This week, Ikon Pass holders got some good news. On Oct. 21, the company announced nine new locations across Asia. Full Ikon and Ikon Base Pass holders now have access to seven new mountains in Japan, joining Niseko United and Arai Mountain Resort, which were already included on the pass. Ikon is also adding one new mountain in China and one in South Korea for a total of 11 winter destinations across Asia.
It’s one of Ikon’s biggest destination expansions in recent years.
“Ikon Pass is the winter gateway for anyone who wants to ski or ride the best of Asia, now with access to 11 destinations throughout Japan, China, and South Korea,” Matt Bowers, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Alterra Mountain Company, said in a statement.
What’s New
For the 2025/26 season, Ikon is significantly expanding its presence in Japan. The seven new locations include Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort, Mt.T, Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort, Furano Ski Resort, APPI Resort, NEKOMA Mountain, and Zao Onsen Ski Resort.
Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort is just 2 hours from Tokyo and easily accessible by public transportation. It has one of the world’s longest groomed runs at 8.5 km. Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort is high in the Japanese Rockies and includes over 18 interconnected ski areas.
Other highlights include the World Cup runs at Furano Ski Resort. The resort offers an exceptional variety of lift-served and hike-to terrain spread across two distinct zones. Ikon describes the snow there as “light, dry, and deep.”
Outside of Japan, the new addition in China is the Yunding Snow Park. This four-season resort hosted the 2022 Beijing Olympics. In South Korea, pass holders can now visit Mona Yongpyong, which hosted the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. It is the country’s “most storied mountain resort.”
These Olympic Games host resorts join Ikon’s Japanese offerings, making a total of 11 Ikon destinations in Asia.
Full Ikon vs. Ikon Base (and Ikon Session)
Passholders’ access to the new Ikon mountains varies depending on which pass they have (or intend to get). Full Ikon Pass holders have 7 days at Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort and 7 days each at the other new Asian destinations, with no blackout dates.
Ikon Base Pass holders have 5 days at Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort and 5 days each at all other new Asian destinations, with no blackout dates.
In total, Ikon and Ikon Base Pass holders now have access to over 70 days of skiing throughout Asia.
Unfortunately, the Ikon Session Pass holders do not have access to any of the new Ikon destinations in Asia. However, you can upgrade your pass by logging into your Ikon account and selecting the upgrade button. All you have to do is pay the difference between passes.
Act fast if you intend to upgrade, though. Ikon stops selling passes or allowing for upgrades by the second week in December.
Wave of Expansion
This is just the latest perk that Ikon has added in 2025. It also recently expanded access to Le Massif de Charlevoix in Quebec and five mountains in Italy. Additionally, it just announced early access to Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, as well.
“With marquee destinations on Hokkaido and in the Nagano Area joining Niseko United and Arai Mountain Resort in Japan, plus the hidden Japan of the Tohoku Region, along with Olympic venues in Japan, China, and South Korea, Ikon Pass now offers extensive access for Ikon Pass holders in even more of the best snow regions on the planet,” Bowers said.
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