Archive for ‘USA’
Getting the Most From Your Epic Pass
The multi-resort ski lift ticket is big business these days, but does it make sense for you to purchase one? Let’s look at what’s on offer and how you can get the best value out of an Epic Pass…
What is an Epic Pass?
The Epic Pass was born in 2008 as a way to use one season ticket for resorts under the ownership of Vail Resorts. What started then with 5 resorts in Colorado, plus 1 in California, has now become a network of 37 North American resorts plus 20+ international friends.
Read the rest of this entry »A 40th Anniversary Utah Road Trip
Ski holidays were happily back on the agenda in Winter 2021/22 and after so many cancelled or postponed travel plans, a ski trip this season offered the opportunity to do things differently. Whether that meant staying for longer, venturing further afield or adding on a luxury mini break, clients were seeking rich experiences that were truly worth the wait.
For one Ski Independence client, combining their 40th wedding anniversary celebration with a 3 year absence from the slopes meant revisiting the bucket list. The brief? To tick off another iconic ski destination and then take in one of the great USA National Park routes on the same trip. So with the help of our team of Ski Specialists, the planning of their Park City skiing and Utah road trip was about to commence…
The holiday surpassed our expectations! We had a brilliant time – particularly the Utah-Nevada road trip. I just want to repeat my heartfelt thanks for all the support you provided…
By Jonathan Berman
Read the rest of this entry »A Mammoth Adventure
If I’m going to sit on a plane for 10 hours I want to make it worth my while – and that usually means combining a ski trip with some kind of adventure. This years trip was no different – even if our original plans had to change somewhat due to covid. Read the rest of this entry »
Snow: The Magic Ingredient
Whether you’re in the Rockies, Sierra Nevada, Wasatch, Tetons or the Monashees, or indeed any of the other soaring mountain ranges in North America, you can expect to ski and ride some of the very best powder snow conditions you’ve ever experienced. When it snows in North America it generally snows hard – a snowfall of several feet overnight is not uncommon.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Canada – Image: Ryan Creary
Some of our featured resorts receive almost 40 feet of snow each winter – that’s approximately the height of three London buses stacked on top of each other. But it’s not all about the quantity, it’s also about the quality. A combination of cold, dry polar air mixing with moist ocean air over the continent’s massive mountain ranges plus the high altitude of the resorts, makes for a perfect recipe for snow that is light, dry and plentiful. Read the rest of this entry »
Bears, Moose and Marmots: Karen’s North American Wildlife Guide
I love holidays. I love planning them, and I love going on them. Over the years I have skied at more than 70 resorts worldwide and my trusty ski companion is my mum, who patiently acquiesces to all sorts of wacky plans to ski more resorts and cram in even greater experiences.
One of my favourite things to do is to combine a ski trip with my other passion – wildlife. There’s lots of places where you can do that, particularly in North America. Here’s a taste of some of the things I’ve seen on my ski travels.
Colorado Multi-Centre Ski Holiday
I’ve just returned from incredible Colorado multi-centre trip thanks to Colorado Tourism Office and Norwegian Airlines. I wanted to share a few of my standout experiences and recommendations.
Steamboat, Colorado
Flight with Norwegian
The trip started off with an excellent flight with Norwegian Airlines from Gatwick to Denver – one of the great things about this flight is that you’re taking off at 10am so arriving in Denver around 1pm, with the full day ahead of you – so whether you’re heading straight up to the mountains, or into the city for a few days, it’s perfect.
On board Read the rest of this entry »
Guest Blog: Jackson Hole Ski Resort Review
Photo Credit- Tristan Greszko/Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Our latest blog post comes from a long-standing Ski Independence client and veritable food, drink and skiing connoisseur. John shared his Jackson Hole ski resort review with us after he recently returned there many years after his first visit.
“I’m goin’ to Jackson, I’m gonna mess around,
Yeah, I’m goin’ to Jackson,
Look out Jackson town.”
Johnny Cash
Jackson Hole is a town-sized dude ranch. That’s not a criticism, it is a proper western town, but one can’t help noticing that the day of the cowboy and the wild west is more legend than present day reality. Still, I love the place.
Our Pick of the Best Family Ski Holidays
Our top 9 recommendations for 2018/19
A family ski holiday is one of life’s great pleasures. There’s nothing quite like being together in the fresh air of the mountains, watching your children grow in confidence and ability. Ski Independence have been a family ski holiday specialist for 25 years and we know from experience that the bet family ski holidays take a lot of careful planning and a good dose of detailed knowledge – so why not leave it to us? We’ve highlighted some of our recommendations for the best family ski holidays for next winter, and if you don’t see what you fancy below we’re happy to recommend a huge range of alternative destinations, accommodation & activities to suit your family. So, in no particular order…
The excellent nursery slopes at Aspen Snowmass
1. Les Gets, France
A short transfer from Geneva and a traditional pretty village are often two sought-after points on a family holiday wish list and Les Gets more than ticks these boxes. The centre of the village is lined with shops and restaurants serving a selection of Savoyard specialities along with a couple of lively bars offering laid back après-ski. Read the rest of this entry »
New for 2018/19 – Ski Independence Update
Find out all about what’s new for 2018/19!
We’re excited to announce that the brand new Ski Independence brochure has arrived, bookings are rolling in and early booking offers are high in demand.
Now is the best time to book and to give you some inspiration here’s an overview of what’s new for our European & North American programmes.
>> Order your copy of our Winter 2018/19 brochure now
Europe
Les Gets is a hotspot for families with its French charm and easy access to the huge Portes du Soleil ski area. Read the rest of this entry »
The Ikon Pass: Arriving in 2018/19
One Pass | 26 Ski Destinations
A brand new season pass is coming for Winter 2018/19!
**UPDATED 8 March 2018**
Exciting news for fans of skiing in the USA & Canada: the Ikon Pass is a new season pass set to go head-to-head with the Epic Pass next winter, offering skiing in 26 destinations on one lift ticket. Chief Marketing Officer of Alterra Mountain Company, Erik Forsell, said, “The Ikon Pass is a collaboration of like-minded mountain destinations across North America where incredible terrain, unique character and local traditions are celebrated.”
Ikon Pass holders will be able to access resorts including Steamboat, Winter Park, Mammoth Mountain, Tremblant, Squaw Valley, Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole and Big Sky, Revelstoke Mountain Resort and Ski Big 3 (Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, Banff Mount Norquay) all featured Ski Independence resorts and among the best ski destinations on the planet. We have two pass types available, with discounted children’s rates on offer before 9th April 2018.
Ikon Season Pass
Adult: £627 / Teen: £502 / Child: £313
- Full season pass with completely unlimited skiing all season in 8 destinations including Steamboat, Winter Park, Copper Mountain Resort, Squaw Valley, Mammoth Mountain and Tremblant plus 7 days skiing in a huge number of other resorts including Jackson Hole, Big Sky, Deer Valley, Revelstoke Mountain Resort and Aspen Snowmass.
- Until the 9th April 2018, children’s passes are better than half price with the purchase of a full adult pass.*
Ikon Base Pass
Adult: £418 / Teen: £334 / Child: £209
- Unlimited access to 8 destinations including Winter Park, Tremblant, Copper Mountain and more, as well as 5 days at destinations including Steamboat, Mammoth Mountain, Jackson Hole, Big Sky, Killington Resort and Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Aspen Snowmass, AltaSnowbird and Ski Big 3 (Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, Mount Norquay).
- Until the 9th April 2018, children’s passes are half price with the purchase of a full adult pass.*
>> Full Ikon Pass Details Available Here <<
The Ikon Pass In Numbers
- 26 destinations in 9 US states & 4 Canadian Provinces
- 63,709 skiable acres
- 3,304 trails
- 481 lifts
Ikon Pass Destinations
The Ikon Pass will rival the hugely popular Epic Pass in scope and scale for skiing across North America and our team of Ski Specialists can advise you on how to get the best out of your Ikon Pass next winter, whether you’re planning a multi-centre holiday or more than one trip in the season.
- Colorado: Steamboat, Winter Park Resort, Aspen Snowmass, Copper Mountain Resort
- California: Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort
- Eastern USA: Killington Resort, Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Loon Mountain Resort, Snowshoe, Stratton
- Wyoming: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
- Montana: Big Sky Resort
- Utah: Deer Valley Resort, Snowbird, Alta Ski Area
- Canada: Tremblant, CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures in British Columbia, Blue Mountain, Ski Big 3 (Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, Banff Mount Norquay), Revelstoke
Speak to a Ski Specialist on 0131 243 8097
*T&Cs apply to all purchases, please get in touch with us for further details.
