Season pass holders can get up to 80% credit for the next skiing season because of closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Monday, Vail Resorts announced it would be providing 20-80 percent of the season pass holders for 2019/20 since it had to close locations early due to the spread of coronavirus. The percentage of credit would be based on the number of days pass holders were able to use their pass, and the credit received can be applied toward the purchase of a season pass for 2020/21 (of equal or greater value).
Vail Resorts will offer a minimum credit of 20 percent for season pass holders. Season pass holders who used their passes less than five days will get the highest percentages. However, only those who didn't use their passes at all will get the 80 percent credit.
“This may seem complicated, but something simple would not address all the unique situations of our pass holders. We will email you personally in the coming weeks to share your specific credit details and your promotion code, which you can use online starting May 13,” officials stated in a letter to pass holders.
Vail Resorts also offered free "Epic Coverage" for the 2020/21 season, which will provide cash refunds for certain resort closures. This might include events like COVID-19, as well as refunds for job loss, illnesses, and other personal events. Epic Coverage also substitutes the need for pass insurance, which can cost up to $60.
On top of that, Vail Resorts will extend all spring deadlines to buy passes for next season until Labor Day—Sept. 7, 2020.
Vail Resorts' credit offer comes at the heels of a class-action lawsuit filed on Friday by a Colorado attorney on behalf of an out-of-state skier whose family vacation was nullified by ski areas' closures in mid-March. The lawsuit accuses Vail Resorts of failing to offer skiers and season pass holders refunds for money spent on Epic ski passes. The Epic passes would allow skiers unlimited skiing at the resorts through April 15.
On Monday, attorney Craig Valentine stated the lawsuit would go forward despite Vail Resorts' offer of discounts for the next season.
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