Vail Lift Tickets

The most important thing to know about Vail lift tickets: do not buy at the window. Window prices at Vail are among the highest at any ski resort in the US, regularly above $250 per person per day in peak season. Purchasing online in advance, through the Epic Pass system or via the Vail website, saves significant money. The earlier you buy, the more you save. Below is a guide to the options and who each suits.

Unlimited, unrestricted skiing at all Vail Resorts properties worldwide: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Park City, and dozens more including international destinations in Europe, Australia, and Japan. The Epic Pass is the right choice for anyone who plans to ski six or more days in a season at Vail or a combination of Epic resorts. It also comes with dining and lodging discounts at Vail properties and early-season pricing, the pass goes on sale each spring for the following season at the lowest price, then increases incrementally through summer. If you know you’re going to ski seriously next winter, buying the Epic Pass in April is almost always the smart financial move.

A lower-priced alternative to the full Epic Pass with some restrictions at specific resorts, most relevantly, the Epic Local Pass includes only 10 days at Vail and Beaver Creek (with blackout dates during the busiest holiday periods). For guests who primarily ski at other Epic resorts and are visiting Vail for a specific trip rather than making it their main resort, the Epic Local Pass can represent better value. Check the blackout dates carefully against your travel plans before buying.

The most flexible option for visitors who are planning a defined number of ski days rather than an open-ended season. The Epic Day Pass allows you to pre-purchase between one and seven days of skiing, the more days you buy, the lower the per-day cost. Importantly, the price also varies by date: holiday peak days cost more than weekdays in shoulder season. Buying four to six weeks in advance locks in the best pricing. This is the right choice for most holiday visitors who aren’t committed to skiing the whole season.

One practical note: the Epic Day Pass has tiers based on how many resorts it accesses. For a trip that’s exclusively Vail-focused, the single-resort option is cheaper than the “all resorts” tier. If you’re combining a Vail trip with a day at Breckenridge or Beaver Creek, the multi-resort tier makes more sense.

Vail’s gondolas and select chairlifts run through summer for sightseers, hikers, and mountain bikers. A single-day summer lift ticket gives access to the top of the mountain for hiking, the Epic Discovery adventure park (zip lines, rope courses, an alpine coaster), and the mountain bike park when it’s running. The views from Eagle’s Nest at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola on a clear July morning are one of Colorado’s better experiences.

For guests spending several days in Vail in summer who want repeated mountain access, particularly relevant for mountain bikers who want to use the downhill trails across multiple days. The multi-day option represents better value than daily tickets from the third day onwards and includes the same access to Epic Discovery and all summer mountain facilities.

A few things worth knowing that don’t fit neatly into a pass description:

Children under 5 ski free at Vail. Children aged 5-12 have reduced-rate Epic Day Pass options. If you’re bringing young children, check the current child pricing before budgeting, it can significantly change the overall cost of a family trip.

The Epic Pass refund programme (Epic Coverage) allows partial or full refunds in specific circumstances including injury, illness, and job loss. It’s worth adding when purchasing if your trip dates are uncertain.

Vail’s “First Tracks” programme, early access to the mountain before official opening, is available through some hotels and as an add-on during certain periods. It’s not widely advertised but genuinely worth investigating, particularly for guests who want to experience the Back Bowls in untouched snow before the lifts officially open.

Vail offers a variety of lift ticket and Epic Pass options designed to meet the needs of every visitor, whether you’re looking for a winter wonderland experience or a summer mountain adventure. From the all-encompassing Epic Pass to the flexible Epic Day Pass, and from the stunning views offered by the Scenic Summer Lift Tickets to the comprehensive Multi-Day Access Pass, there’s something for everyone at Vail.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience the luxury and adventure that awaits at Vail Resort. Book your lift tickets or Epic Pass today and start planning your perfect getaway. Whether you’re hitting the slopes in the winter or exploring the mountain trails in the summer, Vail has everything you need for an unforgettable vacation. Come and see for yourself why Vail is renowned as one of the top ski resorts in the US!

Secure your lift ticket or Epic Pass today and embark on an adventure filled with luxury, comfort, and unforgettable memories!