The 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 below and if you have questions, contact Anna Robinson, VVP Program Manager: (970) 477-4027.

What is a Merchant Ski Pass?

• 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 35 mountain resorts in North America, 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 $110 transfer fee. Limit one transfer per pass.
• The Merchant Ski Pass offers access to the full Vail Resorts portfolio of North American resorts! Please see below for pass options, restrictions and blackout dates.
• Merchant Passes are valid for summer lift rides at Vail & Beaver Creek (additional fee for bike haul).
• The Merchant Pass also includes other benefits, such as: discounted lift tickets (ski with a friend & buddy passes), discounted activities, one free ski/snowboard lesson, one free Nordic lesson and more! See the FAQ section below for more details.

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.

• 2020/2021 Merchant Pass Program info is not available quite yet – please bear with us as we work through new procedures and policies related to COVID-19!
• Vail Resorts has confirmed that they are committed to the community here in Eagle County and that they will be offering a Merchant Pass product for the 2020-21 winter season.  Vail will share more of these details when they become available later this fall.  At this time, the Merchant Pass product will be required to participate in the reservation system.
• In the meantime, please review last year’s program details (below) and reach out with any questions: anna@vailvalleypartnership.com.

• 2019/2020 Merchant Pass Options:
  • Epic Merchant Pass: $939/pass
    • Unlimited access with holiday restrictions at Vail, Beaver Creek, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe and Whistler Blackcomb.
    • Unlimited access with no holiday restrictions for Breckenridge, Keystone, Wilmot, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton, Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Crested Butte, Stevens Pass, Mount Snow, Attitash, Wildcat, Crotched Mountain, Hunter Mountain, Liberty Mountain, Roundtop, Whitetail Resort, Jack Frost, Big Boulder, Alpine Valley, Brandywine/Boston Mills, Hidden Valley, Mad River Mountain, Snow Creek and Paoli Peaks.
    • 2 days at SnowBasin & Sun Valley, ID with no holiday restrictions.
    • Holiday restriction dates include:
      • November 29 – 30, 2019 (Thanksgiving)
      • December 26 – 31, 2019 (Christmas/NYE)
      • January 18, 2020 (MLK Weekend)
      • February 15 – 16, 2020 (President’s Day)

• • Epic Local Merchant Pass: $699/pass
    • 10 Days of skiing with holiday restrictions at Vail, Beaver Creek & Whistler Blackcomb.
    • Unlimited access with holiday restrictions at Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood & Stowe.
    • Unlimited access with no holiday restrictions at Breckenridge, Keystone, Wilmot, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton, Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Crested Butte, Stevens Pass, Mount Snow, Attitash, Wildcat, Crotched Mountain, Hunter Mountain, Liberty Mountain, Roundtop, Whitetail Resort, Jack Frost, Big Boulder, Alpine Valley, Brandywine/Boston Mills, Hidden Valley, Mad River Mountain, Snow Creek and Paoli Peaks.
    • 2 days at SnowBasin & Sun Valley, ID with no holiday restrictions.
    • Holiday blackout dates include:
      • November 29 – 30, 2019 (Thanksgiving)
      • December 26 – 31, 2019 (Christmas/NYE)
      • January 18, 2020 (MLK Weekend)
      • February 15 – 16, 2020 (President’s Day)
• Transfer Fee: $110 (passes may only be transferred one time each)
• Processing Time: 3 business days from application date
• Other Important Dates:
  • Lionshead Pass Office Opens: Friday, November 8, 2019
  • Beaver Creek Pass Office Opens: Saturday, November 9, 2019
  • Vail Mountain Opening Day: Friday, November 15, 2019
  • Beaver Creek Opening Day: Wednesday, November 27, 2019
• Contact Info: Anna Robinson – (970) 477-4027

• STEP 1 of 4 – Be a VVP Member in Good Standing
  • Membership dues must be paid in full (2020 Membership Year begins January 1^st)
  • Membership at Copper Level or above
  • If you have questions about your membership level, need to make a payment, or would like to join the VVP, please contact Maren Cerimele (970) 477-4001.

• STEP 2 of 4 – Choose Your Qualifier 
  • You must complete ONE of the following qualifiers:
    • *NEW* “Navigating Complex Customer Interactions” Training
    • Vail Chamber & Business Association Winter Update
    • Beaver Creek One Village Meeting (Formerly Guest Service Update)
    • Eagle County Air Alliance (EGE) Contribution
    • Lodging Quality Assurance (LQA)

• STEP 3 of 4 – Fill Out the Merchant Pass Application
  • • 20/21 Season Application Coming Soon!
    • Allow 3 business days for processing before going to the pass office to purchase vouchers or passes.

• STEP 4 of 4 – Visit a Pass Office to Purchase Your Vouchers or Passes:
  • Eagle County Merchant Passes can be purchased from any Vail or Beaver Creek Pass Office. (Lionshead Opens 11/8; Beaver Creek Opens 11/9)
  • Please allow 3 business days from the date of application for processing
  • There are two ways to purchase Merchant Passes:
    • Option #1: Purchase Vouchers
      • Purchase vouchers in bulk & distribute to employees.
      • VOUCHERS SHOULD BE TREATED AS CASH! MAKE SURE TO RECORD THE VOUCHER # GIVEN TO EACH EMPLOYEE.
      • Employee must bring ALL of the following documentation to the pass office:
        • Pre-Paid Voucher
        • Personal ID with photo
        • Pay Stub OR Form C (Proof of Employment)
        • Please Note: using Form C will result in a Merchant Audit at some point during the 19/20 season
    • Option #2: Purchase Passes
      • Must be purchased with a company form of payment (i.e. – company check or company credit card. Company name MUST be on the form of payment. Checks can be made payable to Vail Resorts).
      • Employee must bring ALL of the following documentation to the pass office:
        • Company check or credit card
        • Personal ID with photo
        • Pay Stub OR Form C (Proof of Employment)
          • Please Note: using Form C will result in a Merchant Audit at some point during the 19/20 season

• Can I buy the Eagle County pass for employees at my other locations? No. The Eagle County Merchant Pass is only available to employees who work in Eagle County. If you have employees in Summit County, please purchase their passes through the Summit County Merchant Pass Program. Employees who work anywhere other than Summit and Eagle Counties are not eligible for a Merchant Pass.
• Does my Merchant Pass work in the summer? Yes! The Merchant Pass works at Vail & Beaver Creek for the summer season. Additional fee for bike haul will apply.
• Is my unpaid intern eligible? Yes – your intern will need Form C as proof of employment. They will need to bring this form to the pass office along with all other necessary documentation.
• What other benefits are included with the Merchant Pass? Please see below for additional Merchant Pass benefits – restrictions & blackout dates apply. Click here for the 19/20 Benefits Flyer!
  • Discounted Lift Tickets
  • Discounted Winter Activities @ Adventure Ridge
  • 1 Free Adult Ski or Snowboard Group Lesson at Vail or Beaver Creek
    • OR 1 Free introductory cross country lesson, snowshoe tour or Beaver Creek Tele-Tuesday
    • OR 1 Discounted Tele-Workshop in Vail or BC
  • Enroll in a three-day adult ski or snowboard group lesson program for the price of two days.
• How do I transfer or turn off a pass?
  • Merchant Passes may be transferred once to another employee within the same business for $110 at any Pass Office. Payment must be made in the form of a business check or business credit card. Form C or a pay stub and a photo ID are required at the time of the transfer sale.
  • All transfers must be made to a direct paid employee of the same Merchant.
  • In the case of separation of an employee from the company, the company must call 970-754-3080 to deactivate the pass of the former employee and record the employee’s pass number immediately.
• I purchased more vouchers than I needed – can I get a refund for the unused portion? Yes! Unused vouchers can be returned for a refund from February 22, 2020 – April 19, 2020. NO REFUNDS AFTER APRIL 19th – NO EXCEPTIONS!
• I purchased a pass that I don’t need anymore – can I get a refund? Passes are only refundable due to major medical injuries and all credits will be given to the Merchant. Processing fee or fee for days used may be charged against price of pass before refund, at the discretion of Vail Resorts.
• What is a Merchant Pass Audit? Vail Resorts will be conducting significant Merchant Pass compliance audits throughout the season to maintain fairness for all businesses. All business that utilize Form C will be audited, and additional audits will be conducted at random. We ask that audited businesses adhere to all requests in a timely manner. Failure to respond or non compliance with the program rules will result in the deactivation of all current Merchant Passes and can affect future participation in the Merchant Pass program. Listed are the acceptable forms of proof of employment:
  • Pay stub from within the last two weeks or payroll records
  • Valid business license
  • Sales tax payment in Eagle, Lake or Garfield counties
  • A local sales tax license
  • A Colorado business income tax return
• Contact info for further questions:
  • Vail Valley Partnership:  Anna Robinson at 970-477-4027 or anna@visitvailvalley.com
  • Vail Chamber & Business Association: Alison Wadey at 970-477-0075 or info@vailchamber.org
  • Vail Resorts: Call 970-SKI-3080 (754-3080) or vbcmerchantpass@vailresorts.com

Join us for our all-new customer service training – “Navigating Complex Customer Interactions”!

This course is designed with your front line employees and supervisors in mind. Your team will go beyond the basics of customer service to understand the wants, needs and reactions of your customers and guests. This tactical training for front-line employees will focus on: the needs of the guest, personalization of the guest experience, the impact of the interaction, strategies for service recovery, and unique approaches for destination visitors.

• Cost:
  • 1 to 2 Employees – $50/each
  • Additional Employees – $25/each
  • Limit 5 employees per business – custom sessions can be scheduled for large groups.
• Dates (Choose One):
  • Tuesday, November 12th (1pm – 4pm) – Click here for details & to RSVP
  • Thursday, December 5th (1pm – 4pm) – Click here for details & to RSVP
• Location: Miller Ranch Community Room
• PLEASE NOTE: Space is limited to 40 attendees per session, so RSVPs and pre-payment are required! This course is intended for front line employees & supervisors
• Please fill out the Merchant Pass Application and choose “Navigating Complex Customer Interactions” as your qualifier – you will receive a follow up email with instructions.

• PLEASE NOTE: This qualifier is intended for Vail-based businesses, but is open to the public. The meeting will include Vail Chamber & Business Association info and updates, Vail Resorts and Vail Mountain updates, information from local media/marketing organizations, and refreshments. We encourage business owners and their employees to attend. Vail information packets will be distributed.
• Cost: $65
• Date: Thursday, November 7th, 2019
• Time: 8:30 – 10:30am
• Location: Vail Marriott (Colorado Ballroom)
• In order to qualify for the Merchant Pass, the business owner or a key manager must be present and their name MUST appear on the attendance sheet.
• Please fill out the Merchant Pass Application and choose “VCBA Winter Update” as your qualifier – you will receive a follow up email with instructions.

• PLEASE NOTE: This qualifier is for Beaver Creek businesses only. You must have a brick & mortar location in Beaver Creek to be eligible for this qualifier.  The full schedule includes vendor expo, dynamic speakers, mountain news, ski season updates, great door prizes, and village wide tours. Be there for your chance to win BIG. Don’t miss all of the great information, fun, friends, and prizes as we continue to build upon last year’s program! All Beaver Creek employees are welcome – please post this notice for those who do not have email access.
• Cost: Free
• Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2019
• Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm
• Location: Vilar Performing Arts Center
• In order to qualify for the Merchant Pass, the business owner or a key manager must be present and their name MUST appear on the attendance sheet.
• Please fill out the Merchant Pass Application and choose “Beaver Creek One Village Meeting” as your qualifier – you will receive a follow up email with instructions.

• The 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.
• Contribution is based on employment numbers:
  • 1-10 employees = $200 contribution
  • 11-20 employees = $300 contribution
  • 20+ employees = $500 contribution
• Donations must be paid in full within 2 weeks of the invoice date.
• Please fill out the Merchant Pass Application and choose “EGE Air Alliance Donation” as your qualifier. You will receive a follow up email with instructions on how to make your donation.

• Currently, any lodging property sold through Vail/Beaver Creek Reservations and Vail Valley Partnership (www.VailOnSale.com) must undergo a detailed interior inspection from which they are assigned a Lodging Quality Assurance (LQA) rating of Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze. This effort to ensure an un-biased and accurate depiction of each lodging property demonstrates the Vail Valley’s commitment to offering its guests an exceptional experience.
• Open to Lodging members only.
• Lodging members that are currently participating in LQA, and plan to continue doing so, are already qualified to participate in the Merchant Pass Program! Simply choose LQA as your qualifier on the Merchant Pass Application (link coming soon!) and no further action is necessary. The VVP will verify your LQA status internally.
• If you are participating in LQA for the first time, you must register within 2 weeks of your Merchant Pass Application date. Please fill out the Merchant Pass Application and choose “Lodging Quality Assurance Program” as your qualifier. You will receive a follow up email with instructions on how to register.