This Popular Pass Just Got A Lot Cheaper For Gen Z Skiers Hitting The Slopes

Skiing is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the U.S. Recent studies have shown that participation in snow sports, as well as outdoor activities in general, is getting more and more popular across a range of genders, ethnic backgrounds, and ages. Young people love getting out into nature and enjoying the adrenaline thrill ride of cruising down steep mountain slopes more than ever before.

However, one thing that can often be a huge barrier, particularly for Gen Z skiers, is the cost. Skiing is not a particularly affordable hobby, and the cost of accommodation, equipment, lessons, and ski passes quickly adds up. There are some budget-friendly skiing destinations in Europe, but hitting the slopes in the U.S. tends to be expensive. Luckily, one of the biggest resorts in North America has announced that it is slashing prices on its multi-mountain pass for young people, to coax the next generation of powder hounds to the slopes. Vail Resorts has cut the price of its Epic Pass for the 2026-27 season for teens and young adults by 20%, making now a great time to start planning a ski vacation!

"The future of the sport depends on the next generation of skiers and riders, and it is our responsibility to create a more accessible pathway for them well into young adulthood," said Rob Katz, CEO of Vail Resorts. "We know that young travelers, especially Gen Z, are prioritizing experiences when deciding how to spend their time and money — and we hope to make skiing and snowboarding an easy decision for them." Vail Resorts operates or partners with more than 90 ski resorts in North America and around the world, including the winter hotspots of Vail Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, and Breckenridge, making this pass an unmissable option for passionate young skiers.

The Epic Pass is an all-encompassing, multi-resort pass that gives holders access to some of the best skiing and snowboarding across North America and around the world. With a regular price of $1,089, this year, Gen Z skiers will be able to buy the pass for just $869. The 20% discount is also being offered on the Epic Local Pass, which offers slightly more limited access, with certain restricted dates, and is available for just $649.

The discounts don't stop there. If you visited one of Vail Resorts' locations in the 2025-26 season, you can get another $175 off, meaning it is possible to get an Epic Local Pass for just $474, a truly affordable way to ski. And if you want to bring friends and family who aren't necessarily as keen on the skiing side of things but love a bit of après, Epic Pass holders who buy early get 10 Epic Friend Tickets, which offer 50% off lift tickets.

The prices for the Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass will increase as winter approaches, so it is a good idea to buy earlier rather than later to lock in the best price.

Vail Resorts' Epic Pass offers access to a huge range of world-class ski resorts across the U.S. and around the world. The most famous of these is probably the iconic Vail Mountain in Colorado, where Epic Pass holders get unlimited, unrestricted skiing for the whole season. Other resorts in the Rockies include Keystone, Crested Butte, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, and Utah's Park City. The Epic Pass also gets you seven days of access to the partner resort at Telluride. Gen Z skiers also get unlimited, unrestricted access to other resorts across the country, like Wilmot in Wisconsin, Heavenly in California, Hunter Mountain in New York, and Whitetail in Pennsylvania.

If your travels take you further afield, there are some magnificent ski resorts in Europe and across the globe that are covered by the Epic Pass as well. In Switzerland, Gen Z skiers can enjoy the slopes at Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis, Crans Montana, Verbier 4 Vallées, Silvretta Montafon Ski Arlberg, and Sölden. In Japan, you can enjoy incredible ski adventures in Nagano at Hakuba Valley, and the pass even covers resorts in Australia, like Perisher, Falls Creek, and Mount Hotham.