The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Lots of possibilities likely
By Mark Reaman
One of the issues not talked about immediately with the anticipated sale of Crested Butte Mountain Resort to Vail Resorts was the season pass structure. Basically for the first season, there will be a lot of options for pass holders.
“If the transition happens this summer as anticipated, Vail will honor Crested Butte season passes that have been purchased or will be purchased this summer,” explained Vail Resorts corporate communications vice president Carol Fabrizio. “They will be good at Crested Butte but not at other Vail Resorts properties.”
There will be several options if season pass holders want to upgrade. According to Fabrizio, “If you bought a Crested Butte pass before the announcement day of June 4 and then later wish to exchange it for an Epic Pass product once the deal closes, you will be eligible for a limited time to buy an Epic Pass at the same price that was available on June 4.”
There are a half dozen Epic Pass options that will include Crested Butte. They include the Epic Pass, the Epic Local Pass, the Epic 7-Day Pass, the Epic 4-Day Pass, the Epic Australia Pass and the Military Epic Pass. Each of those includes access to some of the other Vail Resorts partners along with Crested Butte.
The Epic Pass obviously allows the most access around the world. The Epic Local looks like it will act as a season pass for several resorts including Crested Butte and has various limited access to some other resorts including Whistler Blackcomb, Park City, Heavenly, Vail and Hakuba Valley, Japan.
According to Vail’s Epic Pass website, if you have a season pass for Crested Butte, “You can keep your pass with the same benefits for the 2018/19 season only. Season pass products for the 2019/20 ski season will be announced at a later date.”
The website states, “Exact pass card requirements and process will be released after the close of the acquisitions.” Season passes for Crested Butte are still for sale and can be purchased online or at the ticket office in Mt. Crested Butte.
According to the website, Epic Pass products are non-transferable and non-refundable. Season pass refunds are available only when a guest purchases season pass insurance and has a valid claim under the policy. Any refund would be pro-rata based on the number of days into the season.
An Epic Pass currently costs $899. The Epic Local is $669. A Crested Butte Mountain Resort Peak Plus Pass goes for $929 right now, while a Peak Pass is $729.
The tie-in with the Epic Pass products for Crested Butte is contingent upon the closing of the CBMR sale. Epic Passes are not yet available for sale at the CBMR lift ticket office. More information and pricing can be obtained at epicpass.com.
