Epic Passes on sale now for next year’s ski season — with a new Gen Z discount

The current ski season is still in full force, but Vail Resorts just announced its 2026-2027 pass options and pricing, making it the best time to lock in next year’s ski plans. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, the best way to get your lift tickets for less is usually to pay for a ski pass instead of individual mountain lift tickets. Purchasing an Epic Pass now means you can avoid overpaying for your days on the mountain by getting what are likely the lowest prices of the year. And, new this year, Vail is offering a 20% discount for teens and young adults on many pass options.An Epic Pass can save you money on skiing even if you are only planning a single trip — or perhaps skiing for as little as one day.For example, a one-day adult lift ticket at Colorado’s Beaver Creek Resort runs between $230 and $356 for this current ski season. The most you’d pay for one standard day on the slopes at Beaver Creek Resort or any other Vail Resorts-owned mountain if you buy a one-day Epic Pass now for next year is $138 (or $163 for a peak date). It’s a striking difference that underscores the value of locking in your pass before the window closes tonight.Epic Passes now on sale for the 2026/2027 season. EPIC PASSEpic Pass basicsFor those looking to save money and ski at resorts on the Epic Pass, purchasing now for next season is the way to get the least expensive pricing for the passes. Based on past trends, current prices will typically increase at the end of May, with small jumps again in summer and fall.Your specific per day price depends on the pass you purchase and how often you’re at the mountains. So, if you purchase an Epic Pass now, you can ultimately lock in your winter skiing for as low as $46 per day for adults and $23 per day for kids ages 5 to 12. Kids younger than 4 can ski for free when accompanied by an adult with an Epic Pass.If you enjoy Colorado’s Vail Ski Resort and its partner mountains, an Epic Pass is a great option. In fact, my family has purchased the Epic Pass for the past six years, and there’s a good chance we will be skiing again with Epic next year.Epic Friend Ticket benefitPassholders who purchase their pass by this spring will receive up to 10 Epic Friend Tickets. Passes purchased by April 13, 2026, will include 10 tickets, while passes purchased by May 26, 2026, will include six. This perk offers 50% off the window price for friends ages 13 and up, as well as 25% off a child (ages 5-12) lift ticket at all 37 of Vail’s opened North American resorts. This means if the walk-up price at Vail is $330, the ticket cost with the discount is $165. While you’re still probably better off purchasing an Epic Day Pass in advance, this is a significant savings for those who don’t want to lock in a ticket early.This benefit replaces what was formerly known as Buddy Tickets and Ski With A Friend discounts; it’s available to those who purchase a season long pass (excluding a few select passes, such as Tot Passes), but not day passes.Best of all, friends can also apply the cost of one redeemed Epic Friend Ticket toward an Epic Pass for the following season.Epic Pass pricingThere are several types of Epic Passes with different prices. Here are the most common.Epic Local PassThe Epic Local Pass is currently on sale for $809 for adults, $425 for children (ages 5 to 12) and $649 for teens (ages 13 to 17). New this year, Epic has introduced young adult pricing, which for those between 18 and 30, matches the teen price of $649. With more than $150 in savings, this is the perfect opportunity for those just starting in the working world to ski for less throughout the entire winter.If you can work around a few restrictions, this pass is quite the deal as it still provides unlimited, unrestricted access to 29 resorts, including Colorado’s Breckenridge Ski Resort, Keystone Resort and Crested Butte Mountain Resort. For unlimited non-holiday access, it includes Park City Mountain Resort in Utah; Heavenly Ski Resort, Northstar California Resort and Kirkwood Mountain Resort in California; and Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont. It also covers 10 days at Colorado’s Vail Ski Resort and Beaver Creek Resort, as well as British Columbia’s Whistler Blackcomb.While this pass has “local” in its name, that doesn’t mean it’s only available to those who live near the mountain; anyone can benefit from tons of skiing throughout the season. “Local” mainly means it has some peak-date restrictions during the busiest holiday times of the year.Epic PassThe full Epic Pass, priced at $1,089 for adults, unlocks unlimited skiing at Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler Blackcomb, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Stowe, Keystone, Park City and many other Vail-owned and partner resorts. Plus, you’ll also receive seven days at Colorado’s Telluride Ski Resort and select resorts throughout the Canadian Rockies.Similar to the Epic Local Pass, there’s discounted pricing for those 30 and younger. Unlike previous years, teens (ages 13 to 17) and young adults (18 to 30) are no longer considered adults, and they can purchase the pass for a significantly lower price of $869. Children (ages 5 to 12) passes are also less at $555.Regional passesThere are also many mountain-specific or regional pass options, such as the Northeast Value Pass.For $662, you can ski all of the Northeast mountains (21 in total) throughout the season. This includes popular resorts such as Okemo Mountain Resort and Mount Snow in Vermont, Hunter Mountain Resort in New York and Mount Sunapee Ski Resort in New Hampshire. While there are a few holiday blackout dates for select mountains and only 10 access days for Stowe, this pass can provide great access to the region.Special passesAdditionally, there are significant discounts for students, military personnel (active, retired and dependents), seniors and those with permanent disabilities.Epic Day PassHowever, if you’re only looking to take one or two trips to the mountain, you can instead opt for the Epic Day Pass, which gives you a set number of ski days at a select number of resorts.A large crowd of skiers at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area waits in line at a chairlift. GEORGE ROSE/GETTY IMAGESAn Epic Pass will save you money, even on a short tripYou may not think getting an Epic Pass is worth it if you only ski or snowboard a day or two each season. However, with so many different pass options, you might find one that works perfectly for your ski habits.The Epic Day Pass has three tiers based on the mountains included. You can purchase access to 22 resorts (including the smaller Vail resorts), 32 resorts or all 46 mountains.Epic Day Pass pricing. EPIC PASSFor a single-day ticket, the adult pass price starts at $66 ($33 for children) for a limited number of ski resorts (those in the Midwest, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania). The cost then jumps to $106 per day for most ski resorts ($55 for kids) or $138 per day ($72 for kids) for the full range of Vail-owned and partner resorts.The more days you purchase, the less expensive it is per day. For example, a seven-day pass at the 22 resorts on non-peak dates is just $316 total, or $46 per day. Or, you’re looking at $97 per day for full access. Of course, if you’re looking to ski during peak holiday dates (there are only 11 of them), the price goes up; it’s capped at $114 per day.This can help you save, considering single-day walk-up passes can start close to $300 per day at resorts such as Vail and Beaver Creek. So, even if you want to ski just one day at Vail during the peak Christmas week, you can purchase an Epic Day Pass in advance and save money.Note that only four-day, five-day, six-day and seven-day passes with “All Resorts” access include access to Telluride and the six resorts of the Canadian Rockies.Epic Passes provide exclusive discountsEPIC PASSOn top of all that, travelers with the Epic Pass, the Epic Local Pass, the Epic Day Pass and more can enjoy discounts through the Epic Mountain Rewards program.It provides the following discounts at Vail Resorts’ 37 North American resorts:20% off food and nonalcoholic beverages (up to $150 per day)20% off group ski and snowboard lessons20% off lodging owned and operated by Vail Resorts20% off the Epic Mountain Express private or shared shuttles from Denver International Airport (DEN) and Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) in Colorado20% off gear rentals20% off select on-mountain activitiesOne free wax and one 50% off tune per season at select U.S. locationsAdditionally, all 2026-2027 Epic Pass products automatically include Epic Coverage, which provides refunds for personal events such as job loss, injury and illness, as well as for certain resort closures.Epic Pass vs Epic Local PassWhile the Epic Pass is the juggernaut, the less expensive Epic Local Pass is the best value for travelers who don’t plan to ski over holidays or during peak periods.For the 2026-2027 season, holiday dates that affect the Local Pass are Nov. 27-28, 2026; Dec. 26-31, 2026; Jan. 16, 2027; and Feb. 13-14, 2027. Keep in mind that some of the regional passes have additional restricted dates, including at Vail, Park City, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb, among others.Epic PassThe full Epic Pass gets you access to:Vail Ski Resort in ColoradoBeaver Creek Resort in ColoradoBreckenridge Ski Resort in ColoradoKeystone Resort in ColoradoCrested Butte Mountain Resort in ColoradoPark City Mountain Resort in UtahHeavenly Ski Resort in CaliforniaNorthstar California Resort in CaliforniaKirkwood Mountain Resort in CaliforniaStevens Pass Ski Resort in WashingtonWhistler Blackcomb in British ColumbiaStowe Mountain Resort in VermontOkemo Mountain Resort in VermontMount Snow in VermontMount Sunapee Ski Resort in New HampshireAttitash Mountain Resort in New HampshireWildcat Mountain in New HampshireCrotched Mountain in New HampshireHunter Mountain Resort in New YorkLiberty Mountain Resort in PennsylvaniaRoundtop Mountain Resort in PennsylvaniaWhitetail Resort in PennsylvaniaJack Frost Big Boulder in PennsylvaniaSeven Springs Mountain Resort in PennsylvaniaLaurel Mountain Ski Resort in PennsylvaniaHidden Valley Resort in PennsylvaniaAfton Alps in MinnesotaMount Brighton in MichiganWilmot Mountain Ski Resort in WisconsinAlpine Valley Ski Area in OhioBoston Mills Brandywine in OhioMad River Mountain in OhioHidden Valley Ski Resort in MissouriSnow Creek Mountain Resort in MissouriPaoli Peaks in IndianaAndermatt-Sedrun-Disentis in SwitzerlandCrans-Montana in SwitzerlandVerbier 4 Vallees in SwitzerlandPerisher Ski Resort in AustraliaFalls Creek Alpine Resort in AustraliaHotham Alpine Resort in AustraliaYou’ll also get access to partner resorts, which includes seven days at Telluride Ski Resort, seven days at Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, unlimited access to 26 European resorts and five days in Japan.SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUYEpic Local PassFor the 2026-2027 season, the Epic Local Pass provides unlimited access to:Breckenridge Ski ResortKeystone ResortCrested Butte Mountain ResortStevens Pass Ski ResortOkemo Mountain ResortMount SnowMount Sunapee Ski ResortAttitash Mountain ResortWildcat MountainCrotched MountainHunter Mountain ResortAfton AlpsMount BrightonWilmot Mountain Ski ResortAlpine Valley Ski AreaBoston Mills BrandywineMad River MountainHidden Valley Ski Resort in MissouriSnow Creek Mountain ResortPaoli PeaksLiberty Mountain ResortRoundtop Mountain ResortWhitetail ResortJack Frost Big BoulderSeven Springs Mountain ResortLaurel Mountain Ski ResortHidden Valley Resort in PennsylvaniaYou’ll also get access (with holiday restrictions) to Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Stowe.The Epic Local Pass includes 10 total combined days (with previously mentioned holiday restrictions) at Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb.Additionally, if you plan to ski outside of North America, you’ll receive five days in Japan at Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu Resort, five days in Switzerland at Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis and Crans-Montana, and five days of consecutive access to Verbier 4 Vallees (also in Switzerland), but with some restricted days.Regional Tot Pass discountsIf you’re looking to purchase the Northeast Value Pass or Ohio Pass and you have a child who is 5 or 6 years old (at the time of purchase), you can purchase a Tot Pass. This pass is significantly cheaper at around $50 (pricing depends on when you purchase the pass), but you’ll need to call Vail or a local resort to purchase it. If the representative isn’t aware of this particular pass, you should ask to speak to someone else — something we’ve learned from experience over the past few years.Related: The right — and wrong — age for kids to start skiingWhat has changed with Epic Pass for the 2026-2027 season?ADVENTURE PHOTO/GETTY IMAGESIf you had an Epic Pass last year, you’ll notice that this year’s options are almost identical with no major changes. But the biggest positive differnece we are seeing this year is the introduction of teen and young adult pricing. Discounted at 20% from an adult price, this is a huge win.A few new lift upgrades have already been announced for next season at Park City, Whistler Blackcomb and Seven Springs. And with the opening of Kindred Resort this year, staying at the base of Keystone will be even easier for the 2026-2027 season.Bottom lineBreckenridge, Colorado, in winter at dusk. SEAN PAVONE/GETTY IMAGESUsing a pass has been the most cost-effective way to ski at major mountains for years. Now, with single-day lift tickets knocking on the door of $300 or more if purchased directly from the resorts, it’s more beneficial than ever to plan ahead and get some kind of Epic Pass to avoid paying those incredibly high rates.Based on how much my family will ski this season, with the Epic Pass in hand, our daily cost will break down to approximately $52 per day ($25 per day for my kids).While most of our skiing this season is at slightly less expensive mountains in the Northeast, we did spend five days in Breckenridge. Buying a pass ended up being a huge savings compared to the day rates at most mountains throughout the U.S. — and even when compared to the independent resorts not part of the Epic Pass. And for next season, we plan to do the same.On top of those more accessible prices to get you on the lift, you can also potentially use your hotel points to stay near (or even on) the mountain to keep your out-of-pocket ski prices as low as possible. Just make sure you plan ahead.So, if you’re considering skiing at any Epic mountains at any point this winter, don’t wait. Today is your last chance to lock in an Epic Pass before it disappears for the season.Related reading:TPG’s first-timer guide to visiting VailBest credit cards to use on ski tripsPlan your ski trip using points and miles: How to book flights, hotels, lift tickets and more8 affordable ski resorts in the US and CanadaWe saved every receipt — here’s how much it actually costs to go on a budget ski tripEditorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.