Vail Resorts lift-ticket sales capped; buy your Epic Pass by Dec. 4
Editor's Note
Ski season is already in swing at Vail Resorts in Breckenridge and Vail, Colorado; Park City, Utah; and others, and the last day to purchase Epic Passes is Dec. 4.
As it did during the 2020-2021 season, Vail Resorts will limit lift tickets daily across its 37 North American resorts, to "prioritize the on-mountain experience" for pass holders, the company said in a press release Nov. 21.
As a result, some resorts have already reached capacity for lift tickets on certain days.
Some resorts already have sold-out dates where lift tickets are no longer available to purchase online or at ticket windows.
Here’s what we know about how this ski season will look across the network of Vail Resorts.
Lift-ticket sales again capped
Rather than massively overpaying by buying individual lift tickets at big-name resorts like Vail, Park City and Breckenridge, consider purchasing a ski pass of some sort — even one with a set number of days.
Another reason to consider a pass is that Vail Resorts is once again capping individual lift tickets, which have and will continue to sell out. Last year, Vail Resorts limited lift tickets across three holiday periods. This year, however, the company said that all passes, including Epic Day Passes, will not be restricted beyond any holiday dates associated with the purchased pass type.
Vail Resorts lift-ticket sales will be limited every day across every resort in order to preserve the guest experience.
Lift-ticket availability will be visible on the resort websites; if tickets are sold out, you cannot make a purchase at the walk-up ticket windows either.
“If you know you’ll ski and ride this season, even just a few days, don’t wait to buy lift tickets,” Ryan Bennett, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts, said in a press statement. “We have a variety of pass options so everyone can benefit from the value and flexibility that our passes offer. Whether you’ll hit the slopes one day or every day, by purchasing now you’ll avoid paying for full-priced lift tickets later.”
Epic Pass not limited
An exception to the aforementioned limits, Epic Pass holders will have unbridled access to the slopes, as they are not limited in their ski days beyond any date restrictions associated with the pass.
Epic Day Pass and Epic Pass holders don’t need to make a reservation this year; they aren’t affected by capacity restrictions the way that individual lift-ticket skiers may be on certain dates.
Related: A powder hound in the making: 4 tips for taking your 1st ski trip as an adult
A one-day Epic Pass currently starts at $51 per adult (ages 13 and older) and $26 per child (ages 5-12) for access to 22 resorts, with per-day prices that decrease as the number of days on the pass increase.
Note that many Epic Passes also come with "Ski With a Friend" ticket vouchers, which you can share with friends and family for a discounted lift ticket.
Many ski resorts are already open
So far, six resorts have opened ahead of schedule for the 2022-2023 season, with the rest set to open next month, pending weather conditions:
- Oct. 28: Keystone (Colorado).
- Nov. 11: Breckenridge and Vail (Colorado).
- Nov. 12: Heavenly (California) and Northstar (California).
- Nov. 16: Park City (Utah).
- Nov. 18: Afton Alps (Minnesota), Hunter (New York), Stowe (Vermont) and Wildcat (New Hampshire).
- Nov. 19: Okemo (Vermont).
- Nov. 20: Mount Snow (Vermont).
- Nov. 23: Beaver Creek and Crested Butte (Colorado) and Mount Sunapee (New Hampshire).
- Nov. 24: Whistler Blackcomb (British Columbia).
- Nov. 25: Seven Springs (Pennsylvania).
- Dec. 2: Kirkwood (California) and Stevens Pass (Washington).
- Dec. 3: Mt. Brighton (Michigan) and Wilmot (Wisconsin).
- Dec. 16: Big Boulder, Liberty, Roundtop and Whitetail (Pennsylvania).
- Dec. 17: Alpine Valley (Ohio), Boston Mills/Brandywine and Mad River (Ohio), Hidden Valley and Snow Creek (Missouri) and Paoli Peaks (Indiana).
- Dec. 23: Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain (Pennsylvania).
New at Vail Resorts this season
This season, Vail Resorts is debuting 18 new chairlifts and gondolas.
Bottom line
Remember that all 2022-2023 Epic Pass holders save on their entire mountain experience through Epic Mountain Rewards, which includes 20% off on-mountain food and beverage, lodging, group ski-and-ride school lessons, equipment rentals and more.
The last day to purchase an Epic Pass is Dec. 4.
More than half of Vail Resorts properties across North America are already open for the season, thanks to Mother Nature.
Additional reporting by Caroline Tanner.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.