Where to Ski And Snowboard - Epic Pass adds 13 Euro ski resorts

Epic Pass adds 13 Euro ski resorts

4th September 2016, by Abi Butcher

Verbier is back in the Epic Pass — but only when you book resort accommodation

Some of Europe’s top ski areas have been added to the Epic Pass for this coming season. The multi-resort pass from Vail Resorts has added Les 3 Vallées, Paradiski and Tignes-Val d’Isère in France, Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy, 4 Vallées in Switzerland (Verbier), and Arlberg (Lech, St Anton) in Austria to the 2016-2017 line-up – on sale for the next 24 hours for just US$809 (approx £610).

“There is nothing in the ski industry today that can compare to the value of the Epic Pass,” said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts. ‘Whether you ski five days or 100, no pass is tailored to the way skiers and snowboarders actually want to access the best mountains in the world like the Epic Pass.”

While there are some conditions to the pass in European resorts (more below), the Eipc Pass offers unlimited, unrestricted access to a number of world-class ski resorts in the US including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood at Lake Tahoe. It also offer holders unlimited access to skiing in Perisher, Australia.

While Vail Resorts recently announced the purchase of Whistler-Blackcomb in Canada, the resort will not be added to the Epic Pass until the 2017-18 ski season.

“This partnership with Vail Resorts gives skiers and snowboarders access to some of the most iconic winter destinations the world has to offer,” said Vincent Lalanne, General Manager of Association Les 3 Vallées.

“We couldn’t be more excited to provide this type of value to our dedicated guests who want to experience the best skiing in Europe and the U.S.”

On Friday, 2 September, Vail resorts announced the addition European ski resorts to the Epic Pass — some of which have been included on the pass in recent years. But conditions apply. While it includes five consecutive days in the 4 Vallées (Verbier, Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon), the Epic Pass is only valid when skiers book certain accommodation through the resort. A five-day pass 4 Vallées pass bought directly in Verbier this season will cost CHF356 (approx £275 at today’s exchange rate).

In the Arlberg, Epic Pass holders will get three days free skiing, but only when accommodation is booked with the tourist office. In the Dolimiti ski area, holders are entitled for three free days’ skiing but must notify the tourist office one week in advance. For a full list of resorts and conditions — and to buy the Epic Pass at the rate of US$809 until tomorrow evening (5 September) — visit epicpass.com