Quick Out-and-Back to CO [Update]

Many of you helped me with my initial pitch to my better half on a trip out west this defember

Well, it worked and we’ve booked flights and hotels for mid December. And she actually wanted to stay longer than the quick out and back that I originally proposed

Now, I’m looking into lift tickets. I see there are two options:

1. Regular Lift Ticket - disgustingly expensive but whatever…
2. Epic Pass - not that bad, but what is the catch? Do you need to be an annual pass holder or is it just a bonus for pre-paying—no strings attached?

FWIW we’d like to split our time between Beaver Creek and Vail.

On an unrelated note, we’ve reserved a free day. Any suggestions on things to drive to see in the area in the middle of December? It is my wife’s first time out west (she’s not from the US) so we wanted to do a bit of sightseeing

Thanks!