Deadline looming to purchase cheapest possible Vail Resorts season ski passes

Vail Resorts today announced that snow riders need to buy its popular ski and snowboard season passes for the 2012-2013 winter season before May 28 to lock in the lowest possible prices.

“Now's the time to buy your 2012-2013 Vail Resorts season pass. Spring benefits are only good until May 28 and with only $49 down, skiers and snowboarders are guaranteed the lowest season pass price of the season,” said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts.

“The Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Epic 7-Day, Summit Value Pass, Tahoe Local Pass and Tahoe Value Pass offer skiers and snowboarders the best value in the industry and are designed to provide our guests with the flexibility to choose the best pass option for them, as well as the opportunity to experience eight iconic resorts next ski and snowboard season.”

Following is a graph and guide to show skiers and snowboarders the value of our great season pass deals, based on where they live and how much they plan to ski and ride. All passes are available for purchase at www.epicpass.com.

* The Epic Pass™, the best season pass deal in the ski industry offering unlimited, unrestricted skiing at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Arapahoe Basin is available for $659. It pays for itself in less than six days.

* Epic 7-Day™ pays for itself in less than five days and is ideal for people who don't plan to ski more than seven days. The Epic 7-Day gives skiers and snowboarders a total of seven unrestricted days of skiing at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and Northstar, plus Arapahoe Basin anytime during the season for a price of $509.

* The Epic Local Pass™, for $509, pays for itself in less than five days and is perfect for locals who can navigate a few more restrictions. The Epic Local Pass offers unlimited and unrestricted skiing or riding at Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin with limited holiday restrictions at Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood. It also includes a total of 10 days at Vail or Beaver Creek with holiday restrictions. $50 pass holder tickets are also available for purchase during blackout dates at Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood.

* Summit Value Pass™ pays for itself in less than four days and is a great option for people who only plan to ski Summit County. TheSummit Value Pass is available for $419 and provides unlimited and unrestricted lift access to Keystone and Arapahoe Basin, as well as access to Breckenridge with limited holiday restrictions. Pass holders can purchase access to Breckenridge on restricted days for $50 per day.

* New for 2012-2013, the Tahoe Local Pass™ offers skiing and riding seven days a week to Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood resorts. It includes access on Saturdays at all three resorts with limited holidays restrictions. $50 pass holder tickets are also available for purchase during blackout dates at Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood all for $419. The Tahoe Local Pass pays for itself in just over four days.

* Tahoe Value Pass™, available for $379, pays for itself in less than four days and is ideal for people who plan to ski or ride seven days a week at Heavenly and six days a week at Northstar and Kirkwood. The Tahoe Value Pass has holiday restrictions to Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood with Saturdays excluded at Northstar and Kirkwood. Pass holders can purchase access to Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood Resorts on restricted days for $50 per day.

Skiers and riders should purchase their passes for next year now, as these prices and spring benefits are only guaranteed through May 28th, 2012. Vail Resorts is giving guests the option to lock in these prices with a $49 down payment now with the remainder of the balance due in mid-September 2012. All passes are available for purchase on www.epicpass.com.

Season Pass Insurance Option: Protect Your Pass Investment in the Event of an Unexpected Circumstance
Vail Resorts encourages its guests to purchase pass insurance. All of its pass products are non-refundable. However, pass insurance covers pass holders in the event of unexpected circumstances including sickness, injury and job loss. Pass insurance is $20 for adults and $10 for children (ages 5-12). Coverage applies for all season passes and the Epic 7-Day valid for the 2012-2013 ski and snowboard season. For more information, visit www.epicpass.com.

New This Year: Season Pass Auto Renewal Program
The Vail Resorts Season Pass Auto Renewal Program is the most convenient way to automatically renew your season pass every year, while guaranteeing next season's lowest price. Valid on all Vail Resorts season passes excluding college and certain senior passes. The program automatically charges $49 down to a credit card each spring,with the remainder charged in the fall for the same product pass holders purchased when initially enrolling in the Auto Renewal Program. Customers must opt-in to the Auto

Renewal program and they may cancel their enrollment at anytime, prior to the following spring when the $49 down payment is charged. For more information, visit www.epicpass.com.

Special Pass holder Benefits
The Epic Season Pass, Epic 7-Day, Epic Local Pass, Summit Value Pass, Tahoe Local Pass and Tahoe Value Pass purchasers will receive exclusive offers and promotions on lodging, dining, ski rentals, equipment, ski school and special events for the 2012-2013 ski and snowboard season.

Summer 2012 Benefits
Skiers and snowboarders who purchase their passes this spring will also receive special benefits for this summer 2012, including access for sightseeing and gondola rides. All season pass products are non-transferable and non-refundable.

For more information about Vail Resorts season passes or to purchase a pass online, visit www.epicpass.com.