2007-2008 Ski Season Parking Rate will Increase

Parking in Vail and Lionshead is one of Vail’s biggest problems.  The Town Council of Vail approved the Parking Task Force’s recommendations to increase parking rates for the 2007-2008 ski season. 

This will be the last year the Debit rate for Vail and Eagle County residents without strict residency documentation.  Vail residents, employees and property owners can buy debit cards for $7 for use Mon-Thursday and $14 on Fri-Sunday and peak holidays.  Eagle County resident/property owners can purchase debit cards for $10 and $16 respectively.  A Debit Card allows residents to use the 160 metered spaces on the top deck of the Village Parking Structure or the 75 spaces on the southern middle deck of Lionshead, all on a first-come first-serve basis. A full day parking pass for any guest will be $18.  A $2 discount for Eagle County residents to purchase parking in advance and then not be guaranteed a space, hardly seems like a deal.

A discount for carpooling was brought up to Vail’s Town Council meeting and no discount was considered.  The Parking Task Force said their study found 3 occupants per car and giving a discount for more would not help.  If they are trying to encourage carpooling, why not give a $5 break for 4 or more occupants for all day?

The Town Council did make a motion to consider a Silver Pass for Vail Business owners.  The Parking Task force will study offering one parking pass, at less than the Gold Pass rate of $2,100 to businesses that do not have designated parking.  The parking would be in reserved garage spaces and allow for employees or business owners to enter and exit throughout the day and be assured of a space.  There would be a limited supply of these designated paid spaces.

The problem is the garage is filling up early with contractors working in Vail.  Now contractors can buy a  $500 Purple Pass, with garage access Monday-Thursday, and  no access to Ford Park or the Soccer Field spaces.  This summer the garage was often filled to capacity with free space used by contractors, business owners and visitors.  What is the Task Force thinking when it is a powder day?

The 250  Ford Park and Soccer Field spaces are for $100 Pink Pass holders who are Vail employees working 30 or more hours in Vail. 

For those of you who want to use shopper or meter parking at $5 for 3 hours, please note it is illegal to refeed your meter.  You will have to move your car and feed another meter, if there is an available space.  You will be ticketed $26 if you refeed the meter in your existing space.  There will be more parking police on deck checking cars this year for refeeds and over the line parking in the garage.

A parking alternative is purchasing a heated undergroung guaranteed parking space with a small studio at the Lodge at Lionshead for $520,000 and never have to worry about parking again.  For more information on this ski-in, ski-out studio with parking, contact Teri Lester, Broker/Owner at 970-376-0779 or tlester@gatewayland.com

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