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Alaska Airlines introduces 18 new ski and sun routes for the winter season

Alaska Airlines has found a way to introduce an epic adventure option that could fulfill bucket lists, lifelong memories, and everything in between. We have all the details of what the 18 new ski and sun routes have in store for you.

By Christopher Lyke

Alaska Airlines introduces 18 epic ski and sun destination worthy stops to its winter inventory.
Alaska Airlines introduces 18 epic ski and sun destination worthy stops to its winter inventory. / Mario Tama/GettyImages
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Alaska Airlines is making a big commitment to some of the key getaway locations across the North American continent. The Ski and Sun routes as Alaska Airlines has dubbed it, certainly has a very big appeal among potential adventurers who like to grace the beaches and ski slopes during the winter months. The destinations that are part of the seasonal package have no shortage of mouth-watering and bucket-list possibilities.

Alaska Airlines has opened up booking for any of the 18 destinations on its website. The airline is also part of the one world network of airlines that includes 15 of the world's most frequently traveled airlines such as American, British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, and Finnair just to name a few. The possible connections across the globe are certainly endless when utilizing the network. Perhaps an extended vacation could be in short order!

"We’re thrilled to offer convenient connection for guests across our network with this expansion—whether checking destinations off their bucket lists or setting off to their favorite winter getaways, we’ve put together an exciting range of options from tropical destinations across Mexico to the most popular ski slopes in North America,” said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of network planning and revenue management at Alaska Airlines.

Ski Destinations

Vail, Colorado needs no introduction to the American destination elite list. Known for its rustic atmosphere and world-class ski slopes, Vail checks off as a mouth-watering stop any adventure traveler must make. Alaska Airlines will be making its first stop this winter in the Colorado resort town with connections in San Diego and Settle. The route between Vail and either Seattle or San Diego will run three times a week starting December 20 and ending on March 16.

Kelowna, British Columbia is a western Canadian masterpiece in the heart of the Canadian Rockies with epic ski slopes, vineyards, and picturesque pines. On the road, it is the virtual halfway point between Vancouver and Banff National Park. There will be only one Alaska Airlines connection to Kelowna and it is done through Los Angeles International, Flights between Los Angeles and Kelowna will operate daily from December 9 until March 25 but the frequency of the flights will vary with demand.

Reno, Nevada is a destination that includes nearby Lake Tahoe. As a winter hotspot, there is more than meets the eye with things to do. Sure, you have the casinos, the shows, and the bright lights of the city, but the ski and snowboarding options are plentiful. There are 18 ski resorts as close as 11 miles from the airport to as far away as 98 miles. Alaska Airlines will have daily flights to and from Reno and San Diego starting December 20 and running until April 21.

  • Vail - San Diego | December 20 - March 16 | 3x per week
  • Vail - Seattle | December 20 - March 16 | 3x per week
  • Kelowna - Los Angeles | December 9 - March 25 | Daily
  • Reno - San Diego | December 20 - April 21 | Daily

Boise and Orlando comes with the mix of both Ski & Sun

Boise, Idaho is such a unique stop for Alaska Airlines for several reasons and the city will be a connection point for some of the epic stops in the entire ski and Sun program offered by Alaska Airlines. The ski and snowboarding scene in Boise is well known with nearby Bogus Basin a few miles north of the city which includes Boise National Forest. Not to mention Sun Valley and Tamarack are also great options for your ski and snowboarding guilty pleasures.

There will be three separate connections that Alaska Airlines will offer for thrill-seeking vacationers can get to and from Boise in short order and it is not just Boise that will reap the benefits. The first connection will be a relatively short flight between the Idaho Capital to Bozeman, Montana. The connection between Boise and Bozeman will operate from December 19 through March 17 five days a week. Not only is Bozeman a world-class level skiing destination, but there is also a prevalent fly fishing stop centered throughout the region. Bozeman also puts you within driving distance of one of the world's most iconic national parks in Yellowstone.

A stop between Boise and Santa Ana, California is being added a year-round daily flight starting December 19. It should be worth mentioning, that the connection between the two cities gives people in both regions the option to enjoy the amenities and all that there is to explore. Whether it is taking a stroll at Adventure City, going to Disneyland, or going down the Santa Ana River Trail, the Southern California scene needs no explanation.

Boise and Sacramento residents and those in the surrounding area should be excited to learn that getting an escape to one of the premier vacation escapes this winter will be as simple as boarding one non-stop flight. Alaska Airlines will be offering a non-stop flight to Orlando starting in January. Best known for the theme parks of Disney and Universal, the city of Orlando provides a way to warm up and enjoy an adventure like no other place on Earth can truly provide. The Boise - Orlando route will start on January 7 and fly three times per week through March 25. For folks in the Northern California region, the trip to Central Florida starts January 6 with flights operating four times a week depending on demand through April 21.

  • Boise - Bozeman | December 19 - March 17 | 5x per week
  • Boise - Santa Ana (Orange County) | Year-round starting December 19 | Daily
  • Boise - Orlando | January 7 - March 25 | 3x per week
  • Sacramento - Orlando | January 6 - April 21 | 4x per week

Sacramento gets a big focus in the sun regionally and internationally

For those not familiar with Sacramento, it is the capital of California with an easily drivable route to San Francisco and Oakland out west, Lake Tahoe to the east, and Yosemite National Park to the southeast. The city also has its fair share of things to explore such as the Sacramento River and other historic adventures. In addition to the Orlando route, Alaska Airlines is providing Northern California residents greater access to the hot spots of Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos in Mexico, and the Arizona city of Tucson.

Sacramento will be getting a daily stop to Tucson starting January 6 and lasting through April 21. The daily flight gives Northern California residents the chance to explore the historic Sonora Desert with Saguaro National Park and all places in between with a number of very cool hiking trails in the area.

The Mexican resort towns of Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos need no introduction to the seasoned traveler across the Americas and around the world. Los Cabos, located on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, is world-renowned for its beaches, marine life, and scuba diving locations. Not to mention the El Arco de Cabo San Lucas sea arch. The Sacramento - Los Cabos connection will run five times a week starting January 6 and going through April 21.

Much like Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta is a Mexican paradise on the Pacific coast. Getting a chance to take in whale watching, snorkeling, or gracing the white sandy beaches, Puerto Vallarta has a unique appeal that is second to none. The Sacramento Puerto Vallarta route begins on January 11 and goes just once a week through April 19.

  • Sacramento - Tucson | January 6 - April 21 | Daily
  • Sacramento - Los Cabos | January 6 - April 21 | 3x per week
  • Sacramento - Puerto Vallarta | January 11 - April 19 | 1x per week

Alaska Airlines gives Mexico's paradise a spotlight

Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta are not the only Mexican cities that will be getting a boost from Alaska Airlines. Add in Guadalajara and Cancun to that list. The Guadalajara route is going to run from December 3 through February 12 with Fresno as the lone U.S. destination and will run on a daily schedule. Guadalajara gives Fresno and Central California residents a golden opportunity to escape the cold for a day tour of the famous Mexican tequila farms.

Of the 18 Ski and Sun routes, there is only one Cancun and the U.S. city with the honor of getting that destination will be Kansas City. The opportunity for the Kansas City area to get a non-stop flight to view the lavish beaches and night lights of the historic Caribbean city. Flights to and from Cancun by way of Kansas City International will run once a week from January 18 through June 7.

Kansas City will also get the honor of getting a flight to Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific side. Much like that of the Cancun route, it will run once a week from January 25 through April 5. St. Louis, much like Kansas City, will have the same Puerto Vallarta schedule with the same dates running once a week. The final piece of the Puerto Vallarta portion of the puzzle to the Alaska Airlines Ski and Sun routes is the New York City connection. Flying out of and arriving at the JFK Airport, the Puerto Vallarta connection will run four times a week from January 8 through April 20.

  • Fresno - Guadalajara | December 12 - February 12 | Daily
  • Kansas City - Cancun | January 18 - June 7 | 1x per week
  • Kansas City - Puerto Vallarta | January 25 - April 5 | 1x per week
  • St. Louis - Puerto Vallarta | January 25 - April 5 | 1x per week
  • New York (JFK) - Puerto Vallarta | January 8 - April 20 | 4x per week

An escape to Costa Rica for west coast travelers

If you are staying in and around San Francisco and Seattle or are just visiting, Alaska Airlines has yet another option to make your mouth water. A trip to Liberia, Costa Rica could be just what the doctor ordered. Getting a chance to view the breathtaking waterfalls, take in a water tour, or visit the Arenal Volcano, there is plenty to look forward to. The Seattle connection will run once a week from December 21 through May 11 while the San Francisco connection will also run once a week from the same December 21 date through May 10.

  • San Francisco - Liberia (Guanacaste) | December 21 - May 10 | 1x per week
  • Seattle - Liberia (Guanacaste) | December 21 - May 11 | 1x per week

Alaska Airlines to become only U.S. carrier offering flights to Monterrey and La Paz

Currently, no U.S. carrier has a connection to the Mexican cities of La Paz and Monterrey. This will change when Alaska Airlines will begin service to the two cities in November and February. Both connections for the two cities will originate from Los Angeles. The La Paz connection will begin on November 20 and will have a frequency of two or three flights per week. As for the Monterrey connection, that one will be a daily non-stop flight beginning on February 13.

  • Los Angeles - La Paz | Starting November 20 | 2-3x per week
  • Los Angeles - Monterrey | Starting February 13 | Daily

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