With the Winter Olympics 2026 drawn to a close, those that are already missing the excitement and eager to experience a bit of Olympic history on the slopes themselves, the Ikon Pass includes nine resorts that have played host to incredible Olympic talent through the years, from the legendary mountains of Chamonix, which hosted the first Winter Games in 1924, to the newly expanded Deer Valley Resort in Utah, a 2002 host set to welcome Olympic talent again in 2034.

The multi-destination ski pass unlocks the chance to ski and snowboard where champions have made history.

Chamonix, France (1924)

The first ever Winter Olympic Games took place in Chamonix, with just 258 athletes competing in 16 events across five different sports. Located at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe, Chamonix continues to offer a blend of challenging terrain and vibrant alpine town atmosphere.

Today it is home to one of the highest vertical ascent cable cars, the Aiguille du Midi, which reaches 3,842 metres, perfect for stunning views and high-altitude photos. The resort is renowned for its après scene, from DJ sets to live performers at La Folie Douce and cosy vibes at Chamonix’s only microbrewery.

Moritz, Switzerland (1928 & 1948)

This resort firmly has a place in history, hosting the second ever Winter Olympics in 1928 and the first Winter Games to follow after World War II in 1948. While the 1928 games were relatively rudimentary, the 1948 edition, known as the “Games of Renewal”, marked a significant step forward, featuring permanently constructed Olympic facilities and benefitting from Switzerland’s neutral status.

Today St. Moritz offers 88 runs across 350km of terrain and is just a 2-hour flight from London. The resort has also evolved into a hub of luxury, with six Michelin stars across four restaurants and countless five star hotels, most notably the infamous Carlton Hotel and Badrutt’s Palace Hotel.

Palisades Tahoe, California (1960)

Located in California’s High Sierra region, around 70 miles from Reno airport, Palisades Tahoe is renowned for being a snow sure destination with seasons continuing well into the summer months. This former site of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games was the first to implement computerised scoring.

More than 60 years later, the resort still offers incredible views of Lake Tahoe but now spans around 6,200 acres and more than 270 runs. The resort caters to intermediate to advanced skiers and riders thanks to its terrain, with multiple terrain park options.

Deer Valley Resort, Utah (2002 &  2034)

This ski-only resort located just over an hour from Salt Lake City, was a venue for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Since then, Deer Valley Resort has undergone substantial change, embarking on one of the largest expansions in ski history which sees the resort more than double in size, adding over 5,726 acres. By 2034, the fully transformed resort will once again welcome Olympic talent as the Winter Games return to Salt Lake City.

Deer Valley is also an official training site for US Freestyle Ski athletes. For those who can’t wait, the resort offers a ‘Ski with a Champion’ programme, which pairs skiers with one of seven Olympic snowsports athletes, allowing guests to experience the resort with an Olympian up close.

Snowbasin, Utah (2002)

The 2002 Winter Olympic Games straddled both Deer Valley and Snowbasin with the latter playing  host to the men’s and women’s downhill, super-G and giant slalom. Located just 45 minutes’ drive from Salt Lake City, Snowbasin is a popular alpine destination with over 3,000 skiable acres. Renowned for its steep bowls and long cruisers, the resort combines challenging expert runs with intermediate and beginner slopes, making it a favourite for families, freeriders, and ski enthusiasts alike. Modern lifts and scenic views of the Wasatch Mountains complete the experience.

Cypress Mountain, Canada (2010)

Located just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Cypress Mountain was the freestyle skiing and snowboarding venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Hosting events including moguls, aerials, ski cross and more, the resort played a key role in one of Canada’s most celebrated Winter Olympic Games.

Today, the resort offers over 600 skiable acres across varied terrain, from gentle beginner slopes to challenging runs for advanced skiers and snowboarders.

Mona Yongpyong, South Korea (2018)

Nestled in Pyeongchang, Mona Yongpyong is South Korea’s most storied mountain resort, famed as a host of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. With its iconic Rainbow Course, sweeping slopes on Mt. Balwangsan, and year-round leisure offerings, it’s a destination where world-class competition, culture and adventure collide.

Yunding Snow Park, China (2022)

One of the venues used in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Yunding Snow Park is one of the recent Asian additions to the Ikon Pass. Located one hour from Beijing by high-speed rail and set in the snowy mountains of northern China, the resort is known for being one of Asia’s best ski experiences. The four-season resort pairs elite terrain with modern infrastructure, including the legendary halfpipe ridden by Olympians Eileen Gu and Shaun White. Beyond the turns, this Chinese icon offers sunlit slopes, ski-in/ski-out access for all abilities, robust restaurant options, on-mountain lodging and off-slope adventures.

PHOTO: Harald Wisthaler, Dolomiti Superski / Wisthaler Photography

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy (1956 and 2026)

Cortina d’Ampezzo, located in the heart of the Italian Dolomites, hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics as well as this year’s. The 2026 Winter Olympic Games was a world away from 1956, featuring modern infrastructure and the debut of ski mountaineering, the first new Olympic winter sport added since 1964. As part of the Dolomiti Superski network, one of the world’s largest ski areas, the region offers over 1,200km of connected pistes, spanning multiple resorts and peaks. For UK travellers, the easiest access is via Venice Marco Polo Airport, followed by a 2–2.5 hour transfer through scenic alpine valleys.

To purchase an Ikon Pass, head to ikonpass.com

Categories: America, France, Italy, Switzerland

Tags: Olympic resorts