How to make the most of your Epic Pass

Perisher, Vail, Whistler Blackcomb, Hakuba, Falls Creek, Hotham; the list goes on. Every year the Epic Pass continues to expand its territory and fortunately for us, this means more snowy fun. Although what are you actually getting? Here are the details of what this epic ticket includes.

If you are a snow fanatic and love a good deal you would have heard of Vail Resort’s Epic Pass.  This multi-resort ticket gives you access to 65 resorts in four different countries, and with Perisher being one of the first to join, Aussies have been queuing up to go Epic ever since. But with unlimited skiing at some of the world’s best resorts, where do you start?

Choosing your pass

Before we get into that, though, a spot of clarification. There are actually two ‘levels’ of Epic Pass: the normal Epic Pass taking the world by storm, and the Perisher-specific Epic Australia Pass.  There are differences between the two, subtle as they are.

The Epic Pass is the original, with unlimited access to Perisher, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Whistler Blackcomb, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Afton Alps and Mt Brighton, seven unrestricted days at Telluride and certain resorts in the Canadian Rockies, five days at the powder filled Hakuba Valley, and Rutusu Resorts in Japan and unrestricted access to three more Japanese resorts. Even more of a bonus, you can get limited access to 30 European resorts. At a cost of US$899 (approximately AU$1262) for an adult’s pass, it is said it pays for itself in five to seven days.

The Epic Australia Pass, however, gives you much of the same but with restricted dates (there are certain blackouts) with a season pass for Perisher, Hotham and Falls Creek; access to the best of the U.S resorts; 10 days combined at Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Beaver Creek and Stowe Mountain; five consecutive days at Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu, Japan; and unlimited, unrestricted access to Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Crested Butte, and Stevens Pass in the US. At AU$839 it is approximately $400 cheaper with the current exchange rate.

Now, where to go

Once you’ve chosen your pass, it’s time to head to ski. After a season on the slopes of the southern hemisphere’s largest resort, start with the big names of Colorado, Utah and California with resorts such as Breckenridge, Vail, Park City and Northstar. Or venture to somewhere lesser known like Afton Alps in Minnesota or Mt Brighton in Michigan and discover a new side of America. Head up to Canada and ski the beautiful Whistler Blackcomb or explore the Rockies in Fernie or Kicking Horse. If your a powder seeker, use your five days in Hakuba carving up the slopes. If you’re travelling through Europe, check out Arlberg in Austria or Tignes in France.

Planning to travel with a group? Perfect! Each Epic Pass has automatically loaded with six Ski-with-a-friend (SWAF) discounted tickets; simply flash your Epic Pass when they’re being validated and voilà! Lift tickets for less.

The EpicMix

Keep track of your epic action by downloading EpicMix to your phone. Virtual guides help you create your ideal day on the mountain, monitors track your vertical metres, and you can even follow the kids’ progress at the ski or snowboard school. Earn pins for your on-snow achievements and even access you on mountain photos. Now that really is Epic.

Other season pass deals

Powder Hounds have created the following information on the resorts covered on the best season pass deals

This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here

Main image © Whistler Blackcomb Tourism