The Epic Pass is Vail Resorts' season ski pass, covering the company's own mountains such as Vail, Breckenridge, Park City, Whistler Blackcomb and Stowe, plus access to partner resorts in Europe, Japan and elsewhere. It is sold through a family of Epic Pass products at different prices and levels of access.
The decisions that make or break an Epic Pass purchase are which product you buy, when you buy it, and whether you add the extras that come with it.
Epic Pass, Epic Local or Epic Day
The full Epic Pass gives unrestricted access to the Vail Resorts mountains for the season and the widest partner access. It suits anyone skiing many days, or skiing at the flagship resorts over holidays.
The Epic Local Pass is cheaper. It covers many of the same mountains but restricts or limits access at the busiest resorts and on peak holiday dates. Read the Epic Local resort chart carefully before buying, because the restrictions are the whole reason for the lower price.
The Epic Day Pass lets you buy a set number of days, from a single day up to around a week, with options that include or exclude holiday dates. For someone skiing only a handful of days, an Epic Day Pass bought early usually beats window lift tickets by a wide margin.
Regional Epic Pass products exist for particular areas. If you only ski near home, check whether a regional Epic Pass covers your local mountain for less.
Why buying early matters
Epic Pass prices rise through the year. Passes go on sale in spring for the following winter at the lowest price, and the price steps up at announced deadlines into the autumn. Sales stop before the season starts in most years.
The practical rule: decide in spring. If you are unsure, buying at the lowest Epic Pass price and relying on Epic Coverage is usually cheaper than waiting.
Epic Coverage and refunds
Epic Coverage is included with Epic Pass products. It has covered situations such as resort closures and certain personal events like injury or job loss, with refunds or credits depending on the circumstance. The exact terms change from season to season, so read the current Epic Coverage details before relying on them.
Without a qualifying reason, Epic Pass products are generally non-refundable. Buy the product you are confident you will use.
The extras: Epic Mountain Rewards and more
Epic Pass holders get Epic Mountain Rewards, a discount on food, lodging, lessons, rentals and retail at Vail Resorts mountains. Pass holders also receive buddy tickets and ski-with-a-friend tickets, depending on the pass, which lower day ticket prices for friends.
These extras add up. If you rent skis or eat on the mountain every day, the Epic Mountain Rewards discount can offset a real part of the pass price over a season. Use the Epic Pass app to check which perks apply to your pass.
The Epic Pass app also shows lift lines, trail maps and your ski days, and carries the digital pass on some phones.
Kids, families and groups
Children's Epic Pass prices are lower, and there are separate options for young children, military and students. Buy each person the product matching how often they ski; one parent might need the full Epic Pass while a child who skis a few weekends needs only an Epic Day Pass.
Pass photos are needed for each holder. Upload them in the Epic Pass account before arriving to avoid queueing at the ticket window.
Families can often pay for Epic Pass products in instalments with a deposit in spring, which spreads the cost while still locking in the lowest price. Check whether the current Epic Pass payment plan is available for the product you want.
Where the Epic Pass savings are
Epic Pass products themselves are rarely discounted by codes; the saving on the pass comes from buying early. These codes are for the extras around it.
The 50% wax code is for ski and snowboard tuning services, which is useful before the first trip of the season. The 20% code looks tied to Epic Mountain Rewards style purchases, so try it on rentals, lessons or retail. The golf code covers summer golf at Vail Resorts properties, which some mountains offer.
Check each code's terms when entering it, since Epic Pass promotions are often limited to certain resorts or dates and generally do not stack with Epic Mountain Rewards.
Common questions
Is the Epic Local Pass enough?
For skiers who avoid peak holidays and flagship resorts, often yes. Check the Epic Local restrictions chart first.
When is the Epic Pass cheapest?
In spring, when the next season's Epic Pass goes on sale. Prices rise at later deadlines.
Can I get a refund on an Epic Pass?
Only for reasons covered by Epic Coverage. Read the current terms before buying.
Do codes work on the Epic Pass itself?
Rarely. Codes mainly apply to services and extras around the Epic Pass.
| Discount | Type | Get the deal |
|---|---|---|
| 50% off | Promo code | View at Epic Pass → |
| 20% off | Promo code | View at Epic Pass → |
| 20% off | Promo code | View at Epic Pass → |
| 10% off | Promo code | View at Epic Pass → |
