Featured Image: Deer Valley Resort
Ikon Pass has announced a wide range of additions and resort projects ahead of the 2026–27 winter season. New destinations are joining the pass in North America and Asia, while mountains across the network are preparing new lifts, expanded terrain, snowmaking upgrades and guest facilities.
For ski racing families, coaches and athletes planning winter travel, the snowmaking and lift projects may be of particular interest. Here is a look at everything included in the September 24 announcement. Projects described as planned or scheduled may still be subject to change before opening.
New destinations and pass access
Four North American destinations are joining Ikon Pass: SilverStar Mountain in British Columbia, Snowriver Mountain Resort in Michigan, Lutsen Mountains in Minnesota and Granite Peak in Wisconsin.
In Asia, the additions are Madarao Mountain Resort in Japan and Beidahu Ski Resort and Lake Songhua Resort in China.
Ikon Pass also announced five new bonus mountains: Devil’s Head in Wisconsin, Tamarack in Idaho, Giants Ridge in Minnesota, Caberfae Peaks in Michigan and Snowy Range Ski Area in Wyoming.
Access is changing for Ikon Base Pass holders, who will receive unlimited access to Arapahoe Basin and five days at Snowmass in Colorado, according to Ikon Pass.
New and expanded terrain
Deer Valley Resort, Utah: The new Hail Peak Express is expected to open 200 additional skiable acres and seven runs. Deer Valley says the expansion will bring it to 4,500 skiable acres served by 32 chairlifts. The resort is also adding snow features for young and beginner skiers, including rollers, berms and gentle ski cross elements.
Tremblant, Quebec: As part of a long-term investment of CAD $42.5 million, Tremblant plans to open a dedicated learning area at the base of Versant Soleil near the Casino Express Gondola. It is designed to give first-time skiers and snowboarders space to develop their skills.
Lake Louise Ski Resort, Alberta: The resort is adding Grove Glade, expanding other gladed areas and further developing Pikaboo and Prunepicker.
NEKOMA Mountain, Japan: An expanded tree skiing area will offer five zones with terrain for different ability levels.
Dolomiti Superski, Italy: New slopes and connections are planned across the region as part of an investment of more than €160 million in its ski areas.
Steamboat, Colorado: Material excavated during construction of the Stockman Hotel will be used to raise the base of Maverick’s Halfpipe in Bashor Bowl. The change is intended to reduce the snow needed to build the halfpipe and allow it to open earlier.
Sugarloaf, Maine: Two conveyor lifts are being added to the learning area, freeing up terrain on Birches. Glade work will continue in Bracket, with possible work on Burnt Mountain.
Sun Valley, Idaho: Sunny’s Adventure Park is expanding with beginner terrain and interactive features for children. The resort is also glading another 40 acres between Christin’s Silver, Leigh Lane and Upper Broadway, following 90 acres completed last summer.
Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, British Columbia: Its Holiday Catski Camp is being extended by three weeks, with dates scheduled from December 19 through January 23, 2027. Under the announced offer, one child age 12 or younger can join the Kids Cat-Ski program at no charge when an adult books an eligible heli-skiing package.
Lodging and guest facilities
CMH Heli-Skiing, British Columbia: The renovated Valemount Lodge will debut 10 updated guest rooms.
Steamboat, Colorado: The resort has launched Steamboat Hospitality, a lodging division that brings together hotel rooms, slopeside condominiums and other accommodations for booking.
Niseko United, Japan: Moxy Niseko Village is scheduled to open in late 2026 near Mount Yōtei.
NEKOMA Mountain, Japan: More than 300 slopeside accommodations are being added in the resort’s South Area.
Alta Ski Area, Utah: The Albion Day Lodge will add 3,400 square feet of dining space, more patio seating, a lounge, storage areas and a larger location for Alta Java.
Snowbasin, Utah: The new Meadow Pavilion will provide indoor space for guests and serve as a gathering point for ski school students.
Furano Ski Resort, Japan: The Shin Furano Prince Hotel is adding banquet facilities and an outdoor terrace with fire pits and seating.
Sugarloaf, Maine: Winter tubing lanes are being added on Birches learning terrain.
RED Mountain, British Columbia: The Daly, a new ski-in, ski-out property at the mountain base in Rossland, is set to debut this winter. Amenities include an outdoor pool and hot tub.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort, British Columbia: The 155-room Cabot Revelstoke Mountain Lodge is under development at the resort base. Its opening is planned for 2027.
Snowmaking projects
Snowmaking is a major focus of this year’s announcement, with investments spanning North America and Europe.
Deer Valley Resort, Utah: A new 10-million-gallon reservoir will work with the Summit Pump House to increase snowmaking capacity. The resort says the combined system can pump 10,000 gallons of water per minute.
Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah: New fixed and mobile snow guns, along with broader system improvements, are intended to expand coverage and capacity.
June Mountain, California: More than 8,000 feet of snowmaking pipe is being installed to improve coverage from the Chalet to the parking lot.
Blue Mountain, Ontario: The resort is adding floodlines higher on the mountain, increasing snow gun density in key areas and upgrading a valve house and automation system.
Lake Louise Ski Resort and Mt. Norquay, Alberta: Lake Louise is adding snowmaking on Richardson’s Ridge, while Mt. Norquay is improving its snowmaking infrastructure.
Loon Mountain, New Hampshire: Upgrades in East Basin and North Peak, together with new Klik snow guns, are intended to help the resort make snow more efficiently during cold-weather windows.
Kitzbühel, Austria: The new Sonnenrast reservoir is expected to support the resort’s snowmaking system.
Dolomiti Superski, Italy: Ski areas across the region are expanding snowmaking and water storage. The announcement also includes solar projects at lift facilities.
Alyeska Resort, Alaska: Alyeska is replacing 800 feet of pipeline and adding two fan guns, a higher-capacity pump and upgraded controls. One of the guns will be installed on a tower near Ted’s Express.
Copper Mountain, Colorado: A multiyear snowmaking project includes new fan guns and modernized towers, hydrants and automated equipment.
Brighton, Utah: The Snake Creek snowmaking project is scheduled for completion ahead of winter, with the goal of improving early-season coverage and consistency.
Sun Valley, Idaho: The resort is investing in its snowmaking system to improve reliability, efficiency and early-season coverage.
New lifts and lift upgrades
Deer Valley Resort, Utah: Hail Peak Express will serve the resort’s 200-acre terrain expansion. Deer Valley says it has added 11 other chairlifts since December 2024.
Big Sky Resort, Montana: The Explorer Gondola and Kircliff, which debuted during 2025–26, will have their first full winter season. The 10-person gondola connects Mountain Village with the Lone Peak Tram.
Aspen Mountain, Colorado: The new Nell Bell high-speed quad replaces the Bell Mountain and Little Nell lifts and will connect Gondola Plaza directly to the top of Bell Mountain.
Zermatt, Switzerland: A new six-seat Pattrularve chairlift will replace the existing lift.
Niseko United, Japan: The Shin Mori-no Gondola is scheduled to replace the Mori Chairlift and nearly double capacity on that route. The Wonderland Chairlift is also being upgraded from a single-seat to a double-seat lift.
Grand Hirafu at Niseko United, Japan: Ace No. 3 is being replaced with a high-speed, four-person chairlift with protective bubbles. The resort says the new lift will more than double the previous capacity.
Valle d’Aosta, Italy: Three 10-passenger gondolas will replace four existing lifts across Courmayeur Mont-Blanc and La Thuile.
Dolomiti Superski, Italy: Four gondolas and five lifts are being added across the region.
Ischgl, Austria: Three eight-seat chairlifts with heated seats and weather protection are planned for the Silvretta Arena. The Samnaun tram is also receiving new cabins.
Sun Valley, Idaho: Lookout Express and Christmas are expected to debut this season, following four other recent lift installations.
St. Moritz, Switzerland: The resort has overhauled its trams and upgraded stations to improve accessibility.
Snowbird, Utah: Chickadee has been upgraded from a double to a quad. The resort has also regraded the slope and adjusted the lift alignment to improve the beginner experience.
Mt. Bachelor, Oregon: The Northwest chairlift is receiving electrical and operational upgrades intended to reduce weather-related disruptions and improve reliability.
Alyeska Resort, Alaska: Lift work includes replacing a bearing on Ted’s Express, modifying the aerial tram’s hydraulic system and repainting the Chair 7 terminals. Alyeska has also added a PistenBully 600 Winch snowcat.
Resort anniversaries
Several Ikon Pass destinations will mark milestones during the coming winter:
- Arapahoe Basin turns 80, with anniversary events, exhibits, $80 lift tickets and free skiing for guests who are 80 years old.
- Blue Mountain in Ontario turns 85 and plans music and events drawing on ski culture from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
- Mammoth Mountain’s Unbound Terrain Parks mark 30 years with merchandise, events and park features planned throughout the season.
- Panorama Mountain Resort celebrates 65 years with retro events and après activities.
- Aspen Snowmass celebrates its 80th anniversary.
- Sierra-at-Tahoe marks 80 years with events highlighting its history.
- Brighton celebrates 90 years with events, merchandise and other anniversary activities.
New dining and après options
Mammoth Mountain, California: Apricity, a new restaurant concept, is set to open at The Westin Monache.
Schweitzer, Idaho: A new food truck called The Schwagon will serve breakfast and coffee in the Red Barn parking lot.
Banff Sunshine, Alberta: The GOAT Club après venue is returning. The resort is also adding Coco Lab at Goat’s Eye Lodge and updating dining and amenities at Centennial Day Lodge.
Dolomiti Superski, Italy: A bar and restaurant are planned near the Col Margherita tram base station at Passo San Pellegrino.
Big Sky Resort, Montana: Iglu, the snow-built bar near the Lone Peak Tram, will return with more space and a new pedestrian connection from the Explorer Gondola. Grant Achatz and M by The Alinea Group are also returning for a second season.
Snowmass, Colorado: Ullrhof is set to reopen after a $42 million redevelopment. The 26,000-square-foot building will have capacity for more than 600 guests and four dining concepts. Aspen Snowmass says it will be its first all-electric restaurant on the mountain.
Brighton, Utah: Milly Chalet is being converted to a Mexican-inspired counter-service restaurant, while Snow Blossom Bistro will move into Wasatch Mountain Lodge with an Asian-inspired menu.
Sugarloaf, Maine: An iglu dining experience is being added at Bullwinkle’s.
Ikon Pass says current prices for the 2026–27 season are available through October 8, 2026, before a scheduled increase. Pass products and access details are available at ikonpass.com. Travelers can check the company’s planned opening dates for individual destinations.
About the Author: SR Staff Report
