Have you ever looked at our amazing lineup of partner resorts on our season pass and dreamed of finding a way to visit them all? Thought about loading up the Sprinter van with your winter gear and hitting the road for a long tour? There are some really unique resorts linked to our pass and incredible opportunities to experience them first hand. When you love skiing and maps, it’s pretty fun to throw these two things together and imagine the possibilities.
The Colorado Loop is the easiest and most obvious one. This lap covers 466 miles and six great Colorado mountains. Monarch, Ski Cooper, Copper Mountain, Loveland, A-Basin, and Sunlight followed by a scenic drive home through the Elk Mountains and Blue Mesa area. Most of us hit these resorts up one bite at a time, but this could be done in one big serving. This is a high quality Colorado gems tour!
If you are seeking a trip to Colorado’s largest mountain range, this San Juan trip might be right up your alley. The SW Colorado Loop travels 476 miles and stops at four unique ski areas. Start your road trip with a familiar place…Monarch Mountain. After your day of tree skiing and hiking Mirk laps, rally west on Hwy 50 before climbing over US 550 and Red Mountain Pass. Wake up early, grab your fat boards, and head up to Silverton Mountain for some big mtn adventures. The next day it’s a short hop over Molas Pass to Purgatory followed by a stop west of Durango for some night skiing at Hesperus. Complete your San Juan loop with a drive east on US Hwy 160 crossing the Divide (or take in one more snow day here) before driving home along the western spine of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains through the SLV.
Craving some windshield time while heading out from Monarch to seven of our northern friends? This trip north is the big one that travels 2278 miles while skiing five Rocky Mountain states. This itinerary covers Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. From Monarch, head to northern Utah and the Wasatch Range. This zone is known for deep powder and incredible skiing. Stop by Nordic Valley outside of Ogden, UT before heading to North America’s largest ski area. Powder Mountain boasts an incredible 8464 acres of skiing and riding! Cross the state line into Idaho on your way to Boise and Bogus Basin. From there it’s a 3 hour drive to another great Idaho ski area. Brundage Mountain resort is the real deal. Stay an extra day and splurge for a day of Cat Skiing on 18,000 additional acres. From here it’s a full day’s drive to Montana and the home of Cold Smoke…Bridger Bowl. Hike the Ridge and ski yourself silly. Rest your legs on the drive to the Tetons and the wild state of Wyoming. Grand Targhee is renowned for big storms and amazing terrain. Another opportunity for cat skiing exists at the Ghee. Hop over Teton Pass on your way to Snow King. Ski steeps right above the town of Jackson, WY.
Up for something more unique and unforgettable? Hopscotch across state lines on a desert tour. This 4-corners endeavor makes the rounds through four states and delivers some incredible scenery on the Desert Loop. This road warrior mission takes on 1861 miles and explores nine amazing ski areas. After your day at Monarch, head west to the Grand Mesa and Powderhorn. Ski through aspen trees while gazing out into the Colorado desert landscape. From there, it’s a true road rally west through the Utah desert north of Moab on your way to perhaps one of the most interesting ski areas out there. The vista from Brian Head ski area will blow your mind! Powder snow and sandstone formations come together for one of the most unique experiences. From there, drive south thorough a red rock landscape passing Lake Powell on your way to Flagstaff and Snowbowl Ski Resort. Ride some sophisticated lifts here at the base of Arizona’s highest mountains, the San Francisco peaks. Check the oil, fill the tank and top off your coffee before heading east for a long stretch into southern New Mexico. Your next stop is Ski Apache, the southernmost resort in the Continental US. Afterwards, head north and explore four other NM ski areas. Pajarito, Sipapu, Angel Fire and Red River will give you a taste of what New Mexico is all about. After your day visiting the slope side resort of Red River, head north crossing back into Colorado. Catch the sunset once again on the Sangre De Cristo range before you top Poncha Pass and roll back into the Upper Ark River drainage.
In addition to unlimited skiing/riding at Monarch, there is so much value in our season pass. Our extensive collection of partner mountains is impressive. Pull out the maps and plan your journey.