Riders taking a lesson at Vail-owned resorts in Colorado will have a new piece of technology to utilize that the company says will streamline the ski/ride school process.
Vail Resorts has announced “My Epic Pro” for the ski and ride school. The new technology will make it possible for group lesson participants to digitally check-in, get real-time updates on their lesson, share photos, track skills, and earn milestone badges.
The technology will be available for visitors to Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone next season.
The app will make it easy for those taking a snowboard lesson to complete pre-lesson requirements, check-in, and find lesson meeting points all from the My Epic app. That means no more lines or forms to fill out on the day of the lesson. The app will also allow parents to get updates via photos in real time, like what runs and terrain the child has progressed to.
"Absolutely anyone can benefit from this technology – but parents, in particular, will love it," Vail Mountain’s Greg Willis said in a press release. "No more standing in lines to check-in your kids, getting everyone on snow faster. And while you are out enjoying your day on-mountain, you will get photos and updates so you can keep track of how they are progressing under the guidance of our world-class instructors."
Photo: Brad McGinley Photography/Getty Images
The option will be available in the app automatically for the 2025-2026 season. The goal is to eventually expand the app to other mountains owned by Vail, and expand the options to include private lessons as well. Right now, Vail offers a ski and ride school lesson for every ability level, from beginner to expert.
"Ski and Ride School is an essential part of unlocking a lifelong love of the sport," Vail’s Bill Rock said in a press release. "Our world-class instructors play such an important role in helping guests build confidence and progress their skills, and My Epic Pro is a technology companion to that lesson experience. In one app, you can get your Pass or lift ticket, plan and track your day on the mountain, check lift line wait times, book your gear, get your questions answered in real-time – and now take your ski and ride lessons to the next level."
This is the latest push by Vail Resorts to bring skiing and snowboarding into the tech age. The company has already launched a mobile lift ticket that allows guests to skip the ticket window and use their phone to get on the chairlift, and My Epic Gear, a membership program to replace traditional rentals.
Related: Opinion: Shaun White Can Singlehandedly Solve the 'Spin to Win' Problem