VAIL SUCKS

[AdironRider]

Was unaware of either. IMO, no additional parking capacity / crowds should be approved until the West Bowl is completed to absorb the additional traffic. The place feels maxed out for what it is today and I don't see additional parking doing anything but making it worse until new lifts and terrain are added.

The timeline should probably be

Water Treatment upgrade
West Bowl
New parking

I'm not so sure, Sunapee had parking issues gumming up the roadways 20 years ago pre-Vail, and before everyone complained about Vail crowds. Have to imagine it is only worse now.

As a former ski town local, that shit really really sucks. I'd package parking and septic upgrades together and get those done long before West Bowl.

 

[deadheadskier]

I'm not so sure, Sunapee had parking issues gumming up the roadways 20 years ago pre-Vail, and before everyone complained about Vail crowds. Have to imagine it is only worse now.

That is true. However, my thought is Vail's goal in this project has absolutely zero to do with community benefit / traffic abatement. This is a trojan horse to get more traffic on the hill and make more money. So whatever minor improvements in traffic this project helps with will just be offset by increased traffic anyway.

 

[jimmywilson69]

more spaces = more revenue once they start charging at the sunapee level resorts.

It's coming...

 

[kbroderick]

more spaces = more revenue once they start charging at the sunapee level resorts.

It's coming...

I have no doubt they will add soon as they think it will be revenue positive, but do you really think that's a near-term likelihood? Nobody likes to pay for parking, and it seems to me that the further you get from big name places like Stowe, the greater that dislike is going to be.

 

[jimmywilson69]

Depends on how bad the bottom line is

I can assure you at my local, mole-hill, owned by our corporate overlords in Broomfield, it would not be received well...

the funny thing is that they did use to have a season pass lot and charged like $5 if you didn't have a pass. This was pre-Peaks and it wasn't the lot closest to the snow. it was the lot closest to the lodge.

 

[machski]

So apparently it may have been a one kid wonder that brought Vail to it's knees in reckoning. Late Apex Partners is just a one kid wonder investment thing

 

[urungus]

Vail Resorts To Organize Properties by "Experience," Not Geography Moving Forward

https://www.powder.com/news/vail-new-mountain-classifications

 

[thetrailboss]

Vail Resorts To Organize Properties by "Experience," Not Geography Moving Forward

https://www.powder.com/news/vail-new-mountain-classifications

Consistent with what I was saying…..

And during Lynch’s tenure, the company’s stock has sagged from its height above $350 in 2021, in spite of growing earnings year-over-year. At the time of writing this, those shares now trade around $150.

But fear not!

In addressing how the company might transform under his second tenure, Katz wrote, “The reality is, every day should be different at Vail Resorts, because we are always trying to improve. Improve the service for our guests, the experience for our employees, the vibrancy of our communities, and, yes, the returns for our shareholders.”

 

[jimmywilson69]

Vail Resorts To Organize Properties by "Experience," Not Geography Moving Forward

https://www.powder.com/news/vail-new-mountain-classifications

I didn't click yet, but WTF does that even mean???

Improve the service for our guests, the experience for our employees, the vibrancy of our communities, and, yes, the returns for our shareholders.”

The easiest way to do this is to have knowledgeable staff and make the resort operate as best as it can from snowmaking, to garbage collect. That also means having staff and services at resorts that might "under perform".

 

[deadheadskier]

No mention by Robbie about keeping ski lifts in their proper elevated positions?

I guess serious injury, death and dismemberment are still on the table.

 

[jimmywilson69]

I mean if you admit you have to improve safety you admit fault/negligence. The legal team is never going to allow that...

 

[raisingarizona]

I didn't click yet, but WTF does that even mean???



The easiest way to do this is to have knowledgeable staff and make the resort operate as best as it can from snowmaking, to garbage collect. That also means having staff and services at resorts that might "under perform".

I may be wrong but it seems to me that they are going to categorize their properties into different tiers or classes. this way they can start to raise prices and lighten crowds at the resorts that are often at capacity or over capacity. It will become like seating on a plane but with more levels based on quality. If the climate science is right the working man will be priced out of skiing in 50 years is my prediction.

 

[thetrailboss]

I may be wrong but it seems to me that they are going to categorize their properties into different tiers or classes. this way they can start to raise prices and lighten crowds at the resorts that are often at capacity or over capacity. It will become like seating on a plane but with more levels based on quality. If the climate science is right the working man will be priced out of skiing in 50 years is my prediction.

Bingo. My thoughts exactly.

 

[urungus]

I didn't click yet, but WTF does that even mean???

From the article:
The new mountain operating model, which will become effective August 1, includes four groups that sort Vail Resorts’ properties: “Destination,” “Regional Destination,” “Local,” and “Europe & Australia.” Previously, the ski resorts were designated as “Rockies,” “East,” and “West.”

My guess is Stowe, Okemo, Mt Snow, Hunter will be “Regional Destinations” and the rest of their northeast properties will be classified “Local” and continue to be an afterthought.

 

[thetrailboss]

I fixed it for Vail:

The new mountain operating model, which will become effective August 1, includes four groups that sort Vail Resorts’ properties: “Destination,” “Regional Destination,” “Local,” “Europe & Australia,” and then this place called “Wildcat.”

 

[urungus]

From the article:
The new mountain operating model, which will become effective August 1, includes four groups that sort Vail Resorts’ properties: “Destination,” “Regional Destination,” “Local,” and “Europe & Australia.” Previously, the ski resorts were designated as “Rockies,” “East,” and “West.”

My guess is Stowe, Okemo, Mt Snow, Hunter will be “Regional Destinations” and the rest of their northeast properties will be classified “Local” and continue to be an afterthought.

I should have read all of the article, LOL

The new resort types and their newly appointed leaders are:

• Destination: Resorts where the expansive terrain and elevated experience attract skiers and riders from around the world for an unforgettable trip. These resorts are Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City Mountain, Vail Mountain, and Whistler Blackcomb. With this change, Jody Churich is appointed Chief Operating Officer, Destination Resorts.

• Regional Destination: Guests come from near and far to experience the unique character and terrain long associated with these powerful and distinct brands. These resorts are Crested Butte, Heavenly, Hunter, Kirkwood, Mount Snow, Northstar, Okemo, Stevens Pass, and Stowe. With this change, Tim Baker is appointed Chief Operating Officer, Regional Destination Resorts.

• Local: These resorts and ski areas are where passion for skiing and riding are born. Close to home, guests that visit come day after day, weekend after weekend, year after year, building skills and memories. These resorts are: Afton Alps, Alpine Valley, Attitash, Boston Mills/Brandywine, Crotched, Hidden Valley (MO), Hidden Valley (PA), Jack Frost/Big Boulder, Laurel Mountain, Liberty, Mad River Mountain, Mount Sunapee, Mt. Brighton, Paoli Peaks, Roundtop, Snow Creek, Seven Springs, Whitetail, Wildcat, and Wilmot. With this change, Tim Harris is appointed Chief Operating Officer, Local Resorts.

• Europe & Australia: Our growing portfolio of mountain resorts in Switzerland includes renowned destinations for Europeans and North Americans alike. In Australia, our three mountain resorts provide world-class skiing and riding in the Southern Hemisphere. These resorts are: Andermatt-Sedrun and Crans-Montana in Switzerland; and Falls Creek, Hotham, and Perisher in Australia. With this change, Nadia Guerriero is appointed Chief Operating Officer, Europe and Australia

 

[thetrailboss]

The new resort types and their newly appointed leaders are:

• Destination: Resorts where the expansive terrain and elevated experience attract skiers and riders from around the world for an unforgettable trip. These resorts are Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City Mountain, Vail Mountain, and Whistler Blackcomb. With this change, Jody Churich is appointed Chief Operating Officer, Destination Resorts.

• Regional Destination: Guests come from near and far to experience the unique character and terrain long associated with these powerful and distinct brands. These resorts are Crested Butte, Heavenly, Hunter, Kirkwood, Mount Snow, Northstar, Okemo, Stevens Pass, and Stowe. With this change, Tim Baker is appointed Chief Operating Officer, Regional Destination Resorts.

• Local: These resorts and ski areas are where passion for skiing and riding are born. Close to home, guests that visit come day after day, weekend after weekend, year after year, building skills and memories. These resorts are: Afton Alps, Alpine Valley, Attitash, Boston Mills/Brandywine, Crotched, Hidden Valley (MO), Hidden Valley (PA), Jack Frost/Big Boulder, Laurel Mountain, Liberty, Mad River Mountain, Mount Sunapee, Mt. Brighton, Paoli Peaks, Roundtop, Snow Creek, Seven Springs, Whitetail, and Wilmot. With this change, Tim Harris is appointed Chief Operating Officer, Local Resorts.

• Europe & Australia: Our growing portfolio of mountain resorts in Switzerland includes renowned destinations for Europeans and North Americans alike. In Australia, our three mountain resorts provide world-class skiing and riding in the Southern Hemisphere. These resorts are: Andermatt-Sedrun and Crans-Montana in Switzerland; and Falls Creek, Hotham, and Perisher in Australia. With this change, Nadia Guerriero is appointed Chief Operating Officer, Europe and Australia.

• Wildcat: We just found out that we own this place. We’re not sure when we bought it or exactly where it is. Honestly, this might have been another mistake made by Ms. Lynch. At any rate, we have no immediate plans as to who will be its Chief Operating Officer. Stay tuned for EPIC plans!

Again, I fixed it.

 

[jimmywilson69]

that post would've been a lot funnier with a Katz photo. Just Sayin...


I would honestly like to know what the thinking is...

 

[thetrailboss]

that post would've been a lot funnier with a Katz photo. Just Sayin...


I would honestly like to know what the thinking is...

Yeah, I was sitting in my hot tub on my iPhone drinking my morning coffee so I could not do that so easily. I am willing to bet that Meme Rob will make his appearance at the right time.....

 

[thetrailboss]

"ALL RIGHT BITCHES, YOU ASKED FOR IT, AND YOU ARE GETTING IT. DADDY IS BACK! MY MISSIVE IS THAT YOU ALL NEED TO SHOW DADDY SOME EPIC LOVE NOW OR ELSE! PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS! FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!"

Q3 Visits Down, Early Pass Sales Soft for Vail Resorts

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., June 6, 2025 —Vail Resorts’ fiscal Q3 results were a mixed bag. While net income for the quarter ending April 30 rose rough

www.saminfo.com

Vail Resorts’ fiscal Q3 results were a mixed bag. While net income for the quarter ending April 30 rose roughly 8.5 percent to $392.8 million and year-to-date resort reported EBITDA ticked up 3 percent, Q3 resort reported EBITDA declined 1 percent, skier visits declined 3 percent across the company’s North American destination and regional resorts, and early 2025-26 Epic Pass sales showed a 1 percent decline in units.

CEO Rob Katz acknowledged the shortfall, saying, “The slight decline in units relative to the prior year season-to-date period was primarily driven by new pass holders and lower tenured renewing pass holders, which may reflect delayed decision-making due to the macro-economic environment.”

But, he added, “The majority of our pass selling season is ahead of us, and we believe the full year pass unit and sales dollar trends will be relatively stable with the spring results.”

While national skier visits rose 1.7 percent, according to National Ski Areas Association data, Vail Resorts’ North American skier visits fell 3 percent. Retail, lodging, and ski school revenue all felt the impact.

Retail/rental revenue dropped nearly 8 percent, lodging revenue was down 4 percent, and ski school and dining were mostly flat despite incremental revenue from new European resorts.

(I don't think he is joking guys!)