Epic Pass in California
Prices and access checked August 29, 2026 directly against each pass operator’s own site.
The Epic Pass covers three California resorts, all at Lake Tahoe: Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood. The full pass gives unlimited access to all three with no blackout dates, and costs $1,119 for adults. Epic has no terrain in the Eastern Sierra or Southern California — if you ski Mammoth or Big Bear, Epic is the wrong pass.
The cheapest way onto those three mountains is the Tahoe Local Pass at $699, which covers the same resorts with restricted peak dates.
What the Epic Pass covers in California
Vail Resorts owns three California resorts outright, and all three sit in the Tahoe basin within about an hour of each other. That geographic concentration is the whole argument for and against Epic in California: if you ski Tahoe it is excellent value, and if you ski anywhere else in the state it is worth nothing at all.
Heavenly
South Lake Tahoe. 4,800 acres, 3,500 feet of vertical — the biggest vertical drop in California. Straddles the Nevada state line.
Access: unlimited, no blackouts on the full pass.
Northstar
Truckee. 3,170 acres, 2,280 feet. The most sheltered Tahoe resort on a storm day, and the most family-oriented of the three.
Access: unlimited, no blackouts on the full pass.
Kirkwood
Highway 88, south of the lake. 2,300 acres, 2,000 feet, and the highest base in Tahoe at 7,800 feet. The steepest lift-served terrain of the three by a wide margin.
Access: unlimited, no blackouts on the full pass.
Not sure where these mountains actually are? All 28 California ski areas are plotted on the California ski resort map.
Epic Pass prices for 2026-27
Every figure below was read off epicpass.com on August 29, 2026. Vail escalates prices on published deadlines, so treat these as a snapshot rather than a fixed number.
| Pass | Age band | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Epic Pass | Adult 31+ | $1,119 |
| Epic Pass | Young Adult 18-30 | $889 |
| Epic Pass | Teen 13-17 | $889 |
| Epic Pass | Child 5-12 | $569 |
| Epic Local Pass | Adult 31+ | $829 |
| Epic Local Pass | Young Adult 18-30 | $659 |
| Epic Local Pass | Teen 13-17 | $659 |
| Epic Local Pass | Child 5-12 | $435 |
| Tahoe Local Pass | Adult 19+ | $699 |
| Tahoe Local Pass | Teen 13-18 | $566 |
| Tahoe Local Pass | Child 5-12 | $349 |
New for 2026-27: Vail introduced a 20% discount for ages 13 to 30 across pass types. That is why the teen and young-adult prices are identical, and it makes Epic unusually competitive for anyone under 31 — $889 for unlimited access to three Tahoe resorts is the best value in this comparison for that age group.
Which Epic tier makes sense
Tahoe Local, $699 — the right pass for most Californians
If you drive to Tahoe and never fly anywhere to ski, the extra $420 for the full Epic Pass buys you access to Colorado and Utah resorts you will not visit. Tahoe Local covers the same three California mountains. The trade is restricted peak dates — but pass holders can still buy half-price lift tickets on those days.
Full Epic Pass, $1,119 — worth it if you take a destination trip
One week at Vail, Park City or Whistler on top of your Tahoe season, and the full pass pays for itself. It is also the only tier with zero blackout dates anywhere.
Skip Epic entirely if you ski south of Tahoe
Mammoth, June, Big Bear, Snow Valley, Bear Valley, Dodge Ridge, China Peak and Mountain High are all on other passes. For Southern California in particular, Epic offers nothing within a day’s drive.
Epic vs Ikon for a California skier
The two passes split Tahoe almost cleanly down the middle, which makes the decision unusually simple: pick the pass that covers the drive you already make.
| If you ski… | Pass | Why |
|---|---|---|
| South Lake Tahoe | Epic | Heavenly and Kirkwood are both Epic; nothing on Ikon is close to the South Shore. |
| Truckee / I-80 corridor | Epic or Ikon | Northstar is Epic, Palisades Tahoe is Ikon. Genuinely a toss-up — decide on terrain. |
| Eastern Sierra (Mammoth, June) | Ikon | Epic has nothing on US-395. |
| Southern California | Ikon | Big Bear and Snow Valley are Ikon. Epic has no SoCal terrain at all. |
| Central Sierra (Highway 4, 108, 168) | Cali Pass | Neither Epic nor Ikon covers Bear Valley, Dodge Ridge or China Peak. |
A fuller side-by-side of every pass sold in California is on the California ski pass comparison, and the Ikon Pass guide covers the other half of this decision.
Epic Pass in California — frequently asked questions
Which California resorts does the Epic Pass cover?
Three, all in the Lake Tahoe basin: Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood. The full Epic Pass gives unlimited access to all three with no blackout dates. Epic has no California terrain outside Tahoe — nothing in the Eastern Sierra and nothing in Southern California.
How much does the Epic Pass cost for 2026-27?
As of August 29, 2026 the full Epic Pass is $1,119 for adults 31 and over, $889 for ages 13 to 30, and $569 for children 5 to 12. Epic Local is $829 adult. The Tahoe Local Pass, which covers only the three Tahoe resorts, is $699. Prices rise on September 7, 2026.
Is Epic or Ikon better for California?
It depends entirely on which side of Tahoe you ski. Epic owns the South Shore and the Truckee side — Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood. Ikon owns the West Shore and everything south — Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth, June, and the Big Bear resorts near Los Angeles. If you live in Southern California, Ikon is the only one of the two with terrain near you. If Kirkwood's steeps are what you want, only Epic has them.
What is the difference between Epic Pass, Epic Local and Tahoe Local?
Epic Pass is unlimited everywhere with no blackouts. Epic Local is cheaper but holiday-restricted, and limits days at some destination resorts. Tahoe Local is the cheapest at $699 and covers only Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood, with restricted peak dates — though pass holders can buy half-price lift tickets on those restricted days.
When do Epic Pass prices go up?
September 7, 2026 is the next increase, confirmed by a countdown banner on epicpass.com. Vail typically runs further increases in October and November, with sales closing in early December.
Is the Epic Pass worth it if I only ski a few days?
Rarely. At $1,119, the full Epic Pass needs roughly 7 to 9 days at Tahoe window rates to break even. If you expect fewer than about 6 days, Tahoe Local at $699, or simply buying discounted lift tickets in advance, usually costs less. The Epic Day Pass, priced by the number of days you choose, is the honest option for occasional skiers.
Once you have picked a pass
Find the mountains it covers, then somewhere to sleep near them.
California ski resort mapWhere to staySnow chainsGear guidesSnoCal is not affiliated with, and earns no commission from, any ski pass operator — none of them run affiliate programs. We do earn a commission on lodging and gear booked through links elsewhere on this site. Pass prices change on published deadlines; the figures above were verified on August 29, 2026 and are worth re-checking before you buy.