- The 2022-23 Merchant Epic Pass will be offered starting at $841, and the Merchant Epic Local Pass at $626.
- Business owners maintain ownership of Merchant Pass unlike Epic Pass, which belongs to individuals.
- Merchant Pass features a one-time transfer for $115 to accommodate employee changes.
- Merchant Pass sales begin November 4, 2022 in Vail and November 5, 2022 in Beaver Creek and will be available throughout the season.
Vail Resorts, Vail Valley Partnership (VVP), and Vail Chamber & Business Association (VBCA) have announced details of the 2022-2023 Eagle County Merchant Pass program, which is again offering two pass options for qualifying local businesses.
“Vail Mountain is honored to partner with Eagle County merchants through the Vail Valley Partnership & Vail Chamber and Business Association on our Merchant Pass products. Especially during our 60th Anniversary Season, these pass products demonstrate our continued commitment to our community, and our belief that guests experience the mountain and community as one destination.” – Beth Howard, Vice President & COO – Vail Mountain.
The Merchant Pass Program 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 and snowboard outside of Colorado. These options offer the opportunity to choose between passes with varying access and pricing.
The 2022-2023 Epic Merchant Pass will be offered for $841, and the Epic Local Merchant Pass will be offered for $626. 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. Unlike any other pass product, the pass ownership resides with the business versus an individual, features a one-time transfer for $115 to accommodate employee changes, and does not have a purchase deadline. Unlike the Epic Pass, which is owned by the pass holder, the passes available through the Merchant Program are owned by the “merchant” or business and in the event that an employee leaves, the pass will be deactivated by the business and may be transferred to another employee. Both Merchant Passes will be restricted at some resorts including Vail and Beaver Creek Nov. 26-27, 2022, Dec. 26-31, 2022, Jan 15, 2023, and Feb. 19-20, 2023.
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, one free Ski or Snowboard lesson (November 27 – December 16, 2022 or January 15 – February 28, 2023), one free snowshoe tour (only offered at Beaver Creek), summer lift access at Vail and Beaver Creek and passholder bike haul rates. Some restrictions apply for these benefits.
Epic Merchant Pass: $841* – Unlimited access (holiday restrictions apply) at Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler Blackcomb, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Stowe.
Unlimited access (with no holiday restrictions) for Breckenridge, Keystone, Wilmot, Afton Alps, Mt Brighton, Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Crested Butte, Stevens Pass, Mount Snow, Attitash Mountain Resort, Wildcat Mountain, Crotched Mountain, Hunter Mountain, Liberty Mountain Resort, Roundtop Mountain Resort, Whitetail Resort, Jack Frost, Big Boulder, Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine, Mad River Mountain, Hidden Valley, Snow Creek, Paoli Peaks, Perisher, Australia (2023 Access), Falls Creek, Australia (2023 Access), Hotham, Australia (2023 Access).
Holiday Restrictions will apply during Nov. 26-27, 2022, Dec. 26-31, 2022, Jan 15, 2023, and Feb. 19-20, 2023 at Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler Blackcomb, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Stowe.
Epic Local Merchant Pass: $626* – 10 days of skiing during core season (holiday restrictions apply) at Vail, Beaver Creek, and Whistler Blackcomb.
Unlimited access during core season (holiday restrictions apply) at Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, and Stowe.
Unlimited access during core season (with no holiday restrictions) at Breckenridge, Keystone, Wilmot, Afton Alps, Mt Brighton, Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Crested Butte, Stevens Pass, Mount Snow, Attitash Mountain Resort, Wildcat Mountain, Crotched Mountain, Hunter Mountain, Liberty Mountain Resort, Roundtop Mountain Resort, Whitetail Resort, Jack Frost, Big Boulder, Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine, Mad River Mountain, Hidden Valley, Snow Creek & Paoli Peaks.
Holiday Restrictions will apply during Nov. 26-27, 2022, Dec. 26-31, 2022, Jan 15, 2023, and Feb. 19-20, 2023 at Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler Blackcomb, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Stowe.
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. 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$115.
- 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 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.
- Access to Vail Resorts’ award winning and popular ski and snowboard application For more information visit Epicmix.com.
- For more information please check 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. 4th at the Lionshead pass office in Vail and Nov. 5th at the Beaver Creek pass office. Vail Mountain is scheduled to open Friday, Nov. 11th, 2022 and Beaver Creek Resort is scheduled to open Wednesday, Nov. 23rd, 2022.
For additional information about the 2022-2023 Vail Resorts Merchant Pass, call (970) SKI-VAIL (754- 8245) Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Merchants can also e-mail vbcmerchantpass@vailresorts.com , or visit www.vail.com/vbcmerchantpass. For the Vail Valley Partnership call (970) 477-4027 or e-mail anna@vailvalleypartnership.com , and for the Vail Chamber & Business Association call (970) 477-0075 or email info@vailchamber.org.