Vacation Deals

When will lift tickets be limited during the 2021/22 season?

Vail Resorts is limiting lift ticket sales during three popular holiday periods (December 25-January 2, January 14-17 and February 18-27) to prioritize the mountain experience for our guests. Lift tickets will not be limited on any other day this season. Guests visiting during these time periods are strongly encouraged to secure their lift access in advance. 

Which resorts will have limited lift tickets during December 25-January 2, January 14-17, and February 18-27?

Vail Resorts will limit lift tickets at all of our North American resorts: Vail, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Crested Butte in Colorado; Park City Mountain in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Tahoe; Stevens Pass in Washington; Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia; Stowe, Okemo and Mt. Snow in Vermont; Hunter Mountain in New York; Mount Sunapee, Attitash, Wildcat and Crotched in New Hampshire; Stevens Pass in Washington; Liberty, Roundtop, Whitetail, Jack Frost and Big Boulder in Pennsylvania; Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine and Mad River in Ohio; Hidden Valley and Snow Creek in Missouri; Wilmot in Wisconsin; Afton Alps in Minnesota; Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and Paoli Peaks in Indiana.

Why are lift tickets limited during three holiday periods this season?

To prioritize the guest experience, Vail Resorts will be limiting lift ticket sales across our 34 North American resorts during three holiday periods: December 25-January 2, January 14-17 and February 18-27. While we do not anticipate every day at every resort will sell out during these three time periods, guests planning to visit during these dates are strongly encouraged to secure their lift access in advance.

How can I find out if lift tickets will be available for the day I am planning to visit?

Lift ticket availability is visible on resort websites. If lift tickets are sold out on a specific day at a specific resort during these three holiday periods, that day will show as unavailable. If your desired day is sold out for lift tickets, Epic Day Pass is an alternative and can be purchased at EpicPass.com until passes go off sale for the season.

If lift tickets are sold out online for a specific day at a specific resort, can I purchase one at the ticket window?

No, if a specific day at a specific resort sells out online, lift tickets will not be sold at resort ticket windows unless purchased with a Pass Holder benefit ticket or through ski and ride school. Availability will be updated online if there are any lit ticket cancellations.

If I am booking a lodging reservation during this time, am I guaranteed lift access?

No, guests with lodging reservations during these three holiday periods must purchase lift access and are encouraged to do so as soon as possible, either through a pass (including an Epic Day Pass) for the best value – or by purchasing a lift ticket in advance. You should not wait until you are in resort. If you already have a pass, there are no restrictions outside of any blackout dates associated with your pass.

Will there be restrictions on Pass Holder benefit tickets during these weeks?

No, Pass Holders’ benefit tickets, such as Buddy Tickets and Ski with a Friend Tickets, will not be impacted during these three time periods.

How do I redeem Buddy Tickets and Ski with a Friend Tickets if lift tickets are sold out online?

Buddy Tickets and Ski With A Friend Tickets will be available for purchase online and in-person at the window this season. However, we highly encourage individuals to purchase online. Once purchased, Buddy Tickets and Ski With A Friend Tickets must be picked up by the Pass Holder at the resort by displaying their pass. To purchase Buddy Tickets or Ski With A Friend Tickets online, a Pass Holder must sign into “My Epic Account” at Epicpass.com, click on the “passes” tab, and navigate to the “benefit tickets” section. You can select the specific day and resort for use after you click on “Buy for a Buddy” or “Buy For a Friend”.

Will there be restrictions on Ski & Ride School lift access during these weeks?

No, the ability to purchase Ski & Ride School with lift access will not be limited during these three holiday periods. Book a lesson and add a discounted lift ticket at checkout! 

What product should I purchase if I plan to ski or ride during these three holiday periods?

If you plan to visit during these three holiday periods, it is strongly recommended that you purchase your lift access in advance online. If lift tickets are sold out online, guests will not be able to buy them at ticket windows unless purchased with a Pass Holder benefit ticket or through ski and ride school.

Another option is Epic Day Pass, while it is still on sale, which provides the best value for guests planning to visit 1 to 7 days this season. With an Epic Day Pass, you can lock in the number of days you want to visit and decide later when and where to go – without concern of a day selling out.

Epic Day Pass offers savings of up to 65% off lift ticket window prices and is customizable with two levels of resort access and a choice to include holiday access or not. The price per day decreases as more days are purchased. Epic Day Passes are non-refundable, except as provided in Epic Coverage.

Are Pass Holders impacted by the limitation of lift tickets over the holidays? Will there be added blackout days?

No, passes will not be restricted beyond any blackout dates associated with a specific pass. This is a limit on lift ticket sales to prioritize Pass Holders’ mountain experience.

Are Epic Day Passes impacted by this lift ticket limitation?

No, there will be no restrictions on Epic Day Passes or any other pass product beyond any blackout dates associated with the specific pass.

As a Pass Holder, will I still be able to use the lift ticket discounts on my pass blackout days or after I have used all days on my Epic Day Pass?

Yes, Pass Holders with pass blackout dates can still use their discounts to purchase lift tickets on days that their pass is blacked out without restrictions. Pass Holders who have utilized all of their purchased Epic Day Pass days will also still be eligible to purchase additional discounted days without any limitations.

Will the Epic SchoolKids program be restricted at all during the 2021/22 season?

No, guests who enrolled in the Epic SchoolKids program for the 2021/22 season will not be restricted beyond any existing blackout dates on the pass.

Restricted Epic SchoolKids days include

• Friday, November 26, 2021 – Saturday, November 27, 2021
• Sunday, December 26, 2021 – Friday, December 31, 2021
• Sunday, January 16, 2022
• Saturday, February 19, 2022 – Sunday, February 20, 2022 

The health and safety of our guests and employees is our top priority. For the 2021-22 season, we are implementing an indoor face covering requirement at our resorts in line with mandates from the U.S. Forest Service and the Provincial Health Authority of British Columbia, which apply to many of our resorts, and consistent with many other hospitality, entertainment and retail businesses. While these orders do not cover all of our operations, we believe this is the appropriate step to take across all of our locations based on the evolving nature of the pandemic. Face coverings will be required indoors, regardless of vaccination status, other than while eating or drinking in one of our restaurants.

At this time, face coverings are not required in outdoor settings, while skiing and riding, in lift lines, or on chairlifts or gondolas, unless required by local public health authorities.

All of our policies are subject to change based on the evolving nature of the pandemic as well as federal, state, and local public health guidelines.

We are grateful for your understanding and cooperation as we work together to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all. For more information on our safety policies, please visit our Winter Experience page.