Ideally there are a few more spring pow turns to be had before Whistler Blackcomb switches over to summer operations, but pass holders can already start planning ahead for next winter after Vail Resorts announced their lineup of pass products for the 2022-23 winter season today, March 21.
This year's Epic Pass is now on sale for $841 USD, which currently converts to about $1,060 CAD (based on Monday's exchange rate of $1 CAD per $0.7941 USD). The season pass offer skiers and snowboarders unlimited, unrestricted access to 40 Vail Resorts properties, including Whistler Blackcomb. Epic Pass holders are also offered limited access to destinations like Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort, Nakiska, Mont Sainte Anne, Stoneham, Telluride Ski Resort, and Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu in Japan.
Passes purchased by April 21 will come with 10 discounted "buddy tickets" to share with family and friends, and six slightly less discounted "ski with a friend" tickets.
Anyone who only intends to ski or ride in Whistler can also opt to purchase a Whistler Blackcomb Unlimited Season Pass (currently on sale for $1202 CAD). Those who do so prior to April 21 will receive a PEAK 2 PEAK 360 Pass offering unlimited summer 2022 sightseeing and two "ski with a friend" 50 per cent off lift tickets for use next winter. Whistler Blackcomb Unlimited pass holders will also have access to half-price lift tickets at a long list of North American resorts, including Vail, Park City and Sun Peaks.
For a limited time, Whistler Blackcomb is offering families a 10 per cent discount when purchasing at least one Adult Unlimited Season Pass (for the parent or legal guardian) and at least one Child/Youth Unlimited Season Pass or any Whistler Kids Program Pass.
(Hot tip: don't be tempted by the $626 USD Epic Local Pass! That product is intended for skiers and riders based in the U.S., and only offers 10 days of lift access to Whistler Blackcomb.)
Passes are non-refundable except through Vail's Epic Coverage program, which provide pass holders with refunds for certain resort closures and personal events such as job loss, injury or illness.
The prices announced today may be lower than pre-pandemic winters, but are slightly up from last year when the company reduced the cost of all of its Epic Pass products by 20 per cent for the 2021/22 season. Epic Passes were formerly priced at about $1,018 CAD in 2021-22, down from $1,273 CAD for the 2020-21 season, while the Whistler Blackcomb Unlimited Pass cost $1,119, down from $1,399.
EDGE Cards are also back for the 2022-23 season. Whistler Blackcomb is offering an unrestricted five-day card for $428 CAD, based off current currency variations, while a restricted five-day EDGE Card (featuring holiday blackout dates) will run skiers and riders $394 CAD.
A 10-day EDGE Card will run skiers and snowboarders $738 CAD, compared to $678 CAD for a restricted 10-day EDGE Card. Two-day EDGE Cards are also available, for $213 CAD (unrestricted) and $188 (restricted).
Pass holders can opt to pay in full or take advantage of Vail Resort's new Epic FlexPay program, which will allow guests to pay for their season pass or EDGE Card through a series of monthly payments.
Monday's pass product release comes following several recent announcements from the company, including its intention to incrementally invest $175 million into it employee experience (which will help fund a major minimum wage hike for Vail Resorts staff) as well as plans to built 21 new lifts across 14 of its resorts. In Whistler, that means a new gondola in Creekside and an upgrade for Red Chair.
“We will not waver in our commitment to continuously reinvest in the ski and ride experience with the goal of creating an Experience of a Lifetime for our Pass Holders,” said Ryan Bennett, Vail's chief marketing officer, in a release. “We are making bold investments to ensure we have a fully staffed team of passionate, engaged employees and adding 21 new lifts across 14 of our resorts to help skiers and riders get up and around the mountains faster and easier. We are committed to providing an amazing value and experience to our Pass Holders.”
Season passes and lift tickets are available for purchase at epicpass.com.
