5 Ski and Ride Passes to Purchase Before Next Winter
Purchasing Your Season Pass Now Has Its Perks
As the temperatures start to heat up and you put your skis, boards, and other gear into storage for the summer, it’s essential to take the proper precautions to prepare for next season. Once you’ve checked the seasonal maintenance items, like waxing, polishing, and replacing lost parts off the list, there’s one more thing you could tackle now to save yourself a pretty penny come wintertime. If you’re planning to explore new peaks next season and spend at least a few weekends on the slopes, we highly recommend purchasing a season pass now, since prices are the lowest they’ll be all year. Sure, you can wait until the fall to start planning out your mountain vacations, or even day trips, but what if you could purchase a pass that allows you to explore a new peak each week, with the lowest price all season available now?
Whether you’re planning to spend the entire season on one coast or you prefer to go day-by-day at as many mountains as possible, there’s a perfect pass out there for just about everyone. If you purchased one of the many season passes last year and haven’t yet renewed, let this serve as your reminder to get a head start, with exclusive savings for existing members.
Ikon Pass
If you’re looking to shred worldwide and jump from one mountain to the next, then the Ikon Pass might just be your golden ticket. With access to over 60 destinations across the east and west coasts, plus select mountains in Canada, Austria, France, and Japan, just to name a few, there’s no doubt you can embark on an iconic winter. Although Ikon limits the number of days permitted at each mountain, let this serve as motivation to cross as many destinations off your bucket list as possible. If you prefer to stick with more familiar, local destinations, the Ikon comes with plenty of perks for your season, too!
Epic Pass
For those West Coast ski bums who are constantly on the hunt for fresh powder, purchasing an Epic Pass will give you maximum freedom to ski and ride some of the country’s most elite mountains, as often as you’d like. With unlimited access to Vail, Breckenridge, Park City, and more, you certainly don’t have to ration your days on the “best coast,” as some call it.
Plus, Epic Mountain Rewards gives passholders exclusive savings on food, transportation, and even group lessons, all season long. Even if you only find yourself skiing a few days a year, don’t assume the Epic pass isn’t for you! Discover pass options for one to seven days at select destinations, without the commitment of a full season price.
Mountain Collective
With 26 desirable destinations, the Mountain Collective Pass offers skiers and snowboarders a more affordable way to explore the world’s finest peaks. Buckle up for 52 days of downhill adventure, across the U.S., Canada, Japan, France, Australia, New Zealand, and Chile. In addition to skiing and riding, passholders can enjoy two days at each of the partner resorts. Now, that sounds tempting!
New England Pass
Fellow New Englanders, if you simply can’t get enough of the East Coast conditions and don’t fear a bit of ice, then the New England Pass just might be a perfect match. Choose from Gold, Silver, or Bronze, depending on your mountain and frequency preferences. And if you’re really committed to the shred season, splurge on a Nitro Pass and take advantage of unlimited benefits. This includes zero blackout dates, 50% off full-day tickets at various mountains out west, 15% off retail and gear tuneups, and more.
Indy Pass
There’s something intriguing about exclusivity, especially within a community of fellow thrill-seekers. If you’ve had enough of the mountain tourist-traps and you’re ready for a new adventure, the Indy Pass can be your guide to 250 independent ski resorts. Embrace the opportunity to explore new peaks in South America, Europe, Japan, and beyond. Beware, a limited number of Indy Passes are sold each season, but they do offer a waitlist for those dying to join this independent revolution.
Pack Your Gear Like a Pro
Regardless of where you’ll be traveling to next winter, there’s one thing that all skiers and snowboarders can’t go without - reliable bags to carry your gear! With a variety of Kulkea boot bags to choose from, we certainly have a product to meet the needs of each and every adventure-seeker. If you plan to purchase the New England pass and make your way through the East Coast by car, then you simply can’t go wrong with the Boot Trekker Boot Bag, complete with an intuitive packing system to make it nearly impossible to leave any gear behind. For an even more luxurious experience, give the Thermal Trekker Heated Ski Boot Bag a try, and say goodbye to frosty toes for good.
Or, if you’re ready to book a flight and soar to a new coast with the Ikon or Epic Pass, it might be time to invest in a carry-on-sized bag for your gear. The Kartta, Käydä, and Elää bags all meet the carry-on size requirements for nearly all major U.S. airlines, making for a more efficient travel experience overall.
Kartta Travel Backpack
With the Kartta Travel Backpack, you’ll have enough space to hold a pair of ski or snowboard boots, clothing, a laptop, and even some additional gear. Eliminate the stress of checking an extra bag, as the Kartta can accompany you nationwide, no matter your final destination.
Käydä Travel Backpack
The versatility of the Käydä Travel Backpack is unlike any product on the market, with supreme space, support, and organization in both the 44L and 36L models. Elevate your adventure with features like a dual-purpose helmet/ jacket sling, multi-purpose pockets, and a detachable travel kit to securely store electronics, car keys, and more.
Elää Top Loading Upright Daypack
If you’re looking to squeeze in some work in between runs, then the Elää Top Loading Upright Daypack will be your key to staying organized on the go. Think of this as your portable office, with top-loading file organization, built-in charger port access, and countless pockets to keep your valuables safe at all times.
For more details on how to best utilize Kulkea's epic bags when getting ready for your next flight, check out these Expert Ways to Travel with Carry-ons in the U.S.