Get Your Epic Pass Before Prices Go Up on October 9
It feels like fall is finally arriving in Vancouver, but what we’re all really waiting for is winter and hitting the slopes!
Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or simply enjoying those last rays of summer too much to think about snow), Vail Resorts has already announced the opening dates of its 37 North American resorts, offering skiing and riding coast-to-coast and one of the longest seasons in the country for its Epic Pass Holders. Vail will also limit lift ticket sales throughout the entirety of the 2022/23 season to prioritize the mountain experience for its guests.
Haven’t purchased a pass yet? You have until October 9 to lock in your Epic Pass before prices increase. Pass products, including regional passes and day passes, are available now on the Epic Pass website.
If you’re planning to visit this Whistler (or any other Vail Resorts destination) this winter – whether one day or every day – you should purchase your lift access in advance, whether it is a lift ticket, Epic Day Pass or season pass. Lift tickets will be limited every day, across every resort, during the 2022/23 season in order to preserve the guest experience at each resort. If tickets are sold out online, guests will not be able to purchase them at ticket windows. Passes, including Epic Day Passes, and Pass Holder benefit tickets will not be limited. There is also no impact to guests who enroll in ski and ride school lessons that include lift access, or to employee and dependent pass access.
The company is making a bold investment in many exciting lift upgrades across its resorts to help guests move up and around the mountain faster and more easily. This includes 18 new chairlifts and gondolas, as well as a restaurant upgrade and snowmaking investments – all which are on track to open this season.
What else is there to look forward to? How about more normal indoor operations as dining facilities will no longer require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations or dining reservations. Sounds good to us!
Opening Dates
The season is kicking off at Keystone Resort in October, opening as soon as weather and conditions permit, along with some help from its state-of-the-art, energy-efficient snowmaking system. Another 16 of the company’s North American resorts are set to open for skiing and riding in November, from Whistler Blackcomb and Heavenly in the West, to Vail and Breckenridge in the Rockies, to Okemo and Mt. Snow in Vt., as well as the company’s newest North American resort, Seven Springs in Pa. The season will continue into the spring, with Kirkwood Resort planning to stay open until the end of April, and Whistler Blackcomb and Breckenridge planning to operate well into May.
Planned opening dates across the company’s 37 North American resorts, which are subject to change based on weather and conditions, include:
ROCKIES & WEST REGIONS
Mid-Oct.: Keystone (CO)
Nov. 11: Breckenridge (CO), Vail (CO)
Nov. 18: Heavenly (CA), Northstar (CA), Park City (UT)
Nov. 23: Beaver Creek (CO), Crested Butte (CO)
Nov. 24: Whistler Blackcomb (British Columbia)
Dec. 2: Kirkwood (CA), Stevens Pass (WA)
EAST REGION
Nov. 11: Mt. Snow (VT)
Nov. 18: Afton Alps (MN), Hunter (NY), Stowe (VT), Wildcat (NH)
Nov. 19: Okemo (VT)
Nov. 23: Mt. Sunapee (NH)
Nov. 25: Seven Springs (PA)
Dec. 2: Attitash (NH), Crotched (NH), Jack Frost (PA)
Dec. 3: Mt. Brighton (MI), Wilmot (WI)
Dec. 16: Big Boulder (PA), Liberty (PA), Roundtop (PA), Whitetail (PA)
Dec. 17: Alpine Valley (OH), Boston Mills and Brandywine (OH), Hidden Valley (MO), Mad River (OH), Paoli Peaks (IN), Snow Creek (MO)
Dec. 23: Hidden Valley (PA), Laurel Mountain (PA)
Safety Protocols
Vail Resorts will not require face coverings, vaccines or dining reservations this coming season across its resorts. With safety as its top priority, the company will continue to monitor the changing dynamics of the pandemic, but at this time does not plan to have any of these measures in place. Employees will continue to complete daily health screenings and resorts will still apply enhanced cleaning practices.
Winter Lodging Sale
For a limited time, travelers who book their winter trips in advance will receive discounted rates on lodging. From Aug. 30-Sept. 6, Vail Resorts’ Winter Getaway Sale will feature the best winter lodging rates across its portfolio of premier mountain destinations in North America. Epic Pass Holders can take advantage of the deal sooner with early access to the sale starting Aug. 25. Plus, Epic Pass Holders receive an additional 20% off lodging rates with Epic Mountain Rewards.
