Vail Resorts sets 2025/26 opening dates, Epic perks

Published on Aug 20, 2025, 2:07 pm CDT

7 min read

Vail Resorts released target opening dates for the 2025/26 ski and ride season, spanning Colorado, Utah, California, Washington, British Columbia, and Switzerland. Keystone aims to open in mid-October, conditions permitting, followed by marquee launches at Breckenridge, Vail Mountain, Park City Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, and more in November and December. The company also detailed new guest features, including Epic Friend Tickets that cut lift prices in half for friends, a new Sunrise Gondola at Park City, and lesson-tracking tools in the My Epic app.

Key Points

Why it matters: Dates help travelers lock flights, lodging, and lessons, and time Epic Pass purchases ahead of the September 1 price increase.
Travel impact: Earlier Keystone and long seasons at Breckenridge and Whistler Blackcomb expand booking windows for peak and late spring.
What's next: Eastern resort targets will be announced closer to winter, and Birds of Prey at Beaver Creek runs December 4 to 7, 2025.
Epic Friend Tickets give 6 to 10 50 percent off tickets for friends of Pass Holders.
Park City debuts the 10-person Sunrise Gondola to improve access from Canyons Village.
Swiss upgrades add two six-pack chairs at Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis and new snowmaking at Crans-Montana.

Snapshot

The 2025/26 calendar begins with Keystone in mid-October, weather allowing. On November 7, Breckenridge opens, followed by Vail Mountain on November 14. November 15 brings Gemsstock at Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis in Switzerland. November 21 is a big day with Heavenly, Northstar, Park City Mountain, and Whistler Blackcomb. Beaver Creek and Crested Butte follow on November 26, with Crans-Montana on November 29, and Kirkwood and Stevens Pass on December 5. Whistler Blackcomb celebrates its 60th anniversary, Park City unveils the Sunrise Gondola, and Colorado resorts pilot new lesson features in the My Epic app. Epic Pass pricing is at the lowest level of the fall until September 1, and no Epic Pass resorts will require advance reservations for 2025/26.

Background

Vail Resorts' Epic Pass provides access to more than 90 mountains worldwide, including unlimited, unrestricted access at 42 owned and operated resorts. For 2025/26, headline openings stretch from the Rockies to the Alps, with a season that can exceed half the year, thanks to early Keystone starts and late closures at Breckenridge and Whistler Blackcomb. The company continues to invest in capacity and reliability, from high-speed lift projects to energy-efficient snowmaking. This winter is also an Olympic year, which amplifies race calendars and travel demand. Beaver Creek's Birds of Prey returns December 4 to 7, 2025, serving as an Olympic qualifier, while Whistler Blackcomb hosts April's World Ski and Snowboard Festival. Separately, Telluride access for Epic Pass Holders no longer requires reservations, simplifying multi-resort itineraries. Eastern resort opening targets will be shared closer to winter.

Latest Developments

Vail Resorts 2025/26 opening dates

Keystone targets mid-October, subject to early season conditions. November 7 brings Breckenridge, then Vail Mountain on November 14, and Gemsstock at Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis on November 15. November 21 marks opening day for Heavenly, Northstar, Park City Mountain, and Whistler Blackcomb. Beaver Creek and Crested Butte target November 26, with Crans-Montana on November 29, and Kirkwood and Stevens Pass on December 5. Whistler Mountain celebrates 60 years with new Wonder Routes that guide skiers and riders to classic terrain, tree stashes, and après hubs. Heavenly marks 70 years at Lake Tahoe. On the East Coast, Okemo celebrates 70 years, and Liberty marks 60. Vail Resorts will announce Eastern opening targets later, in line with historical timelines, allowing travelers to plan flexibly around snow.

Epic Friend Tickets, pass prices, and reservations

Epic Friend Tickets launch for 2025/26, giving Season-long Pass Holders 6 to 10 friend tickets that are 50 percent off window rates at 37 North American resorts. Friends can apply the full cost of one redeemed Epic Friend Ticket toward an eligible 2026/27 Epic Pass. The 2025/26 Epic Pass is priced at $1,075 for adults and $548 for children. The Epic Local Pass is $799 for adults and $416 for children. Epic 1 to 7 Day Passes still deliver up to 65 percent savings compared to lift tickets when purchased ahead. Importantly, Telluride will not require reservations for Epic Pass Holders this season, which means no Epic Pass resorts require advance reservations in 2025/26. Prices increase after September 1, 2025, so travelers aiming for peak holiday and spring dates should buy early.

Park City Sunrise Gondola, lesson tech, and Colorado updates

Park City Mountain will debut the Sunrise Gondola, a high-speed 10-person gondola replacing the limited-access Sunrise lift. The new line will move guests from Canyons Village to the Red Pine area faster, with improved wind resiliency and reduced waits, and it complements Red Pine Gondola and Orange Bubble Express. Park City is also refreshing beginner terrain and the kids' Ski and Ride School area at Red Pine, and bringing back the daily Orange Bubble Bite treat. In December, Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek, Keystone, and Breckenridge will pilot new My Epic app tools for Ski and Ride School check-in, real-time updates and photos, progress tracking, and digital badges. At Keystone's River Run, the long-anticipated Kindred Resort, a RockResorts-branded hotel with ski-in, ski-out access, is slated to open and host the resort's Ski and Ride School, slopeside retail, and rental.

Swiss lift and snowmaking projects

In Switzerland, Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis is upgrading connectivity with two new detachable six-seater chairlifts, linking Val Val to Cuolm Val and Val Val to Calmut. The project is designed to double uphill capacity in the corridor and reduce travel time across the interlinked terrain. Crans-Montana has invested in upgraded, energy-efficient snow guns in the Verdets area, aimed at elevating snow quality and early season reliability when temperatures allow. Together, these changes should shorten lines on busier days and help stabilize conditions during transitional weather windows, which is especially important for long-haul travelers planning fixed-date trips.

Analysis

For trip planners, the spread of openings from mid-October through early December creates three distinct windows. First, early birds can aim for Keystone's October push, which depends on cold snaps and modern snowmaking, then slide into Breckenridge and Vail in mid-November. Second, the November 21 cluster at Park City, Whistler Blackcomb, Heavenly, and Northstar gives western travelers broad choice for Thanksgiving week. Third, Beaver Creek, Crested Butte, and Crans-Montana round out late November, with Kirkwood and Stevens Pass on December 5 for those who prefer opening weeks after holiday crowds.

Pass calculus favors buying before September 1 to lock the lowest fall price, especially if you plan to ski peak periods when day tickets surge. Epic Friend Tickets materially improve group affordability because the 50 percent discount stacks across 37 North American mountains, and the credit toward a 2026/27 Epic Pass nudges future commitment. Removal of Telluride reservations further reduces friction for destination planners linking a Colorado itinerary with a San Juan Mountains swing.

On-mountain, the Sunrise Gondola should smooth Canyons Village flow and improve wind resiliency, which has real-world value for tight weekend windows. In Switzerland, added six-packs and targeted snowmaking upgrades are the right kind of reliability investments for transatlantic travelers who need confidence in lift access and early season coverage. Families should watch the My Epic app lesson tools launching in Colorado, which centralize check-in, updates, and progress tracking, alleviating a frequent pain point during busy mornings.

Final Thoughts

If your plan includes Thanksgiving turns or a spring finale, these Vail Resorts targets give you a strong scaffold for flights, lodging, and lessons. Buy before September 1 to lock pricing, and use Epic Friend Tickets to bring newcomers without blowing the budget. Consider Park City's Sunrise Gondola for easier Canyons Village access, and Whistler Blackcomb's 60th anniversary Wonder Routes for curated days on snow. With no resort reservations required on Epic, itineraries are simpler across Colorado, Utah, British Columbia, and Switzerland. Keep this page handy as you finalize dates, and revisit as storms roll in to match your trip to Vail Resorts 2025/26 opening dates.