How College Students Can Hit Northeast Slopes Without Going Broke
All Images Courtesy of Vail Resorts
College Students in the Northeast with dreams of fresh powder, après-ski snacks, and Instagram-worthy mountain selfies listen up. Even though your wallet might be crying right now, skiing doesn’t have to drain your entire bank account. Enter the Northeast Value College Pass and Epic Friend Tickets. Together, these are your ticket to hitting some of the best mountains in the region without selling your soul (or your textbooks) to pay for lift tickets.
Why College Students Should Care About the Northeast Value College Pass
The Northeast Value College Pass is basically the student budget hero of the ski world. For $471, you get:
- Unlimited access to Mount Sunapee, Attitash, Wildcat, and Crotched, even on peak days.
- Access to bigger-name resorts like Okemo, Stowe, Hunter, and Mount Snow (with some restrictions).
- Epic pre-season savings that beat single-day lift tickets—perfect for the broke-but-passionate skier.
Think of it as your all-access pass to winter fun without having to live on Ramen for a semester (even though you probably will anyway). Plus, buying before October 8 locks in major pre-season savings, which is perfect if your semester budget already went entirely to late-night pizza and morning coffee.
Epic Friend Tickets: Because Sharing is Caring (and Cheap)
New for the 2025/26 season, Epic Friend Tickets let you bring friends along for 50% off lift ticket prices at 37 North American resorts.
Here’s the kicker: one Epic Friend Ticket can count toward next year’s Epic Pass, essentially giving you a discount on future skiing. So not only are you saving money now, you’re already investing in your future. Your economics teacher would be proud.
Eligible Epic Pass holders get:
- 10 Friend Tickets if purchased before April 14
- 6 Friend Tickets if purchased after April 14
This is perfect for college groups. Who doesn’t want to hang with friends on the slopes without being broke by lunch?
How College Students Can Maximize Savings
- Buy early: Pre-season passes and tickets save the most.
- Bring your friends: Epic Friend Tickets = half-price lift tickets and future pass credit.
- Plan for multiple resorts: The Northeast Value Pass covers a variety of mountains—try them all for a “budget ski tour” experience.
- Check for events: Fall festivals are free (or cheap) ways to enjoy the mountains before the snow flies.
From Campus to Chairlift: Make Winter Count
Skiing in the Northeast doesn’t have to be a rich-kid-only activity. With the Northeast Value Pass and Epic Friend Tickets, college students can hit the slopes, have fun with friends, and keep some cash for those 2 for 1 specials at the bar. Snow season is coming—are you ready to shred without the financial wipeout?
About the Author
Rich Stoner is the founder of the après-ski lifestyle clothing and media brand, All About Après. He is also the co-host of the Après All Day Podcast. No stranger to the ski and après-ski scene, Rich has been a long time contributor for many publications on topics like skiing, travel, gear, beer and food. However, his passion is on the slopes and enjoying good times with good people. You can find him perfecting his craft carving turns and drinking beers in the Green Mountains of Vermont. @allaboutapres
Leave a Reply