Last month, on February 21, Vail Resorts announced its acquisition of Stowe Mountain Resort, which is widely considered to be one of the best ski resorts in the East. The acquisition of Stowe marks the company’s first ski resort on the East Coast. For northeastern skiers, this move will make skiing at Stowe and out West considerably cheaper.
Since the Stowe season pass will be the Epic Pass for the 2017-18 winter, season passholders will see their pass price drop from $1,850 to $859 or cheaper, depending on which Epic Pass product they choose. The Epic Local Pass (for $639) will be offered, and includes unlimited skiing at some resorts and 10 days of skiing or riding at Stowe, with some holiday rate restrictions. For the skier who spends a least a weekend or two or Stowe and then takes a trip or two out West to one of the many world-class resorts offered under the Epic Pass, they’re going to see big savings. The Epic Pass pays for itself in as little as five days. If booked in the next couple weeks, Stowe skiers and riders will be paying less than half of what they did this season for their 2017-18 pass.