Vail Resorts Highlights Value In North East USA Resorts
Vail Resorts’ Northeast resorts are looking ahead to winter with capital investments, new technologies and a robust lineup of new and returning events.
“We’re excited to welcome guests back to our resorts this year, and we continue to offer a range of amazing Epic Pass options to suit every type of skier or rider, whether you’re new to the sport, returning for your 30th season, or planning a trip out West for the first time,” said Tim Baker, Vail Resorts SVP & COO of the Eastern Region.
Guests planning to visit this winter – whether one day or all season long – are encouraged to purchase their lift access online in advance to save big.
The Epic Local Pass, which is only $689 before September 4, allows for Northeast guests to ski or ride all season long at nearly all the company’s resorts across the East Coast, and take a trip out West with unlimited access at Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte, plus 10 days at Vail, Beaver Creek or Whistler Blackcomb. An Epic Local Child’s Pass is just $359.
The Northeast Value Pass offers incredible value to those who only plan to ski or ride out East, with access to many of the same destinations, including to 21 resorts across the Northeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic – such as Stowe, Hunter, Mount Snow, Okemo, Wildcat and Seven Springs – for $567. The Northeast Value College pass is just $397.
Vail Resorts also continues to offer the Epic Day Pass, which allows guests access to world-class resorts at pre-season pricing for up to 65 percent off when compared to a lift ticket. Starting at as low as $41 for one day of skiing at New Hampshire resorts or as low as $67 per day at Vermont and New York resorts, the Epic Day Pass is perfect for those who plan to ski and ride from 1-7 days throughout the winter season. In effect, skiers and riders can build their own passand also choose Epic FlexPay as a convenient payment option.
Compare all Epic Pass offerings on the Epic Passwebsite. And keep in mind – Epic Passes make it easier than ever for those new or revisiting the sport, with Epic Mountain Rewards for 20 percent off food, lodging, group ski and ride school lessons, equipment rentals and more. Guests are encouraged to purchase their pass before September 4; prices go up September 5.
THE 2023/24 SEASON
“Our Northeast destinations at Stowe, Okemo, Mount Snow, Hunter and throughout New Hampshire offer a truly unique experience,” Baker said. “From the classic New England skiing experience our guests have come to know and love, to ice skating in the village at Stowe and après live music at Hunter, we plan to offer a range of experiences for all guests all season long.”
A new leader is at the helm of Stowe Mountain Resort with Shannon Buhler joining as Vice President and General Manager. Buhler began her career at Vail Resorts nearly 20 years ago at Breckenridge Mountain. Since then, she’s led various departments at five different resorts within the Vail Resorts network including Vail Mountain, Breckenridge Resort and Keystone Resort before being appointed General Manager at Snow Creek Resort, where she led all resort operations and successfully oversaw the integration from Peak Resorts to the Vail Resorts network. Most recently, she led the expansive mountain operations for Northstar in Lake Tahoe. In addition to her work within operations, Buhler is Co-Lead of Vail Resorts’ Women & Allies employee resource group and is a champion and advocate for bringing more women into leadership roles within the company and the industry overall.
This year, Stowe Mountain Resort also celebrates the 100 Year Anniversary of the Auto Toll Road, and to commemorate its history, a new guided audio tour is available for guests to listen to as they ascend and descend the Toll Road. The upcoming season also marks the 90th year of the Mount Mansfield Ski Patrol, the country’s oldest continually operating ski patrol.
Entering its second year of operations, the Sunrise lift at Stowe Mountain Resort is a high-speed, 6-person lift providing greater reliability on windy days and offers beginner and intermediate guests better access to lower-level terrain choices. For more updates, follow Stowe Mountain Resort on Instagram and Facebook.
At Okemo, the resort continues to make final repairs following Vermont’s unfortunate historic flooding earlier this summer, with plans to be fully operational – and then some – by the winter season. Okemo’s popular restaurants, the Coleman Brook Tavern, 43° North, The Bull and more favorites plan to be open for guests to fuel up, take a break or relax after a day on the slopes or playing in the popular Family Adventure zone. For more updates, follow Okemo Mountain Resort on Instagram and Facebook.
Mount Snow is ready to fire up the east’s most powerful snowmaking system and kick off a new season stacked with events. After last year's Epic Lift Upgrades – two detachables: a 6-pack and quad – and added snowmaking, guests will enjoy easier access to more terrain. The ultimate destination for park lovers, Carinthia boasts around 200 features laid out across nine parks (100 acres), served by two lifts. At the base of Carinthia sits a 42,000-square-foot base lodge with two bars and a view of the action. There's no place like Carinthia for pure variety of freestyle terrain and features. It is the perfect place for all abilities, from the little groms to the top pros. For more updates, follow Mount Snow Resort on Instagram and Facebook.
This season, Hunter plans to light up the après scene with a full slate of après events and entertainment at the base lodge bar. The People’s Mountain will also offer a robust slate of lessons and ski-and-ride school opportunities for those looking to freshen up their skills or who are looking to learn. For more updates, follow Hunter on Instagram and Facebook.
At Attitash, the much-anticipated Mountaineer Lift makes its debut this season on the heels of last year’s upgrade to the East and West Double-Double chairs with one fixed-grip, 4-person chair. The Mountaineer is a high-speed, 4-passenger chairlift that will reduce ride time by more than half, increase uphill capacity, and improve the flow of the Attitash base area. Gone but never forgotten, Attitash will remember the Summit Triple with a slate of events this season. For more updates, follow Attitash on Instagram and Facebook.
This year, Crotched will celebrate its 60th Anniversary and Mount Sunapee will ring in 75 – and complete its South Peak revitalization project, while Wildcat promises the return of its popular Mug Club. For more Crotched updates, follow Instagram and Facebook. For more Mount Sunapee updates, follow Instagram and Facebook. For more Wildcat updates, follow Instagram and Facebook.
Across all of the Northeast resorts this year is the launch of Vail Resorts’ new Mobile Pass & Mobile Lift Ticket, which will allow guests to store their Epic Pass or lift ticket on their phone in the new My Epic app, put their phone in their pocket, and get scanned, hands-free, via Bluetooth® technology designed for low-energy usage.
SIGNATURE FALL EVENTS
Before heading into the winter season, the Northeast will be celebrating its iconic fall foliage with a series of popular events and activities.
- Hunter Mountain, NY – Oktoberfest, September 30-October 1; October 7-8; October 14-15. Oktoberfest returns to Hunter Mountain with everyone’s favorite pastimes: stein holding, Doxie Derby and more.
- Mount Snow, VT – 25th Annual Oktoberfest, October 7. Don't miss annual games such as the keg toss, yodeling contest, and stein holding at this year’s celebration, complete with German fare and the Oom-pah music you know and love.
- Okemo Mountain Resort, VT – Fall into Winter Festival, October 12. In all of its fall-foliage splendor, Okemo’s Jackson Gore courtyard will host family-friendly activities including hayrides, face painting, live music and more.
- Stowe Mountain Resort – Gondola Skyride through October 15. Fall’s color capital comes alive during autumn as vibrant colors adorn the hills and countryside. Experience nature’s colorful bounty in the #1 "Top 10 Foliage Destinations in the U.S." by TripAdvisor when you ascend Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, in the iconic red Stowe gondola.
