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Michael Fulton

Michael Fulton

Melbourne-based ski expert with 45+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian skiing and riding and international resort comparisons.

45+ resorts visited
14 years skiing
Author since 2020

Regional Expertise:

🇦🇺 Australia (6) • 🇺🇸 USA (15) • 🇯🇵 Japan (5) • 🇪🇺 Europe (10)

Articles by Michael Fulton

10 Best Ski Resorts in Colorado Ranked for the 2025-26 Season

Michael Fulton

10 Best Ski Resorts in Colorado Ranked for the 2025-26 Season

Colorado stands as the undisputed capital of American skiing, combining reliable snowfall, varied terrain, and the legendary Rocky Mountain powder. With over 300 days of sunshine annually and some of the most accessible high-elevation skiing in North America, it's no wonder why Colorado draws skiers and snowboarders from around the globe.

Garmisch Classic Ski Resort Review: Olympic History and Bavarian Skiing at Its Best

Michael Fulton

Garmisch Classic Ski Resort Review: Olympic History and Bavarian Skiing at Its Best

Garmisch Classic combines Olympic heritage, varied terrain across 40km of trails, and authentic Bavarian culture at prices significantly lower than other European destinations. With a massive 1,350m vertical drop and terrain for all abilities, this German resort offers exceptional value for Australians seeking European skiing without Swiss or French price tags.

Ikon Pass Header Graphic

Michael Fulton

Ikon Pass App Consolidation Forces Resort-Specific App Users to Switch

Alterra Mountain Company has consolidated 14 resort-specific apps into its upgraded Ikon Pass platform, requiring users at resorts like Winter Park and Palisades Tahoe to migrate ahead of the 2025-26 season. The move prioritises pass-holder convenience over individual resort identity.

Banff Sunshine Lifts

Michael Fulton

Banff Sunshine Opens as First Canadian Ski Resort for 2025-26 Season

Banff Sunshine has opened for the 2025-26 season, becoming the first Canadian ski resort to spin lifts and marking the earliest opening in the resort's history. With limited terrain and reduced pricing, the Alberta resort is banking on early-season enthusiasm and a novelty Halloween promotion.

Verbier Opening Day for the 2025-26 Season

Michael Fulton

Verbier Opens Early for 2025-26 Season Following November Snowfall

Verbier has opened for the 2025-26 season on 1 November after receiving 40cm of snow at higher elevations. The early opening is notable for a non-glacier resort in the Alps, though questions remain about terrain coverage and snow depth sustainability.

Sun Valley Adds Multi-Day Adult Ski and Snowboard Camps for 2025-26

Michael Fulton

Sun Valley Adds Multi-Day Adult Ski and Snowboard Camps for 2025-26

Sun Valley has launched four multi-day camp programmes for adult skiers and riders, including an all-women's intermediate camp. The structured packages aim to capture a growing segment of the lessons market, though the pricing and value proposition remain unclear.

Ikon Pass Expands Asia Offering: Analysing the Implications

Michael Fulton

Ikon Pass Expands Asia Offering: Analysing the Implications

Ikon Pass adds 9 new Asian destinations for 2025-26, significantly increasing its presence in Japan, China and South Korea. But what does this expansion really mean for pass holders and the wider ski industry?

How Epic and Ikon Passes Transformed the Face of Skiing in North America

Michael Fulton

How Epic and Ikon Passes Transformed the Face of Skiing in North America

The introduction of Vail's Epic Pass in 2008 and Alterra's Ikon Pass in 2018 fundamentally transformed North American skiing from a day-ticket model to a season-pass dominated industry. While offering extraordinary value for frequent skiers, these passes have simultaneously made skiing more accessible for some while driving day ticket prices to record highs and creating significant challenges for mountain communities.

Zillertal Arena Ski Resort Review: 150km of Terrain Across Four Austrian Villages

Michael Fulton

Zillertal Arena Ski Resort Review: 150km of Terrain Across Four Austrian Villages

After a week in Austria's Zillertal Valley, I finally understood why locals kept insisting I ski Zillertal Arena. This 150km interconnected area spans four villages with nearly 2,000m of vertical, yet remains relatively unknown internationally. From tackling the intimidating piste 10 to finding beer from a 500-year-old brewery mid-mountain, here's my February 2025 assessment.

Mt. Rose Starts Early Snowmaking, Aims for November Opening

Michael Fulton

Mt. Rose Starts Early Snowmaking, Aims for November Opening

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe has begun snowmaking operations, positioning itself as an early opener in the Lake Tahoe region. The resort's $6 million in upgrades, including a new tubing park, reflect ongoing efforts to diversify offerings amidst changing ski industry trends.

Kitzski Resort Review By SnowStash

Michael Fulton

Kitzski Kitzbühel Review: Why This Austrian Resort is Ranked Number One in the World

After a decade on my bucket list, I finally made it to Kitzski at Kitzbühel - ranked number one out of 6,000 global resorts. Having skied Mt Buller, Lake Tahoe, and Hokkaido, I approached the claim with scepticism. But after two days exploring 233 kilometres of pistes and skiing sections of the legendary Streif downhill course, I'm convinced. This might truly be the most complete ski resort experience on the planet, combining world-class terrain with authentic alpine village life.

Looking direction up the terrain part at Pända Snowpark

Michael Fulton

Schilthorn's Early Freestyle Opening: Hype vs Reality

Schilthorn's rebranded Pända Snowpark opens for early season riding on September 27. We examine the practicalities behind the marketing push and what it actually means for freestyle skiers and snowboarders.

Les Portes du Soleil: New Lifts and Overpriced Upgrades for 2025-26

Michael Fulton

Les Portes du Soleil: New Lifts and Overpriced Upgrades for 2025-26

Les Portes du Soleil, the cross-border ski area straddling France and Switzerland, is rolling out several upgrades for the 2025-26 season. While some improvements offer genuine benefits, others seem more focused on marketing hype than enhancing the skiing experience.