Get your Epic Passes for ski season earlier than the value will increase subsequent month

Though children are going again to high school and saying a bittersweet goodbye to summer season throughout the nation, now could be your final probability to lock in subsequent yr’s ski plans earlier than ski go costs enhance.

Whether or not you are a newbie or a seasoned professional, one of the best ways to pay to your raise tickets is normally with a ski go as a substitute of particular person mountain raise tickets. By buying an Epic Cross now, you’ll be able to keep away from overpaying to your days on the mountain by getting what are possible the bottom costs of the yr.

An Epic Cross can prevent cash on snowboarding even in case you are solely planning a single journey — or maybe snowboarding for as little as at some point.

For instance, a one-day grownup raise ticket at Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado can value as a lot as $295 for one single day (for the 2023-2024 ski season). Essentially the most you’d pay for at some point on the slopes at Beaver Creek or every other Vail-owned mountain in case you purchase a one-day Epic Cross now for subsequent yr is $132. It is an astounding worth distinction.

These wanting to save cash and ski at resorts which might be a part of the Epic Cross can purchase now for subsequent season with a purpose to get the least costly pricing for the passes. Present costs will enhance Sept. 2, and there are usually small jumps once more in fall, spring and on the finish of summer season.

By buying an Epic Cross now, you’ll be able to lock in your winter snowboarding for as little as $54 per day for adults (13 and older) and $27 per day for youths ages 5 to 12. Youngsters youthful than 5 can ski without cost when accompanied by an grownup with an Epic Cross.

Observe that the particular per day worth will depend on the go you buy and the way typically you employ it.

In the event you take pleasure in Vail Resorts and its accomplice mountains — a few of the greatest names within the trade — an Epic Cross is a good choice.

Associated: We saved each receipt — this is how a lot it really prices to go on a finances ski journey

Epic Cross pricing

The Epic Native Cross — which is out there to locals and travel-in skiers alike and covers limitless, unrestricted entry to 29 resorts, together with Breckenridge Resort, Keystone Resort and Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado — is presently on sale for $746. It additionally consists of limitless, nonholiday entry to Park Metropolis Mountain Resort in Utah, Heavenly Ski Resort in California and Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont, plus 10 days at Vail Ski Resort and Beaver Creek in Colorado and Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, amongst others.

The complete Epic Cross, priced at $1,004, unlocks limitless snowboarding at Vail Ski Resort, Beaver Creek Resort, Whistler Blackcomb, Breckenridge Resort, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Stowe Mountain Resort, Keystone Resort, Park Metropolis Mountain Resort and lots of different Vail-owned and accomplice resorts. You will additionally obtain seven days at Telluride Ski Resort in Colorado and choose resorts all through the Canadian Rockies.

Whereas one go carries a “native” title, that does not imply it is restricted to those that dwell close to the mountain; anybody can profit from tons of snowboarding all through the season. “Native” primarily means it has some peak-date restrictions through the busiest vacation instances of the yr.

There are additionally many mountain-specific or regional go choices, such because the Northeast Worth Cross.

For $613, you’ll be able to ski the entire Northeast mountains (21 in complete) all through the season. This consists of in style choices resembling Stowe Mountain Resort, Okemo Mountain Resort and Mount Snow Ski Resort in Vermont, Hunter Mountain Resort in New York and Mount Sunapee Ski Resort in New Hampshire. Whereas there are a number of vacation blackout dates for choose mountains and solely 10 entry days for Stowe, this go can present nice entry to the area.

Moreover, there are vital reductions for college students, navy personnel (lively, retired and dependents), seniors and people with everlasting disabilities.

Nonetheless, in case you’re solely trying to take one or two journeys to the mountain, you’ll be able to as a substitute go for the Epic Day Cross; this provides you with a set variety of ski days at a choose variety of resorts.

An Epic Cross will prevent cash — even on a brief journey

It’s possible you’ll not suppose it is price getting an Epic Cross in case you solely ski or snowboard a day or two every season. Nonetheless, with so many alternative go choices, you would possibly discover one which works completely to your ski habits.

The Epic Day Cross has three tier ranges based mostly on the mountains included. You should purchase entry to 22 resorts (together with the smaller Vail resorts), 32 resorts or all 38 mountains.

For a single-day ticket, the grownup go worth begins at $52 ($27 for youngsters) for a restricted variety of ski resorts (these within the Midwest, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania). The fee then jumps to $87 per day for many ski resorts ($44 for youths) or $113 per day ($59 for youths) for the total vary of Vail-owned and accomplice resorts. However with a seven-day go, the value begins at simply $45 per day.

The extra days you buy, the inexpensive it’s per day. For instance, a seven-day go on the 22 resorts on a nonpeak date is simply $311 complete or $45 per day. Or, for all entry, you are taking a look at $95 per day. In fact, in case you’re trying to ski throughout peak vacation dates (there are solely 11 of them), the value goes up barely; it is capped at $112 per day.

This may help you save, contemplating single-day walk-up passes can begin near $300 per day at resorts resembling Vail and Beaver Creek. So, even if you wish to ski simply at some point at Vail Ski Resort through the peak Christmas week, you should purchase an Epic Day Cross upfront and lower your expenses.

Observe that solely Epic four-day, five-day, six-day and seven-day passes with “All Resorts” entry embrace entry to Telluride Ski Resort in Colorado and the six resorts of the Canadian Rockies.

Epic Passes present unique reductions

On prime of all of that, vacationers with the Epic Cross, Epic Native Cross, Epic Day Cross and extra can take pleasure in reductions by the Epic Mountain Rewards program.

This straightforward however rewarding program supplies the next reductions at Vail Resorts’ 37 North American resorts:

• 20% off meals and nonalcoholic drinks (as much as $150 per day)
• 20% off group ski and journey classes
• 20% off lodging owned and operated by Vail Resorts
• 20% off the Epic Mountain Categorical non-public or shared shuttles from Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN) and Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)
• 20% off gear leases
• 20% off choose on-mountain actions
• One free wax and one 50%-off tune per season at choose U.S. areas

These with an Epic Cross get early entry to Vail Resorts’ Winter Getaway Sale for as much as 35% off room charges for a restricted time throughout lodges and trip leases at mountain resorts. Passholders can e book most popular lodging starting Aug. 22 by logging into their Epic Cross account and choosing the sale forward of public entry beginning Aug. 27.

Moreover, all 2024-2025 Epic Cross merchandise robotically embrace Epic Protection, which supplies refunds for private occasions resembling job loss, harm, sickness and sure resort closures.

Ski and journey at world-class resorts

Whereas the Epic Cross is the juggernaut, the inexpensive Epic Native Cross is the perfect worth for vacationers who do not plan to ski over holidays or throughout peak durations.

This season, the vacation dates that have an effect on the Native Cross are Nov. 29-30, 2024; Dec. 26-31, 2024; Jan. 18, 2025; and Feb. 15-16, 2025. Remember the fact that a few of the regional passes embrace further restricted dates. For instance, the Northeast Worth Cross can be restricted Jan. 18-19, 2025 — the Saturday and Sunday of Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

Epic Cross

In the event you’re craving entry to all of Vail’s resorts, with further entry to accomplice resorts, and do not need to cope with beforehand talked about vacation restrictions, the total Epic Cross will suit your wants.

Passes for the 2024-2025 season presently value $1,004 for adults (ages 13 and up) and $512 for youngsters (ages 5 to 12). There are not any full Epic Cross reductions for teenagers.

This Epic Cross will get you entry to:

• Vail Ski Resort
• Beaver Creek Resort
• Breckenridge Resort
• Keystone Resort
• Crested Butte Mountain Resort
• Park Metropolis Mountain Resort
• Heavenly Ski Resort
• Northstar California Resort
• Kirkwood Ski Resort in California
• Stevens Cross in Washington
• Whistler Blackcomb
• Stowe Mountain Resort
• Okemo Ski Resort
• Mount Snow Ski Resort
• Mount Sunapee Ski Resort
• Attitash Mountain Resort in New Hampshire
• Wildcat Mountain Resort in New Hampshire
• Crotched Mountain Resort in New Hampshire
• Hunter Mountain Resort
• Liberty Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania
• Roundtop Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania
• Whitetail Resort in Pennsylvania
• Jack Frost Massive Boulder in Pennsylvania
• Seven Springs Ski Resort in Pennsylvania
• Laurel Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania
• Hidden Valley Resort in Pennsylvania
• Afton Alps in Minnesota
• Mount Brighton Resort in Michigan
• Wilmot Mountain Resort in Wisconsin
• Alpine Valley in Ohio
• Boston Mills Brandywine in Ohio
• Mad River Mountain in Ohio
• Hidden Valley in Missouri
• Snow Creek Mountain Resort in Missouri
• Paoli Peaks Mountain Resort in Indiana
• Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis in Switzerland
• Perisher in Australia
• Falls Creek in Australia
• Hotham Alpine Resort in Australia

Pending a closing acquisition, Crans-Montana in Switzerland might be added to the checklist.

At accomplice resorts, the total Epic Cross will get you entry to seven days at Telluride Ski Resort, seven days at Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, limitless entry to 26 European resorts and 5 days in Japan.

Epic Native Cross

For the 2024-2025 season, the Epic Native Cross supplies limitless entry to:

• Breckenridge Resort
• Keystone Resort
• Crested Butte Mountain Resort
• Stevens Cross
• Okemo Ski Resort
• Mount Snow Ski Resort
• Mount Sunapee Ski Resort
• Attitash Mountain Resort
• Wildcat Mountain Resort
• Crotched Mountain Resort
• Hunter Mountain Resort
• Afton Alps
• Mount Brighton Resort
• Wilmot Mountain Resort
• Alpine Valley
• Boston Mills Brandywine
• Mad River Mountain
• Hidden Valley in Missouri
• Snow Creek Mountain Resort
• Paoli Peaks Mountain Resort
• Liberty Mountain Resort
• Roundtop Mountain Resort
• Whitetail Resort
• Jack Frost Massive Boulder
• Seven Springs Ski Resort
• Laurel Mountain Resort
• Hidden Valley Resort in Pennsylvania

You will additionally get entry (with vacation restrictions) to Park Metropolis Mountain Resort, Heavenly Ski Resort, Northstar California Resort, Kirkwood Ski Resort and Stowe Mountain Resort.

The Epic Native Cross consists of 10 complete mixed days (with beforehand talked about vacation restrictions) at Vail Ski Resort, Beaver Creek Resort and Whistler Blackcomb.

Moreover, in case you plan to ski exterior of North America, you will obtain 5 days in Japan at Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu Resort and 5 days in Switzerland at Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis and Crans-Montana (entry topic to acquisition shut).

In brief, in case you can work round a number of restrictions, the present Epic Native Cross pricing is a deal at $746 for adults, $388 for youngsters ages 5 to 12 and $603 for teenagers between 13 and 18. To match, a seven-day, restricted Epic Day Cross is presently $661 for adults, so you’ll be able to ski limitless instances all through winter with out paying an excessive amount of more cash.

Scorching tip: In the event you’re trying to buy the Northeast Worth Cross or Ohio Cross and you’ve got a baby who’s 5 or 6 years outdated, you should purchase a Tot Cross. This go is considerably cheaper. It is lower than $50 (pricing will depend on while you buy the go), however you will have to name Vail or an area resort to buy it. As we have discovered from the previous few years, if the consultant is not conscious of this specific go, you need to ask to talk to another person.

Vail Resorts 2024-2025 opening dates

As of Aug. 14, Vail Resorts has introduced opening dates for choose properties, beginning in October at Keystone Resort, adopted by:

• Nov. 8: Breckenridge Resort
• Nov. 15: Vail Ski Resort
• Nov. 22: Whistler Blackcomb, Heavenly Ski Resort, Northstar California Resort and Park Metropolis Mountain Resort
• Nov. 27: Beaver Creek Resort and Crested Butte Mountain Resort
• Dec. 6: Kirkwood Ski Resort and Stevens Cross

“Opening days for extra resorts might be introduced nearer to the winter season,” per an announcement issued by Vail Resorts.

What’s modified with Epic Cross for this yr

In the event you had an Epic Cross final yr, you will be joyful to know that choices are virtually similar regardless of the value enhance of roughly 8%.

There aren’t many adjustments, however you will now see the Cell Cross choice at extra mountains — resembling Whistler Blackcomb — and enhancements to Buddy Ticket redemption. Buddy Tickets are deeply discounted single-day raise tickets with a hard and fast worth for every resort; they’re supplied for a restricted time to friends who buy an eligible go product.

The principle change is that Switzerland’s Crans-Montana additionally joined this system for the 2024-2025 ski season.

Epic launched a brand new app to switch the EpicMix app, too. With the brand new app, your cellphone will function your raise ticket at most resorts. You may also use the app to purchase your Epic Cross, Buddy Tickets and Ski With a Good friend tickets.

New this winter, friends at 4 Colorado resorts can even entry My Epic Assistant within the app for synthetic intelligence resort help at Vail Ski Resort, Beaver Creek Resort, Breckenridge Resort and Keystone Resort.

There can even be a number of new raise upgrades, with tasks at varied resorts, together with Whistler Blackcomb, Hunter Mountain Resort, Afton Alps, Perisher and Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis.

Backside line

For years, probably the most cost-effective approach to ski at main mountains has been with a go. However now, with single-day raise tickets knocking on the door of $300 per day, it is important to plan forward and get some sort of Epic Cross to keep away from paying these extremely excessive charges.

Primarily based on how a lot we skied final yr, our Epic Cross charge got here to roughly $30 per day, together with six days in Vail and Breckenridge. This can be a enormous financial savings in comparison with the day charges at most mountains all through the U.S. — even the unbiased resorts not a part of the Epic Cross.

On prime of these extra accessible costs to get you on the raise, you can too doubtlessly use your resort factors to remain close to (and even on) the mountain to maintain your out-of-pocket ski costs as little as doable. Simply be sure you plan forward.

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