TRAVEL to snow destinations in the northern hemisphere for Australians has always posed a question.
Do I pack my own skis or snowboard and have the burden of carrying an extra bag for the entirety of my trip. Or do I hire gear when I arrive.
Vail Resorts may have made that decision easier with the announcement yesterday of My Epic Gear.
By joining My Epic Gear with a token membership fee, snow enthusiasts then have access to a selection of gear at very respectable daily prices.
My Epic Gear memberships are available to any guests, adults and children over 3-years old, for the 2024/25 North American winter season across 12 mountain resorts: Vail Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Park City Mountain, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Heavenly, Northstar, Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow.
How the Membership Works:
Join: Purchase a membership in the My Epic app or at myepicgear.com. Login to set up your member profile within the app and personalize your experience. Memberships are limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reserve: Make and modify your gear reservations at your fingertips in the My Epic app.
Gear up and go: Get your gear where and when you want it – delivered in-resort or use daily slopeside pick-up and drop-off.
Gear Brands: My Epic Gear memberships unlock access to over 60 of the most popular and latest 2024/25 ski and snowboard models from 13 leading brands.
Skis: Atomic, Salomon, K2, Blizzard, Rossignol, Stöckli, Nordica and Völkl
Snowboards: Burton Snowboards, Lib Tech, Salomon, Jones Snowboards, Ride Snowboards and CAPiTA
Boots: Gear reservations also include boots with personalized insoles and the latest BOA performance fit system. Members can also choose to bring their own boots.
The system was piloted during the 2023/24 winter season at Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone and will be in operation for the 2024/25 northern hemisphere.
By becoming a member, you can try different model skis or snowboards during your stay, or adjust to suit the snow conditions. If it snows heavy you can select wider powder skis, or if the smooth corduroy groomed trails are your preference, choose a ski to suit your style.
Select a favourite model of ski or snowboard at the beginning of a season and, with a 7-day advanced reservation, get that model any day of the season, fully tuned.
Another benefit for Aussie travellers is you can choose free in-resort delivery or daily slopeside pick-up and drop-off to spend less time carrying gear and more time on the mountain.
"Having the right gear is essential to the experience of every skier and rider, however, the traditional model of gear ownership and gear rental has not changed in decades," said Vail Resorts CEO Kirsten Lynch.
"My Epic Gear reimagines gear ownership and gear rental, providing more choice, lower cost and no hassle. Travelers no longer have to haul their equipment cross-country; frequent skiers and riders can try the latest gear and get different gear for different conditions; and for kids, their gear grows with them."
Pricing $US: Adult and child memberships cost $50 for the 2024/25 season and unlock access to a $55 daily use fee for adults (ages 13 and up) and a $45 daily use fee for children (ages 3 through 12).
Members can choose to bring their own boots, saving $10 per day off their daily use fee for adults and $5 per day for children, provided their boots pass a quick visual inspection. All members may also add a helmet for $10 per day.