Grab your Epic Passes for the upcoming ski season before the price hike next month

As kids return to school and bid farewell to summer, seize this final opportunity to secure next year's ski plans before prices for ski passes rise.

Whether you're new to skiing or an experienced skier, purchasing a ski pass is typically the most cost-effective way to access lift tickets instead of buying them individually. By securing an Epic Pass now, you can enjoy the lowest prices of the season and save on your mountain days.

An Epic Pass can help you save on skiing costs even if you're only planning a single trip or just one day on the slopes.

For instance, a single-day adult lift ticket at Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado can reach up to $295 for the 2023-2024 ski season. If you purchase a one-day Epic Pass now for next year, the maximum you’d spend for a day on the slopes at Beaver Creek or any other Vail-owned resort is just $132. That's a remarkable difference in price.

If you're looking to save money and ski at resorts included with the Epic Pass, now is the time to buy for next season to secure the best rates. Current prices will rise on September 2, with additional small increases typically occurring in the fall, spring, and late summer.

By securing an Epic Pass today, you can enjoy winter skiing for as little as $54 per day for adults (ages 13 and older) and just $27 per day for children aged 5 to 12. Kids under 5 ski free when accompanied by an adult holding an Epic Pass.

Keep in mind that the daily rate varies based on the type of pass you choose and how frequently you use it.

If you love Vail Resorts and their partner mountains — some of the most renowned in the industry — an Epic Pass is an excellent choice.

Pricing for the Epic Pass

The Epic Local Pass is designed for both local residents and visiting skiers, providing unrestricted access to 29 resorts, such as Breckenridge, Keystone, and Crested Butte in Colorado. Currently available for $746, it also offers unlimited access (excluding holidays) to Park City in Utah, Heavenly in California, and Stowe in Vermont, along with 10 days at Vail and Beaver Creek in Colorado and Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, among others.

For $1,004, the full Epic Pass allows unlimited skiing at top resorts like Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler Blackcomb, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Stowe, Keystone, and Park City, as well as seven days at Telluride and various resorts in the Canadian Rockies.

Though referred to as a "local" pass, it isn't just for nearby residents; anyone can enjoy extensive skiing throughout the season. The term "local" indicates some peak restrictions during the busiest holiday periods.

Many regional or mountain-specific pass options are available, including the Northeast Value Pass.

For just $613, you can enjoy skiing across 21 Northeast mountains throughout the season. This includes popular destinations like Stowe, Okemo, and Mount Snow in Vermont, as well as Hunter Mountain in New York and Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire. Although there are a few holiday blackout dates for certain mountains and only 10 days of access to Stowe, this pass offers excellent regional access.

There are also substantial discounts available for students, active and retired military members, seniors, and individuals with permanent disabilities.

If you're planning just one or two trips to the slopes, consider the Epic Day Pass instead; it allows you a specific number of ski days at selected resorts.

An Epic Pass can help you save money, even for a brief visit.

If you only ski or snowboard once or twice a season, you might think an Epic Pass isn't worthwhile. However, with various pass options available, you're likely to find one that aligns well with your skiing preferences.

The Epic Day Pass comes in three tiers, depending on the number of included mountains. You can choose access to 22 resorts (including the smaller Vail locations), 32 resorts, or all 38 mountains.

An adult single-day ticket begins at $52 ($27 for children) for a select number of ski resorts in the Midwest, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. Prices increase to $87 per day for most resorts ($44 for kids) or $113 per day ($59 for kids) for the complete range of Vail-owned and partner resorts. However, with a seven-day pass, the daily rate starts at just $45.

The more days you buy, the lower the daily rate becomes. For instance, a seven-day pass for 22 resorts on a non-peak date costs only $311 total, averaging $45 per day. For full access, expect around $95 per day. Keep in mind that during peak holiday periods (only 11 days), prices rise slightly, capped at $112 per day.

This can lead to significant savings, as single-day walk-up passes can approach $300 at resorts like Vail and Beaver Creek. Therefore, if you plan to ski just one day at Vail during the busy Christmas week, purchasing an Epic Day Pass in advance can be a money-saver.

Be aware that only Epic four-day, five-day, six-day, and seven-day passes with "All Resorts" access grant entry to Telluride Ski Resort in Colorado and the six resorts in the Canadian Rockies.

Epic Passes offer exclusive discounts

Additionally, holders of the Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Epic Day Pass, and other options can take advantage of discounts through the Epic Mountain Rewards program.

This straightforward yet beneficial program provides the following discounts at Vail Resorts' 37 North American destinations:

• 20% off food and nonalcoholic drinks (up to $150 per day)
• 20% off group ski and snowboard lessons
• 20% off lodging managed by Vail Resorts
• 20% off private or shared shuttles from Denver International Airport (DEN) and Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)
• 20% off equipment rentals
• 20% off select activities on the mountain
• One complimentary wax and one 50%-off tune-up each season at select U.S. locations

Epic Pass holders enjoy early access to Vail Resorts' Winter Getaway Sale, offering up to 35% off room rates for a limited time across hotels and vacation rentals at mountain resorts. Passholders can reserve their preferred accommodations starting August 22 by logging into their Epic Pass account and selecting the sale before public access begins on August 27.

Moreover, all 2024-2025 Epic Pass products come with Epic Coverage, which offers refunds for personal situations like job loss, injury, illness, and certain resort closures.

Experience world-class skiing and riding at top resorts

While the Epic Pass is a powerhouse option, the more affordable Epic Local Pass offers great value for those who don't plan to ski during holidays or peak times.

This season, the holiday dates impacting the Local Pass are November 29-30, 2024; December 26-31, 2024; January 18, 2025; and February 15-16, 2025. Note that some regional passes may have additional blackout dates. For instance, the Northeast Value Pass is restricted on January 18-19, 2025, which falls on the Saturday and Sunday of Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

Epic Pass

For those wanting unrestricted access to all of Vail's resorts, including additional partner resorts, and wishing to avoid the aforementioned holiday limitations, the full Epic Pass is the ideal choice.

Currently, passes for the 2024-2025 season are priced at $1,004 for adults (ages 13 and older) and $512 for children (ages 5 to 12). Note that there are no discounts on the full Epic Pass for teenagers.

This Epic Pass grants you access to:

• Vail Ski Resort
• Beaver Creek Resort
• Breckenridge Resort
• Keystone Resort
• Crested Butte Mountain Resort
• Park City Mountain Resort
• Heavenly Ski Resort
• Northstar California Resort
• Kirkwood Ski Resort in California
• Stevens Pass in Washington
• Whistler Blackcomb
• Stowe Mountain Resort
• Okemo Ski Resort
• Mount Snow Ski Resort
• Mount Sunapee Ski Resort
• Attitash Mountain Resort in New Hampshire
• Wildcat Mountain Resort in New Hampshire
• Crotched Mountain Resort in New Hampshire
• Hunter Mountain Resort
• Liberty Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania
• Roundtop Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania
• Whitetail Resort in Pennsylvania
• Jack Frost Big Boulder in Pennsylvania
• Seven Springs Ski Resort in Pennsylvania
• Laurel Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania
• Hidden Valley Resort in Pennsylvania
• Afton Alps in Minnesota
• Mount Brighton Resort in Michigan
• Wilmot Mountain Resort in Wisconsin
• Alpine Valley in Ohio
• Boston Mills Brandywine in Ohio
• Mad River Mountain in Ohio
• Hidden Valley in Missouri
• Snow Creek Mountain Resort in Missouri
• Paoli Peaks Mountain Resort in Indiana
• Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis in Switzerland
• Perisher in Australia
• Falls Creek in Australia
• Hotham Alpine Resort in Australia

Pending a closing acquisition, Crans-Montana in Switzerland will soon be added to this lineup.

With the full Epic Pass, enjoy seven days at Telluride Ski Resort, seven days at Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, unlimited access to 26 resorts in Europe, and five days in Japan at partner resorts.

Epic Local Pass

For the 2024-2025 season, the Epic Local Pass grants unlimited access to:

• Breckenridge Resort
• Keystone Resort
• Crested Butte Mountain Resort
• Stevens Pass
• Okemo Ski Resort
• Mount Snow Ski Resort
• Mount Sunapee Ski Resort
• Attitash Mountain Resort
• Wildcat Mountain Resort
• Crotched Mountain Resort
• Hunter Mountain Resort
• Afton Alps
• Mount Brighton Resort
• Wilmot Mountain Resort
• Alpine Valley
• Boston Mills Brandywine
• Mad River Mountain
• Hidden Valley in Missouri
• Snow Creek Mountain Resort
• Paoli Peaks Mountain Resort
• Liberty Mountain Resort
• Roundtop Mountain Resort
• Whitetail Resort
• Jack Frost Big Boulder
• Seven Springs Ski Resort
• Laurel Mountain Resort
• Hidden Valley Resort in Pennsylvania

Additionally, you will have access (with some holiday restrictions) to Park City Mountain Resort, Heavenly Ski Resort, Northstar California Resort, Kirkwood Ski Resort, and Stowe Mountain Resort.

The Epic Local Pass offers a total of 10 combined days (subject to previously mentioned holiday restrictions) at Vail Ski Resort, Beaver Creek Resort, and Whistler Blackcomb.

Moreover, if you're planning to ski outside of North America, you’ll get five days in Japan at Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu Resort, as well as five days in Switzerland at Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis and Crans-Montana (access pending acquisition completion).

In summary, if you can navigate a few restrictions, the current pricing for the Epic Local Pass is a bargain at $746 for adults, $388 for children ages 5 to 12, and $603 for teens aged 13 to 18. For comparison, a restricted seven-day Epic Day Pass costs $661 for adults, allowing you unlimited skiing throughout the winter for only a bit more.

Hot tip: If you’re considering the Northeast Value Pass or Ohio Pass and have a child aged 5 or 6, you can opt for a Tot Pass. This option is much more affordable, priced at under $50 (exact pricing varies based on when you buy it), but you’ll need to contact Vail or a local resort to obtain it. If the representative isn’t familiar with this pass, be sure to request to speak with someone else.

Opening dates for Vail Resorts in 2024-2025

As of August 14, Vail Resorts has revealed the opening dates for several properties, kicking off in October at Keystone Resort, followed by:

• November 8: Breckenridge Resort
• November 15: Vail Ski Resort
• November 22: Whistler Blackcomb, Heavenly Ski Resort, Northstar California Resort, and Park City Mountain Resort
• November 27: Beaver Creek Resort and Crested Butte Mountain Resort
• December 6: Kirkwood Ski Resort and Stevens Pass

According to a statement from Vail Resorts, "Opening days for more resorts will be announced as the winter season approaches."

What's new with the Epic Pass this year

If you had an Epic Pass last season, you'll be pleased to know that the options remain nearly the same, despite a price increase of about 8%.

There aren’t many changes, but the Mobile Pass option is now available at more mountains, including Whistler Blackcomb, along with enhancements to the redemption process for Buddy Tickets. Buddy Tickets are heavily discounted single-day lift tickets offered at a fixed price for each resort, available for a limited time to guests with eligible pass products.

The biggest update is the addition of Crans-Montana in Switzerland to the program for the 2024-2025 ski season.

Epic has also introduced a new app to replace the EpicMix app. This new app allows your phone to function as your lift ticket at most resorts and can be used to purchase your Epic Pass, Buddy Tickets, and Ski With a Friend tickets.

This winter, guests at four Colorado resorts can now access My Epic Assistant through the app, providing AI-driven resort assistance at Vail Ski Resort, Beaver Creek Resort, Breckenridge Resort, and Keystone Resort.

Additionally, several new lift upgrades are in progress at various resorts, including Whistler Blackcomb, Hunter Mountain Resort, Afton Alps, Perisher, and Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis.

In conclusion

For years, the most economical way to ski at major mountains has been through a pass. However, with single-day lift tickets approaching $300, it’s crucial to plan ahead and secure an Epic Pass to avoid those exorbitant prices.

Based on our skiing frequency last year, the cost of our Epic Pass averaged around $30 per day, covering six days at Vail and Breckenridge. This represents significant savings compared to daily rates at most mountains across the U.S., including independent resorts not associated with the Epic Pass.

In addition to those more affordable lift prices, you might also be able to utilize your hotel points for accommodations close to (or even on) the mountain, helping to minimize your overall ski expenses. Just be sure to plan in advance.