Destination: Unique Peaks

WHERE TO SCOPE MEMORABLE MOUNTAINS AT 11 IKON PASS DESTINATIONS

It’s no secret that Ikon Pass destinations are home to some of the planet’s most spectacular summits — we’re talking big mountains with even bigger personalities. These iconic peaks help define each destination, painting a picture of a place in people’s minds and creating memories that last a lifetime. If you get a chance to see or summit any of these majestic mountains, take your time — and take it all in.

Big Sky Resort
Silhouetted against a bright bluebird sky stands Big Sky Resort’s proud centerpiece: the legendary Lone Peak. With a 11,166-foot summit, this Madison Range mountain is known as a laccolith — that is, a volcano that never erupted. Instead, the magma rose and solidified to help form Montana’s highest scenic overlook that boasts a gnarly 4,350-foot vertical drop. Take the new 75-passenger Lone Peak Tram to the top and strike your best Jack-and-Rose pose on the Titanic Deck that overlooks Montana, Wyoming, parts of Idaho, and Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks — a Big Sky adventure that’s well-worth the extra Tram fee.

CMH Heli-Skiing
It’s known as the birthplace of heli-skiing — British Columbia’s iconic Bugaboos Range and its mighty granite spires that pierce the cold Canadian sky. While its dramatic silhouette and imposing stature may seem foreboding, Bugaboos’s world-famous glacier terrain is actually quite diverse, with heli-skiing and snowboarding terrain that ranges from relaxed to expert. CMH Heli-Skiing has been providing unparalleled access to this bucket list–worthy experience at Bugaboos for nearly 60 years — book your stay today to ski (or ride) what it’s all about.

Copper Mountain
With three majestic peaks and four glorious bowls — most of it comprising enviable north-facing terrain — Copper Mountain is the ideal locale for a legendary ski resort. North-facing alpine terrain typically equals more snow, plus shade from direct sunlight during the winter months, and Copper’s latest addition, Tucker Mountain delivers on all of it. For access to Tucker Mountain’s pristine powder and expert terrain topping out at 12,337 feet, grab a couple friends and hop aboard the Three Bears chairlift that services slopes previously only accessible via snowcat.

Crystal Mountain
Drop in to Washington’s largest ski resort, Crystal Mountain, to score your shot at conquering the 7,012-foot Silver King peak. To access “The King” and its expert-only terrain, hitch a ride on the iconic two-seater Chair 6 and hike to the summit. Once you’re there, you’ll be rewarded with views for days, including the gorgeous Cascade Ridge and the state’s tallest peak — the towering, 14,411-foot Mount Rainier. While Rainier isn’t rideable via Crystal, you can still snap a selfie with this gorgeous glaciated peak that’s technically an active volcano.

Dolomiti Superski
The fabled, fabulously jagged Italian mountains at Dolomiti Superski are a natural masterpiece — and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once a huge coral reef in the primordial ocean, the Dolomites are now known worldwide for their unmistakable soaring peaks and deep gorges. The Dolomiti Superski region gives you access to 12 unique resorts, including one of the planet’s best-down ski routes, the Stellaronda: a 26-mile circuit that leads skiers and snowboarders on an unforgettable journey through four majestic Dolomite mountain passes.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
If you’ve been near the Wyoming-Idaho border, you’ve likely seen the majestic, jagged Teton Range towering over the Jackson Hole valley. Take the Aerial Tram to the top of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and look north for a panoramic view of this iconic mountain range — Grand Teton National Park’s focal point — or look south to get a glimpse of Cody Peak, No Name Peak, and Rendezvous Mountain. On a clear day, you can also get views of Jackson Peak and Sheep Mountain.

Mammoth Mountain
Summit Mammoth Mountain to feast your eyes on the magnificent Minarets — one of the Sierra Nevada’s most striking features. This jagged splendor that rises sharply from the Ritter Range is at the heart of the Ansel Adams Wilderness in Central California. Don’t miss your chance to ride the Panorama Gondola to the top of Mammoth Mountain and watch the sun set at 11,053 feet over the spectacular Minarets, complete with live music and bevvies, at the mountain’s Summit Sunset Party this summer.

Mt. Bachelor
Book it to Mt. Bachelor near Bend, Oregon, for an alpine experience unlike any other. This dormant volcano that stands proudly and solitarily in the Pacific Northwest’s stunning Cascade Range gives skiers and snowboarders the unique opportunity to cruise 360-degrees off its cone. Because of Mt. Bachelor’s uniquely exposed volcanic landscape, it’s common to have stormy conditions on its west side, high winds at its 9,065-foot summit, and sunny skies on its east side — plus, plenty of playful wind lips and side hits along the way.

RED Mountain
Sink your skis into the nearly 200 acres of gladed tree skiing at Red Mountain’s Mount Kirkup in Rossland, British Columbia. From the Grey Mountain summit, the Mount Kirkup Cat will whisk you away to enjoy fresh Canadian powder shredding and an incredible 2,929-foot vertical drop from the top. This unique in-bounds cat skiing and snowboarding opportunity on Mount Kirkup requires no avalanche gear and no guides — just a quick-and-easy ticket from RED’s base area to score your spot in the snow cat’s spacious cabin.

Taos Ski Valley
Soaring above the Land of Enchantment at 12,480 feet, Kachina Peak stands as Taos Ski Valley’s summit — and one of the most challenging mountains you’ll ever attempt. But with great challenge comes great reward, and when the snow’s deep enough to open this New Mexican gem, even experts can count on scoring their gnarliest runs ever. Kachina Peak and its legendary steep chutes in the Sangre de Cristo Range were previously only accessible via a 40-minute hike, but thanks to the resort’s new-in-2015 lift, you can sail 1,100 feet to the top in just five minutes.

Zermatt Matterhorn
Rising 14,691 feet from the snowy Valais Alps like a gigantic jagged tooth, the iconic Matterhorn is the most-photographed and, arguably, the most recognizable peak on the entire planet. When skiing or riding the wintery paradise that is Zermatt Matterhorn — home to Europe’s highest ski area — you’ll be treated to surreal mountain views that seem like they came straight from a storybook. Head to the top of Rothorn for a legendary Matterhorn photo opp, or savor the mountainous view while cruising down the 16-mile trail run at Matterhorn Ski Paradise.