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Can you feel the chill of winter in the air? Perhaps not, depending on where you live. But 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. Vail's Epic Pass is back for 2020-2021, with new benefits and assurances. After disruptions to last year's spring season due to COVID-19, we know many of you are especially ready to hit the slopes. Understandably you might have reservations about shelling out for the pass in these uncertain times. Fret not. This year, having an Epic Pass comes with a few additional perks as Vail has announced that reservations will be required to ski at its resorts in 2020-2021, and passholders will get priority reservation access. Plus, there are some additional peace-of-mind benefits Vail has rolled out with this year's Epic Pass since we're living in a new era of uncertainty with COVID-19.
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 Epic Pass so you can make the best decision. This is a good time to mention that we're offering discounts on select Epic Passes. These are the best rates of the season! We've got 4-, 5- 6-, 7-day and unlimited Epic Passes for 2020-2021, so if you're ready to buy at the best price available, then hop to it! Don't froget, we also offer discounts on hotels.
Epic Pass Benefits & Epic Coverage | Epic Pass | Epic Local Pass | Epic Day Pass | Epic Pass Comparison | Epic Buddy Pass & Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets
2020-2021 Epic Pass Benefits at a Glance
- Exclusive early season access
- Access all season with week-of reservations
- Priority reservation days for the core season to lock-in before lift tickets go on sale
- Easy-to-use reservation system
- Epic Coverage - more on this below!
- A refund before the core season if you don’t get the priority reservation days you want and have not used your pass
- 20 percent off of food, lodging, lessons, rentals and more.
Were You a Passholder Last Year? You Can Get Credit Toward a New Pass
If you were a passholder last year, Vail is giving you credit toward the purchase of a 2020-2021 Epic Pass. The initial deadline to apply the credit was Labor Day, but Vail has extended it to Sept. 17. At a minimum, 2019-2020 passholders are getting a credit of 20 percent toward another pass of equal or greater value. Existing passholders from last year should have already received an email that outlines how much credit they will get toward this year's Epic Pass based on how many days they used the pass last season, up to 80 percent. For Epic Day Pass, Whistler Blackcomb Edge Card and multi-pack passholders, Vail is offering a credit up to 80 percent based on your unused number of days. If you already purchased a pass for this year before the promo is offered, Vail will provide credit back to you.
New for 2020-2021: Epic Coverage for Certain Personal Events and Resort Closures
It's an uncertain time to consider doing, well, practically anything and everything, thanks to COVID-19, but we're certain there will be skiing. After all, this outdoor winter sport is naturally socially distant. The Vail Resorts are taking extra precautions to keep guests safe, most notably by managing the number of people they allow on the mountains. They are also putting into place extra guarantees for Epic passholders in case of the unknowns.
For the 2020-2021 ski season, Vail has introduced Epic Coverage. Free for all passholders, 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, 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 any of the following happens over the course of next season, you will get a full or prorated refund.
Personal Coverage
- Job Loss
- Stay-at-home order from county, state, country
- Injury, Sickness, Death
- Student Transfer
- Pregnancy
- Visa Rejection
- Jury Duty
- Military Service
- Employee Transfer
- And More
Resort Closure between U.S. Thanksgiving (November 26, 2020) and Easter (April 4, 2021)
- Disease (e.g. COVID-19)
- War
- Terrorism
- Natural Disaster (specifically defined in Vail's terms and conditions)
Epic Pass 2020-2021
The 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 pass is perfect for ski-loving and snowboarding families who want to pack in as much powder time as they possibly can! While the Epic Pass includes the international destinations, for 2020-2021 Vail has close to doubled the number of domestic ski resorts, with the majority of them in the Midwest and East.
It offers unrestricted, unlimited skiing and riding for the entire 2020 season at these resorts (reservations required):
Rockies
Crested Butte, CO
West
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 to:
Telluride, CO
Sun Valley, ID
Snowbasin, UT
Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu, Japan Ski Resorts
26 European Partner Resorts
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). For this ski season, this pass does not include the following holiday dates:
Nov. 27, 2020-Nov. 28, 2020
Dec. 26, 2020-Dec. 31, 2020
Jan. 16, 2021
Feb. 13, 2021-Feb. 14, 2021
The Epic Local Pass offers access to unrestricted skiing or riding at the following resorts (reservations required):
Rockies
Crested Butte, CO
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
Big Boulder, PA
It offers date restrictions and/or a limited number of days at the following resorts:
Stowe, VT
Whistler Blackcomb, BC
Sun Valley, ID
Snow Basin, UT
11 Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu, Japan Ski Resorts
Epic Day Passes
The Epic Day Passes offer flexible days up to 50 percent off the cost of standard lift tickets. You choose the number of dates you want to ski or ride — from one day to seven days. You have the option to include the following holiday dates for an additional charge:
Nov. 27, 2020-Nov. 28, 2020
Dec. 26, 2020-Dec. 31, 2020
Jan. 16, 2021
Feb. 13, 2021-Feb. 14, 2021
For the majority of you skiers and riders who plan to take one or perhaps two ski vacations, this 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.
The Epic Day Pass offers skiing or riding at the following resorts (reservations required):
Rockies
Crested Butte, CO
West
Stevens Pass, WA
Midwest
Afton Alps, MN
Mt. Brighton, MI
Wilmot, WI
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
Big Boulder, PA
East
Stowe, VT
Okemo, VT
Mount Sunapee, NH
Canada
Whistler Blackcomb, BC
The Epic 4-Day Pass (and above) offers additional access to:
Telluride, CO
Snowbasin, UT
Sun Valley, ID
Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
| Which Epic Pass | Cost | How Many Resorts? | Restrictions? | Additional Tickets/Benefits? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epic Pass | $939 | 69* | No | 6 Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets; 10 Buddy Tickets** |
| Epic Local Pass | $699 | 30 Resorts | Holidays | 6 Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets; 10 Buddy Tickets** |
| Epic Day Pass Unrestricted (4-7 Days) | $456 for 4 days | Up to 26 | No | No |
| Epic Day Pass Restricted (4-7 Days) | $388 for 4 days | Up to 26 | Holidays | No |
**Benefits subject to change
What Is the Difference Between Epic Buddy Tickets and Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets?
Epic passes come pre-loaded with a set number of Epic Buddy Tickets and Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets, available for purchase Dec. 8, 2020, that give you discounts for friends and family. The tickets are not the same thing! Epic Buddy Tickets are discounted tickets that stay the same price all season long (40 percent off). They are only 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. Both Epic Buddy and Ski-With-A-Friend tickets must be purchased online by the passholder, and the purchase acts as the reservation for your friend.
Have a question about any of the Epic passes? Drop us a line in 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
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