Lift Ticket Information
With so many lift tickets on offer at Vail, it can be hard to decide which one to choose. We've put together a comparison of all the lift tickets based on price, resort access and ski days so you can find a lift ticket that's right for you.
1 Day Ticket starting from $131 (window)
(includes insurance)
Without holiday access: any 1-7 days during season except blackout dates*
(Reservations required, For more information, click here)
(includes insurance)
(Reservations required, For more information, click here)
(includes insurance)
(Reservations required, For more information, click here)
Vail Lift Ticket
Best value for:Skiing 1-10 days at Vail
Resorts access:Vail
Adult Rates*:Rates for the 20/21 season have yet to be released due to COVID-19. In the meantime here is an approximate price based on last season:
1 Day Ticket starting from $131 (window)
Set days purchased for
Available for purchase:From Dec 8, 2020
Epic 1-7 Day Pass
(includes insurance)
Best value for:Skiing 1-7 days at multiple resorts
Resorts access:34 resorts including: Breckenridge, Vail, Whistler Blackcomb, Keystone, Park City, Heavenly and many more
Adult Rates*:1 Day Pass starting from $109
Days valid at Vail:With holiday access: any 1-7 days during season
Without holiday access: any 1-7 days during season except blackout dates*
(Reservations required, For more information, click here)
Pre-ski season (usually until end of November)
Epic Local Pass
(includes insurance)
Best value for:Skiing 7+ days at multiple resorts
Resorts access:Up to 10 days skiing across Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb. Unlimited access to 26 resorts including: Breckenridge, Keystone and many more.
Adult Rates*:Season Pass starting from $729
Days valid at Vail:Up to 10 days during season except blackout dates*
(Reservations required, For more information, click here)
Pre-ski season (usually until end of November)
Epic Pass
(includes insurance)
Best value for:Skiing 10+ days at multiple resorts
Resorts access:Unlimited access to 37 resorts including Breckenridge. Limited access to European and Japanese resorts.
Adult Rates*:Season Pass starting from $979
Days valid at Vail:Any days during season
(Reservations required, For more information, click here)
Pre-ski season (usually until end of November)
*EPIC Blackout Dates: Nov 26, 2020 to Nov 27, 2020, Dec 25, 2020 to Dec 30, 2020, Jan 15, 2021 and Feb 12, 2021 to Feb 13, 2021
Challenge Level
Vail is home to a wide range of terrain to suit all abilities and that includes beginners. There are two main beginner ski areas at Vail; the base of Golden Peak and next to Eagle's Nest above Lionshead. Although Vail tends to overstate difficulty, there's plenty to keep intermediate and advanced skiers entertained.
Things To Do
Vail might have some of Colorado's finest skiing but non-skiers definitely won't get bored here either. Vail's endless activities, world-class dining, shopping and vibrant nightlife is sure to keep everyone entertained. Here's a list of some of the best:
- Ice Skating
- Kid's Snowmobiling
- Ski Biking
- Snowshoeing
- Tubing
- Shopping
- Spa
Accessibility
Eagle County Regional Airport is closer to Vail but gets less frequent, and generally more expensive flights than Denver which sees plenty of flights from Delta and Southwest. Taking a shuttle from the airport spares you the expense of car rental, the cost of parking, and driving the infamous I-70. Here are a few options to choose from: Epic Mountain Express and Peak 1 Express are popular choices, offering door-to-door service from Denver International Airport. For private transfers from DIA, check out Silver Mountain Express.
Recommended Airport:
- Eagle County Regional Airport 34 mi (50 minute drive)
- Denver Intl. Airport 104 mi (2.5 hour drive)
When To Go
February and March are the best times to visit Vail. Vail’s season begins the Friday before Thanksgiving and runs till mid-April. During the early season (anything before mid-December), only a few parts of the mountain are open unless there’s been an unusual amount of early snow. The extensive snowmaking on the front side of Vail means you can count on most of it to be open. However, the Golden Peak area often hosts race training camps so some areas, especially the Golden Peak Race run, may be off-limits. Colorado winters can be fickle and the weather can change in a heartbeat, so consider skiing Vail in February and March. January is still in the coldest part of the high country winter, while February and March are generally the best months for snow. By the time April comes, longer days and warmer temperatures start taking their toll on the snow at Vail, making it slushy and sticky in the afternoon and icy in the morning after it’s had a chance to refreeze. Vail will start closing areas off, usually starting with the Back Bowls… and you want to make sure you get a chance to ski those!
Book a ski package in Vail with SnowPak
Including lodging, lift tickets, equipment rentals and transfers.
Why book with SnowPak?
SnowPak was founded in 1992 and we have over 31 years of experience and have been organizing ski trips for hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers.
See our list of Ski In Ski Out Vail lodging.
