Vail Resorts launched the Epic Australia Adaptive Pass recently to provide equal access and opportunity for eligible guests with impairments to ski and ride at its Australian resorts. In line with the company’s commitment to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment through its Be Inclusive value, this new pass option begins to address some of the barriers for people with impairments when skiing and riding with a lower cost for lift access.
Which is great news for all the dedicated volunteers at DWA (Disabled Wintersports Australia) and those with impairments that make it harder to get on snow than it is for most of us.
“Finding Freedom on Snow has always been our overarching vision and this initiative with Vail Resorts is a major step forward to reducing barriers and increasing access for our members,” said Jenni Cole, chief executive officer of Disabled Wintersport Australia. “We continue to work with Vail Resorts and our partners on behalf of all our members to deliver unique experiences in the alpine regions of Australia. This Epic Australia Adaptive Pass is another example of how values-driven organisations can work together to realise products and services that meet the needs of people of all abilities.”
“We are committed to making the experience at our Australian resorts more accessible for all guests, driven by our goal to increase participation and representation of all abilities in skiing and riding,” said Ryan Bennett, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts. “The launch of the Epic Australia Adaptive Pass represents continued progress on our journey to bring incredible value and access to Australian skiers and riders by recognising the different needs and barriers of our guests.”
Increased Access and Opportunity
The Epic Australia Adaptive Pass is now on sale, priced at AU$549 for adults, AU$299 for students and AU$409 for seniors, offering unrestricted and unlimited skiing and riding at Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham with no price rise during the 2022 season. Available to Disabled Wintersport Australia members and other verified guests, the Epic Australia Adaptive Pass is an extension of Vail Resorts’ long-standing adaptive ticket and lesson programs in North America and Australia.
DWA members do an awesome job – check out this from at Hotham a couple of years back.
For the 2022/23 Northern Hemisphere season, the Epic Australia Adaptive Pass provides 10 combined total days at Whistler Blackcomb (BC), Vail (Colorado) and Beaver Creek (Colorado) plus access to world-class resorts in Colorado (Breckenridge and Keystone), Utah (Park City), Lake Tahoe (Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood) and more. Some peak restrictions apply.
The Epic Australia Adaptive Pass features benefits such as valuable in-resort discounts for Pass Holders, including 20 percent off lessons and rental equipment, up to 15 percent off retail purchases and Perisher-owned food and beverage outlets, Epic Mountain Rewards at Vail Resorts’ owned and operated North American resorts during the 2022/23 season and more. Additionally, the Epic Australia Adaptive Pass includes 50 percent off private lessons.
Pass products are non-refundable except as provided by Epic Coverage, which is included with the Epic Australia Pass and the Epic Australia Adaptive at no additional cost.
More about Disabled Wintersports Australia / Get involved
DWA is a registered charity and welcome tax-deductible donations and new volunteers in support of their growing membership base.
DWA is the accredited National Sporting Organisation for delivering adaptive snow sports and life changing experiences to people living with disability, and their families.
With 1,400 members and 400 Volunteers, across Perisher, Thredbo, Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and Mt. Buller, we have been Australia’s Alpine Adaptive Experts since 1978. From grass roots, first time to competitive and Paralympians.
We can’t operate without Volunteer Guides! If you are an intermediate to advanced skier or snowboarder who would like an added challenge on the slopes and have some time to volunteer, then DWA has a unique opportunity for you to be fully trained in our Adaptive Snowsport Guide Program.
DWA’s Volunteer Adaptive Snowsport guide is a fantastic experience and a great opportunity to meet like-minded people. You will be trained by our qualified DWA trainers. You will be able to assist snowboarders and skiers down a run and safely around the mountain as well as have a chat on the chairlift as you experience their joy and confidence build.
It is a fun group to be a part of and you will create lasting memories and experiences for our participants and your fellow volunteers.
www.disabledwintersport.com.au/volunteering/guiding-faqs/
or email volunteer@disabledwintersport.com.au
For just how awesome some current sitskiers are check out our interview with Trevor Kennison here:
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