Local businesses have the ability to purchase ski passes for your employees through the Vail Resorts Merchant Pass program. Consistent with past years, Vail Resorts offers the Eagle County Merchant Pass program to Vail Valley Partnership (and VCBA) members, offering skiing and snowboarding at both Vail and Beaver Creek (as well as in Summit County and throughout the Vail Resorts portfolio).
The Merchant Ski Pass is a powerful hiring & employee retention tool for local businesses. It not only allows businesses to provide its employees with ski passes valid at five local mountains, but also allows the business to retain ownership of the pass. In the event the employee leaves, the pass may be transferred to another employee for a $100 transfer fee.
New this year, two versions of the Epic Merchant Passes are available. These passes have expanded access from the original merchant pass program and offer our local community the option to ski outside Colorado. The passes will also offer the locals the ability to buy a reduced access pass at a reduced price, giving our community members the options to choose between limited or full access to V/BC.
Both an Epic Merchant Pass and an Epic Local Merchant Pass are available. Both passes will be eligible for all the benefits that have come with the prior Merchant Pass (Adventure Ridge Discounts, Free Ski & Snowboard Lesson, Ski with a Friend Tickets, and more). In addition, the passes will still have the $100 transfer option if needed. Pass details:
1) Epic Merchant Pass: $859 Unlimited Access with limited restrictions to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Northstar, Heavenly, Kirkwood, A-Basin, Whistler Blackcomb, Stowe, Afton Alps, Wilmot & Mt. Brighton – Holiday Restrictions will apply at Vail, Beaver Creek, Stow & Whistler Blackcomb during 11/24/17-11/25/17, 12/26/17-12/31/17, 1/13/18, 2/17/18-2/18/18
2) Epic Local Merchant Pass: $639 – This pass will have 10 Days of skiing with holiday restrictions at Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler Blackcomb & Stowe, with unlimited access to Park City, Northstar, Heavenly & Kirkwood with restrictions during the holidays and then unlimited/non-restricted access to Breckenridge, Keystone, Wilmot, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton & A-Basin -11/24/17-11/25/17, 12/26/17-12/31/17, 1/13/18, 2/17/18-2/18/18
Please Note: The Merchant Pass is intended for use ONLY by employees of the business. Contractors, friends, and family are not eligible. Vail Resorts will conduct audits throughout the season and misuse of the program will result in removal from the program and termination of all passes.
Don’t miss out on the Epic Merchant Ski Pass for the upcoming ski season, and special thanks to Vail Resorts for their commitment to continuing the Epic Merchant Pass program for members of our business community.
The Epic Merchant Pass benefit is exclusive to VVP and VCBA members. All Vail Valley Partnership members at the Copper level or above are eligible to participate in the Merchant Pass Program. Please explore the program details at vailvalleypartnership.com/signature-programs/merchant-pass-program/ and if you have questions, contact Anna Robinson, VVP Program & Office Manager: (970) 477-4027 or VCBA at 970-477-0075 or info@vailchamber.org.
Complete details on the Epic Merchant Pass options can be found at https://www.epicpass.com/passes/epic-local-pass.aspx
Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, the regional chamber of commerce. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com