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 full package 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 the season start in early December. 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 with the Epic Pass?
The Epic Pass went mobile for the 2023-24 ski season, which was a major change. Pass holders could store their pass directly on their smartphone, and then get scanned hands-free via Bluetooth. That meant no waiting in ticket window lines or waiting for a physical pass to arrive in the mail.
For the 2024-25 season, pass holders and their friends can skip the ticket window with an improved buddy ticket redemption process. Simply purchase your Buddy or Ski with a Friend Ticket(s) on epicpass.com, and then the My Epic app and Mobile Pass will do the rest. When pass holders scan their pass at the lift, it will activate the Mobile Pass or Ski with a Friend Ticket using the guest’s My Epic app’s Mobile Lift Ticket feature.
There are a number of updates and improvements for the 2024-25 Epic Pass. Vail Resorts has added Crans-Montana Mountain Resort in Switzerland, and plans to provide access to it for pass holders (subject to acquisition closure). Crans-Montana Mountain Resort spans more than 4,500 feet of skiable vertical terrain and has approximately 87 miles of trails.
Additionally, there are a number of upgrades at numerous resorts as part of the Epic Lift Upgrade, as Vail Resorts continues to invest in the mountain experience. Mountain resort projects planned to launch ahead of, or during, the 2024/25 winter season include Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Hunter Mountain in New York, Afton Alps in Minnesota, Perisher in Australia, and Andermatt-Sedrun in Switzerland.
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 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.
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); 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: Adult (13+) $1,047; Child (5-12) $534
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 $778 (19+); Teen $632 (13-18); Child $408 (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 ski resorts relatively close to cities and towns offer night skiing several nights a week. Be sure to 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 $690. 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 $691 (adult). Customizable pass 1-7 flex days.
Epic Buddy Pass vs. 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.
Don’t change your mind
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: ©Dan Campbell Park City Mountain Resort
November 24, 2024
