Broomfield, Colorado – Will Vail Resorts’ plan to revolutionize the ski/snowboard rental business achieve success?
This ski season marks the official launch of My Epic Gear. It ran as a pilot program final winter, with the check websites being Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, and Keystone. This winter, the service is being supplied at Vail, Breckenridge, Park Metropolis, Whistler Blackcomb, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Crested Butte, Heavenly, Northstar, Stowe, Okemo, and Mt. Snow.
“Having the proper gear is important to the expertise of each skier and rider, nonetheless, the normal mannequin of substances possession and kit rental has not modified in a long time,” stated Kirsten Lynch, CEO of Vail Resorts in a March press launch. “My Epic Gear reimagines gear possession and kit rental, offering extra alternative, decrease price and no trouble. Vacationers now not should haul their tools cross-country; frequent skiers and riders can attempt the most recent gear and get completely different gear for various situations; and for youths, their gear grows with them.”
Right here’s how the service works: a $50 membership price per yr, plus a price for every day used, offers you entry to a mess of high quality ski and snowboarding gear. Earlier than you arrive, you reserve which gear you wish to use for the day. You may both get the gear dropped off to the place you’re staying or choose it up at a slopeside spot. If you’re completed for the day, there’s a drop-off spot.
My Epic Gear offers skiers and riders entry to sixty 2024-25 fashions of snowboarding and snowboarding gear from 13 completely different manufacturers. John Plack, who’s a spokesperson for Vail, described the advantages of this system to Colorado Public Radio:
“You get an ideal powder day, you need these powder skis. And if in case you have a carving day the place it hasn’t snowed in a bit of bit and also you need some carving skis.”
For every day used, there’s a $55 USD per day price for individuals 13 & older. Nevertheless this doesn’t embrace a helmet, which is an extra $10. If you happen to carry your boots, you save $10 per day.
There’s additionally the matter of comfort. It’s no secret that placing on and carrying ski gear is difficult, particularly for novices and youngsters. Having a spot the place you may pre-order your gear, seize it, after which be instantly able to shred.
Jess Feaster, a Colorado girl who’s elevating two twins together with her husband Jay, described to Colorado Public Radio what appeals to them about My Epic Gear:
“After they’re little, getting them to the mountain is the toughest a part of the day. There’s the visitors on I-70, that may be a large a part of snowboarding now in Colorado. However then additionally while you simply get to the mountain, notably a younger child, it’s simply actually robust once they have their poles, they’ve their skis, they’re strolling of their boots… It’s form of like tenting. Typically you second guess the expertise as you’re preparing for it, however then when you’re truly there and doing it, it’s superior, and it’s completely well worth the ruckus.”
My opinion on that is that it’s a service that is sensible for individuals moving into snowboarding or driving or going lower than ten days throughout the season. It’s arduous to see an avid skier or rider committing to My Epic Gear, however it is sensible for individuals who are searching for one of the simplest ways to get down the mountain, which is steadily depending on the situations.
Click on right here to study extra about My Epic Gear.
Picture/Video Credit: Vail Resorts
