Vail Resorts today announced updates to its season pass program for the 2020-21 North American ski season, which includes providing credits to 2019-20 season passholders whose season was cut short by concerns over COVID-19.

“Following the difficult decision to close our North American mountain resorts as a result of the unprecedented circumstances surrounding COVID-19, we have been developing a comprehensive plan to address our passholders’ concerns about the early closure this past season and provide improved coverage for the future,” wrote Rob Katz, CEO, in a news release. “We are committed to providing the best passes in the ski industry and are focused on both honoring the loyalty of our guests and providing peace of mind for next season.”

According to the release, 2019-20 season passholders will receive a minimum credit of 20% toward next season’s pass. For season passholders who used their pass less than five days, they will be eligible for higher credits up to a maximum of 80% for season passholders who did not use their season pass at all. For Epic Day Pass, Edge Card and other frequency-based products with unused days remaining, Vail Resorts will provide credits for each unused day up to a maximum of an 80% credit. 

The credits will be available to passholders who purchase 2020-21 passes by Sept. 7, 2020. 

Vail Resorts launches ‘Epic Coverage’

Moving forward, future passholders will have new protections on their passes through a new program.

“We are redefining how we will protect season passes through the launch of ‘Epic Coverage.’ Epic Coverage is free for all passholders and completely replaces the need to purchase pass insurance. Epic Coverage provides refunds in the unlikely event of certain resort closures (i.e. for COVID-19), giving passholders a refund for any portion of the season that is lost. Additionally, Epic Coverage provides a refund for personal circumstances covered by our pass insurance for eligible injuries, job losses and many other personal events,” according to the release.

In order to give passholders the time they need to make decisions regarding next season, Vail Resorts will be extending the deadline for passholders to receive spring benefits (including Buddy Tickets) until Sept. 7, 2020.