Mountain Collective

The Mountain Collective is the result of resorts around the world coming together to offer the opportunity to ride a couple days at each for the price of a few lift tickets — yes, it’s scary how high the cost of a day pass has risen.

The way it works is this: you buy the pass for $379 and you get two days at Sun Valley, Snowbird, Lake Louise/Sunshine Village, Coronet Peak/The Remarkables, Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth, Stowe, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Taos, Thredbo and Whistler Blackcomb. And if you buy right now, you get an extra day at any of the aforementioned resorts, totally free. If you want to stay more than a couple days at each location tickets are available for 50% off starting on your third day at any of the resort. The best part, there are no blackout dates. And with day tickets at most of these resorts coming in well over $100, it pays for itself quickly.

We at Snowboard Mag pooled our collective knowledge to come up with a guide to our favorite aspects of each destination and offer what bits of insider insight we have. If you decide to drop in on the pass, referring back to this guide may help you score more powder, better food and drinks and generally have more fun.

snowbird-mt-baldy-hike-boydThe start of the hike up Baldy. | Photo: Taylor Boyd

Snowbird

Catching the Bird when it’s good is an experience not soon forgotten. A deep blanket of light snow holds you on the renowned steep and variable terrain, and sets up riding unmatched by any other destination we know of — except maybe Alta next door, but there’s that whole no snowboarding thing… If you’re willing to put in a little hike, Mount Baldy will reward you with fresh turns after a storm.

Did you know?
If you take the hike up Mount Baldy and traverse far enough, you can drop into Alta. Riding a snowboard at Alta isn’t illegal. Riding the lifts with a snowboard is.

Snowbird.com


sun-valley-hot-springs-boysThe Frenchman’s Bend Hot Springs, down the road from Sun Valley resort. | Photo: Taylor Boyd

Sun Valley

The mellow pitch that has made Dollar Mountain a great place for beginners at Sun Valley also creates the perfect venue for a terrain park and superpipe. The best part is that the GoPro Park on Dollar Mountain is rarely, if ever, crowded, making it a friendly spot to dial in new tricks and haul ass from feature to feature without stopping.

Did you know?
Just down the dirt road from the base of Warm Springs is a naturally occurring hot spring in the river. A valve controlling the in and outflow of hot water allows you to adjust the temperature at which you soak away your slams in the GoPro Park.

Sunvalley.com


Destination_Signature_Banff_Springs_Hotel_Winter_Fairmont_15_HorizontalThe Banff Springs Fairmont. | Photo courtesy of Lake Louise

Lake Louise

Lake Louise & Sunshine Villiage have plenty of beginner and intermediate trails, but the backside of Lake Louise provides both lift-accessed and hike-to high alpine terrain, with serious chutes and drops. This is where you go if you want to scare yourself with a nice view.

Did you know?
The Banff Springs Fairmont, located in the town of Banff near Sunshine Village and Lake Louise, is 125 years old and has hosted the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Helen Keller, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. It’s not cheap, but it’s unlike any hotel you’ve stayed at.

Skilakelouise.com


AdamLocke_DD-entranceThe entrance to Delirium Dive. | Photo: Adam Locke

Sunshine Village

Delirium Dive is an inbounds zone at Sunshine that provides the type of riding usually found outside resort lines. But just because it’s inbounds doesn’t mean it’s safe. In order to enter the Dive you have to have a beacon and a shovel, and you can get yourself into a precarious situation if you’re not careful. You can also ride some of the best lines of your life, so just be smart.

Did you know?
Located mid-mountain at Sunshine is a bar called Mad Trapper’s Saloon. It’s a divey cabin scene when you walk in — the type of place where you order a pitcher not a martini. But remember, you’re going to have to ride down and it’s probably going to be dark, so factor that into how many of those pitchers you order.

Skibanff.com


Mountain CollectiveWhen it comes to parties… Aspen’s Cloud 9 does not dissapoint.

Aspen Snowmass

If you’re not afraid to put in a little work, you can access about 2000 feet of vertical descent once you drop into Highlands Bowl, which, after a storm, will deliver incredible riding well above treeline. Usually, the bootpack is firm and the hike will take between 30 minutes and an hour depending on how much fun you had the evening prior.

Did you know?
Cloud 9 hosts one of the rowdiest mid-mountain parties we’ve been to. It happens daily, but the best day is Saturday. Make a reservation at least a month in advance, and book it for 2:00 not 12:00. Hide anything you don’t want covered in champagne.

Aspensnowmass.com


jackson -stash-park-boydThe first feature in Jackson’s main Stash Park. | Photo: Taylor Boyd

Jackson Hole

Ranyon D’Arge and the park crew at Jackson have done an incredible job creating a park that complements the steep, natural terrain which defines the resort as a world-class freeriding destination. Instead of a series of downbars, The Stash highlights what you’ll find scattered around the mountain interpreted as well-crafted log and wooden features — some small, some massive.

Did you know?
Just a 5-minute walk from the bottom of the tram is Teton Thai, which offers high quality food at a reasonable price. Any notable snowboarder from Jackson, with the exception of Rice and Carter, has worked here at one point or another. But don’t look surprised if Travis or Mark is seated at the table next to you.

Jacksonhole.com


Mountain CollectiveStefan Echo sends a hip in Hellbrook, just above the Notch. | Photo: Owen Ringwall

Stowe

If you’re looking to experience out of bounds terrain on the East Coast, take a hike up to the Chin. From there, you can shoot down through the Hourglass and find yourself in the Notch. This is the spot. On your way out, follow Route 108, which is closed in the winter. The switchbacks on the road set up some nice spots to catch a little air.

Did you know?
You can ride to The Matterhorn — Stowe’s premier post-boarding spot— from the top of the mountain. Take the high speed quad to top, walk toward Stone Hut, and head out the “backcountry gate.” The Bruce Trail will drop you off at the Matterhorn. But don’t stray from the trail because you want to finish your day with sushi and reposado, not search and rescue.

Stowe.com


15-16_UNBOUND_SNOWBOARD_16Garrett Warnick front blunts in Mammoth’s highly visible Main Park. | Photo: Peter Morning

Mammoth Mountain

The parks at Mammoth are among the best in the world. Sending it in Main has been the foundation of many a pro career, but Mammoth has other smaller, less visible parks scattered around the mountain, including our favorite, the Transition Park, which feels like a skatepark made of snow, on an incline.

Did you know?
Mammoth averages about 400 inches of snowfall in a season, and last week one storm dropped five feet.

Mammothmountain.com


Mountain CollectivePow days are the norm at Whistler Blackcomb | Photo: Jussi Grznar

Whistler Blackcomb

The Peak to Creek gives “burner” a new meaning. At a staggering 6.8 miles, this Tour de Whistler is where you can make turns through every type of terrain the mountain has to offer: alpine steeps, hidden pow, rolling groomers, tight trees and side hits in abundance. When the Peak to Creek finally spits you out, you’ll find yourself in the original base area of Creekside and well deserving of Dusty’s signature Caesar. Or three.

Did you know?
El Furniture Warehouse is the go-to for cheap eats in Whistler, where $4.95 gets you anything on the menu. Stop in and you might even belly up next to co-owners and pro shreds Kevin Sansalone, Devun Walsh, Mikey Rencz and JF Pelchat.

Whistlerblackcomb.com


Coronet-Peak_last-night-ski2_Brandon-StanleyNight riding, plus a view like this? Booking our tickets now… | Photo: Brandon Stanley, Coronet Peak

The Remarkables and Coronet Peak

The geographic outliers in the Mountain Collective Pass, New Zealand’s Coronet Peak and The Remarkables present the rare opportunity for an August pow day. 2015 was one of the best snow years in recent memory for the Southern Alps, which is known for its massive snow fields and alpine conditions. But really, do we need to twist your arm with arbitrary reasons to go snowboarding in New Zealand?

Did you know?
Queenstown is the place you visit for five days and stay for three weeks. Tucked in next to Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by mountains, the natural beauty is real. Stop at Fergburger for post-shred eats, and you won’t go wrong with a late-night kebab.

The Remarkables
Coronet Peak


Thredbo-in-winter-for-webCheck out that forest… Snowboarding in Australia is an experience in itself. | Photo courtesy of Thredbo

Thredbo

If you somehow muster the willpower to leave New Zealand, the only logical decision would be to book an extended layover among the tallest peaks of Australia. Thredbo is surrounded by the Snow Gum trees of Kosciuszko National Park, a striking contrast to the alpine conditions of the country’s island neighbor. Count on solid park laps and, if conditions allow, the longest run in Australia.

Did you know?
Kosciuszko National Park has Australia’s highest peak and plenty of hiking trails to explore. For the less adventurous, the Thredbo Village has an abundance of cold beer.

Thredbo.com.au


Mountain CollectiveTaos snowfall does not disappoint. | Photo courtesy of Taos Ski Valley

Taos

Don’t discount New Mexico as a destination for world-class snowboarding. Sitting at the foot of the Rockies, Taos has an increasingly uncommon and inverse relationship between blower pow and lift lines, favoring the former. Casual riding exists here, but with inbounds access to near vertical chutes, cliffs, and overall gnarly terrain, you could easily find yourself in “oh shit” moments daily.

Did you know?
Less than ten years ago, you would’ve had to poach to ride Taos on a snowboard.

Skitaos.org


Moss-pow-Slashin-2_5-for-webMoss Halladay knows where to find the goods. | Photo courtesy of Squaw Alpine

Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows

Snow has returned to the Sierras, and Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows showcase the California snowboard experience. Blue skies, deep turns, breathtaking and over 6000 acres of terrain at your disposal. After you have had your fill of face shots, look no further than Le Chamois, the best après bar in Tahoe.

Did you know?
When Jeremy Jones isn’t glacier camping in the Arctic or traversing spine walls, the big mountain ripper is often found cruising Squaw Alpine.

Squawalpine.com

Pick up your 2016/17 Mountain Collective pass for a measly $379 before the price goes up.