EPIC PASS, Epic Deal

By Ann Wycoff | April 10, 2014 |

Vail Resorts offers sweet deal on multi-mountain pass for the ultimate 2014-2015 ski and snowboarding season.

The magic of skiing in April arrives with late season powder dumps followed by warm bluebird days. Skiers can ditch their heavy coats, schuss the slopes and hang out après on the sun-kissed decks with icy beers in hand. But even as the season winds down, the time to start planning for next year is now. The best thing to happen to skiing since shaped skis and terrain parks is the Epic Pass, offered by Vail Resorts as skiers and riders alike can now get an affordable, flexible season pass with access to four world-class resorts in Colorado, three at Lake Tahoe and one in Utah.

For $729, alpine enthusiasts can explore the 4000-acre terrain of Canyons Resort in Park City, tackle the back bowls of Vail, find powder stashes at Beaver Creek, ski the steeps and off-piste at Arapahoe Basin, catch big air at Breckenridge, and enjoy family fun and the country’s best night skiing at Keystone. In the lovely Lake Tahoe area, the Epic Pass affords access to cliff drops in Kirkwood, tree skiing on both Cali and Nevada trails at Heavenly, or great groomers, gourmet eats, and posh amenities at Northstar. And if you find yourself itching to shred or carve some turns in Michigan or Minnesota, Afton Alps and Mt. Brighton welcome the pass too. Got Japan on the agenda? Niseko, one of the country’s top resorts, allows five consecutive free days of skiing as well. As does, Verbier in Switzerland and Les Trois Valleys in France for the ultimate gastro-alpine experience in the Alps.

And if you purchase the pass before April 13, six buddy passes are included, so your posse can get discounted tickets to join you on the hill.

Locals and skiers who frequent these areas and are looking for even greater value should snap up the Epic Local Pass. While there are some holiday restrictions and limits on days, the pass is only $549. It includes unlimited, unrestricted skiing or riding at Breckenridge, Keystone, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton and Arapahoe Basin, with holiday restrictions at Canyons, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood, along with 10 bonus days at Vail and Beaver Creek (holiday restrictions too). Blackout dates for the 2014-15 season are Nov. 28-29, Dec. 26-31, Jan. 17 and Feb. 14-15. But, who really wants to ski with the masses anyway?

A final bonus, skiers and riders opting for the Epic Pass only have to put down $49 by April 13th to secure their six buddy passes and an epic upcoming season. Oh, and there’s more, pass holders can jump on the gondolas for free at resorts like the Canyons all summer for single track mountain biking on the extensive network of trails.

It’s epic. Truly.