Produced by Virtuoso with Alpine Adventures
November 16, 2024

Skiing in Verbier combines pristine conditions with European delights.Alpine Adventures

Alpine Adventures helps skiers and snowboarders make the most of their Epic and Ikon passes.

As the days get shorter and the temperatures grow colder, the debate resurfaces among alpine enthusiasts everywhere: Ikon Pass or Epic Pass? Whether you’re skiing or snowboarding, Alpine Adventures helps you get the most from your passes in North America and Europe. From bluebird powder days in the Colorado Rockies to fireside fondue and après-ski in the Swiss Alps, the tour company provides planning expertise and on-the-ground connections so travelers can focus on what matters – hitting the slopes and enjoying off-mountain indulgences. With recommendations for every level from novice to expert, Alpine Adventures works with your Virtuoso travel advisor to craft ski trips across the world. Here are some of its most popular itineraries for both Ikon and Epic Pass holders. 

Italy’s rugged Dolomites.Alpine Adventures

Ikon Pass

The Dolomites Done Right 

Located on the Dolomites’ southern, sunny side, the Dolomiti Superski carousel provides access to 12 ski resorts with more than 450 chairlifts, making it the world’s largest ski destination. Alta Badia is an ideal home base for northern Italian adventures in the towering mountains. Sheer rock faces and snowcapped peaks make Cortina d’Ampezzo – home to the 1956 Olympics and a fixture on the World Cup circuit – one of the world’s most striking ski resorts.

From there, avid skiers will love alternating between Val Gardena and Val di Fassa, two resorts punctuated with cozy mountain huts and delicious Italian food. Refuel after a day on the slopes with handmade gnocchi served with truffle oil and speck – northern Italy’s famous cured ham – or warm up with venison and polenta stew. When you’re ready for off-mountain exploring, Virtuoso travel advisors can arrange day trips to Venice or Milan.

Andermatt village from the slopes.Alpine Adventures

California Calling 

Fly into Reno, Nevada, then drive south through the Sierra Nevada to Mammoth Mountain in California. With an average annual snowfall of over 33 feet, Mammoth offers 3,500 acres of skiable terrain for all skill levels, making it one of the West’s best ski destinations. Even nonskiers will appreciate the 360-degree summit views at 11,000 feet via the Panorama Gondola. For fewer crowds and more family-friendly terrain, head to nearby June Mountain for the day – children 12 and under ski free. 

Head north to Lake Tahoe’s popular Sierra-at-Tahoe and Palisades Tahoe. With 6,000 skiable acres across two mountains and 300 sunny days a year, Palisades is a California dream. Stay in the village or check into the 170-room Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, located an easy 30-minute drive from the mountain’s base, or the 168-room Edgewood Tahoe, where guests can dine on elk loin and ostrich medallions at Edgewood Restaurant (closed until summer 2025), with enviable lake and mountain views.

Family day in Vail.Alpine Adventures

Epic Pass

Classic Colorado 

With its striking peaks and year-round sunshine, Colorado is one of the world’s top ski areas. Its high elevation ensures consistent snowfall and dry, powdery conditions, making it a novice’s paradise. After landing in Denver, head 70 miles west into the mountains to Keystone, which encompasses three mountains with diverse terrain for all skill levels, including the family-friendly A51 terrain park. Close by, Breckenridge Ski Resort has a vibrant après-ski scene, both on the mountain and in the charming, Victorian-style town. End the day with the chef’s tasting menu and wine pairings at Aurum Food and Wine. 

Just a short drive away, experience one of North America’s largest ski resorts at Vail, with more than 5,300 acres of pristine terrain, including the iconic Back Bowls, rugged landscapes filled with cliffs and gullies to play in. Known for its meticulously groomed trails and shorter lift lines, nearby Beaver Creek also offers spectacular Rocky Mountain views. Stick around for nightly s’mores around the firepit at the 190-room Park Hyatt Beaver Creek.  

A bluebird day in Verbier.Alpine Adventures

Switzerland by Train 

Start the trip at Verbier by taking a scenic two-hour train ride from Geneva. With a Swiss Travel Pass, skiers can experience the Alps’ scenery, and, on two dedicated après-ski trains, get a head start on the local snow-party culture with a DJ, warm drinks, and small bites. Known for its extensive off-piste terrain, the resort is a winter playground for advanced skiers, but its extensive slopeside options ensure that even the most novice skiers have a good time. With Mont Blanc’s striking silhouette as a backdrop, Verbier also has a vast network of slopes connecting to other nearby resorts. 

Next, take a three-hour train ride to Crans-Montana, an ideal base camp for families, thanks to lessons, snowtubing, its sun-drenched slopes, and Rhône Valley’s rolling hills. Reward your runs by indulging in two Swiss treats: fondue and decadent chocolate.  

Complete this Alps adventure in Andermatt, a mountain village known for its deep snow, pristine powder fields, and challenging runs. After an exhilarating day on the slopes, unwind at the 119-room Chedi Andermatt, which blends Swiss and Asian alpine aesthetics to create a sybaritic and cozy mountain retreat, complete with leather sofas, panoramic windows, and more than 200 fireplaces, not to mention the on-site Michelin-starred restaurant, The Japanese.