Is Winter About to Show Off? Vail Resorts Announces 2026/27 Opening Dates as Super El Niño Builds Anticipation for Great Powder
Rhea-AI Summary
Vail Resorts (NYSE: MTN) announced planned opening dates for its North American resorts for the 2026/27 winter season, led by Keystone targeting “as soon as possible” in October, followed by Breckenridge on November 6, Vail Mountain on November 13, Whistler Blackcomb and several U.S. resorts on November 20, and additional openings into early December, all weather-dependent.
According to Vail Resorts, Epic Pass prices are at their lowest fall rate until September 7, with 2026/27 pricing starting at $1,119 for adults on the Epic Pass, $829 on Epic Local, and discounted young adult (13–30) rates 20% below adult pricing. Guests who skied any of the company’s 37 North American resorts in 2025/26 can save up to $175 on select passes, and new Epic Pass or Epic Local buyers receive five Epic Friend Tickets offering 50% off adult lift tickets. The company also highlighted its Epic Experience growth strategy, including new food investments, the Epic Ascent concierge lesson offering, an expanded events calendar, and more than $100 million invested in snowmaking since 2015.
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News Explained
Eligible buyers of an Epic Pass or Epic Local Pass receive five Epic Friend Tickets, offering
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 30 | Board appointment | Positive | -2.3% | William Hornbuckle joined the board, expanding hospitality and resort-operations experience. |
| Jul 14 | Growth strategy | Positive | -2.5% | Epic Experience outlined investments in guest services, technology, food and frontline teams. |
| Jun 8 | Earnings report | Negative | -4.3% | Lower quarterly results and reduced fiscal 2026 guidance followed weak snowfall. |
| May 15 | Earnings scheduling | Neutral | +1.8% | Fiscal third-quarter results were scheduled for release after the June 8 market close. |
| May 5 | Pass promotion | Positive | -0.3% | Epic Pass products were promoted at the lowest prices of the year through May 25. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent positive strategic and promotional announcements were followed by negative reactions, while the latest weak earnings report also aligned with a decline.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Follow the snow with Epic Pass; lowest price of the fall ends September 7
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"It may only be August, but we're laser focused on preparing our resorts to deliver the best and most differentiated guest experience in skiing and riding," said Bill Rock, President of Vail Resorts' Mountain Division. "While no one can predict exactly what Mother Nature will deliver, the possibility of blockbuster snowfall has us feeling optimistic about the winter ahead. And while we'd love to see Super El Niño live up to the hype, we're also taking an aggressive approach to snowmaking to ensure this ski season is one to remember."
From ski town coffee shops to powder-chasing group chats, the upcoming Super El Niño is sparking plenty of speculation about the snow season ahead. So as skiers and riders eagerly track preseason forecasts and pray to Ullr, the Norse god of snow, here is what you need to know:
When Will Resorts Open for the 2026/27 Winter Season?
Winter begins at Keystone, where the resort hopes to claim, for the second year in a row, its title as the first to open in
- As soon as possible in October – Keystone Resort (CO)
- November 6 –
Breckenridge (CO) - November 13 – Vail Mountain (CO)
- November 20 – Whistler Blackcomb (BC), Park City Mountain (UT), Heavenly (CA) and Northstar (CA)
- November 25 –
Beaver Creek (CO) andCrested Butte (CO) - December 4 – Kirkwood (CA) and Stevens Pass (WA)
Additional resort opening dates will be announced in the coming months. Opening dates are subject to change based on weather and conditions.
What's the Best Season Ski Pass for You?
The last chance for the lowest Pass price of the fall is September 7. Whether you're planning a handful of ski days, weekend getaways or a season spent chasing every storm, Epic Pass provides significant savings compared to lift ticket prices.
No matter what kind of skier or rider you are, there's an Epic Pass designed to fit your winter plans:
- Epic Pass: The best deal in skiing and riding, Epic Pass offers unlimited, unrestricted access to iconic destinations worldwide. Available from
$889 $1,119 $569 - Epic Local Pass: Season-long access to many of
North America's most popular mountain destinations. Available from$659 $829 $435 - Epic Day Pass: Customizable access from one to seven days, with prices starting as low as
$47 -$99 65% compared with purchasing lift tickets on the day of arrival. - Epic Military Pass: Available from
$220 $633 - Epic Adaptive Pass: Available from
$543 $279
Visit epicpass.com to compare all 2026/27 Pass options, including local and regional Passes.
How Can I Save Money on an Epic Pass?
Beyond purchasing an Epic Pass at the lowest price of the fall, there are two ways to save on a ski Pass this winter. New for the 2026/27 season, Vail Resorts introduced reduced pricing for young skiers and riders ages 13-30, offering a
Skiers and riders who visited any of Vail Resorts' 37 North American ski resorts with a lift ticket or Epic Friend Ticket during the 2025/26 season can save up to
Plus, Epic Pass Holders receive exclusive savings, including
If I'm an Epic Pass Holder, Can I Get Deals for My Friends?
A great powder day is too good to keep to yourself. There's nothing like a ski day with your favorite people, and eligible Epic Pass Holders can share the experience for less. Guests who purchase an Epic Pass or Epic Local Pass now will receive five Epic Friend Tickets, which offer
What's New This Season at the Best Ski Resorts?
Beyond world-class skiing and riding, the 2026/27 season will be packed with new ways for guests to experience the mountains across Vail Resorts' portfolio. Through its recently announced Epic Experience growth strategy, the company is rolling out a series of investments in food, lessons, gear, guest engagement and talent. Most notably, new next season, Vail Resorts will raise the bar on mountain food with a significant investment to elevate its most popular dishes, and introduce Epic Ascent to enhance private lessons with concierge services.
Guests will also find a full calendar of events across the portfolio. For instance,
Vail Resorts continues to heavily invest in best-in-class snowmaking capabilities, with more than
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts is a network of the best destination and close-to-home ski resorts in the world including Vail Mountain, Breckenridge, Park City Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Stowe, and 32 additional resorts across North America; Andermatt-Sedrun and Crans-Montana Mountain Resort in Switzerland; and Perisher, Hotham, and Falls Creek in Australia – all available on the company's industry-changing Epic Pass. We are passionate about providing an Experience of a Lifetime to our team members and guests, and our EpicPromise is to reach a zero net operating footprint by 2030, support our employees and communities, and broaden engagement in our sport. Our company owns and/or manages a collection of elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, a portfolio of vacation rentals, condominiums and branded hotels located in close proximity to our mountain destinations, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Retail operates more than 250 retail and rental locations across North America. Learn more about our company at www.VailResorts.com, or discover our resorts and Pass options at www.EpicPass.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements discussed in this press release, other than statements of historical information, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the statements regarding planned resort opening dates for the 2026/27 season; our expectations regarding weather, snowfall, and snowmaking; our expectations regarding season pass sales, products, and pricing; our expectations regarding new guest experiences, events, and initiatives, including the Epic Experience strategy; and our related investments and plans. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, risks related to a prolonged weakness in general economic conditions, including adverse effects on the overall travel and leisure related industries and our business and results of operations; unfavorable weather conditions or the impact of natural disasters or other unexpected events; the willingness or ability of our guests to travel due to terrorism, the uncertainty of military conflicts or public health emergencies, and the cost and availability of travel options and changing consumer preferences, discretionary spending habits; the seasonality of our business combined with adverse events that may occur during our peak operating periods; competition in our mountain and lodging businesses or with other recreational and leisure activities; risks related to a disruption in our water supply that would impact our snowmaking capabilities and operations; potential failure to adapt to technological developments or industry trends regarding information technology; our ability to successfully launch and promote adoption of new products, technology, services and programs; risks related to our workforce, including increased labor costs, loss of key personnel and our ability to maintain adequate staffing, including hiring and retaining a sufficient seasonal workforce; and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
All forward-looking statements attributable to us or any persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. All guidance and forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forecast or forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
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SOURCE The Vail Corporation