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The 2017-2018 Epic Merchant Pass will be offered for $859
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New Pass option available for qualifying businesses
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Business owners maintain ownership of Merchant Pass unlike Epic Pass, which belongs to individuals
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Merchant Pass features one-time transfer for $100 to accommodate employee changes.
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Merchant Pass sales begin Nov. 3, 2017 in Vail and Nov. 4 in Beaver Creek and will be available throughout the season.
Vail Resorts, Vail Valley Partnership (VVP), and Vail Chamber & Business Association (VBCA) today announced details of the 2017-2018 Eagle County Merchant Pass program, which is expanding its offering to include a second pass option for qualifying local businesses, as well as now offering access to Vail Resorts’ resorts outside of Colorado, including Whistler Blackcomb, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Afton Alps, Wilmot and Mt. Brighton.
“This year, we are also offering the Epic Local Merchant Pass, which provides limited days at Vail and Beaver Creek, for those businesses that prefer a reduced number of days at the resorts in Eagle County,” said Rebecca McDonnell, Director of Product Sales and Services at Vail. “We believe this expanded program offering will provide local businesses more options, and we are excited to also provide access to the many resorts outside of Colorado.”
The expanded Merchant Pass Program now includes two options for the Merchant Pass – the Epic Merchant Pass and the Epic Local Merchant Pass. Both passes have expanded access from the original merchant pass program and offer the local community the option to ski outside of Colorado. The passes will also offer locals the ability to buy a reduced access pass at a reduced price, giving community members the options to choose between limited or full access to Vail and Beaver Creek.
The 2017-2018 Epic Merchant Pass will be offered for $859, and the Epic Local Merchant Pass will be offered for $639. The price of the pass is subject to change with sufficient notice and available for purchase all season.
The Merchant Pass program has been in existence for many years providing a compelling hiring tool for local businesses due to the wide-ranging benefits for employees and, most importantly, unlike other pass products, the pass ownership resides with the business versus an individual and features a one-time transfer for $100 to accommodate employee changes. Unlike the Epic Pass, which is owned by the pass holder and cannot be revoked or transferred by an employer regardless of who paid for it, the passes available through the Merchant Program are owned by the “merchant” or business and in the event that an employee leaves, the pass must be deactivated by the business and may be transferred to another employee. Both Merchant Passes will be restricted at Vail and Beaver Creek Nov. 24-25 and Dec. 26-31, 2017, and Jan. 13 and Feb.17-18, 2018.
Both passes available through the Merchant Program provide a number of ancillary benefits to employees. Benefit offerings include access to Vail Resorts’ popular ski and snowboard application, EpicMix, six ski-with-a-friend tickets and six buddy lift tickets, summer lift access at Vail and Beaver Creek (excluding bike haul), Adventure Ridge discounts during the winter season, one free ski or snowboard group lesson at Vail or Beaver Creek, Nordic lesson discounts and more. Some restrictions apply for these benefits:
- Epic Merchant Pass: $859 Unlimited access with holiday restrictions to Vail, Beaver Creek, Stowe and Whistler, and unlimited unrestricted access to Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Northstar, Heavenly, Kirkwood, A-Basin, Afton Alps, Wilmot & Mt. Brighton. Holiday Restrictions will apply during 11/24/17-11/12/17, 12/26/17-12/31/17, 1/13/18, 2/17/18-2/18/18
- Epic Local Merchant Pass: $639 – 10 Days of skiing with holiday restrictions at Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler Blackcomb & Stowe, with unlimited access and holiday restrictions to Park City, Northstar, Heavenly & Kirkwood, and also unlimited unrestricted access to Breckenridge, Keystone, Wilmot, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton & A-Basin. Holiday Restrictions will apply during 11/24/17-11/12/17, 12/26/17-12/31/17, 1/13/18, 2/17/18-2/18/18
Qualifying for the Merchant Pass
In order to be eligible for the Merchant Pass program, businesses must first belong to the Vail Chamber & Business Association (VCBA), or Vail Valley Partnership (VVP). Second, businesses must participate in one of the qualifying events or programs offered by the Associations. More information regarding the programs offered can be found online at www.vail.com/vbcmerchantpass.com. Companies must remain in good standing with their Association.
Additional Merchant Pass Benefits
A Merchant Pass may be transferred once to another employee from the same business for $100.
Six buddy lift tickets provide the option to purchase a ticket to ski and ride during restricted periods. The buddy tickets also may be used for friends and family all season. Payment does not need to be made by the merchant pass holder; a friend or family may pay for the ticket. Coupons belong to the pass holder and pass holder must be present to redeem.
Six ski-with-a-friend tickets offer up to six days of unrestricted skiing or snowboarding for family or friends at a discounted rate that varies by date. Tickets will be electronically loaded onto the Merchant Pass and can be redeemed at any ticket window. Payment does not need to be made by the merchant pass holder; a friend or family may pay for the ticket. Coupons belong to the pass holder and pass holder must be present to redeem.
One free adult ski or snowboard group lesson at Vail or Beaver Creek, valid Nov 28 – Dec. 12, 2017 or Jan. 16-Feb. 16, 2018. Alternatively pass holders may select a free introductory cross country lesson or snowshoe tour in Vail or Beaver Creek, or a Tele-Tuesday in Beaver Creek anytime during the season when a paying guest is present. Reservations may be made for a discounted Teleworkshop in Vail or Beaver Creek anytime during the season.
Enjoy a multi-day lesson offer and enroll in a three-day adult ski or snowboard group lesson program for the price of two days.
20% off adult activities at Adventure Ridge for Merchant Pass holders during non-peak periods.
Access to Vail Resorts’ award winning and popular ski and snowboard application EpicMix. For more information visit EpicMix.com.
For more information please check www.vail.com/vbcmerchantpass.
To obtain a Merchant Pass, businesses must contact their qualified association to determine eligibility. All Merchant Pass information is distributed through the Associations. Vail Merchant Pass sales will begin Nov. 3 at the Lionshead season pass office in Vail and Nov. 4 at the Beaver Creek pass office. Vail Mountain is scheduled to open Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 and Beaver Creek Resort is scheduled to open Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017.
For additional information about the 2017-2018 Vail Resorts Merchant Pass, call (970) SKI-3080 (754-3080), e-mail vbcmerchantpass@vailresorts.com, or visit www.vail.com/vbcmerchantpass. For the Vail Valley Partnership call (970) 477-4027 or e-mail anna@visitvailvalley.com, and for the Vail Chamber & Business Association call (970) 477-0075 or email info@vailchamber.org.