What the Epic Pass is and who it's for

The Epic Pass is a season pass sold by Vail Resorts that gives you access to ski and snowboard days at their owned resorts across North America and Europe. You buy it once per season, and it covers lift tickets for the entire winter — you don't pay per day. Vail Resorts owns about 40 resorts worldwide, including Vail, Beaver Creek, and Breckenridge in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Whistler Blackcomb in Canada; and others.

The pass makes sense if you plan to ski or snowboard more than a handful of days in a season. If you go once or twice a year, buying individual day tickets is usually cheaper. If you go 10 or more days, a pass typically saves money compared to daily rates.

Vail Resorts sells several versions of the Epic Pass at different price points. The main ones are the Epic Pass (unlimited days at most resorts), the Epic Local Pass (limited days, lower price, for people who live near a Vail resort), and the Epic 7-Day Pass (seven days of skiing across the season). The price you pay depends on which pass you choose and when you buy it — early-season purchases are cheaper than last-minute ones.

Key Takeaways

  • The Epic Pass gives you unlimited skiing and snowboarding at Vail Resorts' properties for one season, but blackout dates explore during peak holidays and weekends.
  • You can buy the pass online at vailresorts.com, and you'll receive a physical card in the mail or a digital pass on your phone before the season starts.
  • The price varies by pass type and purchase date — buying in spring or summer is cheaper than buying in fall or winter.
  • Blackout dates typically include Christmas week, New Year's week, Presidents' Day weekend, and spring break, when you cannot use the pass.
  • If you buy a pass and change your mind within a certain window, Vail Resorts offers a refund or exchange, but the terms depend on when you purchased.

How blackout dates limit when you can ski

The Epic Pass does not work every single day of the season. Blackout dates are days when pass holders cannot ski at most resorts without buying an additional ticket. These dates are set by Vail Resorts each season and are published before you buy the pass.

Blackout dates typically fall during the busiest times of year: Christmas week (usually December 23 through January 1), New Year's week, Presidents' Day weekend in February, and spring break weeks in March and April. The exact dates change from year to year, so check the current season's calendar on vailresorts.com before you purchase.

On blackout dates, you have two choices: buy a day ticket for that specific day, or don't ski. You cannot use your pass. This is how Vail Resorts manages crowds and protects revenue during peak demand. If you plan to ski during major holidays, factor the cost of additional tickets into your decision about whether a pass is worth it.

Purchasing options and price timing

You buy the Epic Pass directly from Vail Resorts through their website, vailresorts.com. You can also purchase at resort ticket windows, but buying online is faster and sometimes offers early-bird discounts.

The price depends on three things: which pass you choose, when you buy it, and whether you have a discount code. The Epic Pass (unlimited days) costs more than the Epic Local Pass (limited days for local residents) or the Epic 7-Day Pass (seven days spread across the season). Vail Resorts typically offers lower prices in spring and summer, higher prices in fall, and the highest prices in November and December when the season is about to start or has just started.

After you buy, you'll receive either a physical card in the mail or a digital pass that loads into the Vail Resorts mobile app. You present this at the lift ticket window or scan it at the turnstile to enter the mountain. The pass is non-transferable — only the person whose name is on it can use it.

What happens if you want to return or exchange your pass

Vail Resorts allows refunds and exchanges within a limited window after purchase. The exact terms depend on when you bought the pass and what type of pass it is. Generally, if you buy during the early-bird period (spring and summer), you have until a set date in the fall to return it for a refund or exchange it for a different pass type.

If you buy closer to the season start, the return window is shorter — sometimes only 14 to 30 days from purchase. Once the season begins or the return window closes, refunds are typically not available. Check the terms at the time of purchase, because they vary by year and by pass type.

To return or exchange, contact Vail Resorts customer service through their website or call the number on your pass documentation. You'll need your pass number and proof of purchase. If you bought through a third-party retailer or discount site, contact that retailer first, because their return policy may differ from Vail Resorts' direct policy.

How to use your pass at the mountain

On your first day at a Vail Resorts mountain, arrive at the ticket window or guest services with your pass (physical card or digital pass on your phone). A staff member will scan or swipe it to verify it's valid and active for that day. If it's a blackout date, the system will tell you when ready, and you'll need to buy a day ticket instead.

After your first scan, your pass is activated and linked to your account. On future visits, you can scan it at the turnstile or ticket window — no need to visit guest services again. If you lose your physical card, you can use the digital pass in the Vail Resorts app on your phone instead. If you lose both, contact customer service to request a replacement card.

Your pass works at all included resorts in the Vail Resorts network. You can ski Vail one day, drive to Breckenridge the next, and fly to Whistler the week after — the same pass works at all of them (subject to blackout dates). Some resorts have limited access for pass holders on certain days, so check the resort's website before you go if you're visiting during a holiday week.

Comparing the Epic Pass to day tickets and other season passes

A single day ticket at a Vail Resorts mountain typically costs between $150 and $200 depending on the resort and the day of the week. Peak days (weekends and holidays) are more expensive than off-peak days (weekdays). If you ski 8 to 10 days in a season, the Epic Pass usually costs less than buying individual tickets.

Other ski resorts sell their own season passes. Ikon Pass, for example, gives you access to resorts owned by different companies (Altitutde Ski, Powdr Corp, and others) and costs a different amount. Ikon Pass typically includes more blackout dates than the Epic Pass but covers a wider geographic range. If you ski at multiple resort companies' mountains, Ikon might be better. If you ski mostly at Vail Resorts properties, the Epic Pass is usually the better value.

Some resorts also sell limited-day passes (like the Epic 7-Day Pass) that are cheaper than unlimited passes but give you fewer days. These work if you know you'll ski exactly 7 days and want to save money compared to the unlimited Epic Pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Epic Pass at resorts that aren't owned by Vail Resorts?

No. The Epic Pass works only at Vail Resorts' owned mountains. If you want to ski at independent resorts or mountains owned by other companies, you'll need to buy separate tickets or passes for those resorts. Vail Resorts does have reciprocal agreements with some other resorts that give pass holders discounts on day tickets, but this varies by resort and pass type.

What if I buy an Epic Pass and then get injured before the season starts?

Vail Resorts' standard refund policy does not cover injury or illness — only purchases made within the return window. However, if you purchased travel insurance or have a credit card that offers purchase protection, you may be able to file a claim through those providers. Contact Vail Resorts customer service to ask about your specific situation, but do not expect a refund based on injury alone.

Do I have to buy the pass for the full season, or can I buy it for just a few months?

The Epic Pass is sold for the full season only — you cannot buy it for just December or just January. If you want to ski for only part of the season, the Epic 7-Day Pass or Epic Local Pass might be better options, or you can buy individual day tickets. Some third-party retailers occasionally offer discounted multi-day passes, but these are not official Vail Resorts products.

How do I know if I live close enough to buy an Epic Local Pass?

Vail Resorts defines "local" by zip code for each resort. When you go to buy a pass, enter your zip code and the system will tell you whether you're in the local area for that resort. Local passes are cheaper than the full Epic Pass but include more blackout dates and fewer total days. You can only buy a Local Pass for one specific resort, not for all Vail Resorts mountains.

Can I share my Epic Pass with family members or friends?

No. The Epic Pass is non-transferable and has your name on it. Only you can use it. Each family member or friend who wants to ski needs their own pass. Vail Resorts does offer family packages and discounts for multiple passes purchased together, so ask about those options if several people in your group want to buy passes.