The Epic pass is starting to get interesting from a European perspective.
The requirement to book accommodation for some of the European venues has been dropped, so now you get:
5 consecutive days in Verbier (used to need to book accommodation to get this)
7 consecutive days in the 3 Valleys
7 consecutive days in the Dolomites
unlimited Crans Montana, and unlimited Andermatt
plus dozens of US resorts
This season I'll have done 4 days in the US and 7 in 3 valleys, plus a bunch of other days in Chamonix and other European resorts. I reckon I could make the Epic pass wash its face even with only minimal US skiing, which is a first.
It works out about £830. It's a least interesting enough that I'll run the numbers to see if it works for me.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Thu 6-03-25 17:48; edited 1 time in total
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Crans Montana and Andermatt locals look to be the big winners. Like you say even for those not considering n America if you have the time it could be a more cost effective way of skiing.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Looks as though Ischgl will be on the Ikon pass next season
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
boarder2020 wrote:
Crans Montana and Andermatt locals look to be the big winners. Like you say even for those not considering n America if you have the time it could be a more cost effective way of skiing.
Depends what you mean by "winner"
Epic pass (US price modelling) not necessarily a good thing for skiers. Especially those holiday makers who might only ski in certain location for a week.
If you live in Valais the epic pass hypothetically a much better deal.
I've edited the title to include Ikon as well, I've not used it before so didn't get the email on that.
It looks like Europe is heading into the duopoly situation of the US, which means I'd have to modify my skiing patterns to get might maximum benefit. I ski a decent amount at Verbier, Chamonix, 3Valleys, and a few days at lots of other places including the US.
I've highlighted just the European angles here - if you're heading to the US for a couple of weeks, that's going to have a much bigger influence. Note that the Ikon pass includes the rest of the current season (from mid/end-March) in many US resorts so you can potentially get two years if you do an Easter trip.
Epic full pass $1050
5 consecutive days in Verbier
7 consecutive days in the 3 Valleys
7 consecutive days in the Dolomites
unlimited Crans Montana, and unlimited Andermatt
Ikon full pass $1330 = 7 days in each of below, base pass $929 = 5 days in each of below
Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley, France
Dolomiti Superski, Italy
Grandvalira Resorts, Andorra
Kitzbühel, Austria
Ischgl, Austria
Zermatt Matterhorn, Switzerland
St. Moritz, Switzerland
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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Quote:
Depends what you mean by "winner"
Those locals would have likely bought a season pass regardless of who owned the mountain. The fact that it's epic means that their pass is possibly cheaper than it otherwise would have been (epic season passes certainly undercut regular season prices in a lot of places I don't know what the pre epic pass cost were and how they'd have increased over time with inflation). It means that they get a bunch of free days at other euro and n American resorts. Also the big potential downside is local mountain become too busy with epic pass holders, but the vast majority of epic pass holders will use their free days at more marquee resorts like verbier and 3 valleys. What's not to like?
Quote:
Epic pass (US price modelling) not necessarily a good thing for skiers. Especially those holiday makers who might only ski in certain location for a week.
Are day passes at Crans Montana and Andermatt priced that ridiculously?
Epic pass good for "skiers". Not good for what you call "holiday makers" who ski 1 week per year. As I've said before I'm happy for that group to subsidise the other. No different to gyms where the regular users get cheap use through yearly passes and people using infrequently pay a much higher per day fee.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Haggis_Trap wrote:
Epic pass (US price modelling) not necessarily a good thing for skiers. Especially those holiday makers who might only ski in certain location for a week.
First of all, anyone ‘local’ aka living near ski resorts are going to ski a lot more than 1 week a year. Second, the “US pricing model” only becomes a problem when the daily rate goes sky high. Third, crowding may happen in time. But initially, the early adopters & locals will have the cake and get to eat it
boarder2020 wrote:
No different to gyms where the regular users get cheap use through yearly passes and people using infrequently pay a much higher per day fee.
The “regulars” aren’t always being subsidized by the “occasional” either. For the resorts/gyms, such “membership” is usually a good thing up until they’re over-utilized. I’d say it’s not just the “irregulars”, but also the members who under-utilize their membership, who help subsidize the regulars.
I ski a lot. So I’m not going to pretend. These mega-passes are good for ME. But if I were supporting a family who only ski 1 week a year, I’d try cross country skiing.
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I would rather give my money to a European owned ski resort than to resorts owned by a US corporation (vail resorts), and for the other resorts on that epic pass, I'd rather the lift company gets it all and not have most of it exported to USA.
Whilst I don't like mixing world politics and my passion for skiing, I would prioritise Ukraine, Gaza, Canada, Greenland, Panama and having a stable 'west' over savings a few quid and sending it to the USA...
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skibum88 wrote:
I would rather give my money to a European owned ski resort than to resorts owned by a US corporation (vail resorts), and for the other resorts on that epic pass, I'd rather the lift company gets it all and not have most of it exported to USA.
Whilst I don't like mixing world politics and my passion for skiing, I would prioritise Ukraine, Gaza, Canada, Greenland, Panama and having a stable 'west' over savings a few quid and sending it to the USA...
Hear hear. Any aspirations I had about skiing in the US have evaporated over the last couple of months. It's a shame that the same corporations 'own' the Canadian resorts as well, as I used to love skiing there in the past. I'll stick with European skiing for the foreseeable future, thank you, where also, for the most part, food on the mountains isn't an extortionate unpalatable rip off as well.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
For anyone thinking of doing this It might be worth looking at the Australian Epic pass at 1159 AUD or around 570GBP. We've recently had a couple of Aussies stay at our place and ski in the 3 valleys using their epic pass. They visited quite a few places around Europe before coming to us and will be using it in Perisher in Summer.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Quote:
I would rather give my money to a European owned ski resort than to resorts owned by a US corporation (vail resorts), and for the other resorts on that epic pass, I'd rather the lift company gets it all and not have most of it exported to USA.
It would be interesting to know how much is actually exported. Clearly a substantial amount will go to locals working for the mountain.
I take it you are also not using Amazon, buying apple products, using any American owned chain restaurants/takeaways (pizza hut, dominoes etc.), American owned toothpastes, netflix, Disney+ etc.? it's easy to virtue signal when it's a niche product you didn't really want in the first place - a bit harder when you actually realise just how much stuff is actually USA owned companies.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
skichampcouk wrote:
For anyone thinking of doing this It might be worth looking at the Australian Epic pass at 1159 AUD or around 570GBP. We've recently had a couple of Aussies stay at our place and ski in the 3 valleys using their epic pass. They visited quite a few places around Europe before coming to us and will be using it in Perisher in Summer.
Can non-Australians buy Oz version of Epic pass?
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Not a bad deal if we wanted to do week long breaks outside of Andermatt day trips. We have a Zentralschweiz annual pass which is better value for us for mountain bikes & summer too.
Andermatt is on dynamic pricing so a day pass was 95chf when I walked past on a January sunday.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
boarder2020 wrote:
I take it you are also not using Amazon, buying apple products, using any American owned chain restaurants/takeaways (pizza hut, dominoes etc.), American owned toothpastes, netflix, Disney+ etc.? it's easy to virtue signal when it's a niche product you didn't really want in the first place - a bit harder when you actually realise just how much stuff is actually USA owned companies.
You are correct - I have stopped using Amazon, and living in the North East of Scotland (near Glenshee), we don't have any chain restaurants/take aways etc. I am trying my best to avoid businesses whose parent companies are US based. For example, I would like a new pair of 'approach shoes' and usually by Merrell. They are US owned, so I will look for a comfortable alternative. My shed and fence need painted this spring and discovered that Ronseal has a US parent company, whereas Cuprinol is European.
I agree that it is difficult to completely stop using/buying products from USA, but it isn't that difficult to cut back on my spending with USA based companies.
No country is perfect, but the behaviour of Trump et al is a disgrace. The USA is a signitory of the Budapest Memorandum - where we agreed to protect Ukraine if they gave up their nuclear weapons. Ukraine did this, yet when they need our help the USA want to sell them out to Russia.... Did you read the latest thing from today, that Trump wants to revoke the legal status of 240000 Ukranians who are legally in the USA because of the war. They might face expedited deportations.
I'll continue doing my best to avoid US companies.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I’ve read loads of posts on this site, and I can’t recall anyone admitting to ever eating at Pizza Hut or Dominos.
Some boycotts are easier than others.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I know it’s the internet… but still, please can we take the political discussions off to apres where they belong, and keep this thread vaguely close to the original topic.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@abc,
Quote:
Can non-Australians buy Oz version of Epic pass?
I've not looked into it in any detail but could ask friends in Sydney if they know. They are out in Europe for a lot of the winter season and it would be useful for them.
I can't see how they could limit it to just Australians. You could buy one, say you were planning to go to Australia in Summer and then have a change of plan.
It is worth looking into for anybody planning on buying an Epic pass.
If buying a lift pass from a European lift company, our season pass for Andorra isn’t bad. €815 if you got in for the early season deal which covers lots of other areas. My resident’s pass covering all those places cost €425, but working here and living 400m from the nearest lift means I rarely head elsewhere.
The experience at Crans at the weekends and in February has been poor. Very long queues at the base exacerbated by the additional 100chf pp express queue ticket allowing you to join a slightly faster queue at the expense of season ticket and Epic passholders that aren't so fortunate.
Epic pas goes on Sales in next few days (Mar 12th or 13th). If I buy now, can I use to ski in last month of March this year. Or the 2025/2026 Season means starting December 2025 in Europe?
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Interesting!! - Last year we went to Tahoe, we had a total of 12 days (amazing) skiing which included Tahoe, Northstar and Kirkwood.
I spent so much time going over all the various lift pass options as we also had a weeks skiing in the Three Valleys.
In the end we opted for the Tahoe Local pass - the cost of this added to a 6 day 3V pass came out at around £100.00 per person less than purchasing the full Epic season pass.
I guess the key is to really do your research
After all it is free
After all it is free
Dippy wrote:
Interesting!! - Last year we went to Tahoe, we had a total of 12 days (amazing) skiing which included Tahoe, Northstar and Kirkwood.
I spent so much time going over all the various lift pass options as we also had a weeks skiing in the Three Valleys.
In the end we opted for the Tahoe Local pass - the cost of this added to a 6 day 3V pass came out at around £100.00 per person less than purchasing the full Epic season pass.
I guess the key is to really do your research
Again, this highlights the fact that lift pass outside of US is significantly less than IN the US. So their “advantage” for non-US based skiers are often diminutive. You’re very often able to find better deals for your European ski holidays.
For Americans, the equation is reversed. They’ve already decided on the pass based on where they frequently ski. The European partner resorts are just “bonus”!
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The resorts in the Dolomites accessed with the Epic Pass are not equivalent to those in Dolomiti Superski (Ikon).
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@skibum88, fwiw I love my Scarpa "Crux" approach shoes so much I bought two additional pair right away.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowdave wrote:
The requirement to book accommodation for some of the European venues has been dropped,
Do you have a link for this? And according to the Epic website pass holders still need to show up at the ticket desk to get a Crans Pass. The epic mobile pass can’t be used at the barriers. And there is still a Crans pass being sold on their site. Very confusing?
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
BobinCH wrote:
And there is still a Crans pass being sold on their site. Very confusing?
That’s nothing unusual. Vail also sells single resort passes for some resorts (at below Epic prices), because they own the resort.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
abc wrote:
BobinCH wrote:
And there is still a Crans pass being sold on their site. Very confusing?
That’s nothing unusual. Vail also sells single resort passes for some resorts (at below Epic prices), because they own the resort.
It’s 1189chf so a lot more than an Epic Pass
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Hmm… all their US single resort pass are less than the full Epic pass.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
IKON base does it for me !
With my skiing habits - hard to beat $45/day !
Epic pass is good as well but ... not an MTN fan
Nice to have options !
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I wish IKON adds Cervinia, Courmayeur or Monterosa
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
BobinCH wrote:
snowdave wrote:
The requirement to book accommodation for some of the European venues has been dropped,
Do you have a link for this? And according to the Epic website pass holders still need to show up at the ticket desk to get a Crans Pass. The epic mobile pass can’t be used at the barriers. And there is still a Crans pass being sold on their site. Very confusing?
New for the 2025/26 season, Epic Pass & Epic Adaptive Pass include five consecutive days of unrestricted access to Verbier 4 Vallées; and the Epic Local Pass provides five consecutive days access, with some restricted dates. In addition, Pass Holders will be able to access Verbier 4 Vallées by visiting the lift ticket window with their pass, and will no longer be required to book lodging to receive lift access.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
The Epic Pass provides unlimited access to Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis and Crans-Montana in Switzerland and limited access to several European partner resorts:
Unlimited Days at Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis, Switzerland
Unlimited Days at Crans-Montana, Switzerland
7 Consecutive Days at Skirama Dolomiti, Italy and Les 3 Vallées, France
5 Consecutive Days at Verbier 4 Vallées, Switzerland
3 Consecutive Days at Ski Arlberg, Austria
Many of our other Season Pass products also offer access to Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis, Crans- Montana, and Verbier 4 Vallées. Please keep in mind that special arrangements, from lodging requirements to advanced email reservations, are required to redeem free lift access at Ski Arlberg.
I would rather give my money to a European owned ski resort than to resorts owned by a US corporation (vail resorts), and for the other resorts on that epic pass, I'd rather the lift company gets it all and not have most of it exported to USA.
Whilst I don't like mixing world politics and my passion for skiing, I would prioritise Ukraine, Gaza, Canada, Greenland, Panama and having a stable 'west' over savings a few quid and sending it to the USA...
Yep I'd rather spend directly than support this type of business / which benefits a stock price. http://youtube.com/v/0bfD4NiiMfo
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Exactly — it astonishes me that a resort with the reputation of Whistler, for example, has such old infrastructure in places considering there are so many skiers and relatively few chairlifts. But when you’ve shareholders to keep happy, I guess it comes down the list. Certainly not going into the pockets of those working on the mountain, is it.
Thanks for the video link @Bob. For someone who has skied a fair number of North American areas on both the Epic and Ikon passes, it was both interesting and shocking viewing.
I must admit that, not having skied across the pond since before covid, it is apparent that the good old days (stretching back over more than 25 years...) when we simply turned up and bought day tickets at the likes of Fernie, Vail, Kimberley, Keystone and Breckenridge, are loooooong gone
Mrs MA and I skied at Whistler in about 1995, when the village wasn't even half built. We've always fancied going back - but would now need an Epic Pass to make it remotely economical/affordable. I've just had a quick look and a Whistler day pass booked online for the rest of this week is CAD$318 a pop including tax. Still, it's $16 cheaper than just turning up to buy one on the day...
Joking aside, it's absolutely shocking - and sad - that snowsport lovers who only want to ski/board for say a week a year, are effectively being excluded from visiting the mega resorts of North America
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Quote:
Exactly — it astonishes me that a resort with the reputation of Whistler, for example, has such old infrastructure in places considering there are so many skiers and relatively few chairlifts.
Whistler has upgraded 4 lifts in the last 3 seasons. Pretty much everything is detachable high speed chairs or gondolas. If you think whistler is bad you should see some of the other resorts in BC
After all it is free
After all it is free
abricotine wrote:
it astonishes me that a resort with the reputation of Whistler, for example, has such old infrastructure in places considering there are so many skiers and relatively few chairlifts.
Yeah right!
Put in 3x the number of lifts! Fill the piste with human unguided bullets. Have a lovely holiday… in Europe.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Bob wrote:
Yep I'd rather spend directly than support this type of business / which benefits a stock price. http://youtube.com/v/0bfD4NiiMfo
Yup : watched this last night
Explains well why Epic pass not a good thing for skiers / skiing
I am sure Vail will have expansion eyes on big European resorts?
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skichampcouk wrote:
@abc,
Quote:
Can non-Australians buy Oz version of Epic pass?
I've not looked into it in any detail but could ask friends in Sydney if they know. They are out in Europe for a lot of the winter season and it would be useful for them.
I can't see how they could limit it to just Australians. You could buy one, say you were planning to go to Australia in Summer and then have a change of plan.
It is worth looking into for anybody planning on buying an Epic pass.
This is intriguing (and Aussie dollar particularly week at the mo).
I just did a dummy run and it was happy for me to proceed using an Aus address (its a real address where some relatives live) - but it prob would have worked if you put in a UK address. There was no address verification and it doesn't seem to have any issue with card payer address not lining up with account holder.
I got as far as 'proceed to pay' before I stopped - payment options included paypal, card, google pay. I didn't proceed form there but looks like I could have.
For pass collection it says it will send you a QR code which you just scan at the first resort you get to and it spits out your pass.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
it's easy to virtue signal when it's a niche product you didn't really want in the first place - a bit harder when you actually realise just how much stuff is actually USA owned companies.
including tax. Still, it's $16 cheaper than just turning up to buy one on the day... 
