Written by pro skier, Drew Jolowicz.
Ride year-round with the Epic Australia Pass
There's a host of resorts on offer for 2024 Epic Australia Pass holders in all corners of the globe. Spoilt for choice, check out some of the resorts Pass holders can enjoy in the Northern Hemisphere winter.
Here’s a breakdown of just some of the experiences I’ve had riding around the world with my Pass.
NORTH AMERICA
LIMITLESS TERRAIN AT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB
Just 2 hours north of Vancouver, Canada you’ll find North America’s largest ski resort, encompassing a whopping 8,171 acres of lift-accessed terrain spread across two neighbouring peaks. From mellow beginner groomers to gladed tree runs, challenging steeps, chutes and terrain parks aplenty, Whistler Blackcomb offers something special for everyone. Whistler and Blackcomb mountains are seamlessly connected by the record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Jump abord the silver, glass-floor carriage and soak in breath-taking views up to 436m above Fitzsimmons Creek as you traverse between mountains.
Vail Mountain's legendary Back Bowls
When it comes to size and stats Vail stacks up against the biggest and the best. With 5,317 acres of terrain on offer, the scale is huge. For the cruiser, ski or ride the perfectly manicured pistes on the front side of the mountain, while freestylers can take a lap or two through the Golden Peak Terrain Park and progress those skills.
What sets Vail aside from the rest, however, is the legendary Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin. When the low-density champagne powder falls, there is no better place to be in Colorado. For the experienced skier or rider, the options are limitless with perfect fall line glades and wide-open powder fields in every direction.
Access to the resort couldn't be easier via the Denver International Airport. From here it's a simple 2-hour commute to the mountain via the I-70 highway.
Cruise the corduroy at Beaver Creek
Located just a little further along the I-70 Highway is Beaver Creek Mountain. This upscale Colorado resort is a 5-star experience with all the bells and whistles. When it comes to grooming, Beaver Creek resort sets the bar at the highest level possible. There's over 2,000 acres of perfectly manicured terrain to explore.
For beginners and intermediates, check out the pristinely groomed slopes on the Bachelor Gulch or Arrow Bahn Express lifts. For the experts looking to push their limits, hit up the renowned Birds of Prey Express. Home to a stage of the FIS World Cup each year, the Beaver Creek Downhill brings the world’s best skiers to the resort to test their skills on the physically demanding 'Birds of Prey' course. Picture yourself in the athletes boots as you test your own skills on some of the best pisted terrain in the United States.
Make no mistake, the experiences at Vail and Beaver Creek are truly remarkable. However, these are just the ‘tip of the iceberg’ with an incredible range of world-class resorts on offer with the Epic Australia Pass. Still on my list to explore in the US are the likes of Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte in Colorado, Park City in Utah, and Kirkwood, Heavenly and Northstar in California. Adventure awaits!
JAPAN
Discover the beauty of Hakuba Valley in the majestic Nagano region with 5 days of lift access and another 5 days in the tree-riding nirvana of Rusutsu, located on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, with the 2024 Epic Australia Pass.
HAKUBA VALLEY
With 10 resorts throughout the Hakuba Valley accessible with your Pass, the skiable area is massive. Hakuba can best be thought of as a ski region rather than a single destination resort. Located in the Nagano Prefecture, Hakuba offers uninterrupted views across the breath-taking Japanese Alps. With so many resorts to choose from, there's abundance of snow, Japanese culture and terrain for every skill level.
It's hard to single out one resort area but as far as vertical and diversity of terrain go it's hard to look past Happo-one. Host to many of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympic Alpine Events, 'Happo' is a large-scale mountain with some of the longest runs in the Valley. There's also a great selection of accommodation, restaurants and bars at the base of the mountain.
RUSUTSU
With less crowds and some of the best tree skiing in all of Japan, Rusutsu is a must visit when on the North Island of Hokkaido. During the peak winter months, it can feel as though the snowfall is endless, each day waking up to a fresh layer of Hokkaido's finest quality powder snow.
The whole family will enjoy Rusutsu with the resort offering 4 Gondolas and 14 lifts across 3 resort areas. The main drawcard remains the abundance of light dry powder snow that blesses the region. The perfectly spaced trees found on Mt. Isola offer some the most consistent fall line tree skiing in Japan.
EUROPE
ANDERMATT-SEDRUN
Located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the Andermatt region is an incredible destination and the perfect destination for anyone looking to experience winter in its full glory.
As a result, first-hand accounts of the awesome skiing and riding are hard to find but this will likely change as word gets out. Situated at an elevation of 1,444 metres, a traditional European Village awaits in the Ursern Valley. As the largest alpine resort in Central Switzerland, the skiing and snowboarding options are virtually endless with 33 lifts giving access to 180 kilometres of pistes up to an elevation of 3,000 metres in the high alpine. A must visit destination with something for everyone.
LET'S FINISH 'DOWN UNDER'
PERISHER
Boasting a massive 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, Perisher is the largest snow resort in the Southern Hemisphere. Between the four resort areas - Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Guthega - 47 lifts await, accessing a vast amount of terrain to suit all abilities. There is truly something for everyone at Perisher. Check out the Trail Maps to see for yourself.
FALLS CREEK
When the fresh snow arrives, Falls Creek's European style village transforms into a magical winter wonderland. Nestled in the heart of the Victorian Alps, Falls Creek's village offers a truly ski in and ski out experience. As Victoria’s largest ski resort, Falls Creek boasts 450 hectares of terrain with over 90 marked trails perfect for the whole family.
HOTHAM
Hotham is widely regarded as being the powder capital of Australia. A truly unique village sits on top of a ridge crest meaning quite often your first turns are made before catching a lift. Known for its diverse, challenging terrain, when the fresh snow falls, bring out the powder skis or board and hit the steep and deep areas the resort is famous for.
As one season ends, another one is kicking off in the Northern Hemisphere. It's never too early to look forward to the next snow filled adventure. Whether it be hitting the slopes overseas or at home next year, the 2024 Epic Australia Pass offers a vast selection of world-class resorts around the globe for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy.
Written by pro skier, Drew Jolowicz
