Gov. Kelly Ayotte is announcing an investigation by the attorney general into the Epic Pass sold by Vail Resorts in New Hampshire, looking into whether the world’s largest operator of winter resorts is effectively collecting a sales tax in the state. Vail Resorts operates several mountains in New Hampshire, including Wildcat Mountain, Attitash, and Crotched Mountain, as well as Mount Sunapee through a lease agreement with the state.
The governor’s office reported that in March, the company announced it would start imposing a “blended sales tax” of 3.2% on all multi-resort Epic Passes nationwide, including those sold in New Hampshire. Ayotte stated, “New Hampshire is proud to have no sales tax, and we’re not going to let an out-of-state company try to sneak one in. The attorney general will thoroughly investigate Vail Resorts’ attempt to charge a sales tax on Granite State skiers.”
Vail Resorts stated that the Epic Pass grants access to resorts in various states, including British Columbia, Washington, Utah, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The company clarified that they do not impose a tax on goods or services in New Hampshire, including lift tickets for their resorts in the state. However, the Epic Pass and Northeast Value Pass encompass resorts outside of New Hampshire, where sales and admission taxes are legally required.
Vail Resorts mentioned that they are in communication with the governor’s office and the Attorney General’s Office in response to the investigation.
