Don’t say I didn’t warn you. That once seriously affordable season pass offered by Vail Resorts is now no cheaper than your average ski area season pass; and, if you’re comparing it to Snowbird or Alta, it’s even more expensive.

Five years ago, when Vail Resorts purchased Canyons Resort, Utah, they touted an unlimited season pass for $729. The next year it ‘climbed’ to $769, and included both Park City and Canyons. People raved about how this would change the industry for the better and how it would force resorts to compete with their pricing. I called BS on the whole thing and said you watch. In a few years, it won’t be any bargain. Five years later and the price has increased nearly 30 percent! Vail Resorts has announced their 2019/20 pass prices …

$939. But, hey, it’s ten bucks cheaper than the Ikon.

Epic Day Ski Pass Prices

Vail has also rolled out an “affordable” option for those not wanting a full season pass. If you can’t make it to a hill – basically any hill- for more than 8 days in one season you can now purchase an “Epic for Everyone” pass where you can load up to seven days on it. The new Epic Day Pass is priced out per day (holidays are extra) and are good at any of the company’s North American-owned resort: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Whistler Blackcomb, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City Mountain Resort. Those purchasing four or more days will also get access to Telluride, Sun Valley, Snowbasin, and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies.

The company claims that you could save up to 50 percent off of lift ticket window prices which means EGAD! that walk-up pricing will reach $200 in 2020. Here’s the price break down for adult tickets:

Epic 1-Day Restricted Pass	$106
Epic 1-Day Pass	$125
Epic 2-Day Restricted Pass	$206
Epic 2-Day Pass	$242
Epic 3-Day Restricted Pass	$300
Epic 3-Day Pass	$352
Epic 4-Day Restricted Pass	$388
Epic 4-Day Pass	$456
Epic 5-Day Restricted Pass	$470
Epic 5-Day Pass	$553
Epic 6-Day Restricted Pass	$548
Epic 6-Day Pass	$645
Epic 7-Day Restricted Pass	$621
Epic 7-Day Pass	$731

 

The Full Season Ski Pass Reveal

For guests looking to ski more days in a season (basically, 8+) there’s the Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass at $939 and $699 respectively. The difference between the two lies in that one is unrestricted access at 60 VR areas and 7 days at Snowbasin and Sun Valley, while the other offers unlimited at 30 resorts (only 10 days at Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler), blackouts over Thanksgiving, Christmas and President’s Weeks and 2 days at Snowbasin and Sun Valley. As a bonus, if you buy the Epic Pass or Epic Local Pass this spring you will also get 10 Buddy Tickets (up from six last year) and six Ski With a Friend Tickets. The Buddy tickets is a flat-rate discount for friends and family and the SWAF is a variable rate discount depending on the day.

Visit http://www.epicpass.com for more details.