Epic Pass 2025/26: A Comprehensive Buying Guide for Skiers and Riders

Epic Pass 2025/26: What's New and How to Choose

The Epic Pass for the 2025/26 ski season offers a range of options for skiers and riders looking to access multiple resorts while saving money. With the full Epic Pass now priced at $1,051, it's the first time the pass has exceeded $1,000 at launch. This year's pass introduces extended access to Verbier 4 Vallées in Switzerland for various pass holders, including unrestricted access for Epic Pass and Epic Adaptive Pass users.

Vail Resorts continues to invest in improving the mountain experience, with several upgrades planned for the upcoming season. These include a new 10-person gondola at Park City, a luxury transformation of Canyon Village base, and enhancements to beginner and children's areas at Keystone. Internationally, Andermatt-Sedrun in Switzerland will see two new six-person high-speed lifts, while Perisher in Australia will gain a new lift accessing the country's highest lift-serviced point.

The Epic Pass system now offers a mobile option, allowing pass holders to store their pass on their smartphone for hands-free, Bluetooth-enabled scanning. This eliminates the need to wait in ticket window lines or for physical passes to arrive by mail. Additionally, the My Epic Gear program, available at 12 mountain resorts, allows guests to choose from over 60 popular ski and snowboard models and have the gear delivered to their preferred location.

When selecting an Epic Pass, consider your skiing frequency and preferred destinations. The full Epic Pass provides unlimited access to over 80 resorts worldwide, including premier destinations in North America, Europe, and Japan. For those focused on North American skiing with some restrictions, the Epic Local Pass offers a more affordable option at $783 for adults.

For shorter trips or occasional skiers, Epic Day Passes allow for 1-7 days of skiing at various resorts, with prices starting at $694 for a 7-day all-resort adult pass. College students can access a special Epic Pass for $708, with region-specific options available.

Where Can You Ski on an Epic Pass?

The Epic Pass is valid only at ski areas owned by Vail Resorts or its partners in North America, Europe, Australia, and Japan. While there are several ski pass options available (Ikon, Indy, Mountain Collective, Cooper, and some smaller groupings), Epic and Ikon are the two major ones.

North America

USA West

• California/Nevada: Heavenly
• California: Kirkwood, Northstar
• Washington: Stevens Pass

USA Rockies

• Colorado: Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Keystone, Telluride, Vail
• Utah: Park City Mountain Resort

USA Midwest

• Minnesota: Afton Alps
• Michigan: Mt. Brighton
• Ohio: Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine, Mad River Mountain
• Indiana: Paoli Peaks
• Missouri: Hidden Valley, Snow Creek
• Wisconsin: Wilmot

USA Northeast

• Vermont: Mount Snow, Okemo, Stowe
• New Hampshire: Attitash, Crotched Mountain, Mount Sunapee, Wildcat
• New York: Hunter Mountain
• Pennsylvania: Big Boulder, Hidden Valley, Jack Frost, Laurel Mountain, Liberty Mountain, Roundtop Mountain Resort, Seven Springs, Whitetail

Canada

• British Columbia: Whistler Blackcomb, Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort
• Alberta: Nakiska Ski Area
• Quebec: Mont-Sainte Anne, Stoneham

Australia

• Falls Creek
• Hotham
• Perisher

Japan

• Hakuba Valley (includes Able Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field, Jigatake Snow Resort, Tsugaike Mountain Resort, Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort, Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort, Hakuba Norikura Onsen Snow Resort, Kashimayari Snow Resort)
• Rusutsu

Europe

• France: Les 3 Vallées (includes Val Thorens, Méribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires, Saint Martin de Orelle, Brides-Les-Bains)
• Italy: Skirama Dolomiti (includes Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo, Folgarida-Marilleva, Pejo, Ponte di Legno-Tonale, Andalo-Fai della Paganella, Monte Bondone, Folgarida-Lavarone)
• Switzerland: 4 Vallées (includes Andermatt Sedrun, Disentis, Bruson, Verbier, La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, Thyon), Crans Montana
• Austria: Ski Arlberg (includes Lech, Zurs, Stuben, St. Christoph, St. Anton)

It's important to note that passes are non-refundable, but Epic Coverage is included with all purchases, providing refunds for certain circumstances such as illness, job loss, injury, and some resort closures. Passes can potentially be upgraded by contacting customer service.

When deciding on a pass, consider how often and where you plan to ski or ride. Generally, if you're hitting the slopes five times or more in a season, purchasing a pass is likely to be cost-effective. However, it's wise to compare the Epic Pass options with other multi-resort passes like Ikon and Indy to find the best fit for your skiing plans.

The Epic Pass offers access to a wide array of ski resorts, including major destinations like Vail, Whistler Blackcomb, and Park City, as well as numerous smaller resorts across North America, Europe, and Japan. With options ranging from unlimited access to day-specific passes, the Epic Pass system aims to cater to various skiing needs and budgets, making it a popular choice for many skiers and snowboarders looking to maximise their time on the mountain.