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Vail Resorts has introduced a new pass product sold in Canadian dollars and aimed at occasional Whistler Blackcomb skiers and boarders. The advance-purchase pass will offer significant discounts to ski one to 10 days. Launching for the 2020-21 season, this new customizable pass is ideal for skiers and boarders who may not need the unlimited access offered on a traditional season pass.
“We are incredibly excited for the 2020-21 winter season and the launch of the brand new Whistler Blackcomb Day Pass,” said Geoff Buchheister, chief operating officer at Whistler Blackcomb. “With this new pass – alongside EDGE Cards, the Whistler Blackcomb Unlimited Season Pass and the Epic Pass – we are able to provide incredible choice and flexibility to our guests, allowing them to choose the product that best suits their needs.”
With the Whistler Blackcomb Day Pass, available exclusively in Canadian dollars, guests can ski and ride at North America’s largest resort for the equivalent of up to 50 percent off lift ticket window prices when purchased in advance of the season. Available from one day to ten days, guests can lower their cost per day by adding more days or choosing whether they are willing to navigate around a few peak dates.
For guests looking for the most flexibility during the 2020-21 season, the Epic Pass continues to offer the best value and variety for unlimited skiing and riding. Launching at $979 for the 2020-21 winter season, the Epic Pass provides unlimited, unrestricted access to all of the Company’s 37 owned and operated resorts, including Whistler Blackcomb, plus additional partner access at Telluride, Snowbasin, Sun Valley, Les 3 Vallees, Fernie, Kicking Horse, Hakuba Valley, Japan and more. Continuing for the 2020-21 season, the Company offers a complimentary Epic Pass for children age four and under who are signed-up ahead of the season.
For skiers and riders willing to navigate around a few peak dates, the Epic Local Pass offers an incredible value at $729 with access to all 37 of the Company’s owned and operated resorts, which includes unlimited, unrestricted access to many resorts like Breckenridge, Keystone, and Stevens Pass. In addition, the Epic Local Pass still provides ten combined days of holiday-restricted access to Vail, Whistler Blackcomb, and Beaver Creek, at no additional charge, plus additional partner access.
For guests interested in skiing and riding exclusively at Whistler Blackcomb, the Whistler Blackcomb Unlimited Season Pass provides unlimited, unrestricted access for CAD$1399, combined with the best in-resort benefits, including 20 percent off at select retail stores and on-mountain dining.
Vail Resorts will continue to offer 2-, 5-, and 10-day EDGE Cards, which provide deeply discounted days at Whistler Blackcomb, exclusively available to residents of Canada and Washington State. Guests can use up to two days with the 5-day EDGE Card and up to three days with the 10-day EDGE Card at Vail, Park City, Stevens Pass and more. Returning for the 2020-21 season, guests who purchase a 5- or 10-Day EDGE Card ahead of the first pass deadline will receive unlimited early season skiing and riding from opening day through December 11, 2020 as they have in previous years. For guests only interested in skiing and riding at Stevens Pass, they can receive unlimited, unrestricted access to that resort with the Stevens Pass Premium Pass starting at US$669 or limited access with the Stevens Pass Select Pass starting at US$429.
For a limited time only, a $49 down payment guarantees the lowest price and best benefits for Epic, Epic Local, Epic Day Pass, EDGE Cards, Whistler Blackcomb Day Pass and the Whistler Blackcomb Unlimited Season Pass with the remainder due in the September. Purchasing a 2020-21 Epic Pass product in the spring ensures that skiers and riders will lock in the lowest price, combined with the best benefits, including 16 total benefit tickets for friends and family. Purchasing a Whistler Blackcomb Unlimited Pass in the spring ensures pass holders will receive two Early Bird Bring-a-Friend 50 percent off tickets or unlimited early season skiing from opening day through December 11, 2020 with the purchase of the 5- or 10-Day EDGE Cards.
The Epic SchoolKids Pack will return for the 2020-21 season, allowing kids in kindergarten through grade five in Washington State and Canada to receive five free days of skiing and riding at Whistler Blackcomb. In addition to five free days, the program also includes one free first-timer ski or ride lesson with equipment rental. No purchase necessary. The Company also offers a complimentary Epic Pass for children age four and under who are signed-up ahead of the season.
Through the Turn In Your Ticket program, guests who purchased a day lift ticket between March 3, 2020 and the end of 2019-20 season can apply the value of their single day ticket toward the price of an eligible 2020-21 pass, including Epic Pass, Epic Local, EDGE 5- and 10-Day Cards and more. This program only applies to guests who did not purchase a 2019-20 season pass or EDGE Card product.
The new pass offering comes during a challenging season for Whistler Blackcomb with local skiers and boarders, with many Whistler and Lower Mainland guests raising concerns over less than expected on-mountain operations and the high cost of skiing and boarding. Vail Resorts is demonstrating a willingness to listen and adapt. The pass wars have begun for the 20/21 season!
