Oceania Cruises is offering an amazing new world cruise itinerary — and this one is currently the cruise industry's longest.
05.03.2025 - 15:09 / cntraveler.com
If you’re like me and your March travel plans revolve around spring skiing, don’t let chasing powder distract you from nabbing next year’s season pass while prices remain low.
For traveling skiers and snowboarders, a multi-resort pass is more affordable than purchasing daily lift tickets, which can, on average, cost over $200 each at major US mountains. There are four main pass products, of which the first two are the largest: Epic Pass, Ikon Pass, Indy Pass, and Mountain Collective. Passes like these unlock access to dozens of ski mountains in the US, and some have even partnered up with international resorts in Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Chile. Deciding which one is best for you depends on how frequently you plan on skiing, and where.
As pass companies continue to expand their global portfolio, a frequent skier’s pass brand has almost become like a frequent flier’s airline loyalty program—it can determine the destinations you travel to, and for how much. I've used the Ikon and Epic Passes to ski for the past four years; here's what to know about the 2025-2026 Epic Pass.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publication date.
The cheapest time to buy a season ski pass is in March, when the early bird prices are first announced. Starting March 4, 2025 the 2025-2026 Epic Pass is on sale for $1051, a $69 increase from last year. With the price tag cresting $1,000 for the first time ever, the sticker shock is real—but the cost will only go up from here on out. Epic Pass typically bumps its prices two to three times before sales end in early December.
The full Epic Pass unlocks unlimited and unrestricted access to 42 resorts including Vail Mountain, Whistler, Park City, and Breckenridge. By comparison, a single day pass at Park City currently costs $289. In addition to covering your own lift tickets, the Epic Pass also provides up to 10 discounted “buddy tickets” (up to 45% off), 6 “ski with a friend tickets” (discounts vary by resort), and a 20% discount on food and equipment rentals at the resort.
There are several different tiered options for skiers to customize their Epic Pass. To decide which product is worth your money, first figure out which mountains you plan to visit next year, and then count up how many days you usually ski, and if you plan to ski on any holidays included in the restricted black-out dates.
For a slightly less expensive $783, the Epic Local Pass provides unlimited access to 29 mountains in the US and 10 days total to use at Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek, and Whistler Blackcomb. However, Local Pass holders must adhere to a list of blackout dates around peak holidays such as Christmas and New Year's.
Ski the East enthusiasts may opt
Oceania Cruises is offering an amazing new world cruise itinerary — and this one is currently the cruise industry's longest.
To properly get up close and personal with America’s public lands, which cover roughly 840 million acres, you’ve got to pitch a tent, unroll your sleeping bag, and camp. Whether you’re looking for the high desert mesas of Zion National Park or hoping to backpack across California’s Sierra Nevada, there’s a hearty list of gear you’ll need to stay cozy and comfy in the great outdoors.
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder accused of running a global drug trafficking ring and orchestrating multiple murders has been added to the FBI's most wanted list.
The best weekend getaways in the US are as rejuvenating as the most languid vacations spent abroad. You really don't have to go far or dedicate overly long stretches of time on your calendar to tick those boxes off your bucket list. The nation has handsome mountain ranges and beautiful beaches, historic landmarks and vibrantly diverse cities, Michelin-starred restaurants and secret holes-in-the-wall you'll want to keep all to yourself, all just steps away from any given corner. You just have to know where to look.
American Airlines is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision that spelled the end of its Northeast Alliance with JetBlue.
When people think of St. Patrick’s Day parades in the United States, places like New York City, Boston, or Chicago usually come to mind. And while New York City has the largest and oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the country (it was established in 1762), the second largest belongs to a city much smaller in size: Savannah.
A couple of jolts and bumps during a flight is expected, but certain routes have more than their fair share of stomach-dropping turbulence. A study from turbulence tracking company Turbli, reviewed turbulence forecast data from NOAA and the UK Met Office, to identify the most unstable flight routes in the world.
With the Oscars taking place this weekend, the real scene-stealers are not just the actors and directors. Stunning landmarks all around the world also bring their movie magic to life.
American Airlines has announced that it is taking a step forward in its customer experience by exploring the expansion of its in-flight connectivity. The airline will be testing the new service on three routes: Charlotte (CLT) to Raleigh Durham (RDU), Charlotte (CLT) to Jacksonville (JAX), and Miami (MIA) to Chicago O'Hare (ORD).
When Volodymyr Zelenskyy exited his vehicle in Washington on Friday, he was greeted by Donald Trump with a handshake and a "You're all dressed up today". It was the first of several comments that Zelenskyy would receive on his style of dress that day, which ended in an aggressive questioning of his choices.
February may be the shortest month, but this one was certainly jam-packed with hotel news.
A mid-flight tragedy is raising questions about the protocols for when someone dies on an airplane. On a recent Qatar Airways flight, a person tragically died and was placed next to another pair of passengers. Jennifer Colin and Mitchell Ring say they were on an hours-long flight when a woman became ill and collapsed to the ground near their row of seats, Nine.com.au reports. «Unfortunately, the lady couldn't be saved, which was pretty heartbreaking to watch,» Ring told the Australian outlet. «They tried to wheel her up towards business class, but she was quite a large lady and they couldn't get her through the aisle.” The crew reportedly asked them to move over one seat, and placed the deceased person in their original seat, despite the other seats being unoccupied. The passengers said the crew placed blankets over the body, and recalled seeing medical staff pull back the blankets upon landing. Qatar Airways reviewed the events internally, and determined that all protocols were followed. “Passengers were accommodated to other seats, and a crew member was sitting at all times with the deceased passenger for the duration of the flight until landing in Doha,” a spokesperson for Qatar Airways told Travel + Leisure. “We have been in direct contact with the family of the deceased as well as other passengers who were directly affected by this difficult situation and have offered emotional support and compensation.» The airline added that the tragedy is an unfortunate reality of unexpected deaths occurring on aircraft, and their crew is trained to deal with these situations with respect and dignity.