The 2026/27 Epic Pass is on sale, and if you're between 13 and 30, you pay less than everyone else for the first time. On epicpass.com today, an adult Epic Pass is $1,145 and the same pass for a teen or young adult is $909. That's $236 off, for a pass with the same access.
Vail Resorts calls this its Gen Z pricing. Here's what each pass costs now, what the discount is, and what's changed since the passes first went on sale in March.
What the Epic Pass Costs Today
These are the prices epicpass.com showed when we read it in a browser on September 11, 2026:
Epic Pass
- Adult, ages 31 and up: $1,145
- Teen, ages 13 to 17: $909
- Young adult, ages 18 to 30: $909
- Child, ages 5 to 12: $585
Epic Local Pass
- Adult, ages 31 and up: $849
- Teen, ages 13 to 17: $675
- Young adult, ages 18 to 30: $675
- Child, ages 5 to 12: $445
The site labels the teen and young adult prices "NEW! Teen & Young Adult Pricing." Both passes still say "2026/27 Passes On Sale."
Where the Gen Z Price Came From
Vail Resorts announced the discount on March 3, 2026, in a newsroom release. It said skiers and riders ages 13 to 30 "can now purchase the 2026/27 Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass for 20% less than standard pricing."
At launch, the release put the Epic Pass at $869 and the Epic Local Pass at $649 for that age group. Today's prices are higher, $909 and $675, so prices have gone up since March. The gap to the adult price is still about 20% on both passes.
"The future of the sport depends on the next generation of skiers and riders, and it is our responsibility to create a more accessible pathway for them well into young adulthood," said Rob Katz, CEO of Vail Resorts, in the release.
If you're 30, this is the year to notice. The young adult price stops at 30, and the adult price starts at 31.
Epic Friend Tickets: Five Now, Ten in March
The March release said season-long pass holders "who purchase early will get 10 Epic Friend Tickets," which it describes as "50%-off lift tickets" to share with friends and family. It adds that they also work for 25% off child lift ticket prices.
Today's pass page says something different: "Lock in your 2026/27 Pass to get 5 Epic Friend Tickets to share with friends & family." So buying now still gets you friend tickets, just half as many as the early buyers got.
Other Savings in the Release
Two more items from Vail's March release are worth knowing, though the release is six months old:
- Lift ticket credit. Skiers who visited one of Vail's 37 North American resorts on a lift ticket in the 2025/26 season could save up to $175 on select Epic Pass products. Check epicpass.com for whether it still applies to you.
- On-mountain dining. The release says 2026/27 Epic Pass holders get 20% off on-mountain dining.
The release also notes that passes are "non-refundable except through Epic Coverage," Vail's own coverage product. Read those terms before you buy if your season plans aren't settled.
Should You Buy Now
If you already know you'll ski five or more days at Vail-owned mountains, buy the pass before prices move again. They've risen since March, and nothing on the site says they've peaked.
If you're choosing between passes, the Epic Local Pass is $296 cheaper for adults and $234 cheaper for teens and young adults, but it covers a narrower set of mountains and days. Compare the resort list on epicpass.com against where you actually plan to go.
If your group is split between Vail and Alterra mountains, our look at the Ikon Pass for friends and family covers the other side.
Paying for the Trip With Points
The pass is only part of the cost. Lodging near the lifts is usually the bigger bill, and it's where points help most. Our guide to the Grand Hyatt Vail shows what a points stay at the base of Vail looks like, and our ranking of hotel loyalty programs covers which programs have the most ski-town hotels. If you're still picking a destination, our March travel guide includes the ski options.
This article contains affiliate links. If you apply through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us continue sharing points and miles strategies with the community.
Sources
- Epic Pass, 2026/27 Epic Pass page (read 2026-09-11 in a browser): adult $1,145, teen and young adult $909, child $585; 5 Epic Friend Tickets; Teen & Young Adult Pricing
- Epic Pass, 2026/27 Epic Local Pass page (read 2026-09-11 in a browser): adult $849, teen and young adult $675, child $445
- Vail Resorts Newsroom, Epic Pass Lowers Prices for Gen Z (Mar 3, 2026; read 2026-09-11): 20% less for ages 13 to 30, launch prices $869 and $649, 10 Epic Friend Tickets for early buyers, lift ticket credit up to $175, 20% off on-mountain dining, Epic Coverage, Rob Katz quote
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