Image of snow covered mountains and a bright blue sky - winter season

IKON & EPIC SKI PASS TRIPS – COLORADO OVERLANDER EDITION

The Ikon Pass and the Epic Pass have become a Colorado skier’s new best friend. Choosing between them is the only hard part. Both offer multiple days at world-famous ski resorts across Colorado, North America, and the world, and both offer a chance to experience those places in the winter and the summer. So while we’ll leave it up to you to decide whether to be Ikon(ic) or Epic, the folks at Colorado Overlander are excited to help you plan your ski vacation, or summer destination, with a go-anywhere 4×4 overlanding vehicle.

CHOICES, CHOICES

One of the best things about holding an Ikon or an Epic Pass is that you have lots and lots of options. Unlike a local pass that only allows access to one mountain, these two multi-mountain ski passes open up the possibility of waiting until you hear the powder report to decide where you want to make tracks. Fortunately, the rugged, 4×4 capable trucks of Colorado Overlander are ready for the tough winter weather that make those turns so sweet.

Reaching your preferred destination when  the powder is still fresh often means covering some miles in really rough conditions. In fact, driving the highways and passes of Colorado in the winter can be an extreme adventure all in itself. Renting a vehicle with Colorado Overlander means that you will have the traction and control you need to reach that destination safely. More than just a fully-equipped backcountry camping experience, the Toyota Tundra, Tacoma or 4Runner are great vehicles for handling variable weather conditions and slick roads when you are visiting Colorado’s ski country.

Colorado’s new winter traction laws require drivers to maintain ⅜’s tread on all their tires, or have studded snow tires. At Colorado Overlander, our vehicles are always winter-ready, so you can spend the night in your preferred resort or ski lodge, and drive with the certainty that you will make it there in style!

Image of the Ikon Pass Logo

WHERE TO GO ON THE IKON PASS

Aspen/Snowmass
Actually four mountains in one, visiting the Roaring Fork Valley means that you can ski Snowmass, Aspen, Buttermilk, or Highlands. Each one of these mountains has unique opportunities, with a different vibe and is preferred by a different type of skiier. With Colorado Overlander’s home base of Glenwood Springs just down the road, The Power of Four Aspen/Snowmass is sure to offer you a ski trip tailored perfectly for you and your family.

Winter Park
Mary Jane, anyone? Class big bumps and beautiful turns draw devoted skiers and riders back to Winter Park over and over again. A mountain with tons of personality and history, Winter Park joins the Ikon Pass.

Steamboat
Ski Country USA is known for its perfect champagne powder and colorful western lifestyle. A little more off-the-beaten-track, Steamboat Springs is a town well worth the drive, and with a Colorado Overlander truck, you can be sure to make it.

Arapahoe Basin
A funky mountain with a style all its own and hundreds of backbowl acres, A-Basin is known for opening early and closing late every season. Bonus- enjoy the famed tailgate lifestyle in the parking lot ‘beach’ with all the trappings of Colorado Overlanders backcountry kitchen settup.

Eldora
When the snow falls hard on the Front Range, Eldora Mountain Resort is the place to go. Close to Denver and the Front Range, epic powder days mean that you want to get there early to make first tracks.

WHERE TO GO ON THE EPIC PASS

Vail
Synonymous with Colorado ski resorts, and founding company of the Epic Pass itself, Vail is truly a world class ski destination. With a huge variety of terrain, including expert level areas that draw big name professionals to train there every year, Vail has something for everyone. All winter and summer, Vail Resort offers festivals, live music, cultural events and outdoor adventure.

Beaver Creek
Another gem of central Colorado, Beaver Creek is luxurious resort offering beautiful turns and apres culture while staying just a little more under the radar.

Breckenridge
The town of Breckenridge is known not only for skiing, but for its historic western personality, beautiful local shops, and its proximity to mountain adventures of all types. Many of the ski runs at Breckenridge stretch above treeline, giving visitors a good look at the high peaks which surround the town. Visit in the summer to hike fourteeners and drive to beautiful alpine meadows with one of Colorado Overlanders vehicles.

Keystone
Night skiing and a fun, locals vibe make Keystone another place to ride that doesn’t always have the crowds. Enjoy making turns after dark or watching fireworks from the slopes at Keystone this winter.

Crested Butte
With a totally different view, Crested Butte (literally) stands alone in the world of Colorado ski resorts. The drive can be tricky sometimes, winding your way up the Gunnison River valley, or over Kebler Pass (in the summer), so having a solid 4×4 truck rental from Colorado Overlander allows you to take in the scenery without the stress of driving a ‘standard’ model rental car.

THE LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

If you are ready to get the most out of your Colorado ski vacation this winter with the Ikon or the Epic Pass but don’t know where to start, give us a call today! The staff at Colorado Overlander has lived and skied in Colorado for decades and will help you work out your travel plans no matter where you are flying into. We love to talk skiing and are always happy to share our thoughts on where to go for the deepest turns or best apres scene in the state!

Image of the Maroon Bells in Aspen- with the iconic Maroon Bells reflected in Maroon Lake. The green wilderness and nature surrounds the area.
A scene from the Moab desert with the sun setting in the distance.
Image of the iconic Hanging Lake in Glenwood Springs, Colorado- The water is vivid blue and there are trees and rocky walls surrounding this stunning area.
Image of blue Columbine flowers on a mountain with a beautiful orange sunset in the background.
Image of a wooden cabin with a green roof with stunning mountains and clouds in the background.
Image of a wooden cabin in Steamboat Springs, CO. In the background, the sky is blue with white clouds and there are yellow hills.
Image of Rocky Mountain National Park with views of the green grass, mountain range, and blue sky with clouds.
Image of the Arches view and the sun setting in the background
Image of Horseshoe Bend with the magestic views and sun setting in the background
Image of a view from Zion National Park - you get a sense of majestic nature and wonder.
Image of the mountain views and a green valley with a town in the distance
Image of Yellowstone National Park's Old Faithful- there are stunning colors of blue, green, yellow, and orange as people walk around the thermal water on the sightseeing path.
Image of Crystal Mill in Marble, Colorado. The old wooden mill is rustic and has a sense of history as it is nestled amoung the forest and running river below.
Image of a woman sitting in a natural hot spring in the mountains. In the distance, you see tall green pine trees and majestic mountains.
Image of a beautiful bull elk walking through tall fall grass. In the background, you see a calm body of water and majestic foggy mountains.
Image of three individuals in hunting gear. They are standing as they look over the mountains and soak in the mountain views.
Image of a rocky dirt road lined with grass and wildflowers. In the background, you see a hazy view of the mountain and the sun shining through the clouds.
Image of a bare mountain top with patches of snow on the Alpine Loop in Colorado
An aerial image of a forest of colorful trees in the fall, including yellow, bright orange, red, rust, and bright green. In the background, views of snowcapped mountains.
Shadow of a photographer shooting a photo towards the mountains in the distance.
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