We offer the best rates available. 
During spring and summer we start looking ahead to the next ski season. You diehard skiers know it's never too early to start thinking about the upcoming ski season, especially if you want to get the best deals!
After disruptions to the 2019 spring season due to COVID-19 and uncertainly about safety this past season, we know many of you are especially ready to hit the slopes for the 2021-2022 ski season. Understandably, you might have reservations about shelling out for the pass in these uncertain times. Fret not. Having an Epic Pass comes with a few additional perks this season. All of the Epic Passes get a discount! Plus there are some peace-of-mind benefits Vail includes with this year's Epic Pass, including purchase assurances.
There's a lot to hop into with this year's Epic Pass. We'll walk through the new benefits, plus all of the details about this year's pass so you can make the best decision. Vail has reduced the price on this season's Epic Passes with 20 percent off all passes! Whether it's your first pass or a renewal, you get a discount. It's time to lock in the best rates for next season! Undercover Tourist sells Restricted and Unrestricted 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- 6-, 7-day Epic and unlimited Epic Passes for 2021-2022! Don't froget, we still offer discounts on ski hotels for the 2021-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons!
Once you've bought your Epic Pass and Epic Day Passes for 2021-2022, we offer a lot of hopful information about the new safety procedures in our post on the Vail Resorts' reopening. Vail Resorts designed the reservation system to help them safely manage on-mountain capacity for the 2020-2021 ski season. Looking ahead, Vail Resorts says it is unlikely to have a reservation system for the 2021-2022 season.
Vail Resorts Reopening and Skiing in 2021-2022 | Epic Pass | Epic Local Pass | Epic Day Pass | Epic Pass Comparison | Regional Passes | Epic Buddy Pass & Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets
2021-2022 Epic Pass Benefits at a Glance
- Epic Coverage — more on this below!
- Epic Mountain Rewards — 20 percent off of food, lodging, lessons, rentals, activities, and more
- Coverage for resort closure between Dec. 7, 2021, and April 17, 2022
- Personal Coverage for job loss, mandatory stay-at-home-order, student transfer, pregnancy, jury duty, military transfer and more
Epic Coverage for Certain Personal Events and Resort Closures
You do not have to pay extra for pass insurance. Epic Coverage is included for free for all pass holders. The pandemic has made it an uncertain time to consider doing, well, practically anything and everything, so having Epic Coverage covers you for qualifying personal events and qualifying resort closures. Click here for the complete Epic Coverage terms and conditions, including the refund policy.
Epic Coverage provides refunds for certain personal events, including illness, job loss and injury. It also expands coverage to protect you from certain resort closures and travel restrictions, such as any due to COVID-19. Best of all, you don't need to sign up. It's included for free when you purchase your pass.
If you had a 2020-2021 Epic Pass and qualify for a rollover credit, you should receive an email by mid-May.
Unrestricted Epic Pass 2021-2022
The Unrestricted Epic Pass is the big kahuna of the ski passes — with access to the most resorts and the fewest restrictions (but also the highest price). This unlimited pass is perfect for ski-loving and snowboarding families who want to pack in as much powder time as they possibly can! It includes additional days at international destinations.
For a limited time, this pass includes:
- 6 Ski-With-A-Friend discounted tickets
- 10 Buddy Pass tickets — when purchased by May 31 (hop down below where we discuss how to to get these)
- Half-price pass holder tickets at partner resorts once all days are used, excluding Hakuba Valley, Rusutsu in Japan and European Partner Resorts
The Unrestricted Epic Pass offers unrestricted, unlimited skiing and riding for the entire 2021-2022 season at these resorts:
Rockies
West
- Heavenly, CA, NV
- Kirkwood, CA
- Northstar, CA
- Stevens Pass, WA
Midwest
- Wilmot, WI
- Afton Alps, MN
- Mt. Brighton, MI
- Alpine Valley, OH
- Boston Mills, OH
- Brandywine, OH
- Mad River Mountain, OH
- Hidden Valley, MO
- Snow Creek, MO
- Paoli Peaks, IN
East
- Stowe, VT
- Okemo, VT
- Mount Sunapee, NH
- Mount Snow, VT
- Attitash Mountain Resort, NH
- Wildcat Mountain, NH
- Crotched Mountain, NH
- Hunter Mountain, NY
- Liberty Mountain Resort, PA
- Roundtop Mountain Resort, PA
- Whitetail Resort, PA
- Jack Frost, PA
- Big Boulder, PA
International
- Whistler Blackcomb, BC
- Perisher, Australia (2021)
- Falls Creek, Australia (2021)
- Hotham, Australia (2021)
Plus additional access with limited dates and 7 total days at:
- Telluride, CO
- Sun Valley, ID
- Snowbasin, UT
- Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
- Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu, Japan Ski Resorts
- 26 European Partner Resorts across France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria
Epic Local Pass
While the name is somewhat confusing, the Epic Local Pass is not limited to locals. Rather, it's geared more for anyone who wants a more affordable option than the Epic Pass with access to most of the Vail resorts (with a few restrictions). It does not include access to Telluride and the Canadian Rockies. For this ski season, this pass does not include the following holiday dates:
- Nov. 26-27, 2021
- Dec. 26-31, 2021
- Jan. 15, 2022
- Feb. 19-20, 2022
The Epic Local Pass includes the following discounts:
- 10 Buddy Tickets at a discounted flat rate (when purchased by May 31, 2021)
- 6 Ski-With-A-Friend discounted tickets
- Half-price pass holder tickets during holiday blackouts at Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Stowe on restricted dates
- Half-price pass holder tickets once all days are used at Sun Valley and Snowbasin
- Advanced Lift Ticket Rate available during blackout dates at Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb and beyond 10 days
- Pass holders can purchase additional days at Advanced Lift Ticket Rate at ticket window once all days are used
The Epic Local Pass offers access to unrestricted skiing or riding at the following resorts with no blackout dates:
Rockies
West
- Stevens Pass, WA
Midwest
- Wilmot, WI
- Mt. Brighton, MI
- Afton Alps, MN
- Alpine Valley, OH
- Boston Mills, OH
- Brandywine, OH
- Mad River Mountain, OH
- Hidden Valley, MO
- Snow Creek, MO
- Paoli Peaks, IN
East
- Mount Sunapee, NH
- Okemo, VT
- Mount Snow, VT
- Attitash Mountain Resort, NH
- Wildcat Mountain, NH
- Crotched Mountain, NH
- Hunter Mountain, NY
- Liberty Mountain Resort, PA
- Whitetail Resort, PA
- Jack Frost, PA
- Roundtop Mountain Resort, PA
- Big Boulder, PA
Plus access to 26 European ski resorts across France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.
It excludes holiday access and/or has a limited number of days at the following resorts:
- *Vail, CO
- *Beaver Creek, CO
- Park City, UT
- Heavenly, CA, NV
- Kirkwood, CA
- Northstar, CA
- Stowe, VT
- *Whistler Blackcomb, BC
- Sun Valley, ID (2 holiday-restricted days, then 50 percent of lift tickets)
- Snow Basin, UT (2 holiday-restricted days, then 50 percent of lift tickets)
- 11 Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu, Japan Ski Resorts (a total of 5 consecutive days)
*The pass has a total of 10 days across Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb. Access to Vail/Beaver Creek is available starting April 1, 2022, if the pass is purchased by May 31, 2021, and all 10 days are used.
Epic Day Passes Both Restricted and Unrestricted (and Limited!)
For the 2021-2022 season, we offer the Epic Day Passes for one to seven days of skiing. There are four categories: restricted, unrestricted, limited restricted and limited unrestrictive. Does it sound complicated? It's not. The restricted passes have holiday blackout dates and the limited passes have fewer participating resorts. This allows you to find the pass that works for you and possibly save money.
If you know where you want to ski and when you want to ski, you can narrow down your choices. If you are not sure when and where you want to ski, the Unrestricted Epic Day Pass will give you the most flexibility. But if you know you want to ski at, say, Lake Tahoe, during a non-holiday period, you can save the most money with a Limited Restricted Epic Day Pass.
For any of the below passes, you purchase the number of dates you want to ski or ride — from one day to seven days. The days do not need to be consecutive. Here's a quick look at the Epic Day Passes:
- Restricted Epic Day Pass — Select holiday blackout periods. Ski at 30+ Vail resorts. Less expensive than Unrestricted. Range from $87 to $517 for adults ($45 to $268 for kids).
- Unrestricted Epic Day Pass — No holiday blackout periods. Ski at 30+ Vail resorts. Up to 50 percent off. Range from $103 to $783 for adults ($53 to $399 for kids).
- Limited Restricted Epic Day Pass — This pass has the same benefits of the Restricted Epic Day Pass with holiday blackout periods but has some resort restrictions (and therefore a cheaper price).
- Limited Unrestricted Epic Day Pass — This pass has no blackouts and the same benefits of the Unrestricted Epic Day Pass but has some resort restrictions (and therefore a cheaper price).
The resorts accessible for each pass may vary slightly, so be sure to check your ticket before you purchase.
The Restricted Epic Day Pass and Limited Restricted Epic Day Pass blackout dates are:
- Nov. 26-27, 2021
- Dec. 26-31, 2021
- Jan. 15, 2022
- Feb. 19-20, 2022
For the majority of you skiers and riders who plan to take one or perhaps two ski vacations, the Epic Day pass is the most practical and economical choice. It allows you to lock in the best rates of the season without committing to a full Epic Pass. Plus you do not have to select your dates, and they do not have to be consecutive. You can buy the pass that suits your ski plans.
All Epic Day Pass holders can take advantage of Epic Mountain rewards with 20 percent off food, lodging, rentals and more. This pass does not include Buddy Passes or Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets.
The Epic Day Pass offers skiing or riding at the following resorts (the ones followed by "L" are on the Limited passes:
Rockies
West
- Heavenly, CA, NV - L
- Kirkwood, CA - L
- Northstar, CA - L
- Stevens Pass, WA - L
Midwest
- Afton Alps, MN
- Mt. Brighton, MI
- Wilmot, WI
- Alpine Valley, OH- L
- Boston Mills, OH- L
- Brandywine, OH- L
- Mad River Mountain, OH- L
- Hidden Valley, MO- L
- Snow Creek, MO- L
- Paoli Peaks, IN- L
East
- Mount Sunapee, NH- L
- Okemo, VT- L
- Mount Snow, VT- L
- Stowe, VT- L
- Attitash Mountain Resort, NH - L
- Wildcat Mountain, NH - L
- Crotched Mountain, NH - L
- Hunter Mountain, NY - L
- Liberty Mountain Resort, PA - L
- Whitetail Resort, PA - L
- Jack Frost, PA - L
- Big Boulder, PA - L
- Roundtop Mountain Resort, PA- L
Canada
- Whistler Blackcomb, BC
The Epic 4-Day Pass (and above) offers additional access to:
- Telluride, CO
- Snowbasin, UT
- Sun Valley, ID
- Six Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
| Which Epic Pass | Cost | How Many Resorts? | Restrictions? | Additional Tickets/Benefits? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epic Pass | $783 | 67* | No | 6 Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets; 10 Buddy Tickets** |
| Epic Local Pass | $583 | 30 Resorts | Holidays | 6 Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets; 10 Buddy Tickets** |
| Epic Day Pass Unrestricted (1-7 Days) | $382 for 4 days | Up to 30+ | No | No |
| Epic Day Pass Restricted (4-7 Days) | $323 for 4 days | Up to 30+ | Holidays | No |
**Benefits subject to change and must purchase by May 31, 2021, to receive Buddy Passes
All Epic Pass tickets include Epic Mountain Rewards.
Regional Passes
This season, Undercover Tourist also sells regional passes to select resorts in Colorado and Lake Tahoe.
The regional passes offer the following benefits:
- 10 Buddy Tickets at a discounted flat rate (when pass is purchased by May 31, 2021)
- 6 Ski-With-A-Friend discounted tickets
- Half-price pass holder tickets available during holiday blackouts at select resorts
- Half-price pass holder tickets available at select resorts beyond 5 days (see individual tickets).
Holiday blackouts for regional passes are:
- Nov. 26-27, 2021
- Dec. 26-31, 2021
- Jan. 15, 2022
- Feb. 19-20, 2022
In Colorado, we sell the following regional passes:
- Keystone Plus Pass — Ski at Keystone, plus get late season Breckenridge access after April 1, 2022, and 5 days at Crested Butte with holiday restrictions
- Summit Value Pass — Ski at Keystone and Breckenridge (blackout dates apply.
The Summit Value Pass and Keystone Plus Passes offer the following benefits:
- 10 Buddy Tickets at a discounted flat rate
- 6 Ski-With-A-Friend discounted tickets
- Half-price pass holder tickets available during holiday blackouts at select resorts
Holiday blackouts for regional passes are:
- Nov. 26-27, 2021
- Dec. 26-31, 2021
- Jan. 15, 2022
- Feb. 19-20, 2022
In Lake Tahoe, we offer the following regional passes:
- Tahoe Local Pass — Ski 9 resorts with limited holiday blackouts 7 days a week. Ski Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood. Plus, get 5 days (holiday blackouts apply) at Park City, Vail and Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breckenridge or Crested Butte. The days you ski do not need to be consecutive.
- Tahoe Value Pass — Ski Heavenly, Northstar or Kirkwood resorts with limited holiday blackouts and limited days fo the week. Ski or ride 7 days a week at Heavenly and 6 days a week (Saturdays are restricted) at Northstar and Kirkwood.
What Is the Difference Between Epic Buddy Tickets and Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets?
Certain eligible Epic Passes purchased before May 31, 2021, come pre-loaded with a set number of Epic Buddy Tickets and Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets that give discounts for friends and family beginning Dec. 8. The tickets are not the same thing!
- Epic Buddy Tickets are discounted tickets that stay the same price all season long (up to 45 percent off). They are available at Vail Ski Resorts (not partner resorts).
- Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets are single-day lift tickets that are discounted from the window price, but these prices fluctuate throughout the season. You can save up to 30 percent.
Both Epic Buddy and Ski-With-A-Friend tickets must be purchased online by the pass holder and also picked up by BOTH the pass holder and friend at the ski resort. Here's how to do it (hop back closer to season start for the latest information):
- Pass holders sign in to their Epic account.
- Pass Holders make a reservation for the day and resort they want to ski at (may not be necessary in 2021-2022 season).
- Pass holders buy Buddy Tickets or Ski With a Friend tickets online.
- The ticket acts as a reservation.
- Both the pass holder and friend must be at the window on reservation day to pick up the ticket.
Not all Epic Pass options come with Buddy Pass and Ski With A Friend Tickets. We know you have a ton of questions about this. You can find ticket pricing, savings, and answers to your questions about Buddy Tickets and Ski With a Friend Tickets here.
Summer Scenic Access
If you purchase the Epic Pass in the spring, you get Summer Scenic Access to resorts with your season pass beginning May 15, 2021. Your Epic Rewards kick in with 20% off food and beverage, lodging, bike rentals, Epic Mountain Express and golf. Summer lift access includes free scenic access on chairlifts and/or gondolas.
Summer access varies by pass type. The Epic 1-7 Day Passes do not include summer lift access. Passes that receive Summer Scenic Access include Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Summit Value Pass, Keystone Plus Pass, Tahoe Local Pass, Kirkwood Pass, Park City Youth Pass, 65+ Keystone Breck Pass, Senior 70+ 10 Day Pass, Stevens Pass Select Pass, Stevens Pass Premium Pass, Crested Butte Pass, Northeast Value Pass, Northeast Midweek Value Pass, Ohio Pass, Hidden Valley Pass, Snow Creek Pass, Paoli Peaks Pass.
*Summer access is valid at the same resorts as your winter access. Does not include bike haul or access to partner resorts.
What to Know When Purchasing Your Epic Pass Through Undercover Tourist
Whew! Who's ready for an epic season? If you're purchasing your Epic Pass through Undercover Tourist, you can find more details about each type of pass on its respective ticket page, each of which is linked above. No reservations are expected to be required in 2021-2022, so you will no longer need to pick a redemption date! You can use your pass at any point during the 2021-2022 season, which typically runs from mid-to-late November through mid-April depending on resort and snow conditions. It may take a few days to receive your confirmation number after purchase, and passes will be on a shipping delay. If at any time you have questions or concerns about the status of your purchase, please feel free to give us a call at 1 (800) 846-1302.
Have a question about any of the Epic passes? Drop us a line in the comments below! Need help deciding which ski resort is right for you and your family? We've got a handy overview of the top U.S. ski resorts.
Related: Frog Family's Insider Guide to Heavenly Ski Resort
Related: Frog Family's Insider Guide to Skiing Breckenridge Colorado
Keep hopping!
Comments