cars or other ground transportation, and more all in one place. What’s more, Ikon Pass Travel hooks you up with area travel experts at each destination, who you can use as a resource to ask questions and hone in on your ideal vacation.

Also Read: Ikon Pass Adds Major Resorts in Italy and Austria for the 2021-’22 Season

“We are excited to offer Ikon Pass Travel exclusively to pass holders and help them easily customize the best adventure possible to their favorite mountain or a new destination they have not explored yet,” said Alterra’s Senior Vice President of Sales, Bob Stinchcomb. “Ikon Pass Travel can create those aspirational plans and turn, ‘I want to go,’ into, ‘I am going.’”

We tested the experience ourselves after the service debuted today, comparing mock trips to Big Sky, Jackson Hole, and Aspen Snowmass. The prices are pretty similar across the board no matter where you book (*see our cost breakdown below), and the hotel selection at all three resorts is deep, upwards of 50 options at each. Airfares are identical to what you’ll find at the airlines’ websites. But the big surprise is rental cars. Booking through Ikon Pass Travel is more than half the cost of the exact same car booked directly through the rental car company. Not too shabby. 

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If you don’t need a rental car, your overall spend will probably be similar to booking a la carte. That said, not having to book every component of your vacation separately? Priceless.

*Here’s a breakdown of what things cost through Ikon Pass Travel vs. booking each component separately.

Ikon Pass Travel vs. Booking Separately

Destination: Big Sky, Mont.

Lodging—Village Center Studio Queen

Ikon Pass Travel: $1,552 for 3 nights
Big Sky website: $1,552 for 3 nights

Airfare—Chicago/O’Hare to Bozeman on American Airlines

Ikon Pass Travel: $329.20 roundtrip per person
American Airlines website: $329.20 roundtrip per person

Car Rental—Ford Expedition or similar through Avis

Ikon Pass Travel: $405 for 3 days
Avis.com: $1,214 for 3 days

Trip Total

Ikon Pass Travel: $2,268.20
Booked Separately: $3,095.20