October storms have brought the first snow of the 2026-27 season to Ikon Pass resorts across the US, Canada and Europe, Alterra Mountain Company said on October 14.
Ikon Pass early snow gives the multi-resort pass, sold in advance across more than 70 destinations, a push in the run-up to opening days. Its main rival is Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass, whose owner has been adding premium services such as concierge private lessons.
In Utah, Deer Valley, Solitude, Alta, Snowbird, Snowbasin and Brighton recorded their first measurable snow on October 12, with Snowbird receiving 25 cm (10 inches). Steamboat, Winter Park, Arapahoe Basin, Eldora and Aspen Snowmass in Colorado had significant falls, with a further 25-30 cm forecast for the following days. Arapahoe Basin, which usually opens in October, has its snowmaking ready.
Big Sky in Montana reported 15 cm, and Rendezvous Mountain at Jackson Hole in Wyoming had its first snow. Mammoth Mountain, Palisades Tahoe and Sierra-at-Tahoe in California, including the Lake Tahoe area, had light dustings ahead of openings expected in November.
In Europe, snow on high peaks over the weekend of October 10-11 moved Andorra’s Grandvalira Resorts and Italy’s Valle d’Aosta closer to opening, while Chile’s Valle Nevado has extended its season to November 8 after late snow.
Denver-based Alterra Mountain Company owns and operates mountain resorts and runs the Ikon Pass, which gives access to destinations across North and South America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia, including Aspen Snowmass, Zermatt and Niseko United.