NEWSLETTER • August 20, 2026
Summer is flying by, and with all the talk about El Niño, we’re even more excited for winter! In this edition, you’ll find information about the the new bike haul and trail access via the Gondola, the Returner Offer Letter, and more updates to Ski & Ride School in My Epic.
GONDOLA BIKE HAUL
On August 17, the Gondola opened its doors to mountain bikers, offering access to the brand-new Panorama Trail!
Please note that Heavenly does not operate a bike park and does not maintain mountain bike trails.
We provide access to the South Lake community trail network that is managed by the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) in partnership with the United States Forest Service (USFS).
To access the Panorama Trail riders will unload at Mid-Station for the Mid-Station Connector trail which is the primary access point to the Panorama trail, you will then leave the Heavenly resort boundary and access surrounding trails. There are other trail options from the top of the Gondola; the Mid-Station Connector trail can be accessed.
Operating hours are the same as the gondola 10 AM – 5 PM
As active or returning employees (formerly SIS), you are eligible for benefits and discounts as outlined below.
For more information, you may access our website: Gondola Bike Haul | Heavenly Ski Resort
RETURNER OFFER LETTERS
As an eligible returner, you should have already received an email from peopleconnect@vailresorts.com which contains a link to Epic Employee and instructions on how to access your Returner Offer Letter.
Please follow the instructions provided in the email, as previous login credentials are no longer valid.
Once logged in to Epic Employee, please navigate to your tasks to review and either accept or decline your offer. This step is crucial and required in order to rehire you for the 2026-2027 winter season.
Deadline to accept offer: September 1, 2026
If you have questions regarding your offer, issues with your login, or have not received the email please reach out to Ski & Ride School via email at snowschool@vailresorts.com.
If you have already reached out to let us know that you did not receive the email, we will request that it be resent and no need to notify us again.
SKI & RIDE SCHOOL IN MY EPIC
See The Guest Experience Through Their Eyes
Over the past few communications, we’ve shared updates about Lesson Connect, the instructor and leadership application that helps manage lessons, students, skills, photos, and more.
Today, we’re turning our attention to Ski & Ride School in My Epic—the guest-facing experience that brings lesson progress, updates, achievements, and memories directly to guests and their families.
While guests see these features in the My Epic app, it’s important to remember that you bring the experience to life through your actions in Lesson Connect. Every photo, skill update, lesson status change, and lesson review contributes to a more connected and engaging guest journey.
Why This Matters
Guests consistently tell us that understanding their progress—and their child’s progress—is one of the most valuable parts of the Ski & Ride School experience. Photos, achievements, automated progress updates, lesson summary reviews, and skill tracking help guests stay connected long after the lesson ends.
While guests experience these features through Ski & Ride School in My Epic, they’re made possible through the work you do every day in Lesson Connect. Every lesson you build, photo you capture, skill you record, and review you complete creates an experience that helps guests celebrate their progress and continue their journey with us.
Thank you for helping create unforgettable experiences both on and off the snow.
How This Experience Comes To Life
Milestones, achievements, and accomplishments are automatically captured through Lesson Connect via lift scans, skill-tracking updates, and resort-specific badges. Many of the guest-facing features in Ski & Ride School in My Epic are powered by these everyday instructor actions:
Key Ways Instructors Support the Guest Experience:
- Build lessons accurately within Lesson Connect
- Ensure students are added to the correct lesson
- Start lessons when leaving the group forming area
- Take, tag, and submit photos throughout the lesson
- Complete accurate skill reviews at the end of the lesson, add instructor notes, and complete recommended next level
Upcoming Lessons, Check-In & Lesson Management
Before guests arrive, they can access important lesson details directly within My Epic, helping them feel prepared, informed, and excited for their day on the mountain.
Student Profiles
Guests can access a dedicated profile for each student and view their Ski & Ride School journey over time.
Active Lesson Experience & Achievements
Throughout their Ski & Ride School experience, guests can stay connected to their progress with real-time updates, photos, and achievement recognition that celebrate learning and milestones on the mountain.
Post-Lesson Summary
At the end of the lesson, guests receive a summary of what they accomplished and where they can continue progressing.
