Updates on Epic and IKON Passes

To keep our members in the loop, we are providing some important news regarding skiing this year.  Though the trips planned by the Albany Ski Club are IKON travel this year, much of this applies to EPIC passes, but more may be coming regarding IKON mountains.  (Below also is the link to purchase EPIC or IKON if you have not done so already.)

Vail Resorts (EPIC Passes) was the first to announce they are implanting a reservations system for 2020/2021 at the Mountain Resorts they own including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Whistler, Park City/The Canyons and Heavenly, Stowe, Okemo, Mt. Snow, and Hunter.  

Winter Park (an IKON mountain) has said there will be some sort of reservation system, they don’t have details out yet.   

Other resorts including Aspen/Snowmass and Telluride have said that they will not be implementing a reservation system.    Many have not announced what they are going to do regarding reservation system.    Expect  procedures to change – so again, moving  forward  I will keep you individually posted  with  updates on your specific trip/destination.

We are still unsure how Group Lift Ticket reservations, where required, will work especially at Vail Resorts owned mountains.  If you are a trip participant and are planning to ski a Vail Resorts owned  destination, the recommendation is that you purchase one of many types of the Epic Passes available  (1 day – unlimited days) instead of a Group Lift ticket, to ensure priority access.  We have been told Group Lift Ticket priority choices will fall below those with an Epic Pass of any sort.

Most problematic will be holiday skiing such as if you are traveling Christmas / New Years .  However  the current takeaway is that at Vail Resorts owned destinations where reservations are required  individuals will have to register for their ski days, on their own, prior to arrival whether they have a pass, a group lift or an individual lift.  November 6 is the opening date for reservations for ALL Epic Pass holders.  Nothing else has been announced.  

There also has not been an announcement on what “capacity” will be at any resort.  Most likely that will fluctuate based on demand.  Weekends and holidays may be hard to get reservations for especially at Vail Resort owned destinations (and possibly others) if not done when Epic Pass day reservations open November 6.

Once  an Epic Pass has been purchased guests will be able to log into their  profile  at www.epicpass.com and reserve up to 7 “Priority Days” beginning on November 6 and ending on December 7, 2020. Then they will be allowed up to an additional 7 week-of reservation days (or as many days as their pass allows), also by logging into their profile.   

Not everyone who has purchased an Epic Pass is on the Epic Pass Website yet, but all purchasers will be prior to November 6 and emails will be sent directly to Epic Pass holders prior to that date.  Currently September 16 is the day prices are set to increase -after September 16 Epic Credits from 2019/2020 will no longer be valid.    We encourage anyone thinking of purchasing an Epic Pass to do so by September 16 however that date could be extended (again).   

Once purchased Epic and Ikon Passes are non-refundable.

Here is a link with additional details on the Epic Pass Reservations policy: https://www.epicpass.com/info/reservation-details .  Other benefits to Epic Passes include:

• Epic Day Pass gives early access to lock in Priority Reservation Days.    Choose to include or exclude holiday access
• Epic Coverage is included FREE with this pass, providing refunds for certain resort closures, eligible personal events and more.
• 2019/20 Pass Holders, the last chance to use your credit has been extended to Sept 16.  For those using credit and purchasing on the group link they can forward me their credit email and I’ll refund that amount once the pass is purchased.
• NEW for 2020/21 Epic Mountain Rewards! As a pass holder Save 20% off food, lodging, lessons, rentals and more.