Epic Passes Go Off Sale December 2nd. Here’s Why Waiting Could Cost You Big This Ski Season.
The Epic Pass offers discounted access to more than two dozen ski areas across North America. Lift access prices will more than double at some mountains after it goes away.
With ski season just around the corner, December 2 is a date many skier and snowboarders should circle on their calendar. It's the final chance to lock in an Epic Pass for the 2024-25 season, providing access to some of the most popular ski destinations in North America, including Vail, Park City, and Stowe (full list below), at a fraction of the cost of daily lift tickets.
Miss this deadline, and you could be facing sky-high ticket prices, fewer options, and a serious hit to your ski trip budget. Here’s why grabbing an Epic Pass now is the move for anyone planning to hit the slopes at one of these resorts this winter.
The Epic Pass provides access to several highly-sought-after ski resorts in Colorado, Utah, California, Western Canada, and the Northeast, among other regions.
What is the Epic Pass? Why Does It Matter?
There are 3 main products within the Epic Pass suite. What’s important to note is that these products are not necessarily season passes, with some effectively functioning as flexible lift tickets.
Full Epic Pass ($1,107): This pass provides unlimited, unrestricted access to 42 top-tier resorts across North America and beyond, including Vail, Whistler Blackcomb, and Stowe. It also includes limited access to international destinations like Japan, France, and Austria. For those planning multiple ski trips during the holidays and abroad, the sheer variety and flexibility can make it worth the investment.
Epic Local Pass ($859): While slightly more restricted, this pass offers unlimited access to 32 resorts in the U.S., with some holiday blackout dates at a few key destinations. It also includes limited days at high-end resorts in Colorado, Japan, and Canada.
Epic Day Pass: This is effectively a discounted early-bird day ticket to participating Epic Pass mountains. Day passes are tiered by resort access, starting at $61 for select mountains and maxing out at $123 for premium destinations. These passes can be purchased in 1 to 7 day increments and with or without holiday blackouts.
Why the Epic Pass Matters
The value proposition is clear: if you plan to ski more than a few days at top resorts, an Epic Pass can save you hundreds—or even thousands—compared to buying daily lift tickets. For example, buying just four lift tickets at Vail during peak season could easily cost more than the price of a full Epic Pass. And with benefits like on-mountain dining and gear rental discounts, Epic Pass holders can take advantages of discounts on more than just lift access.
Post-Deadline Reality: Lift Ticket Sticker Shock
Once the December 2 Epic pass deadline passes, the financial stakes of missing it become apparent. Daily lift ticket prices at resorts like Vail, Beaver Creek, and Park City now exceed $300 on peak days. Families and casual skiers who forgo an Epic Pass face an uphill battle to keep costs reasonable.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Vail walk-up lift ticket (peak): $329/day (excluding tax)
Park City walk-up lift ticket (peak): $328/day (excluding tax)
Maximum daily Epic Day Pass price: $143/day (including tax)
A three-day trip to Vail for a family of four during peak season could set you back a staggering $2,660 in lift tickets alone if you don’t have an Epic Pass. But with Epic Day Passes, that cost drops to just $1,048—a massive 60% savings. Plus, Epic Day Passes offer the flexibility to ski at any eligible resort without committing to a specific mountain when you buy, making them a no-brainer for families looking to save without sacrificing options.
Who Will Feel the Pinch?
Missing the Epic Pass deadline will hit some groups harder than others:
Casual Skiers: Those skiing only a few days per season without an Epic Pass product will face the full brunt of daily ticket prices.
Non-Early-Bird Planners: Skiers and riders who decide on trips after December 2 will have no choice but to pay sky-high rates.
Destination Skiers: Visitors to all major Epic-affiliated ski resorts (full list below) will be particularly impacted by exorbitant walk-up prices.
Newcomers to Skiing: High entry costs for tickets, rentals, and dining may discourage young or first-time skiers from getting into the sport.
Are the Epic Pass Resorts Worth It?
If you have your heart set on visiting any of the following mountains between mid-December and late March, you will really want an Epic season or Day Pass, which will save you money under essentially every circumstance:
Crotched, NH
Whitetail, PA
Liberty, PA
Roundtop, PA
Seven Springs, PA
Jack Frost, PA
Big Boulder, PA
Hidden Valley, PA
Mount Brighton, MI
Hidden Valley, MO
Mad River Mountain, OH
Afton Alps, MN
Wilmot, WI
Paoli Peaks, IN
If you’re not sold on these specific mountains, know that many of them are among the best in the United States and Canada—although other mountains that are also within the upper echelon of the ski scene, including Snowbird, Jackson Hole, Copper, and Big Sky, are not on the Epic Pass.
However, nearly every destination resort not on Epic is actually on the competing Ikon Pass. This pass product will likely go off sale shortly after Epic, and the vast majority of mountains on that pass that will appeal to destination-goers also charge absurd prices for regular lift tickets.
So no matter what, if you want to visit a high-end destination resort this winter, you will want to get one of these passes before the incredibly expensive lift tickets become the only option.
How to Save Before It’s Too Late
Whether you ski three days a season or 30, there’s a huge incentive to lock in your Epic Pass by December 2. The savings on lift tickets—and additional perks like on-mountain discounts—can add up fast when used wisely.
Epic Day Passes are essentially regular lift tickets, but at a much lower price when purchased ahead of time. They can save you hundreds of dollars over just a few days at the right resorts.
If your schedule allows, skiing on off-peak days is another great way to cut costs while enjoying quieter slopes and better conditions. Additionally, group discounts and ski-and-stay packages can help maximize savings, making your ski trip more budget-friendly without sacrificing the experience. Reach out to our team if you need any help with this.
Final Thoughts
With the Epic Pass deadline fast approaching, now is the time to make your move. An Epic Pass offers the best access and value to the resorts it’s affiliated with—even if you are the most casual vacationer on the planet. Act now to ensure your ski season is memorable for the right reasons, not the sticker shock.
Considering buying an Epic Pass product? Check out our detailed comparison against competing Ikon, Mountain Collective and Indy offerings. You can also check out this comparison in video form below.