"An out-of-state company try to sneak one in." That was Gov. Kelly Ayotte this spring, explaining why New Hampshire would not let Vail Resorts charge Granite State skiers a sales tax in a state that doesn't have one, according to NHPR.
Attitash's pass prices go up this Sunday, Nov. 15. If you're about to buy or renew, the most useful thing to know is where that tax actually comes from. It doesn't come from Attitash. It comes from the out-of-state resorts bundled into your pass, and dropping those resorts is the only way to drop the tax.
Where the 3.2% Comes From
Earlier this year, Vail started adding what it calls a "blended sales tax" to its multi-resort passes, an extra 3.2% on top of the price. NHPR reported that these passes give skiers access to resorts in several states, including Colorado, Utah and Vermont. On April 27, Ayotte announced that the state Attorney General's office had opened an investigation into the charge.
Vail lays out its reasoning on its own request form. The company says it doesn't charge sales or admissions taxes on lift access at its four New Hampshire resorts: Attitash, Wildcat, Mount Sunapee and Crotched. Because Epic products also cover resorts in other states and local jurisdictions, though, "many of which impose taxes on the purchaser of lift access," Vail says it has to collect those taxes "even if a guest plans to ski only in New Hampshire."
So for a skier on Route 302, the tax comes with the out-of-state access. Five days after the investigation began, Vail said it would let pass holders limit their access to the four New Hampshire resorts and skip the tax. In a statement quoted by NHPR, the company said:
"We understand the concerns raised by Governor Ayotte and appreciate the feedback from the New Hampshire community."
What a New Hampshire-Only Pass Keeps and What It Drops
The option covers four products: the Northeast Value Pass, the Northeast Midweek Pass, the Epic Military Pass and the local-resort tier of the Epic Day Pass. Vail also says New Hampshire-only child products will be available. Most Bartlett skiers will be comparing two versions of the Northeast Value Pass:
| Standard Northeast Value Pass | New Hampshire-only version | |
|---|---|---|
| Attitash, Wildcat, Mount Sunapee, Crotched | Included | Included |
| Okemo, Mount Snow, Hunter Mountain | Included, except Restricted Peak Dates | Not included |
| Stowe | 10 days total, not on peak dates | Not included |
| 3.2% blended tax | Charged | Not charged |
| The pass's other out-of-state resorts in 2026/27 | Included under the pass terms | Need a separate ticket or pass |
As of early November 2026, epicpass.com lists the Northeast Value Pass at $704 for adults and $529 for teens and seniors. At 3.2%, the adult price carries about $22.50 in tax. The Northeast Midweek Pass is listed at $529 for adults and $400 for seniors, which works out to about $17 and $13 in tax. Those figures cover one pass. A household buying several passes adds them up.
That makes the trade easy to state. Going New Hampshire-only saves a little over $20 on an adult Value Pass. The cost is ten Stowe days, plus Okemo, Mount Snow and Hunter outside their restricted dates. If those Vermont and New York days are worth more to your household than the tax, the standard pass is the one that pays for itself.
The Checkout Page Doesn't Offer It
You won't find a New Hampshire-only button on the regular purchase page. Vail handles it through a separate request form, the same link NHPR published in May. Here's how the form works:
- Pick whether you want to buy an eligible pass with New Hampshire-only access and no tax, or whether you already bought one and want the tax refunded and your access changed.
- Enter your contact details. If you already own the pass, you can add your confirmation number, which is optional, and list family members on the same request.
- Submit, and wait. Vail says its team "will review your request and follow up with next steps."
Step three is the one that matters this week. When you fill out the form, you are asking Vail to follow up with you. The pass isn't issued on the spot. The form also doesn't give a timeline for refunds.
Nov. 15 Is a Price Date, Not a Form Deadline
The Nov. 15 date on Attitash's pass page is when prices go up. Vail's tax-free form doesn't list a cutoff of any kind. If you've already bought your pass, the refund request runs on its own timeline. If you're buying now, though, the price increase and the form's review step are both in play at the same moment, and the form doesn't promise to finish before Sunday.
At the state level, the last public word came in May. Ayotte said she was pleased with Vail's announcement, and NHPR quoted her saying, "The state will continue its investigation and also ensure any Granite Staters charged a sales tax can be refunded, and that Vail's tax-free passes are easily accessible." NHPR's April 28 report on the investigation listed a lower Value Pass price than today's $704, so pass prices have changed since that story ran.
What Attitash Is Doing to Keep Your Winter Here
Whether a New Hampshire-only pass works for you comes down to how much of your season you'll spend at Bear Peak and Attitash. Several of this winter's changes affect that.
Snowmaking on the Saco trail. According to NH Living's 2026-27 roundup, Attitash spent the off-season replacing key snowmaking pipelines around the mountain and adding new low-energy snow guns on the Saco trail. Pipe and guns are the equipment that decides how much terrain is open early in the season and after a thaw. Those are exactly the weeks when a skier with Vermont access might otherwise drive west.
A general manager who came up through Attitash's mountain operations. Vail named Deirdre Riley general manager of Attitash and Wildcat, starting Sept. 7, SAM reported. Before leading Crotched Mountain for two seasons, Riley was Attitash's senior mountain operations manager. Both mountains a Bartlett skier would keep on a New Hampshire-only pass now report to the same GM.
Limited lift tickets and early access for pass holders. Attitash's site says lift tickets "will be limited" this season and recommends buying ahead. It also lists early access on select days for pass holders, plus discounts on food, lessons and rentals. If ticket windows sell out on busy Saturdays, being a pass holder matters more than which other resorts your pass covers.
Pricing for younger skiers. The site is also advertising 20% off passes for adults 30 and under, along with new pricing for ages 13 to 17 on the Epic Pass. If your household includes skiers in either group, compare those prices first. Then decide which access tier to request.
Epic Friend Tickets are worth knowing about too. Attitash says passes come with five of them, good for up to 50% off a friend's lift access, though the Epic Day Pass is excluded. According to Epic's terms, friend tickets can be used at Vail resorts your pass doesn't cover. Vail's form doesn't say whether New Hampshire-only versions include them, so ask about that when Vail follows up on your request.
This post is general information about published pass terms and a state investigation. It isn't tax or financial advice, so confirm your own situation with Vail Resorts or a qualified professional.
Where your winter happens shapes where a second home makes sense. If you're thinking about a place close to the lifts at Attitash, Pinkham Real Estate can walk you through the Bartlett options that put the Saco trail a short drive from your door. Contact our team to start your Mount Washington Valley search.