Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Vail Resorts will offer credits to pass-holders who missed out on resort days in 2020.
This morning, Vail Resorts announced it would issue credits based on resort closures and user days “to honor the loyalty of pass holders.” The resort company’s comprehensive plan addresses two main concerns: last season’s early closures (due to COVID-19) and the uncertainty of the next ski season.
“What became clear is that to address last season, a one-size-fits-all approach would not work. That is why we are providing our season pass holders credits based on the number of days they were able to use their pass,” said Kirsten Lynch, Vail Resorts chief marketing officer.
So if you have an Epic Pass or are considering getting one next season, here’s how the credits work:
- The credits essentially operate on a sliding scale.
- 2019-2020 Epic Pass holders will receive credits from 20% to 80%; a minimum of 20% credits for season pass-holders, and up to 80% credit if you used your pass little or not at all.
- For guests with remaining days on their 2019-20 Epic Day Pass, or one of Vail’s other multipack pass products, Vail will provide a credit for each unused day to apply toward a pass for next season.
The resort’s plan to further protect next season’s pass-holders includes a new program called Epic Coverage, which is free with any pass, replaces the need for pass insurance, and will safeguard pass-holders from closures or missed days due to things like disease, natural disaster, personal illness, or job loss.
Vail Resorts is also extending pass-buying deadlines for next season through September 7, 2020. You can learn more about the credits and Epic coverage benefits here.
Class-Action Lawsuits Against Ski Resort
The move by Epic comes days after a skier filed a class-action lawsuit against the resort conglomerate.
On Friday, Dylan Clarke, an out-of-state skier represented by Colorado attorney Craig Valentine, filed a lawsuit on behalf of pass-holders after he was forced to cancel his trip due to coronavirus. The lawsuit claims funds lost by skiers — potential fellow litigants — is in excess of $5 million.
Brian Hunt, a resident of San Ramon, California, filed a similar suit against Vail Resorts on April 10.
Alterra Mountain Resort has also been hit by class-action lawsuits. Robert Stephen Kramer, a resident of Villa Park, California, filed one suit on April 14 in U.S. District Court in Denver against Alterra and its subsidiary, Ikon Pass.
Alterra has since offered season pass-holders a discount of $100 to $200 as well as “pass assurance” applied to new season passes purchased for the upcoming season. Read the full story about Ikon’s new program here.
Bottom line: We don’t know what next season will look like, nor can we predict how resorts will operate going forward. But knowing there are still options for passes like these is reassuring.
Vail Resorts includes a network of over 30 resorts, including Breckenridge and Vail Resorts in Colorado, Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, and Park City Resort in Utah.
Alterra Mountain Resort operates the Ikon Pass, which encompasses 41 global mountain destinations across the Americas, Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
