After closing on what is being considered as the biggest ski resort acquisition in the history of the sport, Vail Resorts is now offering its Epic Pass holders limited access to Whistler Blackcomb for the 2016-2017 ski season.
Related: M.A.X. Pass Adds 6 New Resorts Including Kicking Horse, Fernie, And Mont-Sainte-Anne
At first, Vail Resorts executives said that Epic Pass holders would not have access to Whistler Blackcomb until the 2017/2018 season but after numerous discussions between Whistler and Vail Resorts, the two have come to a mutually beneficial agreement.
Whistler Blackcomb Is EPIC!
- 2016-17 Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass holders will receive five complimentary days at Whistler Blackcomb for this winter
- All 2016-17 Whistler Blackcomb Unlimited season pass holders will also receive five complimentary days at any of Vail Resorts’ U.S. mountain resorts this winter
- The full season pass line-up with Whistler Blackcomb for the 2017-18 winter season will be announced in March 2017
The deal signifies a sea change for North American resorts, whose national boundaries left Canadians and American ski resorts relying on their own citizens for pass sales.
“We’re thrilled to officially welcome Whistler Blackcomb to our collection of world-class mountain resorts and to be able to offer our Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass holders five ski days at Whistler Blackcomb for this 2016-17 winter season” – Kirsten Lynch, Vail Resorts Chief Marketing Officer
Along with Vail’s Whistler Blackcomb addition, the M.A.X. Pass has also added Canadian ski areas to their pass offerings. The result– a homogenous North American ski industry that shares skiers, snowboarders, and pass sales.
Find the entire press release here: Whistler Blackcomb Resort is Now Epic for the 2016-17 Winter Season