One Two Ski: An Epic Blog to cap off an Epic Season

An Epic Blog to cap off an Epic Season!

Whistler Blackcomb - Photo by Paul Morrison/Courtesy of Vail Resorts
For Whistler Blackcomb blog go to:
https://onetwoski.blogspot.com/2019/01/whistler-wishing.html

Epic Pass - Courtesy of Vail Resorts

In an era when we’re finally realizing - after thousands of years of striving and accumulating - that experiences and the memories they provide are paramount over possessions, the Epic Pass is the ticket to ride…and ski.

I’m a season pass addict. I’m not happy unless I have my pass on my jacket and I know where my whole season’s skiing is coming from. I’ve been like this since very young when I worked in the French and Swiss Alps for entire winters. Returning to sea-level careers in the UK in the mid 80s, my biggest ambition was to be able to ski all season every season at some time in the future.

The big move to Canada came in 1999, securing the possibility of having season passes for my whole family for the next ten years, giving us all winter-long downhill dibs. The hiatus away from the mountains for the last nine years (based in South Carolina) has meant no more Canadian season passes. However, the advent of the season pass for non-locals as well as locals – pioneered by Vail Resorts - has brought that hallowed pass back into the ballgame for me – and for everyone else.

Park City - Photo by Scott Markewitz/Courtesy of Vail Resorts
For Park City blog go to: https://onetwoski.blogspot.com/2019/03/powdery-playful-picturesque-and-popular.html

The Epic Pass guarantees skiing all season in your choice of 69 resorts in the USA, Canada, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Japan and Australia. Such variety and flexibility! And the ability to storm-chase, customizing your season’s ski experiences around the weather and your own family/work schedule.

Just having the pass adds incentive to ski – imagine, if you are lucky enough to be able to work anywhere, moving to a ski area and clocking up 100 days one season. It would be $9.39 per day if you bought at the current rate of $939! Having a season pass also gives you a sense of belonging, ownership and pride in wintersports. And buying it in advance is a great motivation to get pre-season fit in order to make the most of it.

The other benefit is not having to count the cost of each ski day – once you pass the break-even point compared to daily rates, it’s all free. And, although Epic has led the way in keeping season pass prices down all over North America, the downside is that day prices have sky-rocketed reaching $200 per day in some resorts – making the season pass the way to go for affordable skiing, even if you only manage a few weeks.

Northstar California - Courtesy of Vail Resorts
For Northstar blog, go to: https://onetwoski.blogspot.com/2018/03/platinum-pistes-at-northstar-lake-tahoe.html

Early bird pricing means the cheapest season pass opportunity ever – you should keep an eye on the various deadlines. But make your decision as early as possible. It’s so easy NOT to ski if you don’t have it locked down in advance. I know so many people who have missed out on this mega season as ‘stuff’ got in the way and the sensational snow conditions just passed them by.

The Epic Pass benefits are also really useful, with extra cost-savings. I used my pass to get great discounts in Whistler and Park City this season in food outlets around the mountains – and sometimes the range of discounts makes you explore – and enjoy – the mountain differently, encouraging you to try new venues. The Epic Pass Club gives all kinds of perks with discounts on lodging, transportation, rentals, food & beverage, varying with each destination – well worth investigating.

Heavenly - Courtesy of Vail Resorts
For Heavenly Blog, go to: https://onetwoski.blogspot.com/2018/03/heavenly-hospitality.html

Giving the gift of skiing makes for a priceless present – and you don’t even have to buy an entire pass: you can buy your own Epic Pass and then give away the six ‘Ski with a Friend’ Buddy Passes (they have to ski on the same day and same resort as you though - you go to the ticket office together). The earlybird deal with an April 14 deadline actually offered 10 Buddy Passes. My parents gave me the gift of skiing as a child in the Alps and it still feels to me like my biggest childhood advantage. That first taste of skiing in Austria was a transformational experience for me and I still remember the wonder and bliss of my first weeks.

If you’re in the military – active or retired or a dependent – then you really luck out with $129 Military Epic Pass deals. That’s the entire season for $129! And there are great deals for college students too.

Breckenridge's Peak 6 - Photo by A Dodds/Courtesy of Vail Resorts
For Breck Blog, go to: https://onetwoski.blogspot.com/2017/02/breck-trek.html

There’s been so much social media chat and controversy over the years about Epic Pass and Vail Resorts and the whole concept of corporatizing of ski areas. But, despite the naysayers, it hasn’t stopped most major – and some smaller - resorts jumping on board the Epic Pass – and newcomer Ikon Pass – in order to share the massive marketing value of these big players. ‘Be the change or be left behind’ seems the prevailing philosophy although there are still some key resorts in North America choosing to remain steadfastly solo. Perhaps it should be ‘Ski the change’.

Research into what makes us happy is constantly showing that travel, adventure, the outdoors, nature, and engaging in sport with friends are far more important than material possessions. And we all know the way to avoid Seasonally Adjusted Disorder is to wrap up warmly and get outdoors in any conditions for some well-needed winter Vit D.

Keystone - Photo by Liam Doran/Courtesy of Vail Resorts
For Keystone Blog, go to: https://onetwoski.blogspot.com/2017/02/while-kats-away.html

Not everyone can invest in skiing without some serious budgeting. So, this year, how about making a few cut backs if you can’t easily afford a season pass and the trips that go with it: stop going to the Mall (join free activities like running clubs, outdoor exercise groups, teams and sports pursuits instead), don’t indulge in the Black Friday frenzy, give up online shopping (unless it is for ski gear basics in off-season sales), get on trend by downsizing your car(s) and/or home, start selling extraneous stuff around your house instead of accumulating even more. If you need help with all this, watch the movie The Minimalists - very motivational. And, with the downsizing proceeds, buy yourself an Epic Pass to guarantee your skiing adventures next winter.

Vail, Colorado - Photo by Jack Affleck/Courtesy of Vail Resorts
For a Vail Blog, go to: https://onetwoski.blogspot.com/2016/02/technology-woven-into-dna-at-vail.html

If you can’t justify a season pass, check out Epic for Everyone, brand new this year, which works for one and two day skiing. Here’s the press release with all the latest details:

BROOMFIELD, Colo. – Mar. 5, 2019 – Eleven years ago, the Epic Pass transformed the ski industry by offering guests unlimited skiing at the best resorts in the world, for a previously unheard of low price, making skiing and riding more accessible and affordable. Today, with the introduction of “Epic for Everyone,” Vail Resorts continues that history of innovation by offering the same incredible flexibility and value to all skiers and riders, whether they want to ski or ride just one day – or every day – of the season.

As part of Epic for Everyone, Vail Resorts announced today the introduction of the new Epic Day Pass, a customizable pass for those skiers and riders who may not need the unlimited skiing offered by traditional season passes. Guests can create their own pass by selecting the number of days they plan to ski or ride – from one day to seven days – and whether or not to add holiday access. Guests can use their customized Epic Day Pass anytime throughout the season at any of the Company’s North American owned resorts, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Whistler Blackcomb, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, and more. Those purchasing four or more days will also get access to Telluride, Sun Valley, Snowbasin, and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies.

Telluride - Photo by Max Skinner/Courtesy of Telluride
For Telluride Blog, go to:
https://onetwoski.blogspot.com/2018/03/tips-and-tales-from-telluride.html

With the Epic Day Pass, guests can ski world-class resorts for an unmatched price. Offering a discount of up to 50 percent off of lift ticket window prices, the Epic Day Pass starts as low as $106 for one day of skiing at any of the Company’s North American resorts. Guests can also lower their cost per day by adding more days and can lock in the lowest prices by purchasing this spring.

“With Epic for Everyone, we are excited to provide all of our guests with the value, flexibility and convenience that come with being a pass holder,” said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts. “The launch of the Epic Day Pass transforms both season pass and lift ticket pricing and allows our guests to decide where, when and how frequently they want to ski or ride, which is exactly what made our Epic Pass so popular when we first introduced it over a decade ago.”

For guests looking to ski more days in a season, the Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass continue to offer the best value and variety for unlimited skiing and riding. Launching at $939 for the 2019-20 winter season, the Epic Pass provides unlimited, unrestricted access to all of the Company’s owned resorts and additional access to partner resorts around the world. For skiers and riders willing to navigate around a few peak dates, the Epic Local Pass offers an incredible value with access to many of the same destinations, starting at only $699. Those who purchase the Epic Pass or Epic Local Pass this spring, by paying just $49 down and the remainder in September, will also get ten Buddy Tickets (up from six last year) and six Ski With a Friend Tickets.

Kicking Horse, Canada - Courtesy of RCR
For Kicking Horse Blog, go to: https://onetwoski.blogspot.com/2018/02/going-for-golden.html

In honor of the epic service of the Company’s founders from the 10th Mountain Division, and the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, Canadian Armed Forces and Australian Defence Force, Vail Resorts will also be extending the Military Epic Pass program into the 2019-20 season. The 2019-20 Military Epic Pass is priced at $129 for Active and Retired Military and their dependents, and $529 for Veteran Military and their dependents.

Because Epic is for everyone, guests who purchase a day lift ticket this season also have the opportunity to apply the value of their ticket toward the price of an eligible 2019-20 pass, including an Epic Day Pass with four or more days. Guests can visit www.epicpass.com for more details on this offer and other incentives.

The Company stated that in Fiscal 2018, 47% of lift revenue came from guests using a season pass; however, those guests using a daily lift ticket skied, on average, an estimated 2.3 days during the season. “Epic for Everyone provides those skiers and all of our guests the opportunity to participate in season pass discounts, and provides first time and occasional skiers greater access to our resorts, giving us an opportunity to grow the entire industry,” said Lynch.

Snowbasin Tram - Courtesy of Snowbasin
For Snowbasin Blog, go to: https://onetwoski.blogspot.com/2017/04/snowbasin-i-love-you-more.html

The following are the various pass options for skiers and snowboarders for the 2019-20 season:

Epic Pass™: For $939 for adults and $489 for children (ages five to 12), the Epic Pass offers the following access and benefits:

Unlimited, unrestricted access to: Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Stevens Pass, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton, and Wilmot in North America. The Epic Pass also includes access to Perisher in Australia, and is expected to include access to Falls Creek and Hotham, pending close of the transaction and receipt of certain approvals.

Limited access to partner resorts, including: seven days at each of Telluride, Sun Valley, Snowbasin, and the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies; five consecutive days at Hakuba Valley, Japan’s ten ski resorts; five consecutive days at Japan’s Rusutsu Resort. The Epic Pass also grants limited access to Les 3 Vallées, Paradiski and Tignes-Val D’Isere in France; 4 Vallées in Switzerland; Arlberg in Austria and Skirama Dolomiti in Italy.

Discounted Tickets: 16 total discounted tickets for family and friends, including ten “Buddy” Tickets (up from six last year) at a flat discounted rate and six “Ski With A Friend” discounted tickets.

$49 Down: For a limited time, a $49 down payment guarantees the lowest price with the remainder due in the fall.

Kimberley, Canada - Photo by me
For Kimberley Blog, go to: https://onetwoski.blogspot.com/2017/02/kimberley-capers.html

Epic Local Pass™: For $699 for adults, $569 for teens and $369 for children (ages five to 12), the Epic Local Pass offers the following access and benefits:

Unlimited, unrestricted access to: Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Okemo, Mt. Sunapee, Stevens Pass, Wilmot, Afton Alps, and Mt. Brighton.

Unlimited access with holiday restrictions to: Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, and Stowe.

10 total days combined (with holiday restrictions) at: Vail, Beaver Creek, and Whistler Blackcomb

Limited access to partner resorts, including: two days (with limited holiday restrictions) at Sun Valley; two days (with limited holiday restrictions) at Snowbasin; and five total consecutive days with no blackout dates at Hakuba Valley’s ten ski resorts in Japan; and five total consecutive days with no blackout dates at Rusutsu Resort.

$49 Down: For a limited time, a $49 down payment guarantees the lowest price with the remainder due in the fall.

Fernie, Canada - Courtesy of RCR
For Fernie Blog, go to: https://onetwoski.blogspot.com/2017/02/family-friends-at-fernie.html

Military Epic Pass™: For $129 for Active and Retired Military and their dependents and $529 for Veteran Military and their dependents, the Military Epic Pass offers the following access:

Unlimited, unrestricted access to: Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Stevens Pass, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton, and Wilmot in North America. The Military Epic Pass also includes access to Perisher in Australia, and is expected to include access to Falls Creek and Hotham, pending close of the transaction and receipt of certain approvals.

Whistler Blackcomb's Peak 2 Peak Gondola - Photo by Paul Morrison/Courtesy of Vail Resorts
For another WB Blog, go to: https://onetwoski.blogspot.com/2016/02/keeping-whistler-wild.html

Epic Day Pass: The Epic Day Pass provides the following access and benefits:

Specified number of days to: Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler Blackcomb, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Stevens Pass, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton and Wilmot Mountain.

Partner access: For guests purchasing four or more days of access, they may also use days purchased to access Telluride, Sun Valley, Snowbasin and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies.

Pricing:

	Adult Pricing	Child Pricing
Epic 1-Day Restricted Pass	$106	$55
Epic 1-Day Pass	$125	$65
Epic 2-Day Restricted Pass	$206	$107
Epic 2-Day Pass	$242	$126
Epic 3-Day Restricted Pass	$300	$156
Epic 3-Day Pass	$352	$183
Epic 4-Day Restricted Pass	$388	$202
Epic 4-Day Pass	$456	$237
Epic 5-Day Restricted Pass	$470	$245
Epic 5-Day Pass	$553	$288
Epic 6-Day Restricted Pass	$548	$285
Epic 6-Day Pass	$645	$335
Epic 7-Day Restricted Pass	$621	$323
Epic 7-Day Pass	$731	$380