Uber Ski Hits 40 Resorts: Convenience for Stowe Trips, But Drivers May Bail
An explainer on the new Uber Ski service and its partnership with Vail Resorts
On November 13, 2025, Uber announced a new seasonal service called “Uber Ski” in partnership with Vail Resorts, operator of the Epic Pass system. The service promises to provide “peace of mind” and “reliable” transportation to ski resorts across 40 mountains in the United States and Europe, including Stowe Mountain Resort here in Vermont.
For Vermont skiers eyeing those powder days at Stowe, the announcement raises important questions: Is this service actually reliable? How much will it cost? And how does it compare to existing transportation options?
What Is Uber Ski?
Uber Ski is a specialized booking option within the regular Uber app. According to the company’s announcement, users can request “a vehicle that’s large enough to accommodate up to four people with everyone’s equipment.” The service operates through Uber’s “Reserve” system, which allows customers to book rides in advance rather than requesting them on-demand.
The service provides access to larger vehicles—specifically UberXL for up to 2 guests with gear or UberXXL for up to 4 guests with gear. In the United States, these vehicles promise “larger trunk space” for equipment, though Uber has not guaranteed that all vehicles will have roof racks. The European version of Uber Ski, by contrast, explicitly states that “all vehicles come equipped with ski and snowboard racks.”
The partnership with Vail Resorts allows users to purchase Epic Passes directly through the Uber app, which Uber describes as making trip planning “easier than ever.”
The Reliability Question: How Uber Reserve Actually Works
User experiences with Uber Reserve for mountain travel have been mixed. One Reddit user reported that drivers were “never assigned” for reserved trips, “not even 10 minutes before I had to leave.” In mountain communities like Crested Butte, Colorado, users describe the service as unreliable, with drivers “never showing” for pre-dawn airport runs, forcing last-minute scrambles for alternative transportation.
The Cost: A Multi-Layered Pricing Structure
Uber’s announcement does not mention pricing. However, the service’s cost structure includes multiple premium charges:
Base Fare: Uber Ski uses UberXL and UberXXL vehicles, which are the most expensive standard categories. An UberX from Denver Airport to Vail is estimated at $171, meaning XL and XXL fares would be substantially higher.
Reserve Premium: Uber Reserve trips include a “reservation fee” that compensates drivers for guaranteed availability and potential wait time.
Ski Surcharge: While Uber hasn’t disclosed specifics, Lyft’s comparable “Ski Rack” service charges an $8 surcharge for gear-capable vehicles. A similar fee for Uber Ski is likely.
The combined cost makes Uber Ski one of the more expensive transportation options available to skiers.
Stowe-Specific Alternatives
For Vermont residents heading to Stowe Mountain Resort, several transportation options already exist:
The Mountain Road Shuttle
Stowe’s Mountain Road Shuttle is a free public service running between Stowe village and the resort. The shuttle operates every 20-30 minutes during peak periods and is specifically designed to accommodate skiers and their equipment. The service is promoted as a way to “avoid Stowe Mountain Resort parking fees.”
For travelers staying in Stowe and heading to the mountain, this free shuttle represents a no-cost alternative to Uber Ski for intra-town transportation.
Uber Availability in Stowe
It’s worth noting that Uber operates in Stowe, but availability can be limited, particularly during early morning hours or in adverse weather conditions. The small driver pool in a town of Stowe’s size may make the Uber Reserve system’s reliability challenges even more pronounced.
The Vail Partnership: What It Means
The partnership between Uber and Vail Resorts allows customers to purchase Epic Passes through the Uber app. However, this integration doesn’t appear to offer exclusive benefits to Uber users.
The “up to 65% off” promotion mentioned in Uber’s announcement refers to standard early-purchase discounts for Epic Day Passes available to all buyers. The “exclusive discounts” on food, lodging, and lessons are part of the Epic Mountain Rewards program, available to all Epic Pass holders regardless of where they purchase their pass.
What the Research Shows
The analysis of Uber Ski reveals several key points:
Service Design: The U.S. version promises “larger vehicles” but doesn’t guarantee roof racks or specialized equipment, unlike the European version or competitor Lyft’s offering.
Reliability Concerns: The Uber Reserve platform’s dependence on gig-economy drivers accepting trips creates structural vulnerability for long-distance, remote-destination travel.
Pricing Structure: Multiple premium fees make Uber Ski among the most expensive transportation options, though Uber hasn’t disclosed exact pricing.
Existing Alternatives: Free public shuttles (in Stowe and other resorts), professional shuttle services, and competitor Lyft all provide alternatives, some at lower cost or with more reliability guarantees.
Partnership Benefits: The Vail integration offers convenience but no exclusive discounts or benefits beyond what’s available to all Epic Pass purchasers.
What Happens Next
Uber Ski will operate throughout the 2025-2026 winter season at 40 mountain resorts. Vermont skiers heading to Stowe can access the service through the regular Uber app’s new booking option.
Whether the service gains traction will depend on several factors: actual pricing once disclosed, driver availability in mountain markets, customer experiences with reliability, and competition from both established shuttle services and Lyft’s existing ski service.
For Stowe-area residents and visitors, the key question is whether Uber Ski’s app-based convenience justifies its premium pricing over free public shuttles for local trips, or whether its flexibility offers enough value over scheduled professional shuttles for longer journeys.
Epic Passes for the 2025-2026 season remain available through December 2025, with standard early-purchase discounts applying regardless of purchase channel. Vermont skiers planning trips to Stowe or other Epic Pass resorts now have another transportation option to consider—though whether it proves the “best way to get to the slopes” will ultimately depend on individual circumstances and priorities.