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
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.