Vail Resorts to Buy Peak Resorts, Epic Pass Adds 17 Destinations

Epic Pass adds 17 new ski resorts

If you didn’t purchase your Epic Pass during the Spring Sale, do not delay any further. The price will go up again soon. The 2019-20 Epic Pass through Vail Resorts just added 17 more ski areas to its ever-growing list of world-class destinations. The move adds additional skiing in the Eastern and Midwestern regions of the United States, and increases the value of the already high-demand lift ticket.

Skiers and riders looking to play in the powder more this winter can get an Epic Pass at its best rate by purchasing early in the season. The popular season pass goes up in price before the season gets underway, so buying as early as you can is your best bet.

Vail Resorts recently added 17 new destinations to its 2019-20 Epic Pass, and now’s the best time to buy.

Vail Resorts has added 17 new ski resorts to its roster following a recent merger with Peak Resorts, Inc. The move continues to position Vail Resorts as a leader in the ski industry, and adds to its impressive list of destinations available as part of its Epic Pass winter promotion.

Vail Resorts agreed to purchase 100 percent of the outstanding common stock in July 2019 at a price of $11 per share, according to a press release issued by the company on July 22. The estimated total price for all available stock was approximately  $264 million. The deal represents a 116 percent premium to Peak Resorts’ closing stock price as of July 19, 2019. The transaction was approved by the Boards of Directors for both companies. The purchase was subject to several conditions, including approval by Peak Resorts shareholders.  The deal is expected to close in Fall 2019. 

The acquisition included a total of 17 ski resorts located in the Midwest and East, near major U.S. cities like Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Kansas City, Louisville, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Washington D.C. The full list includes:

1.            Alpine Valley (Ohio)

2.            Attitash Mountain Resort (New Hampshire)

3.            Big Boulder (Pennsylvania)

4.            Boston Mills (Ohio)

5.            Brandywine (Ohio)

6.            Crotched Mountain (New Hampshire)

7.            Hidden Valley (Missouri)

8.            Hunter Mountain (New York)

9.            Jack Frost (Pennsylvania)

10.          Liberty Mountain Resort (Pennsylvania)

11.          Mad River Mountain (Ohio)

12.          Mt. Snow (Vermont)

13.          Paoli Peaks (Indiana)

14.          Roundtop Mountain Resort (Pennsylvania)

15.          Snow Creek (Missouri)

16.          Whitetail Resort (Pennsylvania)

17.          Wildcat Mountain (New Hampshire)

Vail Resorts Chairman and CEO Rob Katz said the company is excited to add to its ever-expanding roster of world-class ski destinations. He said adding more ski resorts in the Northeast will be especially attractive to skiers and riders who live near Boston or New York. Previous resort acquisitions near Chicago, Detroit and Minneapolis were successful ventures for Vail Resorts, and Katz said he expects the same from this most recent merger.

He said the deal embodies the company’s philosophy of “Epic for Everyone.”

“The ski areas within the Peak Resorts portfolio exemplify the spirit of our sport as well as our Company’s mission to provide an Experience of a Lifetime to guests,” Katz said.

“During my time in the industry, I’ve come to know and respect Vail Resorts and believe they will build on our accomplishments and further improve the experience that our loyal guests enjoy both on and off the mountain,” said Timothy D. Boyd, President and Chief Executive Officer of Peak Resorts.

According to the press release, Vail Resorts plans to retain “the vast majority” of employees at each resort.

The roughly $264 million price tag will be financed through a combination of available cash, the company’s existing revolver facility, and an expansion of its existing credit facility. As part of the deal, Vail Resorts will assume any outstanding debt held by Peak Resorts. After the deal closes, Vail Resorts is planning to invest roughly $15 million over the next two years to make improvements at these resorts.

The company expects to generate around $60 million in revenue for fiscal year 2021, the first full fiscal year following the acquisition, according to the press release.  (Commonly known as “Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, or EBITDA.)

The Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass and Military Epic Pass will all have unrestricted access to the 17 new resorts once the deal is finalized, Katz said. Vacationers with an Epic Day Pass can also access the new resorts as part of the total number of days purchased.

Vail Resorts also plans to continue to sell and honor all 2019-20 Peak Resorts passes as well. Peak Resorts pass holders can also upgrade to an Epic Pass or Epic Local Pass once the deal is finalized, according to the press release.

EPIC PASS OFFERS IT ALL

Disclaimer: The following pricing was provided by Vail Resorts in July 2019 following the merger with Peak Resorts, Inc. All pricing and locations listed below are subject to change without notice. Ski-With-A-Friend and other promotions are also subject to change without notice. Be sure to check pricing online for all passes (including Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Epic Military Pass and Epic Day Pass) prior to purchase.

For the 2019-20 ski season, the Epic Season Pass is $939 for adults and $489 for children ages 5-12.  Epic Pass holders enjoy unrestricted and unlimited access at these top ski resorts:

•             Afton Alps (Minnesota)

•             Alpine Valley (Wisconsin)

•             Attitash (New Hampshire)

•             Beaver Creek (Colorado)

•             Big Boulder (Pennsylvania)

•             Boston Mills (Ohio)

•             Brandywine (Ohio)

•             Breckenridge (Colorado)

•             Crested Butte (Colorado)

•             Crotched Mountain (New Hampshire)

•             Falls Creek (Australia)

•             Heavenly (California)

•             Hidden Valley (Missouri)

•             Hotham (Australia)

•             Hunter (New York)

•             Jack Frost (Pennsylvania)

•             Keystone (Colorado)

•             Kirkwood (California)

•             Liberty Mountain Resort (Pennsylvania)

•             Mad River Mountain (Ohio)

•             Mt. Brighton (Michigan)

•             Mt. Snow (Vermont)

•             Mt. Sunapee (New Hampshire)

•             Northstar (California)

•             Okemo (Vermont)

•             Park City (Utah)

•             Paoli Peaks (Indiana)

•             Perisher (Australia)

•             Roundtop (Pennsylvania)

•             Snow Creek (Missouri)

•             Stevens Pass (Washington)

•             Stowe (Vermont)

•             Vail (Colorado)

•             Whistler Blackcomb (Canada)

•             Whitetail (Pennsylvania)

•             Wildcat (New Hampshire)

•             Wilmot (Wisconsin)

Epic Pass holder also get limited access at a number of partner resorts for the 2019-20 season. Participating resorts include:

•             10 resorts at Habuka Valley (Japan) – 5 days

•             Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (Canada) – 7 days

•             Rusutsu Resort (Japan) – 5 consecutive days

•             Snowbasin (Utah) – 7 days

•             Sun Valley (Idaho) – 7 days

•             Telluride (Colorado) – 7 days

•             Epic Pass holders also enjoy limited access to Les 3 Vallées (France), 4 Vallées (Switzerland) and Skirama Dolomiti (Italy).

Purchasing a Epic Pass for the 2019-20 season will also earn you six “Ski With A Friend” discount tickets. “Ski With A Friend” tickets are single-day lift tickets that have been discounted from the original price. They are available for purchase for friends and family at a reduced rate.

EPIC LOCAL PASS IS A GREAT DEAL

For the 2019-20 season, the Epic Local Pass costs $699 for adults and $569 for teens ages 13-18. Children ages 5-12 can purchase a pass for $369. Epic Local Pass holders get access to these ski resorts:

•             Afton Alps (Minnesota)

•             Alpine Valley (Wisconsin)

•             Attitash (New Hampshire)

•             Big Boulder (Pennsylvania)

•             Boston Mills (Ohio)

•             Brandywine (Ohio)

•             Breckenridge (Colorado)

•             Crested Butte (Colorado)

•             Crotched Mountain (New Hampshire)

•             Hidden Valley (Missouri)

•             Hunter (New York)

•             Jack Frost (Pennsylvania)

•             Keystone (Colorado)

•             Liberty Mountain Resort (Pennsylvania)

•             Mad River Mountain (Ohio)

•             Mt. Brighton (Michigan)

•             Mt. Snow (Vermont)

•             Mt. Sunapee (New Hampshire)

•             Okemo (Vermont)

•             Paoli Peaks (Indiana)

•             Roundtop (Pennsylvania)

•             Snow Creek (Missouri)

•             Stevens Pass (Washington)

•             Whitetail (Pennsylvania)

•             Wildcat (New Hampshire)

•             Wilmot (Wisconsin)

Epic Local Pass holders also have unlimited access with holiday restrictions to Heavenly (California), Kirkwood (California), Northstar (California), Park City (Utah) and Stowe (Vermont). Pass holders also get 10 total days combined with holiday restrictions at Beaver Creek (Colorado), Vail (Colorado) and Whistler Blackcomb (Canada). 

Other benefits include two days with limited holiday restrictions at Sun Valley (Idaho) and Snowbasin (Utah); five consecutive days with no blackout dates at 10 ski resorts in Habuka Valley (Japan); and five consecutive days with no blackout dates at Rusutsu Resort (Japan).

Purchasing a Epic Local Pass for the 2019-20 season will also earn you six “Ski With A Friend” discount tickets.

SAVE WITH THE MILITARY EPIC PASS

To honor those who serve and have served, Vail Resorts is offering a Military Epic Pass for $129 for the 2019-20 season. The price is good for active and retired military, as well as their dependents. The Veteran Military Epic Pass is available for veterans and their dependents for $529. Military Epic passes include these ski resorts:

•             Afton Alps (Minnesota)

•             Alpine Valley (Wisconsin)

•             Attitash (New Hampshire)

•             Beaver Creek (Colorado)

•             Big Boulder (Pennsylvania)

•             Boston Mills (Ohio)

•             Brandywine (Ohio)

•             Breckenridge (Colorado)

•             Crested Butte (Colorado)

•             Crotched Mountain (New Hampshire)

•             Falls Creek (Australia)

•             Heavenly (California)

•             Hidden Valley (Missouri)

•             Hotham (Australia)

•             Hunter (New York)

•             Jack Frost (Pennsylvania)

•             Keystone (Colorado)

•             Kirkwood (California)

•             Liberty Mountain Resort (Pennsylvania)

•             Mad River Mountain (Ohio)

•             Mt. Brighton (Michigan)

•             Mt. Snow (Vermont)

•             Mt. Sunapee (New Hampshire)

•             Northstar (California)

•             Okemo (Vermont)

•             Park City (Utah)

•             Paoli Peaks (Indiana)

•             Perisher (Australia)

•             Roundtop (Pennsylvania)

•             Snow Creek (Missouri)

•             Stevens Pass (Washington)

•             Stowe (Vermont)

•             Vail (Colorado)

•             Whistler Blackcomb (Canada)

•             Whitetail (Pennsylvania)

•             Wildcat (New Hampshire)

•             Wilmot (Wisconsin)

EPIC DAY PASS

The Epic Day Pass is a flexible season pass that offers savings on skiing as little as one day. This pass offers up to 50 percent off lift ticket window prices, depending on the number of days you plan to ski or ride. There are savings offered for ski trips ranging from one to seven days. There are also options for holiday outings.  Epic Day Passes grant access to top ski resorts like Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Keystone, Park City and Whistler Blackcomb. Those who purchase for or more days will also earn access to the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, Snowbasin, Sun Valley and Telluride as part of the total number of days purchased. According to the press release, the Epic Day Pass will also include the 17 new resorts once the pending deal closes. 

Disclaimer: The included pricing was provided by Vail Resorts in July 2019 following the possible merger with Peak Resorts, Inc. (which is subject to certain conditions, including regulatory review). All pricing and locations listed is subject to change without notice. Ski-With-A-Friend and other promotions are also subject to change without notice. Be sure to check pricing online for all passes (including Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Epic Military Pass and Epic Day Pass) prior to purchase.

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