My opinion of Vail/epic pass has changed.  After boycotting Whitetail for the past few years when they did away with the 4 hour flex pass.  You can buy a northeast 1 day pass for $51.  Not quite as good as when they had the Advantage Card and you could ski at night for about $40.  If you're willing to buy a couple of days it gets even cheaper.  Yes, you have to buy it ahead of time before Dec 4th.  And yes night skiing only goes to 9:00 PM.   But still it makes it pretty affordable.