Skiing and snowboarding has long been perceived an elitist sport for good reason. It’s not the cheapest of sports and it takes annual effort to improve to the point of pure enjoyment. By the time you’re hooked, you’re handing over dollars like they’re drink tokens at a sold-out festival—gone before the first chorus hits. But boy, what a chorus!
Getting your non-skiing and riding mates over the holiday line so they can get as hooked as you is tough, but Vail Resorts new Epic Beginner Bundle for the 2026 Australian ski season may help.
The new ski school product is designed to help adult learners become lifelong skiers and boarders. The bundled pass offers three flexible days of beginner lift access, lessons and equipment rentals for AUD$499 at Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham.
This works out at AUD$167 a day (that’s over 60% off full peak season price) and theoretically you could also do a day at each of the Vail Resorts Australia resorts or three consecutive days at one, or one day one weekend and two days the next.
The Epic Beginner Bundle also unlocks in-season benefits, including additional lift tickets at a discounted rate and 20% off lessons and rentals all winter long — making it easier to return during the same season, progress skills and explore new terrain. Additional benefits include 15% off select dining, retail and lodging.
“We created the Epic Beginner Bundle to make it easy for adults to learn how to ski or snowboard and set them up for future success,” said Nathan Butterworth, General Manager of Perisher Resort.
“We’ve seen that three days on the slopes with expert instruction is often the moment it clicks — when guests build confidence and start to fall in love with the sport. By combining lift access, lessons and rentals into one bookable experience at an accessible price, our goal is to make it easier to say ‘yes’ to learning something new and provide benefits that make it easier to keep coming back for years to come.”
The pass comes off the back of the Epic Australia 4-Day Pass launched last season to help make skiing and snowboarding more financially viable for those who love it already. Those who purchase an Epic Beginner Bundle also have 20% off an Epic Australia 4-Day Pass in 2027 to keep the love alive or 20% off a 2027 Epic Australia Pass (provided they did not hold a 2026 Epic Australia Pass).
The Epic Beginner Bundle has limited availability, and once purchased, guests log into their account to reserve beginner lift access, group lessons and equipment rentals at their chosen resort. Reservations are required for each of the three days. While there are no blackout dates, availability may be limited on peak days, so planning ahead is recommended.
