Epic Pass 2025/26 Season Prices Increase on Oct. 8

This is your the last chance for skiers and riders to score an Epic Pass for the 2025/26 season before the prices go up on October 8, and also get perks including new Epic Friend Tickets offering 50% off lift tickets for friends.

Before the details what’s new at Epic Pass resorts this new season, here are some highlights –

New luxury hotel opening in Keystone, Kindred Resort
Whistler Mountain celebrates its 60th anniversary and Blackcomb Mountain its 45th anniversary this winter
Park City Mountain to debut the brand-new Sunrise Gondola at Canyons Village, nearly doubling uphill capacity and cutting wait times.
Breckenridge Ski Resort and Rockstar Energy™ launch the first-ever Rockstar Energy Open Dec. 19–21, 2025, a free three-day festival with world-class snowboarding, live music, and more.
Keystone Ski Resort will host the 53rd annual National Brotherhood of Snowsports (NBS) Summit February 28 – March 8, 2026.
Beaver Creek’s signature culinary event, The Alpine Table, returns this winter with an elevated and expanded experience, introducing new experiential elements at Allie’s Cabin on January 16-17.
Keystone and Breckenridge host new Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) Day of Inclusion to celebrate 50 years of adaptive sports.
Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, and Breckenridge are launching new My Epic app features that transform Ski & Ride School with easy check-ins, progress tracking, and digital badges.
Eagle County Regional Airport is making it easier than ever to reach Vail and Beaver Creek with new direct flights from Washington/Dulles, JFK, Charlotte, and more.

Image of skier and chairlift to illistrate article about opening dates for ski/snowboard resorts 2024/25 season_ecoxplorer — Photo: Okemo

Epic Pass 2025/26 Details

New Epic Friend Tickets:

Season Pass Holders will receive 6-10 Epic Friend Tickets, depending on when they purchase their Pass. This essentially replaces the old Buddy Pass perks.

Epic Friend Tickets provide 50% off lift tickets at the company’s 37 North American resorts for the 2025/26 winter season. In addition, friends can apply 100% of the cost of one redeemed Epic Friend Ticket toward an eligible 2026/27 Epic Pass.

Just like the Epic Pass, Epic Friend Tickets can be purchased through EpicPass.com and then activated in the My Epic app for direct-to-lift access, cutting out the need to stand in line at the ticket window.

My Epic Gear:

This combines the luxury of owning high-quality gear and the customer service of a premium valet. Members unlock access to more than 60 of the latest ski and snowboard models from 13 top leading brands.

Memberships are limited for the 2025/26 season and are available for the entire family (ages 3 and up) at Park City Mountain, Vail Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Heavenly, Northstar, Stowe, Okemo and Mountain Snow.

Ski and Ride School Enhancement:

This new program starts in December, at Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek Resort, Keystone Resort, and Breckenridge Ski Resort, with new technology in the My Epic app that takes Ski and Ride School to the next level.

With innovative new features, parents and students can easily check in for lessons, receive real-time updates and photos, track progress, and celebrate milestones and skills with digital badges, all from the convenience of their phone.

Area by Area Updates

Keystone –

One of the closest ski resorts to Denver and the first to open for the 2025/26 season, Keystone is a winter wonderland with more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain across three peaks and five bowls.

Within the past two years, the addition of the high-speed 6-passenger Bergman Express chairlift improved access to the high alpine slopes of Bergman Bowl and Erickson Bowl. In total, 16 intermediate and advanced trails were added to the skiable terrain. In addition to night skiing, snow tubing, ice skating, sleigh rides, fine dining, and more,

Keystone will continue to offer its Kids Ski Free program, which allows kids 12 years and younger to ski and ride for free every day, all season long, with just two or more nights of lodging booked through the resort.

Opening Date: Mid-October
NEW Kindred Resort Coming to River Run Village in 2026, featuring ski-in, ski-out residences, a RockResorts-branded hotel with upscale rooms offering Dercum Summit viewss and amenities just steps from the River Run Gondola, including a year-round heated pool and a high-end full-service spa.
Kindred Resort will also become the new home base for Keystone Ski & Ride School, as well as resort retail and rental shops.
NEW Snow Fort After Dark event series with night skiing, music, and stars over the slopes on Dec. 27, Jan. 31, March 14, and March 28.
NEW BOEC Day of Inclusion (Dec. 19-20): The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) celebrates 50 years of adaptive snowsports this year! Keystone Resort hosts a Day of Inclusion with the community, special First Tracks, a parade on snow, and a party at the Mountain House base area.
NEW Keystone Military Winter Games (Feb. 7-8): The Keystone Military Winter Games brings military members and veterans from different branches together in friendly rivalry to compete in a variety of challenges to win bragging rights and snow sports glory.
Women in Powder (Feb. 21-22): This weekend is about empowering women, embracing the joy of winter sports, and creating a supportive, fun-filled environment where you can challenge yourself and celebrate the mountain lifestyle.
National Brotherhood of Snowsports (NBS) Summit (Feb 28 – March 8): NBS returns for the 53rd annual, and second consecutive year at Keystone for more competitions, themed parties, great food, and even better company.

Vail

Vail continues to redefine where sport, culture and travel collide, with an expanded lineup of high-alpine music experiences.

This season, the world’s premier mountain destination transforms into the world’s premier high alpine stage featuring live performances from globally recognized artists like Sofi Tukker, alongside emerging talent.

With more than 40 music events across the mountain and throughout the villages, expect a dynamic blend of sound, scenery and sport that redefines winter travel in a special setting.

Opening Date: November 14
Expanded EGE Flight Options: Eagle County Regional Airport provides non-stop flights from 20 major markets, which makes getting to Vail easy no matter when visiting. This season includes direct flights from Seattle and Southern California and NEW this winter there will be direct flights from Washington/Dulles, New York (JFK), Charlotte and more.
Pop-Up Mountain Music: Vail Mountain joins the season-long festival atmosphere with exclusive pop-up performances by top-tier artists. Building on the success of last season’s lineup of surprise sets, legendary venues like Eagle’s Nest Rooftop and Talon’s Deck will host intimate and energetic performances throughout the winter. These pop-up shows offer guests a rare opportunity to experience world-class music in a truly unforgettable alpine setting. Guests should stay tuned to Vail Mountain’s social media for special announcements all winter long.
Après at Express Lift: Starting on opening day, Express Lift at the base of Gondola One doubles last year’s Après Days, featuring live DJs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. These events are in collaboration with Vail Mountain’s partners Pepsi and Lalo.
Adaptive Programs – Vail Mountain Ski and Snowboard school offers lessons to individuals with a wide variety of disabilities for skiing, snow biking and snowboarding, focusing on cognitive, visual and physical impairment. The school is renowned for being one of the few adaptive programs, where the instructors are largely full-time professionals in the field of adaptive snowsports instruction. Vail Mountain also supports a variety of nonprofit partners through the adaptive snowsports program, including Vail Veterans, Foresight Skiing Guides, Small Champions, and Access Unbound.

Breckenridge

Affectionately known as ‘Breck’, this popular and historicl destination serves up big mountain views and high alpine terrain paired with vintage cool ski town charm.

An abundance of slopeside lodging accommodations, ski-to-town trails and the BreckConnect Gondola means the whole town is practically ski-in ski-out.

And with three new chairlifts over the last three years, skiers and riders will be skiing and riding across Brecks Five Peaks in no time. Where else in the world can you ski from the top of North America’s highest chairlift and directly into town for après!?

Opening Date: November 7
NEW Rockstar Energy Open (Dec. 19–21): Breckenridge Ski Resort and Rockstar Energy™ are launching the first-ever Rockstar Energy Open, a free three-day festival with world-class snowboarding, live music, and more. The Rockstar Energy Open will coincide with Breck’s Ullr Fest, a more than 60-years-old, one-of-a-kind ski town celebration that marks the return of winter. Ullr Fest features the world’s longest shotski, a town parade and a giant community bonfire!
NEW BOEC Day of Inclusion (Jan. 24): The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) celebrates 50 years of adaptive snowsports this year! Breck and the BOEC will be celebrating its longstanding partnership, community, and fun with exclusive first tracks, a parade on snow, and more!
Toyota Big IFSA Mountain Challenge (Mar. 7-8): High above town, the cliffs and chutes of Breck’s Peak 6 high alpine terrain turns into an arena. The Toyota Big Mountain Challenge is where IFSA freeriders take on Breck at its boldest, hucking off rocks and navigating no-fall steeps in front of a fired-up crowd.

Beaver Creek

From its Signature Parks Collection (home to the most dedicated learning terrain in Colorado) and adrenaline-inducing steeps on the Birds of Prey World Cup racecourse, to its long-standing Signature Events and refined culinary experiences, Beaver Creek balances beloved tradition with fresh and modern experiences to create the ultimate sophisticated, family destination.

Opening Date: November 26
Start the season at Beaver Creek Resort November 26, 2025 with the Beaver Creek Cookie Competition. Later that week, the holidays begin with the Tree Lighting and Ice Spectacular on November 28th, followed by a Holiday Market on the 28th and 29th.
Experience the Olympics at the 2025 Birds of Prey (Dec. 4-7): Ranked as the top destination by athletes and coaches, the Beaver Creek Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup is back with an exciting weekend of men’s racing from December 4-7, 2025. Join us as we celebrate “Where Winter Begins” in North America with a festive BC World Cup event. This year’s event will feature live music, beer tastings, ski films, parties, and much more, all taking place in the vibrant Beaver Creek Village along the lively “Birds of Prey Way.”
The Alpine Table (Jan. 16-17): Beaver Creek Resort’s signature culinary event, The Alpine Table, returns this winter with an elevated and expanded experience. Building on the success of last year’s chef-led collaboration, this season’s event introduces new experiential elements at Allie’s Cabin, January 16-17. Guests will enjoy a one-of-a-kind, multi-course tasting menu created in partnership between a MICHELIN-recognized Colorado restaurant and Beaver Creek’s acclaimed fine dining cabin culinary team.
New Years Eve (Dec. 31): Festivities continue December 31 with the resort’s annual New Years’ Eve Ski Down with more than 200 skiers to light up the early evening slopes at 6:00pm. Then stroll through the village and catch a unique Winter Circus filled with aerialists, contortionists, jugglers, break dancers, fire dancers and a spectacular fireworks display.
Talone’s Challenge Presented by Helly Hansen (Feb. 21-22): Returning February 21-22, conquer more than 26,000’ of vertical down 14 of the toughest black and double black diamond runs on the mountain. Participants who rip down all fourteen runs will earn the coveted patch for completing the challenge, killer swag, and all kinds of bragging rights.
First Tracks Presented by Helly Hansen: Before the lifts open to the public. Guided by expert hosts, guests receive personalized terrain recommendations, followed by a gourmet breakfast at one of Beaver Creek’s luxurious on-mountain dining cabins. Limited dates available; please call 970-754-5310 or visit BeaverCreek.com.
Thursday Night Lights: Every Thursday from December 18 to March 26, Beaver Creek invites skiers and snowboarders Level 4 and above to join the Thursday Night Lights ski down. . As part of this weekly event, guests will be delighted with a fireworks display from the top of the mountain, following the ski down.

Whistler Blackcomb

This resort in in Canada’s British Columbia is North America’s largest, offering year-round adventure for all ages and skill levels.

Powder hounds, glade lovers and groomer aficionados won’t want to miss big mountain skiing and riding as winter brings an unmatched variety of terrain. With more than 8,000 skiable acres, 200+ runs, 16 alpine bowls and three glaciers, all serviced by 35 lifts – including the one-of-a-kind PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, there’s something for everyone.

Opening Date: November 21
The Year of Celebrations: Get ready to carve into winter like never before, with the 60th Anniversary of Whistler Mountain. It’s a celebration of the bold spirit, iconic terrain, and deep Canadian roots of North America’s largest mountain resort. Join us as we honour the athletes, Olympians, pioneers, and visionaries who shaped Whistler Blackcomb, through stories that highlight the people, places, and moments that define it. It’s all part of a year of notable milestones, including:
Blackcomb Mountain’s 45th Anniversary.
The 40th Anniversary of the Peak to Valley Race: One of Whistler’s most iconic alpine races and the longest GS race of its kind on the planet.
The 45th anniversary of Whistler Heli-Skiing.
The 30th anniversary of the World Ski and Snowboard Festival.
NEW Wonder Routes: Explore a curated network of trails, waypoints, and stops designed to help guests uncover the hidden gems.Whether the goal is to take in the best mountain views, to find the hidden powder stashes, to enjoy mellow blue runs, visit the family-oriented runs, or hit every après spot – the seven Wonder Routes provides something for everyone.
And just in time for an Olympic year, explore the Gold Medal Route — an intermediate-to-advanced trail tracing the legacy of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Each route follows a colour-coded path with turn-by-turn directions, guiding you through stunning viewpoints and landmarks for a seamless, accessible experience tailored to any type of skier/snowboarder.

Park City

Park City Mountain offers the most lift-accessed ski and snowboard terrain in the United States with more than 7,300 acres of terrain, 330 trails, 42 lifts and 6 terrain parks. Dedicated learning areas like High Meadow Park are perfect for beginners, while adventure seekers can challenge themselves on high-alpine terrain like Jupiter Peak, Ninety-Nine 90 or Pinecone Ridge.

Recently announced as a venue for the Olympic Winter Games Salt Lake City-Utah 2034, Park City Mountain is the only resort in Utah where you can ski or ride directly to town and enjoy historic Main Street in charming Old Town Park City.

Opening Date: November 21
NEW Sunrise Gondola at Canyons Village: This state-of-the-art, 10-person gondola will nearly double the uphill capacity out of the Canyons Village base area, meaning less time in line and more time carving turns. Engineered for reliability, the Sunrise Gondola is less susceptible to wind holds, providing improved access during Utah’s famous winter storms. The multi-million-dollar project underscored Park City Mountain’s commitment to elevating the guest and employee experience.
NEW Enhanced Ski and Ride School Zone at Red Pine: This thoughtfully regraded area offers a more dynamic and inviting space for learning, with terrain designed to spark confidence, ignite a lifelong passion for skiing and riding, and welcome every guest to a place where they feel a sense of belonging from their very first turns.
NEW Ski and Ride School Dining area at Red Pine Lodge: Connected to the new learning zone is a brand-new lunchroom, created just for young skiers and riders. This kid-forward cozy space welcomes our Kid’s Ski and Ride Schoolers to warm up, grab a bite, share a laugh, and make new friends before dashing back out for more snowy adventures.
NEW Magic Carpet at the Red Pine Learning Zone: The new magic carpet at the Red Pine Learning Zone is a joyful step in that journey, helping ignite a lifelong love of skiing and riding.
Proud Venue for the 2034 Olympic Winter Games – The Winter Olympic Games return to the United States in 2034 and Park City Mountain is thrilled to be an official venue for the Olympic Winter Games Salt Lake City-Utah, affirming its status and commitment to the sport across the globe.
Winter Pride (Feb. 28): A fun day celebrating Park City’s welcoming spirit and inclusivity both on the slopes and off.
Women’s Weekend (March 7-8): Returning for the third year in a row, Park City’s Women’s Weekend offers ski and ride clinics and base-area après for skiers and riders of all abilities.
Peaks & Beats Music Festival (March 28-29): Peaks & Beats Music Festival is returning to Park City for a weekend with free Canyons Village concerts.
Aprés at the Airstream (Dec – April): Unwind after a day on the slopes with a drink and DJ as you dance, sit around the firepit or swap stories over food. Enjoy weekly live music in Canyons Village.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is an award-winning journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.