The season pass game has begun for 2012-13, and Vail Resorts has announced that passes good for Northstar, Heavenly and Kirkwood are on sale starting March 12th. Prices are coming down and pass value is going up as Vail offers a new Tahoe Local Pass, Epic Pass and Tahoe Value Pass.

The New Tahoe Local Pass Gives Skiers and Snowboarders Access to Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood Seven Days a Week for Only $419, $80 Less than Last Season’s Epic Local Pass.

Those eager to get a jump on next season can put $49 down now and lock in the best deal for the 2012-13 winter ski and snowboard season.

HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN RESORT, Calif./Nev. – Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) ski and snowboard season passes for the 2012-2013 winter season go on sale today and feature the best prices in the industry. With the recent addition of Kirkwood Mountain Resort in the Lake Tahoe region, Vail Resorts created the new Tahoe Local Pass that gives pass holders access to more than 10,000 total skiable acres between Kirkwood, Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar California, marking the most combined terrain in Tahoe. Priced at $419, pass holders receive seven-day-per-week access to an extra resort in the Tahoe region for $80 less than last year’s comparable Epic Local Pass.

“Each of our Tahoe resorts offers a different type of skiing and riding experience and now skiers and snowboarders can have it all on one pass from Heavenly’s breathtaking scenery and Northstar’s award-winning terrain parks to Kirkwood’s high alpine steep terrain,” said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts. "And new for the 12/13 ski season we are offering The Tahoe Local Pass, providing skiing seven days a week at Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood."

Kirkwood Mountain Resort, located about 35 miles southwest of South Lake Tahoe, offers 2,300 acres of pure high alpine skiing and riding at its best with the most annual average snowfall in Lake Tahoe. Heavenly Mountain Resort combines a one-of-a-kind scenic view and unparalleled tree skiing across 4,800 acres with the non-stop nightlife atmosphere of South Lake Tahoe. On the North Shore, Northstar California features award-winning terrain parks, Lake Tahoe’s only 22-foot superpipe and an elegant base area village with unique family-friendly activities, shops and restaurants. To learn more about Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood please visit www.bestoftahoe.com

Skiers and riders who purchase the Tahoe Value Pass or the new Tahoe Local Pass before April 15, 2012 will receive an added benefit of six buddy tickets for family and friends next ski season, and anyone who purchases their pass this spring will also receive special benefits for summer 2012, including access for sightseeing and gondola rides.

All season pass holders receive exclusive offers and promotions on lodging, dining, ski rentals, equipment, ski school and special events for the 2012-2013 ski and snowboard season.

Prices listed below are only guaranteed through April 15, 2012, and Vail Resorts is giving guests the option to lock in these prices now with a $49 down-payment, with the remainder of the balance due in mid-September 2012.

For more information about Vail Resorts season passes or to purchase online, visit www.epicpass.com. All season pass products are non-transferable and non-refundable.
 
•           New for 2012-2013, the Tahoe Local Pass™ offers skiing and riding seven days a week to Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood resorts for $419. The Tahoe Local Pass includes access on Saturdays at all three Tahoe resorts with limited holiday restrictions and $50 pass holder tickets available for purchase during blackout dates. Priced $80 less than last year’s comparable Epic Local Pass, the Tahoe Local Pass pays for itself in just over four days.
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•           The Tahoe Value Pass™, available for $379, includes skiing or riding seven days a week at Heavenly and skiing or riding at Northstar and Kirkwood on Sunday-Friday, with all Saturdays blacked out. Holiday restrictions apply, but pass holders can purchase a $50 ticket to any of the three resorts on restricted dates. In less than four days of skiing or riding, the Tahoe Value Pass pays for itself.
 
•           A Kirkwood-only pass will also be announced at a later date.
 
•           The Epic Pass™, the best season pass deal in the ski industry, offers unlimited, unrestricted skiing at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Arapahoe Basin for $659. The Epic Pass pays for itself in less than six days on the mountain.
 
•           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.
 
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, injuries 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 may cancel their enrollment any time, prior to the following spring when the $49 down payment is charged. For more information, visit www.epicpass.com.