Category: EPIC Pass

Posted on

The Must-Read Guide of Vail, Colorado

Vail's iconic village with the Gore Range Mountains capturing the sunset in Vail, CO. Photo- Craig Orsini, Vail Resorts. The Must-Read Guide to Vail.

The Must-Read Guide of Vail, Colorado- Where to Stay, how to ski the Mountain, Where to Eat and Drink.

Vail is one of the most renown ski resorts in the world. It was one of these resorts I always wanted to visit when I was young growing up in Argentina. Luck struck me and I was able to visit several times, and also worked for Vail Resorts long time ago now. International visitors always want to visit either Vail or Aspen. Those are the famous resorts they know. This made me then put together the Must-Read Guide to Vail to help you organise your trip to this grand resort!

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

Vail's 10th Mountain Division skier. Photo: Vicky Galarraga. @vickydevail. The Must-Read Guide to Vail.
Vail’s 10th Mountain Division skier. Photo: Vicky Galarraga. @vickydevail. The Must-Read Guide to Vail, Colorado.

The History of Vail

Ute Indians used to settle within this territory in the summer. They used to travel to the most arid lands on the west during winter. The Utes used to call the Gore Range that overlooked the valley the “Shinning Mountains”.
Came WWII and the United States created a training center called Camp Hale. Here the 10th Mountain Division trained for alpine combat. They went on to fight on the Mountains of Northern Italy. When they came back, they were the force to develop the ski industry in the USA.
One veteran of the 10th Mountain Division, Peter Seibert, came back to Colorado. He joined the Aspen Ski Patrol and Ski School. Then he went on to become the manager of Loveland Basin Ski Area. At that moment, Seibert and Earl Eaton start looking on developing a new ski resort in the Rockies.
Eaton was local to Colorado and started skiing when young. By 1940, he was ski racing in Aspen while working for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Glenwood. In 1957, he and Seibert climbed Vail Mountain in winter and realised of its potential as a ski area.
Friends Skiing Groomed Terrain in Vail, CO.. Photo: Daniel Milchev. Vail Resorts. The Must-Read Guide to Vail.
Friends Skiing Groomed Terrain in Vail, CO.. Photo: Daniel Milchev. Vail Resorts. The Must-Read Guide to Vail.
Vail Mountain Wooden Clock, painting by Martina Diez-Routh in soft pastels, pan pastels and pastel pencils on pastel paper 80x60cm unframed, on sale framed.
Vail Mountain Wooden Clock, painting by Martina Diez-Routh in soft pastels, pan pastels and pastel pencils on pastel paper 80x60cm unframed, on sale framed in a wooden light rustic wood frame. Actually exhibiting at the QC Terme hotel in Courmayeur Mont Blanc. See it in my shop here.
Posted on

Vail Resorts to Acquire Peak Resorts, Owner Of 17 U.S. Ski Areas

A great powder day at Mount Snow, part of Peak Resorts.Vail Resorts to Acquire Peak Resorts, Owner Of 17 U.S. Ski Areas

Vail Resorts to Acquire Peak Resorts, Owner Of 17 U.S. Ski Areas

Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) today announced it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire 100 percent of the outstanding stock of Peak Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: SKIS) at a purchase price of $11.00 per share, subject to certain conditions, including regulatory review and Peak Resorts’ shareholder approval.

Liberty Mountain. Photo: Peak Resorts. Vail Resorts to Acquire Peak Resorts, Owner Of 17 U.S. Ski Areas
Liberty Mountain. Photo: Peak Resorts. Vail Resorts to Acquire Peak Resorts, Owner Of 17 U.S. Ski Areas

Through the acquisition, Vail Resorts will add 17 U.S. ski areas to its network of world-class resorts. Located near major metropolitan areas, including New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Columbus, St. Louis, Kansas City and Louisville, the resorts include:

  • Mount Snow in Vermont
  • Hunter Mountain in New York
  • Attitash Mountain Resort, Wildcat Mountain and Crotched Mountain in New Hampshire
  • Liberty Mountain Resort, Roundtop Mountain Resort, Whitetail Resort, Jack Frost and Big Boulder in Pennsylvania
  • Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine and Mad River Mountain in Ohio
  • Hidden Valley and Snow Creek in Missouri
  • Paoli Peaks in Indiana

Continue reading “Vail Resorts to Acquire Peak Resorts, Owner Of 17 U.S. Ski Areas”

Posted on

Epic Australia Pass Now Includes Unlimited, Unrestricted Access to Hotham Alpine Resort with Sales Deadline Extended to 18 June.

Photo: Hotham Resort. Epic Australia Pass Now Includes Unlimited, Unrestricted Access to Hotham Alpine Resort with Sales Deadline Extended to 18 June.

Epic Australia Pass Now Includes Unlimited, Unrestricted Access to Hotham Alpine Resort with Sales Deadline Extended to 18 June.

  • The 2019 Epic Australia Pass and 2018-19 Epic Pass will now provide unlimited, unrestricted access to Hotham Alpine Resort, in addition to Perisher Ski Resort and Falls Creek Alpine Resort in Australia
  • Additional world-class access on the Epic Pass and Epic Australia Pass includes Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Park City and more in North America and Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu in Japan
  • Purchase deadline for the 2019 Epic Australia Pass is now extended to Tuesday 18, June
Glorious mountain views at Hotham Alpine Resort to end Autumn & start winter 2019. Epic Australia Pass Now Includes Unlimited, Unrestricted Access to Hotham Alpine Resort with Sales Deadline Extended to 18 June.
Glorious mountain views at Hotham Alpine Resort to end Autumn & start winter 2019. Epic Australia Pass Now Includes Unlimited, Unrestricted Access to Hotham Alpine Resort with Sales Deadline Extended to 18 June.

Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) announced that the 2019 Epic Australia Pass and 2018-19 Epic Pass will now provide unlimited, unrestricted access to Hotham Alpine Resort, in addition to Perisher Ski Resort and Falls Creek Alpine Resort in Australia. To celebrate the best Australian snow conditions in almost 20 years, the deadline to purchase a 2019 Epic Australia Pass has been extended to Tuesday 18, June.

Thanks to nearly a metre of snow across Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham over the past week, these early season conditions have set up the strongest season opening since 2000. Perisher was able to open for the 2019 season one week early with a 31 May early opening and the new $4.2 million Leichhardt Quad Chairlift is set to make its debut this Thursday. Hotham opened this past Friday 7, June and Falls Creek opened on Saturday 8, June.

Continue reading “Epic Australia Pass Now Includes Unlimited, Unrestricted Access to Hotham Alpine Resort with Sales Deadline Extended to 18 June.”

Posted on

Now that other resorts are finishing their season on Memorial Day Weekend, Breckenridge, decided to extend their season till June 9th.

Breckenridge Ski Resort Announces Plans to Regularly Extend Winter Seasons through Memorial Day, Beginning this Spring. Photo Breckenridge Ski Resort. Andrew Maguire.

Now that other resorts are finishing their season on Memorial Day Weekend, Breckenridge, decided to extend their season till June 9th.

After A Record-Breaking Winter Season And An Abundance Of Spring Snowfall, Breckenridge Ski Resort Announced Today Plans To Extend The 2018-19 Ski And Snowboard Season For Two Additional Weekends Beyond Memorial Day. The Resort Will Remain Open Daily Through Memorial Day, May 27 As Planned, And Then Will Shift To A Weekend Schedule, Offering Skiing And Riding On Saturdays And Sundays June 1-2 And June 8-9, Weather And Conditions Permitting.

Breckenridge Ski Resort Announces Plans to Regularly Extend Winter Seasons through Memorial Day, Beginning this Spring. Photo: Breckenridge Ski Resort.
Breckenridge Ski Resort Announces Plans to Regularly Extend Winter Seasons through Memorial Day, Beginning this Spring. Photo: Breckenridge Ski Resort.

“It Has Been One Of The Best Winter Seasons I Can Remember During My More Than 25-Year Career, And We Are Thrilled To Keep It Going For Our Guests And Passholders,” Said John Buhler, Vice President And Chief Operating Officer At Breckenridge Ski Resort.

During The Two Additional Weekends, Operations Will Continue To Be Based Out Of Peak 7, With Access To Primarily Advanced- And Expert-Level Terrain, Via The Independence Superchair.

Continue reading “Now that other resorts are finishing their season on Memorial Day Weekend, Breckenridge, decided to extend their season till June 9th.”

Posted on

Vail Resorts Reports Certain Ski Season Metrics for the Season-to-Date Period Ended April 21, 2019

Vail Village. Photo: Chris McLennan- Vail Resorts. Vail is the fourth resort on the list of Cheaphotels.org as the most expensive resorts to ski in the USA. The most expensive ski resorts in the USA.

Vail Resorts Reports Certain Ski Season Metrics for the Season-to-Date Period Ended April 21, 2019

Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) today reported certain ski season metrics for the comparative periods from the beginning of the ski season through April 21, 2019, and for the prior year period through April 22, 2018. The reported ski season metrics are for their North American mountain resorts, and the metrics exclude results from our Australian resorts and their urban ski areas in both periods. The data mentioned in this release is interim period data and is subject to fiscal quarter end review and adjustments.

A family takes in the scenery and enjoys a day of skiing in Keystone, CO. Vail Resorts Reports Certain Ski Season Metrics for the Season-to-Date Period Ended April 21, 2019.
A family takes in the scenery and enjoys a day of skiing in Keystone, CO. Vail Resorts Reports Certain Ski Season Metrics for the Season-to-Date Period Ended April 21, 2019.
  • Season-to-date total lift ticket revenue at the Company’s North American mountain resorts, including an allocated portion of season pass revenue for each applicable period, was up 9.3% compared to the prior year season-to-date period.
  • Season-to-date ski school revenue was up 6.5% and dining revenue was up 7.0% compared to the prior year season-to-date period. Retail/rental revenue for North American resort store locations was up 6.2% compared to the prior year season-to-date period.
  • Season-to-date total skier visits for the Company’s North American mountain resorts were up 6.8% compared to the prior year season-to-date period.

Commenting on the ski season to date, Rob Katz, Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased with our overall results as the 2018/2019 North American ski season concludes, with strong growth in visitation and spending compared to the prior year. The results from the key holiday weeks through the spring were largely in line with our original expectations as we saw strong destination visitation following the challenging early season period. Our results throughout the 2018/2019 North American ski season highlight the growth and stability resulting from our season pass, the benefit of our geographic diversification, the investments we make in our resorts and the success of our sophisticated, data-driven marketing efforts.”

Continue reading “Vail Resorts Reports Certain Ski Season Metrics for the Season-to-Date Period Ended April 21, 2019”

Posted on

Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood Resorts Announce Extended Ski Season

Northstar Black Diamonds runs- Photo: Elisabeth Biebl. Northstar Resort. Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood Resorts Announce Extended Ski Season.

Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood Resorts Announce Extended Ski Season

  • Heavenly Mountain Resort season extended through April 28, 2019, plus 3-day-weekend May 3-5
  • Northstar California Resort season extended through April 21, 2019
  • Kirkwood Mountain Resort season extended through April 14, 2019, plus 3-day-weekend April 19-21

After record-breaking snowfall throughout the Lake Tahoe region in February, the Best of Tahoe Resorts, including Heavenly Mountain Resort, Northstar California Resort, and Kirkwood Mountain Resort announced plans today to extend the 2018-19 ski and snowboard season. Plans may change based on weather, conditions or US Forest Service approval.

View of Lake Tahoe from the mountain. Photo: Heavenly Ski Resort. Elisabeth Biebl. Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood Resorts Announce Extended Ski Season.
View of Lake Tahoe from the mountain. Photo: Heavenly Ski Resort. Elisabeth Biebl. Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood Resorts Announce Extended Ski Season.

During the month of February alone, Heavenly has received 269” of snow, Northstar has received 286” and Kirkwood has received 271”.

“Record-breaking snow conditions paired with the hard work of our mountain operations teams have made for a truly unforgettable season so far,” said Mike Goar, vice president and chief operating officer of the Best of Tahoe Resorts. “With even more snow on the way, we are thrilled to extend the winter operations at all three of our Lake Tahoe resorts and offer skiers and riders additional opportunities to take advantage of these amazing spring conditions across the region.”

Continue reading “Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood Resorts Announce Extended Ski Season”

Posted on

A-Basin quits the Epic Pass cash cow due to their lack of parking.

Photo: Arapahoe Basin- Dave Camara. Matt and Rio on the lift. A-Basin quits the Epic Pass cash cow due to their lack of parking.

A-Basin quits the Epic Pass cash cow due to their lack of parking.

Arapahoe Basin revenues doubled during the decade it was part of the Epic Pass, but parking problems outweigh the benefits of cash flow

From The Colorado Sun

Too many Epic Pass weekend skiers have forced A-Basin to abandon its decade-long partnership with Vail Resorts.

“We are pretty darn full on weekends and we don’t need any more people on weekends. If anything, we could probably whittle those numbers down a little bit,” Arapahoe Basin’s longtime leader Alan Henceroth said Monday, the day the resort announced it had pulled the plug on the Epic Pass partnership for the 2019-20 ski season. “Our parking is our pinch point.”

Pond Skimming at the end of the season at Arapahoe Basin. Photo: Ashey Ojala. Arapahoe Basin. A-Basin quits the Epic Pass cash cow due to their lack of parking.
Pond Skimming at the end of the season at Arapahoe Basin. Photo: Ashey Ojala. Arapahoe Basin. A-Basin quits the Epic Pass cash cow due to their lack of parking.

Arapahoe Basin, a local’s favorite with a rowdy selection of daunting steeps and a rootsy vibe, has thrived for 10 years under a deal with Vail Resorts that included the 1,428-acre ski area on the industry-dominating Epic Pass. Last fall the company sold more than 825,000 of those passes, offering skiing at 65 different locations.

Vail Resorts once owned Arapahoe Basin for a hot minute. But the U.S. Department of Justice in 1997 forced Vail Resorts to sell the ski area near the summit of Loveland Pass, citing antitrust issues after Vail acquired Ralston Resorts’ Summit County ski areas: Breckenridge, Keystone and A-Basin.

Vail’s Summit County ski areas have partnered with Arapahoe Basin on various shared passes since 1998.

Arapahoe Basin, which is owned by Canada’s Dundee Resort Development, was Vail Resorts’ first partner resort on the Epic Pass, which now includes access to privately owned, independent resorts such as Telluride, Sun Valley and Snowbasin.

Continue reading “A-Basin quits the Epic Pass cash cow due to their lack of parking.”

Posted on

Sun Valley and Snowbasin Join the Epic Pass

Snowbasin's full mountain. Photo: Snowbasin Mountain Resort. Sun Valley and Snowbasin Join the Epic Pass.

Sun Valley and Snowbasin Join the Epic Pass

  • Sun Valley Resort and Snowbasin Resort join the Epic Pass, Epic Local, Epic 7-Day and Epic 4-Day passes beginning with the 2019-20 winter season in a multi-year alliance.
  • Epic Pass holders will receive seven days of skiing or snowboarding with no restrictions at both Sun Valley and Snowbasin.
  • Epic Local Pass holders receive two days at each resort with minimal restrictions.
  • Epic 7-Day pass holders can use any or all of their seven days and Epic 4-Day pass holders can use any or all of their four days with no restrictions at both resorts.
  • Epic, Epic Local, Epic 7-Day and Epic 4-Day pass holders will receive 50 percent off one-day window lift ticket prices after their respective days have been redeemed.
  • The industry-leading Epic Pass features access to world-class mountain resorts throughout eight countries for the 2019-20 season, more than any other season pass in the world.
Family skiing at Snowbasin- Photo credit: Snowbasin Ski Resort. Snowbasin's full mountain. Photo: Snowbasin Mountain Resort. Sun Valley and Snowbasin Join the Epic Pass.
Family skiing at Snowbasin- Photo credit: Snowbasin Ski Resort. Snowbasin’s full mountain. Photo: Snowbasin Mountain Resort. Sun Valley and Snowbasin Join the Epic Pass.

Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN), Sun Valley Resort and Snowbasin Resort jointly announced today that both resorts will join the industry-leading Epic Pass in a multi-year alliance beginning with 2019-20 winter season, adding two new destinations to the world-class access found on the  Epic Pass. Epic Pass holders will receive seven days of skiing or snowboarding with no restrictions at both resorts. Epic Local Pass holders will receive two days at each resort with minimal restrictions. Epic 7-Day pass holders can use any or all seven of their total days, with no blackouts, while Epic 4-Day pass holders can use any or all four of their total days of skiing and snowboarding with no restrictions at both resorts. Sun Valley is consistently ranked one of the top ski resorts in North America and Snowbasin is known as a great family-friendly destination, conveniently located near Salt Lake City.

“Sun Valley is a four-season renowned mountain resort and provides visitors from around the world with diverse mountain experiences and world-class dining and shopping. Together with nearby Park City Mountain Resort, Snowbasin has an incredibly rich winter sports history and this expanded access provides two great options for Epic Pass holders in Utah,” said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts.

Continue reading “Sun Valley and Snowbasin Join the Epic Pass”

Posted on

Breckenridge Ski Resort Announces Plans to Regularly Extend Winter Seasons through Memorial Day, Beginning this Spring

Breckenridge - Peaks 6 to 10- Wideview. Photo by Brent Clark- Breckenridge Ski Resort. Vail Resorts. Breckenridge Ski Resort Announces Plans to Regularly Extend Winter Seasons through Memorial Day, Beginning this Spring.

Breckenridge Ski Resort Announces Plans to Regularly Extend Winter Seasons through Memorial Day, Beginning this Spring 

Combined with Keystone’s recently announced capital improvement proposal to upgrade snowmaking and position the resort to be the first to open in Colorado, the two Summit County resorts will offer one of the longest ski and snowboard seasons in the country.

After a record-breaking start to the winter season, Breckenridge Ski Resort announced today plans to extend the 2018-19 ski and snowboard season into May, for the first time since the mid-‘90s. The resort will aim to remain open through Memorial Day this season as well as for future seasons, weather and conditions permitting. Paired with Keystone’s recently announced capital improvement proposal—subject to U.S. Forest Service approval—to upgrade snowmaking and help position the resort to be the first to open in Colorado, together Breck and Keystone will offer one of the longest ski and snowboard seasons in the country moving forward.

Never Nesters drink at apres in Breckenridge, CO. Photo Andrew Maguire. Vail Resorts. Breckenridge Ski Resort Announces Plans to Regularly Extend Winter Seasons through Memorial Day, Beginning this Spring.
Never Nesters drink at apres in Breckenridge, CO. Photo Andrew Maguire. Vail Resorts. Breckenridge Ski Resort Announces Plans to Regularly Extend Winter Seasons through Memorial Day, Beginning this Spring.

“Spring is an incredible time to ski Breck’s High Alpine and we are thrilled to extend our season this year, and beyond, and offer that terrain as long as the snow lasts,” said John Buhler, vice president and chief operating officer at Breckenridge Ski Resort. “With Breck’s notably high elevation and annual snowfall we are well-positioned to provide our passholders and other guests great spring skiing and snowboarding well into May.”

During the extended portion of the season this spring the resort plans to offer skiing and riding out of Peak 7, with access to primarily advanced- and expert-level terrain on Peak 8 in Imperial, Horseshoe and North Bowls, accessed by the Independence SuperChair, Imperial Express SuperChair and the TBar Lift while conditions allow.
Continue reading “Breckenridge Ski Resort Announces Plans to Regularly Extend Winter Seasons through Memorial Day, Beginning this Spring”

Posted on

Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season

Crested Butte Mountain Resort- Vanderlinden. Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season

  • Pending U.S. Forest Service approvals, the Teocalli Lift realignment and replacement will include a new fixed-grip quad chairlift increasing uphill capacity by 50 percent.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) is excited to announce plans to replace the Teocalli Lift – a 1979 Riblet fixed-grip double chairlift – for the 2019-20 winter season, pending approval by the U.S. Forest Service. If approved, the new Teocalli Lift would be upgraded to a fixed-grip quad chairlift, increasing uphill capacity by 50 percent.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Photo: Trent Bona. Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Photo: Trent Bona. Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season.

The proposed realignment and installation of the new lift would take place following the close of the 2018-19 winter season. Plans to realign the Teocalli Lift would shift the upper terminal closer to the top of the Red Lady Express; the lower terminal would remain in the existing location at the intersection of the Bushwacker, Gunsight Pass and Upper Conundrum trails.

The Teocalli Lift replacement would improve the on-mountain guest experience at CBMR by providing increased uphill capacity, a secondary egress to the base area from the Paradise Warming House and quick access to beginner and intermediate terrain.

Continue reading “Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season”