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 Shanna Sweeney, VVP Events and Office Manager: email shanna@vailvalleypartnership.com or call (970) 477-4004.

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 over 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 $115 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 (with discounted bike haul fees).
• The Merchant Pass also includes other benefits, such as: discounted lift tickets (ski with a friend), free ski or snowboard 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.

2023/2024 Season Info Coming Soon! If you have questions or would like to be added to the info list, please email shanna@vailvalleypartnership.com

2023/2024 Merchant Pass Options:

• Epic Merchant Pass: $909/pass
  • 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. *10 Days at Telluride for full Merchant pass not the “Local”.  Also must make a reservation to ski Telluride.
  • Holiday restriction dates include:
    • November 24-25, 2023 (Thanksgiving)
    • December 26-31, 2023 (Christmas/NYE)
    • January 13, 2024 (MLK Weekend)
    • February 17-18, 2024 (President’s Day)

• Merchant Epic Local Pass: $676/pass
  • 10 days of skiing (holiday restrictions apply) at Vail, Beaver Creek, and Whistler Blackcomb.
  • Unlimited access (holiday restrictions apply) at Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, and 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 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 restriction dates include:
    • November 24-25, 2023 (Thanksgiving)
    • December 26-31, 2023 (Christmas/NYE)
    • January 13, 2024 (MLK Weekend)
    • February 17-18, 2024 (President’s Day)
• Transfer Fee: $115 (passes may only be transferred one time each)
• Processing Time: 3 business days from application date
• Other Important Dates:
  • Goldenpeak Pass Office Opens: Friday, November 10th, 2023
  • Vail Mountain Opening Day: Friday, November 10th, 2023
  • Beaver Creek Opening Day: Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023
• Contact Info: Shanna Sweeney – shanna@vailvalleypartnership.com,  (970) 477-4004

• STEP 1 of 4 – Be a VVP Member in Good Standing
  • Membership dues must be paid in full (2023 Membership Year begins January 1^st)
  • Membership at Copper Level or above (Click here to view the 2023 Membership Tiers)
  • 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:
    • Vail Chamber & Business Association Winter Update
    • Beaver Creek One Village Meeting
    • Vail Valley Works Professional Development Course
    • Vail Valley Works Donation
    • Lodging Quality Assurance (LQA)

• STEP 3 of 4 – Fill Out the Merchant Pass Application
  • •  Complete 23/24 Merchant Pass Application  
    • Allow 3 business days for processing before going to the pass office to purchase vouchers or passes.

• STEP 4 of 4 – Visit the Goldenpeak Pass Office to Purchase Your Vouchers or Passes:
  • Eagle County Merchant Passes can be purchased from the Goldenpeak Pass Office only. (Goldenpeak Pass Office Opens November 10th, 2024 | There is no onsite parking, so you must park at Village Transportation Center)
  • Please allow 3 business days from the date of application for processing
  • Merchant passes are not eligible for EpicCoverage but may be transferred once per season for a $115 fee.
  • There are two ways to purchase Merchant Passes:
    • Option #1: Purchase Vouchers
      • Purchase vouchers in bulk & distribute to employees.
      • Must be purchased with a company credit card. (Company name MUST be on the credit card.)
        • Tip: Credit card payment is required, in the event a refund is needed.)
      • 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 23/24 season
    • Option #2: Purchase Passes
      • Must be purchased with a company credit card. (Company name MUST be on the credit card.)
        • Tip: Credit card payment is required, in the event a refund is needed.)
      • Employee must bring ALL of the following documentation to the pass office:
        • Company 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 23/24 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. Passholders also receive a discount on bike haul fees.
• 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.
  • Discounted Lift Tickets: 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. Merchant passholder should purchase online through their account on epicpass.com and pick up via the lift ticket office. Merchant passholder needs to be present upon pick up. Merchant passholder may use discount ticket when pass is restricted.
  • One Free Ski or Snowboard Lesson: Applies to merchant passholder only. Valid time periods: November 27, 2023 to December 16, 2023 or January 15 – February 28, 2024. Valid for Ski or Snowboard Class Lesson, upon availability. Valid for all Ski and Snowboard levels. Meet at the Adult Ski & Snowboard School in Lionshead or Beaver Creek 45 minutes prior to class to register. Please call for more information and lesson start times.
  • One Free Introductory Snowshoe Tour: Valid for merchant passholder only. Offered only at Beaver Creek.
  • Summer Lift Access: Free gondola access at Vail & Beaver Creek and passholder discounts on bike hauls.
  • Click here to download the benefit flyer.
  • For more information please check www.vail.com/vbcmerchantpass 
• How do I transfer or turn off a pass?
  • Merchant Passes may be transferred once to another employee within the same business for $115 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 25, 2024 – April 23, 2024. NO REFUNDS AFTER APRIL 23rd – 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:  Shanna Sweeney at 970-477-4004 or shanna@vailvalleypartnership.com
  • Vail Chamber & Business Association: Call 970-477-0075 or info@vailchamber.org
  • Vail Resorts: Call 970-754-3080 or vbcmerchantpass@vailresorts.com

• PLEASE NOTE: This qualifier is intended for Vail-based businesses, but is open to the public.
• Details: The update will include presentations from the Town of Vail, Vail Resorts, and more. RSVPs are required.
• Cost: $60 (non-VCBA members only)
• Date: Tuesday, November 7th, 2023
• Time: 8:30am – 10:30am
• Format: In-Person Only
• Location: Lionsquare Lodge (Park in Lionshead Parking Structure)
• In order to qualify for the Merchant Pass, the business owner or a key manager must attend the session. Please make sure to sign-in, as this is how we will verify attendance!
• Please fill out the Merchant Pass Application and choose “VCBA Winter Update” as your qualifier.

• 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.  
• Details: The One Village meeting includes dynamic speakers, mountain news, ski season updates, village happenings, new merchants and a Q&A panel. As always – awesome prizes & gift cards for the audience! All Beaver Creek employees are welcome – please share this info with your team. RSVPs are required – link coming soon.
• Cost: Free
• Date: Tuesday, November TBD
• Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm
• Location: Gerald R. Ford Hall (In-Person Only)
• In order to qualify for the Merchant Pass, the business owner or a key manager must attend the session. Please make sure to sign-in, as this is how we will verify attendance!
• Please fill out the Merchant Pass Application and choose “Beaver Creek One Village Meeting” as your qualifier.

• Vail Valley Works is the premier local source for professional development. Our professional development programming is designed to establish, train, and support a network of local leaders who are ready to take on the challenges of an ever-changing community. We offer a variety of courses from leadership to skills-based training. Vail Valley Works is a 501c3 nonprofit program of the Vail Valley Partnership.
• To be eligible for the Merchant Pass Program:
  • One or more employees must register for a Vail Valley Works course that begins during the ski season (October 1st – April 23rd).
  • Registration fee(s) must be paid within 2 weeks of the invoice date.
  • Failure to complete the course may result in the deactivation of passes, or ineligibility for the Merchant Pass Program next season.
• Browse the course options here
• Please fill out the Merchant Pass Application and choose “Vail Valley Works Professional Development” as your qualifier. You will receive a follow-up email with instructions on how to register.

• Vail Valley Works is a 501c (3) nonprofit program of the Vail Valley Partnership, committed to strengthening Eagle County’s current and future workforce. Vail Valley Works encompasses professional development, work-based learning, nonprofit resources, diversity, equity, & inclusion and mental wellness initiatives. We are committed to listening to, and collaborating with, the business community in order to provide the most relevant, timely, and innovative programming available.
• Your donation supports initiatives such as the implementation and/or expansion of existing programs, the development of new courses, and scholarships for the local workforce.
• 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.
• Donations are tax deductible. Please Note: Course registrations are not considered donations.
• Please fill out the Merchant Pass Application and choose “Vail Valley Works 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 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.