Destination: Night Rider

WHERE TO SHRED THROUGH SUNDOWN AT 26 IKON PASS DESTINATIONS

Many lifts stop spinning when the sun starts to set, but this collection of after-dark gems keeps the good times rolling well into the evening with night skiing and snowboarding, torchlight descents, guided headlamp tours, and more. This season, experience these legendary Ikon Pass destinations in an entirely new way — twilight, slopeside, and ripping runs under a moonlit sky.

Alyeska Resort
Experience the magic of the great North with night skiing at Alyeska Resort, where the slopes come alive under dazzling lights with breathtaking views of the snow-covered Chugach Mountains. With over 2,000 vertical feet of illuminated terrain, you’ll ride through pristine snow long after the sun sets. In the early winter months, it’s even possible to glimpse the spectacular Northern Lights while carving powder turns on one of North America’s only Tram serviced night ski operations.

Big Bear Mountain Resort
In California, you can keep cruising the slopes until 8:30 PM on select evenings at Big Bear Mountain Resort. Snow Summit hosts Night Sessions on Upper Miracle Mile and Summit Run, and at Snow Valley, you can lap beginner and intermediate favorites, including Thunder Mountain, Upper & Lower Wine Rock, Eagle Flats, East Bowl, Big Bowl, Little Bowl, The Chute, and Mambo Alley.

Big Sky Resort
Experience Big Sky Country’s storied slopes in an entirely new way — in the dark, under the stars, with nothing but a powerful headlamp to light your way. At Big Sky Resort in Montana, you and your crew can sign up for an unforgettable guided night skiing tour down Andesite Mountain. Plus, you’ll stay toasty warm between runs, thanks to Ramcharger 8’s heated seats and weatherproof bubbles.

Blue Mountain Resort, ON
Keep shredding long after the sun sets at Blue Mountain Resort in Ontario, Canada. With an incredible 30 well-lit night skiing trails that are open until 9 PM, you could realistically crush the mountain for more than 12 hours if you score first chair. For even more fun, cruise up the Southern Comfort lift to the Off-Piste Pavillion for a snack and a nightcap.

Blue Mountain Resort, PA
At Blue Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania, you can ski or ride all your favorite trails, any night of the week — 100% of the resort’s terrain is illuminated for an extraordinary evening of twilight skiing. Blue Mountain is also home to the USA’s largest snow tubing park; after hitting the ski hills, try Sonic Snow Tubing after dark, complete with 55 lanes, colorful laser lights, and music.

The Highlands
Head to The Highlands at Harbor Springs in lower Michigan for your shot at skiing or riding under the slopeside bright lights, starting in December, from 5 PM to 9 PM on select evenings. This Midwestern gem’s slopes are located 280 miles north of Detroit and include the state’s longest ski run, North Peak Pass — make sure to give this famous 1.25-miler a try under a starry sky.

Boyne Mountain
Make your way to one of Michigan’s premier mountain destinations for nighttime hot laps, every Wednesday through Friday, plus Sundays, from 5 PM to 9 PM. With Boyne Mountain’s Under the Lights access, you can commit to skiing three times each week after work, or bring your kids slopeside to ski their sillies out after a long day at school.

Brighton Resort
Ski or ride even more of Utah’s legendary powder after the sun goes down at Brighton Resort. From mid-December through late March, you can shred Snake Creek, Ziggy, Pine Martin, Crest Express, Majestic, and Explorer runs, every Monday through Saturday from 4 PM to 9 PM. Two-hour night lessons are also available at Brighton, a more affordable option for all skill levels, ages 8 and up.

Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley
In Eastern France, the bucket-list destination Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley offers a variety of nontraditional twilight options, like a torchlight descent at La Poya Ski Resort in Vallorcine, followed by night skiing until 9 PM. At Domaine débutant du Tourchet in Les Houches, you can keep on skiing or riding into the starry night from 6 PM to 9:30 PM on select evenings.

Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt
Go full send to New Zealand for a seemingly endless supply of night skiing on fresh cord in Queenstown. Coronet Peak should be on every ripper’s hitlist, with fun events and twilight shredding from 4 PM to 9 PM on select evenings, complete with DJ — check out their night ski trail map. And while you’re down under, don’t miss Mt Hutt’s exclusive “last tracks” Moon Ski experience.

Crystal Mountain
Keep the laps going after the sun goes down at Washington’s largest ski resort, Crystal Mountain, December 26 through December 31 and then on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays until 8 PM through February 24. This Pacific Northwest gem offers night skiing and riding on Discovery, Gold Hills, and Quicksilver chairlifts, which include access to Crystal Parks.

Cypress Mountain
Join the likes of the all-day diehards, skiing or riding for 13 hours straight at Cypress Mountain — that is, if your shaky legs can take it. Located just 30 minutes from Vancouver, Cypress Mountain is home to the largest night skiing operation in Western Canada, with its snowy slopes opening at 9 AM and, starting in mid-December, staying floodlit until 10 PM.

Grandvalira Resorts Andorra
Get some big air — all day, and into the night — in one of Europe’s smallest countries, Andorra. At Grandvalira Resorts Andorra, you can jump and jib under the floodlights at the Sunset Park Peretol, Tuesdays through Sundays from 3 PM until 9 PM. The Tubs ski slope is also available for nighttime shredding, Thursdays through Saturdays, until 8 PM, in the heart of the Pyrenees mountain range.

Mt Buller
The Southern Australian slopes at Mt Buller keep on rockin‘ into the night every Wednesday and Saturday evening in July and August. Grab your glow sticks and hop aboard the Bourke Street Express for Twilight Session party laps with friends until 8:30 PM. Mt Buller’s Ski and Snowboard School also offers private lessons at night, so you can take your skills to the next level.
* The Ikon Pass is valid in the Southern Hemisphere from June to September, based on seasonal opening and closing dates.

Niseko United
Hit up Japan’s island of Hokkaido for what, some say, is the best night skiing on the entire planet. The consistent snowfall at Niseko United gives skiers and riders a stellar shot at scoring fresh powder — even after the sun goes down. Make the most of your trip and try night skiing or riding at any of Niseko United’s four resorts from December 14, 2024, through March 23, 2025.

Schweitzer
This season, make some twilight turns at Schweitzer — Idaho’s largest ski area, located in the state’s panhandle, just 90 miles from Spokane, Washington. Get some air at the Stomping Ground Terrain park or shred the slopes off the Basin Express, Creekside Express, and Musical Carpet on Fridays, Saturdays, and select holidays from 3 PM to 7 PM.

SkiBig3
Get to know Mt. Norquay at night — SkiBig3 and Banff National Park’s only ski resort to offer twilight shred sessions. From mid-December through early Spring, you can watch the sunset as you cruise some laps on Friday and Saturday nights from 5 PM to 9 PM. If you want to rest the legs after a long day of skiing or snowboarding, Mt. Norquay’s night tubing is another solid evening option.

Snowshoe Mountain
With 12 illuminated trails to choose from, beginners and experts alike will love the legendary night skiing at Snowshoe Mountain’s Silver Creek Ski Area in West Virginia. Drop in for daily night skiing until 9 PM, or wait ’till dark to get your thrills at Snowshoe’s six-story Coca-Cola Tube Park during one of their Galactic Snow Tubing sessions, complete with colorful flashing lights.

Steamboat
Get a taste for Champagne Powder® after sunset with night skiing and riding at Steamboat resort, starting in mid-December through late March, Thursday through Sunday evenings from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Summit the Christie Peak Express and stadium-style lighting will help guide your way down five of Steamboat’s iconic trails, including Sitz, See Me, Vogue, Stampede, and Lil’ Rodeo.

Sugarbush
Experience a Sugarbush tradition unlike any other — the heated snowcat tour and five-course fireside dinner at Allyn’s Lodge, followed by a guided moonlit ski down a fresh groomer. For those wanting to earn their turns, guests also have the option to snowshoe or skin up Lincoln’s Peak before sitting down to enjoy some upscale Vermont fare and descending the mountain by headlamp.

Sunday River
Squeeze in some more hot laps on North Peak and South Ridge at New England alpine icon, Sunday River. This Maine ski staple keeps the lifts turning from 3 PM until 6:30 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and select holidays — just in time to cruise to the base and see the spectacular slopeside fireworks that light up South Ridge, starting at 7 PM all winter long.

Sun Peaks Resort
Indulge in an interactive slopeside dining experience that’s best shared with friends — the Alpine Fondue & Starlight Descent at Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia, Canada. After an unforgettably delicious dinner at Sunburst Bar + Eatery, click into your bindings and illuminate your head torch for a thrilling descent to the warm village lights that await at the base.

The Summit at Snoqualmie
After work or after school, scoot on over to The Summit at Snoqualmie for your shot at shredding the most night skiing options in the United States. This gem in the heart of the Washington Cascades is open for night laps six days a week most of the season, a total of 600 illuminated skiable acres. You can also switch it up with Galactic Tubing Night Sessions, set to upbeat tunes and colored lights.

Thredbo
Take part in an iconic Australian tradition — the top-to-bottom Thredbo Flare Run, which culminates with a spectacular fireworks display above this wonderland down under. Thredbo’s Family Flare Runs take place on Thursday evenings at dusk, while the adults-only flare run winds skiers and snowboarders down Supertrail on Saturday evenings, the best way to kick off your night.
* The Ikon Pass is valid in the Southern Hemisphere from June to September, based on seasonal opening and closing dates.

Winter Park Resort
Book a Ski & Ride by Headlamp guided tour at Winter Park Resort to get two hours of exclusive access to uncrowded slopes after the lifts close. Intermediate-level skiers and riders can experience Winter Park’s legendary terrain in an entirely new way as you shred ungroomed blue terrain and watch the sun set over Colorado’s Fraser Valley.

Zermatt Matterhorn
In the magical Swiss wonderland that is Matterhorn Ski Paradise, you have the unique opportunity to descend an almost-deserted mountain by moonlight. The resort’s guided Moonlight Descent is a captivating experience that starts after dark in Zermatt and ends in Rothorn — that is, after indulging in a cup of hot mulled wine and some traditional Swiss fondue.