Category: Ski Passes

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Valle Nevado is now IKON – IKON Pass announces a partnership with Chile’s Premier ski destination.

A Day Trip to Valle Nevado from Santiago City. Photo: Valle Nevado on a beautiful night.
The IKON Pass Valid for 2019 Winter Season at Valle Nevado

DENVER, CO, November 5, 2018 – Ikon Pass, the new standard in season passes, announces Valle Nevado in Chile as its newest partner, now offering access to nearly 77,000 acres at 37 premier mountain destinations across the planet. The Ikon Pass is available for purchase at www.ikonpass.com and through select travel partners.

In addition to access to winter 2018/2019 at 35 destinations in North America and Japan, Valle Nevado joins Australia’s Thredbo to offer Ikon Pass holders skiing and riding during the Southern Hemisphere’s 2019 winter season. Ikon Pass holders will have seven-day access to Valle Nevado on the Ikon Pass with no blackout dates, and five-day access on the Ikon Base Pass, also with no blackout dates. Valle Nevado’s 2019 winter season will run from June to September.

A lovely balcony to watch the Andes in the afternoon. Valle Nevado is now part of the IKON Pass. Photo: Valle Nevado.
A lovely balcony to watch the Andes in the afternoon. Valle Nevado is now part of the IKON Pass. Photo: Valle Nevado.

Valle Nevado in Chile, located just 90 minutes from the Santiago International Airport, sits at 10,000 feet in the spectacular Andes Mountains, the second highest peaks in the world. It is South America’s foremost mountain destination, offering access to the largest amount of terrain and the most modern lift system on the continent.

“Valle Nevado is an ideal addition to the Ikon Pass community. Now Ikon Pass holders can extend their 2019 season by booking a trip to Chile for the legendary above-treeline terrain in the Andes that Valle Nevado serves up,” said Erik Forsell, Chief Marketing Officer of Alterra Mountain Company. “South America is full of passionate skiers and riders who can also now take advantage of an endless winter with the Ikon Pass as they hit the slopes of North America during the 2018/2019 winter season.”

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Alterra expects to sell 250,000 Ikon ski passes while Vail Resorts Epic Pass sales are up thanks to the $99 military pass

The state of the industry in Colorado - Alterra expects to sell 250,000 Ikon ski passes while Vail Resorts Epic Pass sales are up thanks to the $99 military pass

Alterra is expecting to sell 250,000 of the new IKON Pass while Vail Resorts stated that their sales of the EPIC Pass are up thanks mostly to the $99 military pass. This was the excerpt heard during the annual Governor’s Tourism Conference at the Talisa Hotel in Vail. The “Trends in ski” panel with Alterra’s Head of Sales Bob Stinchcomb, Vail Resorts marketing chief Kieran Cain and Powdr’s Jennifer Rudolph.

Lauren Berlamino, of Karsh Hagan, a marketing, design and tech company started the discussion with where the whole ski industry is in Colorado, noting the challenges of shorter seasons due to climate change and aging demographic. The opportunities to be had are the experiences beyond skiing and the leading the way in sustainability.

Powder Skiing in Back Bowls In Vail, CO. Photo: Vail Resorts. Alterra expects to sell 250,000 Ikon ski passes while Vail Resorts Epic Pass sales are up thanks to the $99 military pass.
Powder Skiing in Back Bowls In Vail, CO. Photo: Vail Resorts. Alterra expects to sell 250,000 Ikon ski passes while Vail Resorts Epic Pass sales are up thanks to the $99 military pass.

One-fifth of skiers are 55 years or older, with some of the most avid participants are aged 70 and older. Skiers and snowboarders visits in the country have increased from 8.7 million in 1996-97 to 9.2 million in 2017-18. Berlamino states that this growth does not correlate with the overall population growth over the past years.

“It kind of sounds like we’re facing an uphill battle, but really Colorado is doing amazing in this industry,” she said. “I think nobody’s better positioned than our state to continue to ride this momentum and be successful amidst all this change that we’re seeing.”

Powder Skiing in Back Bowls In Vail, CO. Photo: Vail Resorts. Alterra expects to sell 250,000 Ikon ski passes while Vail Resorts Epic Pass sales are up thanks to the $99 military pass.
Powder Skiing in Back Bowls In Vail, CO. Photo: Vail Resorts. Alterra expects to sell 250,000 Ikon ski passes while Vail Resorts Epic Pass sales are up thanks to the $99 military pass.

According to the National Ski Areas Association, Colorado’s share of overnight ski trips in the calendar year of 2017 was 21 percent, followed by California at 13.7 percent. Of the 53.2 million skier visits, that’s about 11 million visitors to Colorado.

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3 Zinnen Dolomites will link its resort to Östirol in Austria for the 21/22 ski season

Drei Zinnen seen from the Drei Zinnen ski area - photo PXHere.com. Drei Zinnen will continue with its plan to install the Helmjet Sexten 10-seater cable car.

3 Zinnen Dolomites (3 Peaks Dolomites) will link their resort to Austria, making it a ski carousel of 2 provinces (Sudtirol, Belluno) and 2 countries (Italy and Ausria) when it builds a lift to link its area to the Thurnthaler ski area in Östirol for 21/22-ski season.

Thurnthaler has now 40 km of slopes and with the connection; the new combined ski area will have about 160 km of slopes, becoming the largest ski resort in the Dolomiti Superski carousel.

Drei Zinnen ski area - Copyright: 3 Peaks Dolomites. 3 Peaks Dolomites will link its resort to Östirol in Austria for the 21/22 ski season .
Drei Zinnen ski area – Copyright: 3 Peaks Dolomites. 3 Peaks Dolomites will link its resort to Östirol in Austria for the 21/22 ski season .

Since last year, the ski area was re-named 3 Peaks. Before it was known as Alta Pusteria Valley/Hochpustertal. This new name plays tribute to the region’s outstanding attractions: the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Dolomites and the Drei Zinnen.  The new denomination also includes the skiing area with its 110 kilometres of ski runs, with guaranteed snow and a panorama of peaks that will take your breath away.

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Vail Resorts closes it acquisition of Okemo Mountain Resort, Mount Sunapee Resort and Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Crested Butte. Colorado, photo credit Robb Pennie. Crested Butte is now part of Vail Resorts and is EPIC, with Okemo Mountain Resort and Mount Sunapee Resort.

Vail Resorts closes it acquisition of Okemo Mountain Resort, Mount Sunapee Resort and Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

  • The Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass and Military Epic Pass now include unlimited, unrestricted access to Okemo Mountain Resort, Mount Sunapee Resort and Crested Butte Mountain Resort for the 2018-19 season
  • Passes for the 2018-19 season are currently on sale, with prices increasing Oct. 7
Okemo resort is one of the resorts sold by the Mueller's to Vail Resorts. Okemo Mountain Resort, Mount Sunapee Resort and Crested Butte Mountain Resort are now EPIC.
Okemo resort is one of the resorts sold by the Mueller’s to Vail Resorts. Okemo Mountain Resort, Mount Sunapee Resort and Crested Butte Mountain Resort are now EPIC.

Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) today announced that the Company has closed on its acquisition of 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 purchased Triple Peaks from the Mueller family for a final purchase price of approximately $74 million, after adjustments for certain agreed-upon terms. As part of the transaction and with funds provided by Vail Resorts, Triple Peaks paid off $155 million in leases that all three resorts had with Ski Resort Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Oz Real Estate.
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PEAK RESORTS TO ACQUIRE SNOW TIME FOR $76 MILLION

Mount Snow, one of the Peak Resorts bought by Vail Resorts. Photo: Mackenzie.

Peak Resorts to acquire Snow Time for USD 76 Million.

Accretive Transaction Expands Peak’s Northeast Portfolio
with the Addition of Three High-Quality Resorts

Peak Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ:SKIS) (“Peak” or the “Company”), a leading owner and operator of high-quality, individually branded U.S. ski resorts, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held Snow Time, Inc. (“Snow Time”) for $76 million in total consideration.

Snow Time owns and operates three ski resorts in Pennsylvania: Liberty Mountain Resort, Whitetail Resort and Roundtop Mountain Resort. The three resorts are within driving distance of the Baltimore-Washington D.C. market, which comprises nearly 10 million people, and welcomed more than 600,000 visitors during the 2017/2018 ski season. Snow Time’s resorts offer a combined 65 trails, more than 325 skiable acres, and an average of approximately 700 vertical feet of terrain. Snow Time also operates two 18-hole golf courses, a 115-room hotel and 22,000 square foot conference center at Liberty Mountain Resort, and more than 20 food and beverage locations across its three resorts.

Mount Snow, part of the group of resorts owned by Peak Resorts, who acquired Snow Time recently.
Mount Snow, part of the group of resorts owned by Peak Resorts, who acquired Snow Time recently.

Snow Time generated approximately $50 million in revenue and approximately $11 million in adjusted EBITDA for the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2018, resulting in a purchase multiple of approximately 6.8x, before giving effect to expected operating synergies (a reconciliation from Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided at the end of this press release). The transaction is expected to be completed prior to the beginning of the 2018/2019 ski season,subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

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IKON Pass and the NFL’s Denver Broncos enter into a three-year strategic partnership.

NFL's Denver Broncos to enter in an agreement with the IKON pass for three years.

DENVER, Colo., September 6, 2018 – Alterra Mountain Company’s Ikon Pass and the Denver Broncos are teaming up on an integrated multi-year partnership, making the Ikon Pass the Preferred Ski Pass of Broncos Country.

The partnership is designed to provide Ikon Pass exposure to millions of fans nationwide throughout Broncos Country, a passionate group of fans who follow the team and visit Broncos Stadium at Mile High during each Broncos home game.

The IKON Pass signed up a three years agreement with the Denver Broncos to be the Preferred Ski Pass of Broncos Country.
The IKON Pass signed up a three years agreement with the Denver Broncos to be the Preferred Ski Pass of Broncos Country.

Creative elements at Broncos Stadium at Mile High will provide a glimpse into Ikon Pass premium destinations and generate visibility for the multi-resort pass product through branding at the Mile High Mountain Village between Gates 4 and 5 and LED in-stadium signage. The partnership also includes website, TV and radio advertisements and activations featuring appearances by Broncos mascot, Miles, cheerleaders and alumni.

“Football season is here and winter 2018-2019 is around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to announce a partnership between the Ikon Pass and the Denver Broncos,” said Jimmy Huh, Director Media Marketing. “These are two brands with passionate fan support and a natural fit for anyone who is a fan of the Denver Broncos.”

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Alterra Mountain Company to acquire Crystal Mountain Resort in Washington.

A table with a view of Mount Rainer- Crystal Mountain Resort in Washington state acquired by Alterra Mountain Company.

Expanding Regional Access to the Company’s Family of Destinations. Alterra Mountain Company, the owner of the IKON Pass,  announces that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Crystal Mountain Resort in Washington, which would bring the company’s total to 14 year-round mountain destinations throughout North America, including the world’s largest heli-skiing operation.

“With the addition of Crystal Mountain Resort in Washington, we are able to expand our reach into the Pacific Northwest and offer our guests incredible experiences in the Cascade Mountains, while also giving Crystal Mountain Resort skiers and riders the opportunity to explore all the other premier destinations on the Ikon Pass,” said Rusty Gregory, Chief Executive Officer, Alterra Mountain Company. “Crystal Mountain is Washington’s premier resort and has been a favorite year-round destination for those in the greater Seattle-Tacoma area for years, and we are excited to include it in the Alterra Mountain Company family.”

Crystal Mountain Resort, last acquisition of Alterra Mountain Company - to be enjoyed by IKON Pass holders.
Crystal Mountain Resort, last acquisition of Alterra Mountain Company – to be enjoyed by IKON Pass holders.

Crystal Mountain Resort will be available on the Ikon Pass for winter 2018/2019. Access will be unlimited with no blackout dates on both the Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass. (Any Ikon Pass access or benefits at Crystal Mountain Resort is contingent upon the completion of Alterra Mountain Company’s transaction to acquire Crystal Mountain Resort.)

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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.

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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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Planning your ski trip

Heavenly gondola. Photo by: The-Ski-Guru. Heavenly is another of the resorts that will roll out Emma later this season. Emma, the World's First Digital Mountain Assistant, Kicks Off the 2018-19 Winter Season in Beta at Keystone Ski Resort.

When should you start planning your ski trip? For me it should be at least six months in advance to your trip, more if you are planning to travel in school holidays.

If you are travelling in the shoulder season (low season), such as early December – before the 20th), January, March in Europe (not in the US and Canada as they have Spring Break) and April (outside of Easter weekend), you can plan a bit more on top of the time and maybe see how snow conditions are.

Ski Touring Vallée de Saint Bon - Les Trois Vallées.
Ski Touring Vallée de Saint Bon – Les Trois Vallées.

For me, I need to know I have a trip in sight to be able to cope with routine. I always have my winter trip arranged by July (we go skiing with the family in February), and I do reserve the flat we use year-on-year as soon as we leave the place when our week is finished- so I book it one year in advance! That is because I have such a great deal, and my kids love going back to the same place, that is a no-brainer.

So where to start for planning your ski trip?

Well, you can try to start thinking where you want to go. Talking of the Northern Hemisphere- if you live in the UK as we do – are you going to drive (so that is only Europe and it would be France, Switzerland, Italy and maybe the Pyrenees’ or Austria, or fly, where you can add also the US, Canada or Japan. You can see the different websites with information on resorts and try to sort what resort is for the type of skier/boarder you are, or which one caters a diverse group.

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