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February, 2023

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22/23 Epic Pass Prices Announced

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BrandoComando
Posts: 1452 - Karma: 18,207
Epic Pass is $841 and Local Pass is $626. That's a 7% increase over last year, but 16% cheaper than the 20/21 season. It's $200 cheaper than the 22/23 Ikon Pass.

Epic Passes go on sale today. A lot of us have been curious about what Vail would do to prices. This year has been a PR disaster for Vail Resorts, to say the least. After slashing prices 20%, Vail sold a record 2.1 million Epic Passes. Resorts were overcrowded and understaffed, and Vail seemed to be tone-deaf to the problems. Combine that with local controversies at Park City and Stevens Pass, Vail had some major questions to address before next season.

The first change was their announcement last week about major investments to improve the guest experience, which includes a starting wage increase to $20/hr, $4 million investment in Human Resource improvements, employee housing projects, lift infrastructure improvements, and more.

Today, they announced the incoming season Epic Pass prices. Although prices increased over last year, the percent increase is consistent with inflation. It appears that Vail is sticking to its guns, and continuing its strategy of undercutting the competition.

Will Vail sell another 2+ million Epic Passes this year? Are they repairing their brand image? What are your thoughts on the recent decisions by the biggest resort conglomerate in skiing?
Mar 21 2022 12:51PM
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Rparr
Posts: 4786 - Karma: 32,011
What caught my eye is the new epic day pass system. It appears that you pre-puchase 1-7 days of skiing that you can use whenever. In the Midwest it starts at 44$/day or something and increases by 8$/day for holidays. I was only looking at the epic midwest day pass. But it looks like you could use them at places like 7 springs where lift tickets are usually 90$+

You do have to go in on these before oct before the price goes up though. I'm just wondering how much this will contribute to crowds, that's a pretty steep discount compared to day tickets at the window.

**This post was edited on Mar 21st 2022 at 1:02:51pm
Mar 21 2022 1:02PM
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12177 - Karma: 108,993
BrandoComandobut 16% cheaper than the 20/21 season. It's $200 cheaper than the 22/23 Ikon Pass.


Grade A copium
Mar 21 2022 1:15PM
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bogust
Posts: 543 - Karma: 5,651
Does the Ikon pass company own mountains the same way vail does?
Mar 21 2022 1:19PM
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BrandoComando
Posts: 1452 - Karma: 18,207
TRVP_ANGELGrade A copium


Why brain think when ctrl+c ctrl+v do trick?
Mar 21 2022 1:31PM
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BrandoComando
Posts: 1452 - Karma: 18,207
bogustDoes the Ikon pass company own mountains the same way vail does?


Alterra owns 15 mountains: Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth, Big Bear, June Mountain, Steamboat, Winter Park, Stratton, Snowshoe, Crystal, Tremblant, Blue Mountain, Deer Valley, Solitude, CMH Heli, and Sugarbush. The remaining 35 on the Ikon Pass are partnerships that Alterra forms with other resorts.

Vail does the partnership thing too, but the majority of Epic Pass mountains are owned by Vail.
Mar 21 2022 1:36PM
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betz
Posts: 208 - Karma: 1,782
In Tahoe, the epic pass is a no brainer right now.

Sierra at tahoe is still going to be getting on their feet for the next couple years. If it's cheap enough I just might cop to support them.. they haven't released their pass yet.

Palisades and mammoth would be sweet, but palisades being literally the only option in Tahoe is a bummer imo, especially if you're coming from the bay or sac. not to mention the pass is $237 more than a Tahoe Local pass. Not to mention they will finally be building that gondola to alpine meadows, meaning it's quite possible alpine will be just as crowded as olympic... high chance for fuckery and no escape from crowds at all.

Sugar bowl is again, way way more expensive than they have right to, coming in at $100 MORE than an Ikon base pass for a sugar bowl restricted pass. Sugar bowl must think they're deer valley or something. Ever since they dropped off the powder alliance I think they've had their head up their ass for prices.

Anyways, looks like ima be chilling with kirkwood, jerryville and jerryworld once again it seems like. Fuck vail, but fuck alterra just as hard honestly. I've never spent as much money skiing in a day than skiing palisades for one friggin day... and I've been to beaver creek lol.
Mar 21 2022 4:06PM
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FapMasterFLEX
Posts: 608 - Karma: 333
East Coaster here - I held out hope for Epic to bump prices back to 2019/2020 levels, parking reservations at Stowe + Sunapee and some form of holiday/peak capacity limits at east coast hills. Too bad. I know that may seem like a lot to ask, but this season was brutal. Ikon + Indy from here on out. Spent MLK weekend at Icon resorts and it was completely fine, while my friends bemoaned Epic those days.
Mar 21 2022 4:46PM
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rymeisterbaby
Posts: 122 - Karma: -550
bogustDoes the Ikon pass company own mountains the same way vail does?


yah I think so, They also cover some vail owned resorts.
Mar 21 2022 6:48PM
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Kretzschmar
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 92,498
Mar 21 2022 7:12PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 50582 - Karma: 150,365
Love the idea of them "improving human resources".

Taking all HR off site and making it a call in service to fucking Broomfield was a nice touch to help the employee experience.
Mar 21 2022 7:18PM
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Rparr
Posts: 4786 - Karma: 32,011
Kretzschmar


Definitely sending this to my friends who are renewing their epic passes today
Mar 21 2022 7:34PM
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MaimHelp
Posts: 1562 - Karma: 12,276
Debating if I get an epic pass and be disappointed at seven springs and roundtop or get a bear creek pass and see none of my normal homies and drive another 45 minutes on top of the 2 hours
Mar 21 2022 8:00PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 6724 - Karma: 25,618
MaimHelpDebating if I get an epic pass and be disappointed at seven springs and roundtop or get a bear creek pass and see none of my normal homies and drive another 45 minutes on top of the 2 hours

I don't ride springs or really know anybody that still does so don't know the inside scoop on anything but I'd be willing to bet their parks will be fine assuming the park builders stay.
Mar 21 2022 8:59PM
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CoolChillGuy420
Posts: 34850 - Karma: 90,486
Save your money by skiing other quality places.

Mountain collective seems way more rad for the amount of skiing and where you can ski with it. Plus passholders to collective resors get deals at other resorts and I didn't spend more than 150 USD to ski targhee for a weekend. It's pretty decent for some local skiers. After this year idk how some of you are willing to line up to ski their establishments but live yo life and fun with it. Death before vail at this point though lol

**This post was edited on Mar 21st 2022 at 11:29:59pm

**This post was edited on Mar 21st 2022 at 11:32:14pm
Mar 21 2022 11:28PM
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