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Choosing a season pass is no easy task, especially in the age of multi-resort season passes. For frequent skiers and snowboarders looking to explore multiple areas owned by Vail Resorts, the Epic Pass is quite possibly the best choice, especially since offerings allow for a tailored mountain experience.
The Epic Pass offers access to resorts across North America and abroad, offering unlimited days at a holder’s home resort in between ski vacations. In many cases, the Epic Pass will pay for itself within just a few weeks. Note: Epic Pass prices are lowest in the spring and continue to rise until they go off sale in December. The earlier you lock in your pass, the more you can save.
Epic Pass Buyer’s Guide
Who is the Epic Pass for?
Vail Resorts created the Epic Pass more than a decade ago, well before the number of ski areas under its ownership skyrocketed. You’ll find plenty of skiing and riding with any version of the Epic Pass. The pass is for skiers and snowboarders looking for loads of time on the slopes at multiple destinations.
The full Epic Pass, priced at $1,089 for skiers over age 31 and $869 for teens and young adults age 13-30, offers unlimited, unrestricted access at several North American, European and Australian resorts, including some of Vail’s most famous properties like Vail, Breckenridge and Park City. Plus, the pass overs seven total days at other resorts, like Japan’s Hakuba and Canada’s Mont-Sainte-Anne, plus, after those seven days have been used, pass holders can score a 50% discount on additional daily lift tickets. A detailed list of destinations can be found here.
Skiers and riders who don’t anticipate traveling or visiting more than a few nearby resorts can save some money on the Epic Local Pass, priced at $809 for adults over age 31 and $649 for teens and young adults between 13 and 30, this pass offers comparable access to unlimited resorts, but includes some blackout dates, which are listed on the website. Student discounts are also available.
Those looking for only a few days of access can also purchase the Epic Day Pass, which allows up to seven days of customizable access, meaning you can purchase now and decide where to use them later. For seven days of access to all eligible resorts, including peak dates, the cost is $673.
What’s new with the Epic Pass?
New for the 2026/27 season, the Epic Pass is offering special pricing for Gen Z. Skiers and snowboarders between age 13 and 30 pay 20% less than the full pass’ standard pricing, meaning they could save up to $220. For the full Epic Pass, Gen Z will pay as little $869, and for the Epic Local Pass, they’ll pay as little as $649.
Friend tickets will also return for the 2026/27 season, giving pass holders who secure their pass 10 vouchers for 50% off lift tickets. Alternatively, if you purchased a lift ticket from a Vail property during the 2025/26 season, you’ll be eligible for a discount on select Epic season pass options.
This season, Vail is bringing back 20% discounts on on-mountain dining and My Epic Gear, a program that allows pass holders who opt-in (for an additional fee) to reserve gear rentals through the MyEpic app and have them delivered.
The Epic Pass went on sale in March for $1,089 for the full pass (Gen Z pays $869) and $809 for the Epic Local Pass (Gen Z pays $649). For a limited time, those who purchase their pass early will receive 10 Buddy Tickets and six Ski With a Friend Tickets.
Where can you ski on an Epic Pass?
Remember this pass is only valid at ski areas owned by Vail Resorts or its partners in Europe, Australia, and Japan. But, there’s plenty of terrain to choose from. While there are a number of ski pass options out there, such as Ikon, Indy, Mountain Collective, Cooper, and some smaller groupings, Epic and Ikon are the two major ones. See our article here that compares the Epic Pass and Ikon Pass.
Note that Vail Resorts hasn’t yet added any new destinations for the 2026/27 Epic Pass, but things may change.
USA: West — Heavenly, CA./Nev.; Kirkwood, CA.; Northstar, CA.; Stevens Pass, WA.
Midwest — Afton Alps, MN.; Alpine Valley, Ohio; Boston Mills, Ohio; Brandywine, Ohio; Hidden Valley, MO.; Mad River Mountain, Ohio; Mt. Brighton, MI.; Paoli Peaks, IN.; Snow Creek, Mo.; Wilmot, WI.
Northeast — Attitash, N.H.; Big Boulder, PA.; Crotched Mountain, N.H.; Hidden Valley, PA.; Hunter Mountain, N.Y.; Jack Frost, PA.; Laurel Mountain, PA.; Liberty Mountain, PA.; Mount Snow, VT.; Mount Sunapee, N.H.; Okemo, VT.; Roundtop Mountain Resort, PA.; Seven Springs, PA.; Stowe, VT.; Whitetail, PA.; Wildcat, N.H.
Rockies — Beaver Creek, CO.; Breckenridge, CO.; Crested Butte, CO.; Keystone, CO.; Park City Mountain Resort, Utah; Telluride, CO.; Vail, CO.
Canada — Whistler Blackcomb, B.C.; Fernie Alpine Resort, B.C.; Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, B.C.; Kimberley Alpine Resort, B.C.; Mont-Sainte Anne, QC.; Nakiska Ski Area, AB.; Stoneham, QC.
Southern Hemisphere — Falls Creek, Hotham, and Perisher, Australia
Europe — Les 3 Vallées, France (Val Thorens, Méribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires, Saint Martin de Orelle, Brides-Les-Bains); Skirama Dolomiti, Italy (Madonna di Campiglio; Pinzolo; Folgarida-Marilleva; Pejo; Ponte di Legno-Tonale; Andalo-Fai della Paganella; Monte Bondone; Folgarida-Lavarone); 4 Vallées, Switzerland (Andermatt Sedrun, Disentis, Bruson, Verbier, La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, Thyon); Ski Arlberg (Lech, Zurs, Stuben, St. Christoph, St. Anton), Sölden, Saalbach, Zell am See-Kaprun, Mayrhofen, Hintertux, and Silvretta Montafon, Austria; Crans-Montana Mountain Resort.
Japan — Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park (Able Hakuba Goryu; Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field; Jigatake Snow Resort; Tsugaike Mountain Resort; Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort; Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort; Hakuba Norikura Onsen Snow Resort; Kashimayari Snow Resort); Rusutsu.
Full Epic Pass
Who: Skiers and riders looking for unlimited access to 80+ resorts.
Where: Unlimited days at more than 40 resorts, including these North America ski resorts: USA: West — Heavenly, Calif./Nev.; Kirkwood, Calif.; Northstar, Calif.; Stevens Pass, Wash. Midwest — Afton Alps, Minn.; Alpine Valley, Ohio; Boston Mills, Ohio; Brandywine, Ohio; Hidden Valley, Mo.; Mad River Mountain, Ohio; Mt. Brighton, Mich.; Paoli Peaks, Ind.; Snow Creek, Mo.; Wilmot, Wis. East — Attitash, N.H.; Big Boulder, Pa.; Crotched Mountain, N.H.; Hidden Valley, Pa.; Hunter Mountain, N.Y.; Jack Frost, Pa; Laurel Mt., Pa.; Liberty Mountain, Pa.; Mount Snow, Vt.; Mount Sunapee, N.H.; Okemo, Vt.; Roundtop Mountain Resort, Pa.; Seven Springs, Pa.; Stowe, Vt.; Whitetail, Pa.; Wildcat, N.H. Rockies — Beaver Creek, Colo.; Breckenridge, Colo.; Crested Butte, Colo.; Keystone, Colo.; Park City Mountain Resort, Utah; Telluride, Colo.; Vail, Colo. And more: 7 days at Telluride, 7 days at the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies; 5 days at Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu, Japan; 26 European resorts.
Restrictions: North America: None; 26 European resorts have some restrictions, such as tying a visit into lodging packages. Cost: 31+ starts at $1,089, 13-30 starts at $869, 5-17 starts at $555.
Epic Local Pass
Who: For unlimited skiing at 29 resorts and some 10 days total at Vail Resorts’ flagships.
Where: USA: West — Stevens Pass, Wash. Midwest — Afton Alps, Minn.; Alpine Valley, Ohio; Boston Mills, Ohio; Brandywine, Ohio; Hidden Valley, Mo.; Mad River Mountain, Ohio; Mt. Brighton, Mich.; Paoli Peaks, Ind.; Snow Creek, Mo.; Wilmot, Wis. Northeast — Attitash, N.H.; Big Boulder, Pa.; Crotched Mountain, N.H.; Hidden Valley, Pa.; Hunter Mountain, N.Y.; Jack Frost, Pa.; Laurel Mt., Pa.; Liberty Mountain, Pa.; Mount Snow, Vt.; Mount Sunapee, N.H.; Okemo, Vt.; Roundtop Mountain Resort, Pa.; Seven Springs, Pa.; Whitetail, Pa.; Wildcat, N.H. Rockies — Breckenridge, Colo.; Crested Butte, Colo.; Keystone, Colo. Additional access: 10 days total at Vail, Beaver Creek, and Whistler-Blackcomb; 5 total days at Hakuba Valley, Japan.
Restrictions: Holiday access is restricted at Park City Mountain Resort, Utah; Northstar, Calif.; Stowe, Vt.; Beaver Creek, Colo.; Heavenly, Calif.; Kirkwood, Calif.; Vail, Colo. and Whistler-Blackcomb, BC. Advanced Lift Ticket Rate available during blackout dates at Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler-Blackcomb, and beyond 10 days. Cost: 31+ starts at $809, 13-30 starts at $649, 5-12 starts at $425.
Epic Day Pass
Who: Best for those planning a shorter vacation. Other combinations from 1 to 7 days are available.
Where: USA: West — Heavenly, CA./Nev.; Kirkwood, CA.; Northstar, CA.; Stevens Pass, WA. Midwest — Afton Alps, MN.; Alpine Valley, Ohio; Boston Mills, Ohio; Brandywine, Ohio; Hidden Valley, MO.; Mad River Mountain, Ohio; Mt. Brighton, MI.; Paoli Peaks, IN.; Snow Creek, MO.; Wilmot, WI. Northeast — Attitash, N.H.; Big Boulder, PA.; Crotched Mountain, N.H.; Hidden Valley, PA.; Hunter Mountain, N.Y.; Jack Frost, PA.; Laurel Mountain, PA.; Liberty Mountain, PA; Mount Snow, VT.; Mount Sunapee, N.H.; Okemo, VT..; Roundtop Mountain Resort, PA.; Seven Springs, PA.; Stowe, VT..; Whitetail, PA.; Wildcat, N.H. Rockies — Beaver Creek, CO.; Breckenridge, CO.; Crested Butte, CO.; Keystone, CO.; Park City Mountain Resort, Utah; Telluride, CO.; Vail, CO. The Epic 4-Day, 5-Day, 6-Day, and 7-Day Passes include access to Telluride in Colorado and the six (6) Resorts of the Canadian Rockies.
Epic 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day Passes with all-access, and all Epic Day Passes with limited access do not include access to partner resorts. Holiday restrictions also apply at partner resorts. Cost for 7-Day Pass all resorts $673 (adult). Customizable pass offers 1-7 flexible days.
Epic Coverage
Passes are non-refundable. However, Epic Coverage, included with all pass purchases, provides refunds associated with illness, job loss, injury, and certain resort closures. If any of the above happens over the course of the season, you may qualify for a full or prorated refund. Terms and conditions apply. If you want to upgrade passes, you may be able to, but you’ll need to call (970) 754-0008.
Which Epic Pass is best for me?
It obviously depends on how often and where you plan to ski or ride. No matter what, if you plan to hit those snowy slopes five times or more this season, purchasing a pass will be worth it. But, do your homework. Compare the Epic Passes carefully and also check out the Ikon and Indy passes since they offer pass programs for many other mega and local ski areas in North America and around the world. See the full details of the Epic Pass on their website.
Check out our Ikon Pass, Mountain Collective, and Indy Pass buying guides. See even more pass options here.
Header image: ©Breckenridge/Vail Resorts
March 23, 2026
