Vail Military Discount & Military Epic Pass
Epic Savings for Military and Veterans with the Military Epic Pass
If you love to ski or snowboard, you might already know about the Epic Pass offered by Vail Resorts. But did you know that they offer a special Military Epic Pass?
New Epic Friend Tickets Offer 50 Percent Off Lift Access at Vail
If you’re planning to ski or ride Vail this season using your Epic Pass, there’s a new benefit worth knowing about: Epic Friend Tickets. Vail Resorts rolls out this updated perk for the 2025–2026 season, and it brings a much simpler (and better) discount structure.
Passholders will get between six and ten Epic Friend Tickets, depending on the pass they hold. Each of those tickets gives a friend 50 percent off the window rate, no matter which day they use it (yes, even holidays). It’s valid at 37 North American resorts, including heavy-hitters like Whistler, Park City, Stowe, and Okemo.
A Clearer, More Reliable Discount
The previous “buddy ticket” system offered friends a discount, but it fluctuated based on the resort, date, and demand. This new model replaces all that with a clean 50 percent cut across the board. No guessing, no peak day penalty.
There’s also a future-facing angle: the value of any redeemed Epic Friend Ticket can be applied in full toward a 2026–2027 Epic Pass. That could soften the sticker shock if someone decides to commit to a pass of their own next season.
What Pass Types Get Friend Tickets?
The new Epic Friend Tickets are available to holders of the Epic Military Pass, which is $190 for active/retired military and $614 for veterans and dependents. This price is scheduled to go up after September 1, 2025, so that’s your deadline if you want to lock in the current rate.
About Vail Resorts
Vail is a ski resort in the western US, near the town of Vail, CO. The resort is 5,289 acres and is the 3rd largest single-mountain ski resort in the United States. Vail is one of the 37 resorts you have access to with the Military Epic Pass with Vail Resorts.
Vail has 193 trails and is broken up into three sections: the Front Side, Blue Sky Basin, and Back Bowls. The Vail Village was modeled on Bavarian village styles with pedestrian streets.
Vail Resorts was founded by Pete Seibert, who served in the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division during WWII, and Earl Eaton, an Army engineer during the war. They were both ski patrol guides in Aspen, CO, who founded Vail in 1962. The company was then known as Vail Associates and was purchased by George N. Gillett Jr. in 1985.
The name was changed to Vail Resorts in 1997. They now operate 37 ski resorts in the US, Canada, and Australia.
Where can you use the Military Epic Pass?
In past seasons Epic Pass was honored at the following locations. Check with the location of your choice to see if it’s on the current year’s list:
- Vail, CO
- Beaver Creek, CO
- Breckenridge, CO
- Keystone, CO
- Park City, UT
- Crested Butte, CO
- Heavenly, CA/NV
- Northstar, CA
- Kirkwood, CA
- Stevens Pass, WA
- Wilmot, WI
- Afton Alps, MN
- Mt Brighton, MI
- Alpine Valley, OH
- Boston Mills, OH
- Brandywine, OH
- Mad River Mountain, OH
- Hidden Valley, MO
- Snow Creek, MO
- Paoli Peaks, IN
- Stowe, VT
- Okemo, VT
- Mount Sunapee, NH
- Mount Snow, VT
- Attitash Mountain Resort, NH
- Wildcat Mountain, NH
- Crotched Mountain, NH
- Hunter Mountain, NY
- Liberty Mountain Resort, PA
- Roundtop Mountain Resort, PA
- Whitetail Resort, PA
- Jack Frost, PA
- Big Boulder, PA
- Seven Springs, PA
- Hidden Valley, PA
- Laurel Mountain, PA
- Whistler Blackcomb, BC
- Perisher, Australia – 2023 Access
- Falls Creek, Australia – 2023 Access
- Hotham, Australia – 2023 Access
Military Epic Pass Types
Military Epic Pass – Active/Retired/Registered Dependent
These passes have traditionally provided access to all 40 Vail Resorts-owned and operated resorts.
Military Epic Pass – Veteran/Dependent
These passes have provided access to all 40Vail Resorts-owned and operated resorts. See the official site for current rules, restrictions, and pricing.
Military Epic Pass – Active/Retired/Registered Dependent
All dependents have been included in this pass in past promotions.
Military Epic Pass – Veteran/Dependent
There may be special pricing for dependent children under 18 years of age.
How do you get the Military Epic pass?
If you are a current or former member of the military, or a dependent of an active duty member, or a veteran, you may qualify for these passes.
There is a military status verification process within the checkout process. Registered dependents age 16 and older must use their own credentials. Those under 16 would use their sponsor’s credentials.
What if you buy the pass but then get deployed or move?
Epic Coverage is free and includes refunds for personal events, including deployments and reassignments to another location.
What else do we need to know about the pass?
- The pass also includes discounts on rentals, ski school, and lodging.
- Each Military Epic Pass offers Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets. This includes 6 discounted, single-day lift tickets for friends and family. They vary in price based on when you visit.
- If the pass is purchased in the spring, you will also get summer access, which is sightseeing only.
- Sales typically begin in March of each year.
Liberty Pass?
With the Liberty Pass, you can have unlimited access to ski and ride Keystone all season long. The pass is a flat fee discounted for active duty, retired, veterans, and dependents over the age of 18. Children aged 5-17 pay a lower fee.
Where do I go for more information and to purchase the Epic Military pass?
Please visit the official Epic Pass website for more information and to purchase your pass.
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- Vail Military Discount and Epic Pass
About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.
