Multi-resort passes like the Epic Pass are a great way to ensure you get your ski days in and diversify where you ski while also saving a considerable amount of money. Numerous Epic Pass options allow for a tailored mountain experience with everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Choosing which season pass best suits your ski and ride needs takes a bit of weighing the options and what’s in the wallet, but Epic offers everything from the everything pass all the way down to specific resort local passes. Consider this your general shopping guide to sort out what Epic Pass will work best for you.
An itinerant skier or rider who is an Epic Pass holder can access multiple states, countries, and even continents while accumulating unlimited days at their local resorts between trips. In many cases, a ski pass like the Epic Pass will pay for itself within just a few weeks of the season. Buyer beware: Your last chance to buy the Epic Pass will be close to season opening in early December. And, buyer alert: the earlier you lock in your pass, the more you will save.
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 one of the three versions of the Epic Pass. The pass is for skiers and snowboarders looking for loads of time on the slopes at multiple destinations.
What’s new for the 2023-24 season?
The Epic is mobile this year. Store your pass directly on your smart phone. Pop it in your parka pocket and get scanned hands free via Bluetooth. No need to wait at the ticket window line or wait for the physical pass to arrive in the mail. You still can get the plastic cards if you don’t want the phone version. Expect to be able to download the mobile pass to be available on the new My Epic App in the fall of 2023.
Your favorite ski resort likely has seen plenty of lift upgrades for the new season. Vail Resorts will see 18 new lift installations coming online at Keystone, Breckenridge, Whistler Blackcomb, Stevens Pass and Attitash. Internationally, Vail Resorts has acquired a majority stake in Adermatt-Sedrun, Switzerland and has added neighboring Disentis, Switzerland as a new partner.
Ten Buddy Tickets and six Ski With A Friend tickets will be provided to pass holders who purchase early. Only Telluride will require reservations for pass holders, No others will require it. Epic Mountain Rewards (20 percent off) are offered on on-mountain food and beverages, lodging, group lessons, equipment rental and more. Summer activity benefits, too. You can make easy monthly installments on your pass through Epic FlexPay, powered by Uplift. No down and no interest. Epic Coverage means you can protect your investment and there’s no costar with this insurance.
Vail Resorts has partners in lots of good places
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 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, Vail and Ikon are the two major ones.
Where?
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.
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, Colo.; Breckenridge, Colo.; Crested Butte, Colo.; Keystone, Colo.; Park City Mountain Resort, Utah; Telluride, Colo.; Vail, Colo.
Canada — Whistler Blackcomb, B.C.; Fernie Alpine Resort, B.C.; Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, B.C.; Kimberley Alpine Resort, B.C.; Mont-Sainte Anne, Qué.; Nakiska Ski Area, Alb.; Stoneham, Qué.
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, Austria (Lech, Zurs, Stuben, St. Christoph, St. Anton).
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 38 resorts in North America: 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: Adult (13+) $909 ; Child (5-12) $463
Epic Local Pass
Who: For unlimited skiing at 25 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: Adult $676 (19+); Teen $547 (13-18); Child $351 (5-12)
Night skiing and riding at many areas
The local pass is particularly good for those living close enough to ski areas to regularly take advantage of night skiing. Want a few runs after work or school? It’s perfect. Most all ski resorts relatively close to cities and towns offer night skiing several nights of the week. Be sure and check your favorite resort’s website for details. Many destination resorts also offer skiing and riding under the lights, but that’s an extra perk if you are already on your vacation.
Epic College Pass is another option
A College Epic Pass is available for $612. These are more selective college passes available for those only skiing in certain regions at individual resorts such as in Summit County, Colorado or Lake Tahoe, California and others.
Epic Day Passes
Who: Best for those planning a shorter vacation. Other combinations from 1 to 7 days are available.
Where: 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. 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, Colo.; Breckenridge, Colo.; Crested Butte, Colo.; Keystone, Colo.; Park City Mountain Resort, Utah; Telluride, Colo.; Vail, Colo. 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 $600 (adult). Customizable pass 1-7 flex days.
Even more info:
Here’s the difference between Epic Buddy Pass and Ski-With-A-Friend Pass
Buddy Passes are discounted lift tickets at a flat rate. Several complimentary Ski-with-a-Friend passes are included with pass purchases.
Call if you want to try to upgrade your pass after purchasing
You have a good shot at upgrading as long as passes remain on sale. But, not online. Call them at (970) 754-0008.
Don’t change your mind
Really, don’t. 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. Keywords, as in all travel insurance policies, are “may qualify.”
Can oldies, active military, vets get breaks?
Hit 80 and you are home free. There are a variety of special deals for seniors (over 80 free); active military and dependents, veterans, and others.
Which 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.
Full details on the Epic Pass
But, so you can compare resorts, pricing, and rules, check out our news on the IKON Pass, Mountain Collective, and the Indy Pass.
March 29, 2023
