When Do Epic Pass Prices Go Up? Best Time to Buy for 2026-27

Epic Pass prices rise in steps: a spring launch at the lowest price, increases around Memorial Day and Labor Day, and another increase in the fall before the pass goes off sale in early December. For 2026-27, the pass launched in early March, and as of October 4, 2026 a full Epic Pass costs $1,145 for adults and an Epic Local Pass costs $849, with ski-industry coverage reporting another increase on October 7. The best time to buy an Epic Pass is the spring launch window; the next best is today, before the next step.

Epic Pass price timeline for 2026-27

Epic Pass 2026-27 price steps (adult pricing, ages 31+)
When	Epic Pass	Epic Local Pass
Early March 2026 launch (lowest spring price)	$1,089	$809
After the Memorial Day deadline (May 25)	$1,119	$829
After the Labor Day deadline (September 7)	$1,145	$849
After October 7 (reported)	Increases again; new price not yet published when this was written	Increases again
Early December	Epic Pass typically goes off sale around the start of the season	—

These figures were compiled on October 4, 2026 from Epic's published pricing as reported by ski-industry outlets. Vail Resorts can change dates and prices, so confirm the current rate at epicpass.com before you buy. Epic's pass benefits have also reportedly shrunk at each price step; for example, the number of Epic Friend Tickets included dropped between the spring launch and later windows.

Why Epic prices rise at Memorial Day and Labor Day

Epic has followed the same rhythm for the last few seasons: launch in early March at the lowest price, a first increase around Memorial Day, a second around Labor Day, a final one in the fall, then off-sale in early December. The schedule rewards early commitment, which helps Vail Resorts forecast demand and capacity. It's also why a pass that cost one friend $1,089 in March can cost you $1,145 or more now for the exact same product.

Epic Pass vs. Epic Local Pass

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Epic Pass ($1,145 now): unrestricted access to Vail Resorts' own resorts across North America and Australia, with no blackout dates there, plus limited days at partner resorts.
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Epic Local Pass ($849 now): about $296 less, with blackout dates (typically around holidays) and fewer days or restricted access at some resorts.
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If you ski mostly nearby and avoid holiday weeks, the Local Pass is usually the better value. If you plan a big-mountain trip or ski over Christmas and New Year's, price the full pass.

Epic Pass for Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania skiers

Vail Resorts bought Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain in the Laurel Highlands in 2021, and all three are on the Epic Pass (with the Epic Local Pass also available for them). For skiers in the Pittsburgh area, that makes Epic a practical way to ski close to home on weeknights and weekends and still have the option to ski in Colorado or Utah. If it's the first one that matters to you, our Pittsburgh weekend getaways guide covers Seven Springs and other nearby trips.

Should you buy an Epic Pass now or wait?

Historically the price only climbs from the March launch until the pass goes off sale, so waiting for a sale is a bet against the schedule. The honest reasons to wait are about you, not the price: you aren't sure how many days you'll ski, or your resorts aren't on the pass. If you've decided, buying before the next step is the cheapest remaining option. For how Epic compares with Ikon and Indy, see our guide to the best time to buy an Epic Pass or Ikon Pass, and for the other pass's calendar see when Ikon Pass prices go up.

Getting alerted to Epic Pass deals

Omni Alerts' Ski Resort & Lift Ticket Deals tracker researches Epic Pass, Ikon Pass, and Indy Pass / Mountain Collective deals every 4 hours, along with single-day lift ticket discounts and ski vacation packages at the resorts you follow, and emails and push-notifies you when a new one is found. Deals are AI-researched from public sources, so always confirm the current price and terms with the airline, cruise line, resort, or ticket office before booking.

Frequently asked questions

When do Epic Pass prices go up?

Epic Pass prices step up at predictable points: after the early-March launch, around Memorial Day (May 25 in 2026), around Labor Day (September 7 in 2026), and again in the fall. For 2026-27, ski-industry coverage reported the next increase on October 7, 2026.

How much is the Epic Pass for 2026-27?

As of October 4, 2026, a full Epic Pass is $1,145 and an Epic Local Pass is $849 for adults 31 and older. The pass launched in early March at $1,089 (Epic Pass) and $809 (Epic Local).

What is the best time to buy an Epic Pass?

The spring launch window in early March has the lowest price and the most benefits. After that, each increase around Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the fall raises the price, so earlier is cheaper. Epic typically goes off sale in early December.

Which Pennsylvania ski resorts are on the Epic Pass?

Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain in the Laurel Highlands are Vail Resorts properties and are included on the Epic Pass, along with other Vail-owned resorts in the Mid-Atlantic.