Get your lift tickets early! Vail Resorts is capping daily tickets at all of its North American resorts.
Capacity Restrictions
The lift ticket restrictions will be in effect throughout the entire 2022-23 ski season across all 37 resorts in the United States and Canada. Vail Resorts says the capacity caps will hopefully lessen overcrowding at some of its most popular resorts like Heavenly Mountain Resort in Lake Tahoe, Vail Resort in Colorado, and Stowe in Vermont.
Epic Pass Holders
The capacity restrictions are separate from the COVID-era reservation system. Epic Pass holders will not be affected by the capacity rules. Further, Buddy Passes and Ski With A Friend passes will not be restricted. Anyone holding an Epic Pass can ski whenever they want throughout the season without needing a reservation.
For anyone not holding a season pass, daily ticket availability will be available on each resort’s website. Skiers and riders can book days as far in advance as they want. But once a resort reaches its daily capacity, no more tickets will be sold either online or in person at a lift ticket window.
“We care deeply about our guests’ experience at our resorts,” said James O’Donnell, president of Vail Resorts’ Mountain division. “Limiting lift tickets throughout the season, alongside the big investments we’re making at our resorts and in our team members, will help us provide our guests with an Experience of a Lifetime this winter.”
Bottom line: If you are planning to ski at any of Vail Resort’s North American resorts this winter, you may want to consider buying a season pass. And maybe decide soon, as the prices are set to increase after Labor Day weekend.
Lift Upgrades
Vail Resorts is investing money into upgrading lift experiences at several resorts through its Epic Lift Upgrade project. You will see a total of 18 new or upgraded lifts this season across 12 resorts, including a high-speed 10-person gondola at Whistler Blackcomb in Canada, an upgraded 6-person high-speed lift at Vail’s Popular Game Creek Bowl, and a 6-person high-speed lift at Stowe in Vermont. Vail Resorts is also increasing seating capacity by 300 people at Keystone Mountain Resort’s Outpost restaurant.
Pay Increases
Vail Resorts is also investing in its workers by increasing wages across the board. Vail hopes the move will help maintain current employees, like lift operators and ski patrol, as well as attract new employees to ease staffing shortages. The company is also lifting vaccine mandates for employees and will no longer require dining reservations for visitors.
Opening Dates
Believe it or not, ski season is almost here! Keystone in Colorado will be the first Vail mountain to open in mid-October. Vail, Breckenridge, and Mt. Snow will open next on November 11. A vast majority of the remaining resorts typically open in late November, around Thanksgiving. Of course, all of these dates are weather dependent, so let’s start the snow dance!
