Skiing and snowboarding are important to our sense of community, and we value outdoor recreation here in the Vail Valley. It’s equally important for our staff to have the opportunity to enjoy the mountains, and the Merchant Pass program provides a compelling hiring tool for local businesses due to the wide-ranging benefits for employees. Most importantly, unlike other pass products, the Merchant Pass ownership resides with the business versus an individual.
What is a Merchant Ski Pass?
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 members, offering skiing and snowboarding at both Vail and Beaver Creek (as well as our neighbors in Summit County).
The Merchant Ski Pass offers unlimited access to skiing and snowboarding at Vail and Beaver Creek resorts with blackout dates (2016/2017 season blackout dates are 11/25/16–11/26/16, 12/26/16–12/31/16, 1/14/17, 2/18/17–2/19/17) during peak holidays and weekends. With the Merchant Pass, holders also have unrestricted access at Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin ski resorts.
The Merchant Ski Pass provides a compelling hiring tool for local businesses due to the wide-range of benefits for employees, and the pass ownership resides with the business versus an individual so in the event that an employee leaves, the pass may be transferred to another employee for $100. The cost of the 2016/2017 Merchant Ski Pass is $809 per pass.
Numerous other benefits are included in the merchant ski pass program, including discounted lift tickets, discounted Adventure Ridge activities, one free ski lesson, and more.
Participating businesses must participate in one of the following programs in order to qualify to get the Merchant Ski Pass:
- Eagle County Air Alliance (EGE) Contribution –
EGE Air Alliance is a 501c(6) non-profit that provides funding to the Eagle County Regional Airport so that Vail Valley businesses, residents and communities have a strong and vibrant flight service program.
Formed in 2002, the EGE Air Alliance is a public-private partnership that includes businesses of all sizes and Vail Valley community stakeholders, as well as towns and municipalities in Eagle County.
- Platinum Service Program (PSP) –
Platinum Service Program (PSP) is a secret shopper program customized by business to meet customer services goals with digital monitoring system for real-time feedback.
* All businesses must participate in a minimum of 6 shops.
Shops range from $50-$100 per shop. Business can add additional shops throughout the year.
Businesses receiving an average score of 95% on 6 shops results in the business receiving a Platinum Rating for Customer Service. Business will receive promotion, certification and digital marketing material for achieving a Platinum Rating.
- Lodging Quality Assurance (LQA) –
Lodging members that participate in the LQA program on an annual basis qualify to participate in the Merchant Pass Program.
- Certified Vendor –
Businesses that participate in the Certified Vendor Program work with property managers, hotel properties and homeowners to make upgrades to achieve higher LQA ratings. Certified vendors are limited to specific industries and must attend qualifying programs. Certified vendors are included on a Certified Vendor list distributed to lodging properties/property managers on an annual basis.
- Beaver Creek Merchant Winter Update –
Intended for Beaver Creek based businesses, content will include Beaver Creek Merchant and Vail Resort seasonal updates on November 15 from 1-3 p.m. Businesses are required to check in with BC Resort Company and check out with VVP to qualify.
- Vail Chamber Winter Update –
Attend the Vail Chamber Winter Update on November 9th at the Sebastian. Cost: $65. Must register with VCBA to attend and checkout with VVP. To RSVP, please contact Alison Wadey.
Don’t miss out on the Merchant Ski Pass for the upcoming ski season, and special thanks to Vail Resorts for their commitment to continuing the Merchant Pass program for members of our business community. Learn more at vailvalleypartnership.com/merchant-pass-program/ and http://www.vail.com/vbcmerchantpasscontact or contact Haley McNeill at 970.477.4027.
Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, recently named “Chamber of the Year” by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com