Category: Ski Business

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Experience Japan’s renowned deep powder at Niseko United with the IKON Pass.

Niseko Grand Hirafu, part of Niseko United, now with the IKON Pass, making it the third continent under one ski pass.

The Ikon Pass Now Offers Skiers & Riders Access on Three Continents

Ikon Pass holders will now have access to more than 72,000 skiable acres over three continents with the addition of Niseko United, located on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido. Japan is home to some of the planet’s most plentiful and light snow, making Niseko United a bucket list destination for any skier and rider on the hunt for fresh powder.

You can now experience the legendary powder of Niseko United with the IKON Pass.
You can now experience the legendary powder of Niseko United with the IKON Pass.

Niseko United is regarded as Japan’s premier mountain destination and is comprised of four ski resorts located on one mountain – Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and Annupuri. Famous for the consistency and quality of its snow, Niseko United receives 50+ feet of snowfall every winter with just 7% of water content from crystallized moisture picked up from the Sea of Japan. Multi-million dollar investments in accommodation and infrastructure make Niseko United an excellent destination for families and powder hounds.

Continue reading “Experience Japan’s renowned deep powder at Niseko United with the IKON Pass.”

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The IKON Pass expands regional access into the Pacific Northwest, Midwest and Northeast.

Sugarloaf, now on the IKON Pass. JWalter Photo.

Loon Mountain, Sugarloaf and Sunday River Increase Access; Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, The Summit at Snoqualmie, and Cypress Mountain Join the Ikon Pass Community.

The Ikon Pass community has expanded to all corners of the country with the addition of The Summit at Snoqualmie in Washington, Cypress Mountain in British Columbia and Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain in Michigan. Plus, access to Loon Mountain in New Hampshire and Sugarloaf and Sunday River in Maine just tripled.

Access
The Summit at Snoqualmie, Cypress Mountain, Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain will offer 7 days each on the Ikon Pass, and 5 days each on the Ikon Base Pass with 10 holiday blackout dates, (Dec. 26 – 31, 2018; Jan. 19 – 20, 2019; Feb. 16 – 17, 2019).

The Summit at Snowqualmie- now on the IKON Pass. Part of Boyne Resorts.
The Summit at Snowqualmie- now on the IKON Pass. Part of Boyne Resorts.

Loon Mountain, Sugarloaf, and Sunday River originally offered 7 days combined between the three destinations on the Ikon Pass, (5 days combined between the three destinations on the Ikon Base Pass) and will now offer 7 days at each destination (5 days at each destination on the Ikon Base Pass), bringing access to 21 days total on the Ikon Pass (15 days total on the Ikon Base Pass).

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Vail Resorts closes its acquisition of Stevens Pass Resort in Washington

Cowboy Ridge at Stevens Pass, one of the areas bought by Vail Resorts in its last shopping spree.

Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) today announced that the Company has closed on its acquisition of Stevens Pass Resort in Washington from Ski Resort Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Oz Real Estate. The final purchase price, after adjustments for certain agreed-upon terms, was $64 million. Less than 85 miles from Seattle and renowned for its plentiful snowfall, the resort sits on the crest of the Cascade Range within two national forests – the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on the west side, and the Wenatchee National Forest on the east.

Stevens Pass is the last acquisition of Vail Resorts and will be included in the EPIC Pass.
Stevens Pass is the last acquisition of Vail Resorts and will be included in the EPIC Pass.

The 2018-19 Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Epic Australia Pass, and Military Epic Pass now include unlimited and unrestricted access to Stevens Pass; the Epic 7 Day and Epic 4 Day Passes now offer seven and four unrestricted days respectively. Additionally, Whistler Blackcomb’s 5 Day and 10 Day EDGE Cards, which are available to residents of Washington State and Canada, allow pass holders to use two of five, or three of 10 days at Stevens Pass or any other Vail Resorts’ owned and operated ski resorts.

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ALTERRA MOUNTAIN COMPANY TO ACQUIRE SOLITUDE MOUNTAIN RESORT IN UTAH

Solitude Mountain Resort - Photo by Solitude Mountain Resort. Alterra Mountain Company to acquire Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah.

Alterra Mountain Company is to acquire Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah.  Alterra Mountain Company announced today that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah, which would bring the company’s total to 13 year-round mountain destinations throughout North America, including the world’s largest heli-skiing operation.



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“With its close relationship with Deer Valley Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort is a natural fit for Alterra Mountain Company, and a tremendous addition to our family of destinations. We are especially excited to expand our reach within Utah and offer another ski and snowboard experience in a state known for its exceptional snow and mountain culture,” said Rusty Gregory, Chief Executive Officer, Alterra Mountain Company.

Solitude Mountain Resort is the last mountain to be acquired by Alterra Mountain Company. They will be included within the IKON Pass.
Solitude Mountain Resort is the last mountain to be acquired by Alterra Mountain Company. They will be included within the IKON Pass.

Solitude Mountain Resort is located just 34 miles from the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and less than an hour from Deer Valley Resort, in the renowned Big Cottonwood Canyon. The mountain offers skiers and riders 77 runs, three bowls, and a vertical drop of 2,030 feet (619 meters) across 1,200 acres, plus some of the most impressive off-piste terrain in the country. The quaint base village offers ski-in/ski-out accommodations along with year-round activities for guests.

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Saas-Fee awesome crowfunding campaign for a season pass of CHF 255 gets a green light for the third year in the row.

Saas-Fee is launching for the third time in the row the MountainCARD, a crowfunding campaign to get a season pass for CHF 255.

If you are planning to go skiing to Switzerland, think ahead and watch this promotion of Saas-Fee. With only CHF 255 you might be lucky of getting a season pass for Saas-Fee if 66,666 other winter fans chip in, thanks to the latest crowfunding campaign, an effort now in its third year.



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The website for the WinterCARD is now up and running at www.make-it-happen-again.ch . The deal is this: if by 31st October 2018 ther are 66,666 winter enthusiasts registering their interest for the pass for Saas-Fee, Saas-Grund, Saas-Almagell and Saas-Balen, then these people will obtain their ski pass for CHF 255.

Saas-Fee is one of the prettiest ski towns in the Valais region. Get advantage of the crowdfunding campaign and get your WinterCARD for CHF 255.
Saas-Fee is one of the prettiest ski towns in the Valais region. Get advantage of the crowdfunding campaign and get your WinterCARD for CHF 255.

You will only be obliged to pay if the goal of the WinterCARD is achieved. You can check how many people have registered checking at www.make-it-happen-again.ch with its live counter. By 31st October, all participants will be contacted via email if they are owners of the WinterCARD 2018-19 that will be valid from 1st November 2018 til 28th April 2019.

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Colorado resorts’ downhill ski visits down again in 2017-18

Loveland Ski Area - Powder Alliance. Several new resorts join the Powder Alliance for 2018-19 ski season

As per the Denver Business Journal, visits to Colorado resorts’ downhill ski visits are down again in 2017-18, but thanks to the late snowfalls, the numbers were not as bad as feared.

Vail, the renown resorts that gave name to the company that now manages the Epic Pass.
Vail, the renown resorts that gave name to the company that now manages the Epic Pass. Colorado resorts’ downhill ski visits down again in 2017-18.

Colorado Ski Country resorts have received 7.1 million visits to their 24 member resorts, a 2 % drop from the 2016-17 ski season. This was announced on Thuresday at CSCUSA’s annual meeting.



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Vail Resorts Inc (NYSE:MTN)- the operator of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone are not part of CSCUSA and have not announced the figures for its resorts, but said before that overall resorts in North America fell 1.9 % from the previous season.

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Jungfrau V-bahn railway project gets green light overcoming opposition

Jungfrau v-bahn railway project gets green light.

The controversial Jungfrau V-bahn railway project gets green light overcoming opposition.

The Federal Office of Transport has approved a CHF400 million ($405 million) mountain railway project that will carry tourists faster up to the Jungfraujoch in the Bernese Alps. The project has been modified to appease local opponents who had raised environmental and aesthetic concerns.

At the heart of the controversial plan is a V-shaped cable car route that would allow more tourists to swiftly reach the Eiger Glacier station from where they can take the mountain railways to the Jungfraujoch “Top of Europe” tourist station.

Photomontage of the possible new situation in the ground in Grindelwald. Left the new Männlichenbahn, right the Eiger Express and the parking garage. Both planned new buildings are marketed under the name V project
Photomontage of the possible new situation in the ground in Grindelwald. Left the new Männlichenbahn, right the Eiger Express and the parking garage. Both planned new buildings are marketed under the name V project.

Local authorities and residents of the Bernese Alps feared the “Eiger express” line, which would start from the village of Grindelwald, would disfigure the landscape. Seventeen objections were made but advocates gave up the fight in February accepting in exchange a donation for a good cause.

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Vail Resorts to acquire Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Okemo Mountain Resort, and Mount Sunapee Resort , and also Stevens Pass Resort in a separate transaction.

Crested Butte is one of the last additions to the EPIC Pass. Photo: Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

• Vail Resorts will acquire Triple Peaks, LLC, the parent company of Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont, Mount Sunapee Resort in New Hampshire, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado.
• In a separate transaction, Vail Resorts will acquire Stevens Pass Resort in Washington State.
• Upon closing, Epic Pass and Whistler Blackcomb Edge Card products will now include additional access to all four resorts for the 2018-19 winter season, providing even more variety and options in New England, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest.
• Vail Resorts plans to invest $35 million in total capital across the four resorts over the next two years.

Crested Butte viewed from town- Photo b JC Leacock - Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort viewed from town- Photo b JC Leacock – Crested Butte Mountain Resort, now recently purchased by Vail Resorts.

As per a new press release by Vail Resorts, as of today, June 4, 2018,  Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)  has entered into an agreement to purchase Triple Peaks, LLC, the parent company of Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont, Mount Sunapee Resort in New Hampshire, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado. The Company will purchase Triple Peaks, LLC from the Mueller family for a purchase price of $82 million, subject to certain adjustments. At closing, Triple Peaks will pay $155 million to pay off the leases that all three resorts have with Ski Resort Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Oz Real Estate, with funds provided by Vail Resorts.

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Aspen officials, developers agree on a new lift alignment at base of Ajax- Lift 1 A Aspen Mountain.

Lift 1A- Aspen Mountain

Article submitted on Aspen Times. – The proverbial bullwheel for a new chairlift at the base of Aspen Mountain’s west side, where Lift 1A is now, has been set in motion, now that developers and city planners have the go ahead to bring the alignment down to Dean Street — or close to it.


Aspen City Council on Tuesday gave direction to city staff, Aspen Skiing Co. and the developers of two lodge properties on the Lift 1A side of the mountain to move forward with their plans to reinvigorate the western portal of the ski area.

Lift One Lodge developers Michael and Aaron Brown at the site of the historic Lift One bulwheel structure. Aspen Mountain. Photo: Aspen Times.
Lift One Lodge developers Michael and Aaron Brown at the site of the historic Lift One bulwheel structure. Aspen Mountain. Photo: Aspen Times.

While a “telemix” — a combination of a chairlift and gondola — was recommended to start just in front of the 1940s-era Lift One bullwheel structure, council members said they were OK if the historic resource was moved in order to get the new platform closer to Dean Street, thus giving skiers easier access to the mountain.

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Boyne Resorts Acquires Six Mountain Resorts

Boyne Resorts acquires six resorts. Sunday River in Maine is one of them. Photo: Sunday River Resort.

Boyne Resorts Acquires Six Mountain Resorts. Included in the transaction are Brighton Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City, Utah; Cypress Mountain in Vancouver, B.C.; Gatlinburg SkyLift in Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Loon Mountain Resort in New Hampshire; Sugarloaf and Sunday River Resort in Maine; and The Summit at Snoqualmie near Seattle, Washington.

Cypress Mountain near Vancouver. Photo: Cypress Mountain. Boyne Resorts Acquires six mountain resorts
Cypress Mountain near Vancouver. Photo: Cypress Mountain.

Boyne Resorts today announced closing of a purchase transaction with Ski Resort Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Oz Real Estate, to acquire six mountain resorts and a scenic chairlift attraction previously leased by the resort company. Boyne Resorts has been the long-term operator of the seven newly acquired assets and also owns three resorts in northern Michigan and Big Sky Resort in Montana. As third largest based on skier visits, Boyne Resorts’ portfolio of mountain properties is the most geographically diverse among all North American ski resort companies.


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