Vail Resorts Transforms Ski Holidays With Epic Ascent Personalised Mountain Experiences For 2026/27

Vail Resorts is launching its enhanced private lesson program this season at two of its most popular resorts in the U.S. The program focuses on using leading instruction and practices, and incorporating technology, in order to provide guests customized, luxurious experiences while enhancing support services for the 2026/2027 winter season.

The new Epic Ascent programme will be available at Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek, transforming traditional private ski and snowboard lessons into complete guided mountain experiences. Instead of focusing only on improving skills, the programme is designed to help guests enjoy an entire day on the slopes with customised planning, exclusive access benefits and personalised support before and during their visit.

The initiative reflects a wider shift in the ski tourism industry, where travellers are increasingly seeking convenience, tailored experiences and services that go beyond standard resort activities.

Epic Ascent Brings Premium Personalised Ski Experiences To Vail Mountain And Beaver Creek

Starting from the 2026/27 winter season, all private lessons at Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek will automatically become part of the Epic Ascent experience. The upgrade aims to transform a regular ski lesson into a complete mountain journey where guests receive personalised coaching combined with concierge-style holiday assistance.

The programme allows individuals, families or groups of up to six people to participate together under one booking without additional charges beyond normal private lesson pricing adjustments related to inflation.

Guests will work with experienced instructors who provide personalised guidance based on individual abilities, skiing goals and preferred terrain. Rather than following a fixed lesson structure, instructors can create flexible plans that match each visitor’s interests, whether they are beginners building confidence, families looking for shared experiences or advanced skiers wanting to explore challenging mountain areas.

The experience is designed around creating a deeper connection between travellers and the destination, allowing visitors to discover the mountains with support from professionals who understand local terrain, conditions and hidden opportunities.

New Concierge Services Add Luxury Touch To Winter Mountain Holidays

A major feature of Epic Ascent is the introduction of dedicated concierge support that helps guests organise different parts of their mountain adventure.

The concierge service can assist with planning dining arrangements, transportation coordination, equipment preparation and customised ski-day schedules. This approach allows visitors to spend less time managing logistics and more time enjoying their holiday.

One of the key additions is premium equipment assistance. Guests can arrange high-quality rental equipment with support from specialist technicians and access private fitting services designed to provide greater comfort and performance on the slopes.

For travellers seeking maximum convenience, equipment can also be delivered directly to accommodation locations, helping reduce preparation time before heading onto the mountain.

The programme also introduces greater flexibility by allowing guests to decide where and when their lesson begins. This gives visitors more control over their day while creating opportunities to combine skiing with other mountain experiences such as dining, sightseeing and après-ski activities.

Custom Ski Itineraries Designed Around Every Traveller’s Goals

Epic Ascent is built around personalised mountain planning, with recommendations designed according to different types of travellers.

Families visiting the resorts can receive guidance on suitable beginner and intermediate terrain where they can enjoy comfortable skiing together. Groups of friends can plan days that combine mountain exploration with social experiences after skiing. Experienced skiers can receive specialised coaching before exploring advanced slopes and enjoying premium mountain dining options.

The programme also supports travellers celebrating special occasions or looking for a more exclusive holiday experience. By combining instruction, planning and local expertise, Epic Ascent aims to create a smoother and more personalised approach to mountain tourism.

The launch will initially focus on Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek, with plans to expand the programme to additional mountain resorts during the 2027/28 winter season.

Digital Ski Learning Expands Across 14 Resorts With My Epic App

Alongside the launch of Epic Ascent, Vail Resorts is expanding its connected Ski & Ride School experience through the My Epic mobile application.

The digital programme, which previously operated at selected resorts, will now be available across 14 mountain destinations during the upcoming winter season. The expansion is designed to improve the learning journey for ski and snowboard guests by combining traditional instruction with digital technology.

The My Epic app experience allows visitors participating in group lessons to complete digital check-ins, receive updates during their lessons and track their progress over time.

The system creates a personalised record of each skier’s development, including lesson history, photographs, skill achievements, terrain milestones and instructor feedback.

This digital approach gives guests a clearer view of their improvement while helping them understand which skills they have developed and what areas they can continue working on during future visits.

Families Gain Better Visibility Into Children’s Ski Progress

The expanded digital Ski & Ride School experience is expected to be particularly useful for families travelling with children.

Parents can receive updates and photos from their child’s lesson experience, providing greater visibility into their day on the mountain. The system also creates a lasting record of achievements, allowing young skiers to follow their progress across different resorts.

For travellers who visit multiple mountain destinations, the connected platform provides a continuous learning history rather than treating each lesson as a separate experience.

The technology combines convenience with long-term skill development, supporting guests who want to improve gradually throughout multiple ski seasons.

The connected Ski & Ride School service will be available at Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Crested Butte, Heavenly, Hunter Mountain, Kirkwood, Mount Snow, Northstar, Okemo, Stevens Pass and Stowe.

Epic Pass Offers More Savings Ahead Of Winter 2026/27

Visitors planning to experience Epic Ascent, Ski & Ride School or other mountain activities during the 2026/27 season are being encouraged to secure their passes before upcoming price changes.

The Epic Pass programme continues to provide flexible options for different types of travellers, including frequent skiers, occasional visitors and families.

A new saving opportunity has been introduced for young adults aged between 13 and 30, who can receive discounted access through selected Epic Pass options.

Pass holders purchasing eligible products will also receive additional benefits that make it easier to travel with friends and family. These include discounted lift ticket opportunities that allow guests to invite others to enjoy mountain experiences at reduced prices.

For travellers who prefer shorter ski holidays, the Epic Day Pass provides a flexible alternative by allowing visitors to choose the number of skiing days they require.

A four-day pass option offers significant savings compared with standard lift ticket purchases, with pricing available for both adults and children.

Epic Mountain Rewards Expand Benefits Beyond The Slopes

Beyond mountain access, Epic Pass holders can also receive additional savings through the resort’s wider rewards programme.

Benefits include discounts on group lessons, equipment rentals, dining experiences, accommodation and other eligible mountain activities.

The expansion of Epic Ascent and connected Ski & Ride School highlights how ski resorts are increasingly moving beyond traditional lift access models. Modern winter travellers are looking for complete holiday experiences that combine personalised service, technology and memorable activities.

With premium instruction, concierge support and digital learning tools, Vail Resorts is positioning its winter offerings around a more connected and customised approach to mountain tourism.

As demand grows for personalised adventure travel, these new programmes represent a broader evolution in ski holidays, where convenience, expertise and unique experiences are becoming central parts of the journey.