2026-2027 Eagle County Merchant Pass Program Announced

• The 2026-2027 Merchant Epic Pass will be offered starting at $1,089, and the Merchant Epic Local Pass at $809. 
• 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 Nov. 13, 2026, in Vail at the Golden Peak Pass Office and on Nov. 24, 2026, at the Beaver Creek Pass Office. They will be available throughout the season.
• Vouchers may be purchased prior to Opening Day by appointment via vbcmerchantpass@vailresorts.com. Vouchers can be redeemed for passes starting Nov. 13, 2026, in Vail at the Golden Peak Pass Office.

VAIL, Colo. – Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek Resort, Vail Valley Partnership (VVP), and Vail Chamber & Business Association (VBCA) have announced details of the 2026-2027 Eagle County Merchant Pass program, which is again offering two pass options for qualifying local businesses.

"Our local merchants and their employees play an important role in what makes the Vail experience so special," said Shaydar Edelmann, vice president and chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. "We're proud to continue the Merchant Pass program in partnership with the Vail Valley Partnership and Vail Chamber & Business Association, helping create opportunities for those that work in the valley to experience the most of this incredible community."

The Merchant Pass Program includes two options for the Merchant Pass – the Merchant Epic Pass and the Merchant Epic Local Pass. Both passes offer expanded access beyond the local community, with the option to ski and snowboard outside of Colorado. These options offer the opportunity to choose between passes with varying access and pricing.

The 2026-2027 Merchant Epic Pass will be offered for $1,089, and the Merchant Epic Local Pass will be offered for $809. 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 November 27–28, December 26 – 31, 2026, and January 16 and February 13 –14, 2027.

Passes available through the Merchant Program provide a number of ancillary benefits to employees. Benefit offerings include, ten Epic Friend tickets, one free Ski or Snowboard group lesson (Availability: November 29 – December 13, 2026, and January 1– February 7, 2027) and one free snowshoe tour (only offered at Beaver Creek). It also includes summer scenic ride access in 2027, and discounted bike haul lift ticket or season pass. Some restrictions apply for these benefits.

Merchant Epic Pass: $1,089 – Unlimited access (holiday restrictions apply) 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 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.

Partner resort access: 7 days at Telluride in 26/27 season, no reservations required. Epic Merchant Pass only.

Holiday Restrictions will apply during Nov. 27-28, 2026, Dec. 26-31, 2026, Jan 16, 2027, and Feb. 13-14, 2027, at Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler Blackcomb, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Stowe.

Merchant Epic Local Pass: $809 – 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 (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. 27-28, 2026, Dec. 26-31, 2026, Jan 16, 2027, and Feb. 13-14, 2027, 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.
• Ten Epic Friend Tickets (fifty percent discount). 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.
• Free summer 2027 scenic gondola access at Vail and Beaver Creek and passholder discounts on summer 2027 bike hauls.
• For more information, please check www.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. Merchant Pass sales will begin on Opening Day at Vail and Beaver Creek. Vail Mountain is scheduled to open Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, offering Merchant Pass sales at the Golden Peak Pass Office. Beaver Creek Resort is scheduled to open Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026, offering Merchant Pass sales at the Beaver Creek Village Pass Office. Vouchers may be purchased prior to Opening Day by appointment only at the Golden Peak Pass Office. To schedule an appointment, email vbcmerchantpass@vailresorts.com. Vouchers cannot be redeemed for passes prior to Opening Day.

For additional information about the 2026-2027 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) 477-4004 or e-mail olivia@vailvalleypartnership.com and for the Vail Chamber & Business Association call (970) 477-0075 or email info@vailchamber.org.