During spring and summer, we are 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! Keep in mind that Epic Pass sales are limited, so you'll want to purchase before the ski season kicks off. Otherwise, you will be out of luck until sales reopen next spring for the following season. If you plan to take advantage of 10 Buddy Tickets with eligible passes, be sure to purchase by April 21, 2022. The last chance for a low pass price for 2022-2023 may be in early September. The following price jump may be mid-October, and the price can continue to go up until the pass sells out.
There's a lot to hop into with this year's Epic Pass. We'll walk through the benefits, plus all of the details about this year's pass so you can make the best decision. Whether it's your first pass or a renewal, 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 as well as the unlimited Epic Pass and Local Pass for 2022-2023!
Don't froget, we still offer discounts on ski hotels. If you need a rental car, put it in your cart with your Epic or hotel purchase to unlock deeper discounts up to 50 percent off the rental car! (Pssst ... you don't even need to use the rental car for your ski trip. You'll still save if you want to book a rental for a different trip as long as it's bundled with a hotel or ticket purchase. Ribbit!)
Once you've bought your Epic Pass or Epic Day Passes for 2022-2023, we offer a lot of hopful information about what to expect at the Vail Resorts this season. As things move back to normal, we expect to see fewer restrictions as next season approaches. Vail Resorts did not use a reservation system for the 2021-2022 season, and we do not expect one for 2022-2023. Face coverings have moved to being required for just buses and shuttles. Lifts and gondolas are filled to capacity. If you want to dine indoors at on-mountain, quick-service restaurants, you no longer need to provide proof of vaccination. The resorts are still cashless.
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 (including Epic Mountain Express in Colorado). At select locations get the Toyota Tune Up with 50% off a tune and one free wax a year. In summer, get discounts for golf and bike rentals.
- Coverage for resort closure between Dec. 7, 2022, and April 17, 2023, due to disease, war, terrorism or natural disaster.
- Personal Coverage for job loss (or furlough over six months), mandatory stay-at-home-order, student transfer, visa rejections, pregnancy, injury, sickness, death, 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. Epic Coverage covers you for qualifying personal events and qualifying resort closures. Click here for the complete Epic Coverage terms and conditions.
The Epic Pass in non-refundable, but 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.
Unrestricted Epic Pass 2022-2023
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 April 21, 2022 (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 2022-2023 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
- Seven Springs, PA (new for 2022-23)
- Hidden Valley, PA (new for 2022-23)
- Laurel Mountain, PA (new for 2022-23)
International
- Whistler Blackcomb, BC
- Perisher, Australia (2023)
- Falls Creek, Australia (2023)
- Hotham, Australia (2023)
Plus additional access with limited dates and 7 total days at:
- Telluride, CO
- Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (Fernie, Kicking Horse, Kimberley, Mont Saint Anne, Nakiska, and Stoneham)
- Hakuba Valley resorts and Rusutsu, Japan, resorts
- 26 European Partner Resorts across France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria
Once you order through Undercover Tourist, you'll receive a confirmation email and number (it may take several days to receive this). Log in to the Epic Pass site (link provided in the confirmation email) to complete your profile, upload a photo and verify your mailing address. Passes are expected to beginning shipping in the fall.
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. 25-26, 2022
- Dec. 26-31, 2022
- Jan. 14, 2023
- Feb. 18-19, 2023
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
- Advanced Lift Ticket Rate available during blackout dates at Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb
- 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
- Seven Springs, PA
- Hidden Valley, PA
- Laurel Mountain, PA
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
- The Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu, Japan, Ski Resorts (a total of 5 consecutive days)
*The pass has a total of 10 days combined across Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb. Access to Vail/Beaver Creek is available starting April 1, 2023, if the pass is purchased prior to May 30, 2022, (even if you have used all 10 days).
Epic Day Passes Both Restricted and Unrestricted (and Limited!)
For the 2022-2023 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. Keep in mind that we provide the final price including taxes and fees so you have no surprises in your cart. Prices will go up, so buy early. Here's a quick look at the Epic Day Passes:
- Restricted Epic Day Pass — Select holiday blackout periods. Ski at 37 Vail resorts. Less expensive than Unrestricted. Range from a starting final price of $93 to $555.46 for adults ($48 to $288 for kids).
- Unrestricted Epic Day Pass — No holiday blackout periods. Ski at 37 Vail resorts. Flexible days up to 50 percent off. Range from $110 to $657 for adults ($56 to $335 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). Access to 32 resorts. Range from $72 to $425 for adults ($36 to $217 for kids).
- 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). It has access to 32 resorts. Range from $84 to $503 for adults ($43 to $256 for kids).
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. 25-26, 2022
- Dec. 26-31, 2022
- Jan. 14, 2023
- Feb. 18-19, 2023
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 - L
- Mt. Brighton, MI - L
- Wilmot, WI - L
- 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
- Seven Springs, PA - L
- Laurel Mountain, PA - L
- Hidden Valley, PA - L
Canada
- Whistler Blackcomb, BC
The Epic 4-Day Pass (and above) offers additional access to:
- Telluride, CO
- Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
Epic Pass Comparison (with final price including taxes and fees as of April 2022)
| Which Epic Pass | Cost | How Many Resorts? | Restrictions? | Additional Tickets/Benefits? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epic Pass | $841 | 67* | No | 6 Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets; 10 Buddy Tickets** |
| Epic Local Pass | $626 | 30+ Resorts | Holidays | 6 Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets; 10 Buddy Tickets** |
| Epic Day Pass Unrestricted (1-7 Days) | $410 for 4 days | Up to 37 | No | No |
| Epic Day Pass Restricted (4-7 Days) | $347 for 4 days | Up to 37 | Holidays | No |
**Benefits subject to change and must purchase by April 21, 2022, to receive Buddy Passes
All Epic Pass tickets include Epic Mountain Rewards.
Regional Passes
This season, Undercover Tourist is not selling Regional Passes
What Is the Difference Between Epic Buddy Tickets and Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets?
Certain eligible Epic Passes come pre-loaded with a set number of Epic Buddy Tickets and Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets that give discounts for friends and family (you can see pricing and more at the link provided. 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). You must purchase the Epic Pass by April 21, 2022 to get these.
- 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. Passes purchased before or after April 21, 2022, are eligible for these.
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 online:
- Pass holders sign in to their Epic account.
- Look in the "Benefits Section" and select "Send to a friend."
- Choose the resort and days you want to ski or ride.
- Your friend will receive an email with a link to purchase the discounted ticket online.
- 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.
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. You can use your pass at any point during the 2022-2023 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 are expected to shop in fall. Once you receive your confirmation number, log in to the Epic Pass site (link provided in the confirmation email) to complete your profile, upload a photo and verify your mailing address.
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!
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