Vail to operate Canyons

[steamboat1]

http://news.vailresorts.com/corporate/vailresortstooperatecanyonsresortinparkcityutah.htm

 

[drjeff]

HUGE!!

Vail Resorts has been looking for a while to get into the Utah Market. This does it in a BIG way!

 

[steamboat1]

This doesn't bode well for POWDR.

The transaction also incorporates the potential for the lease, without additional consideration, to include the land under the ski terrain of Park City Mountain Resort that is adjacent to Canyons and is currently owned by Talisker and is subject to pending litigation. “We look forward to the litigation being resolved and hope that Vail Resorts can play a constructive role in helping to arrive at a solution that offers the best outcome for guests of both resorts,” Katz added.

 

[skifree]

that epic pass looks nice!

 

[Nick]

Just heard that this morning. Good for those epic passholders

 

[ScottySkis]

That is awesome news. When I move out to Utah I be happy to try Cannons.

 

[drjeff]

that epic pass looks nice!

Just heard that this morning. Good for those epic passholders

Just waiting for Vail Resorts and it's EPIC pass, which now off the top of my head gets you access to 6 or 7 Colorado resorts, 1 or 2 Tahoe Resorts, a couple resorts in Michigan, a couple resorts in Austria and Switzerland and now The Canyons, to get into the Eastern Market! I've gotta think that they'd LOVE to lock up some more of the Eastern skier/rider non Eastern destination ski vacation market, and if you've got someone on an Epic Pass already, that's an even easier decision to make!

 

[snowmonster]

Maybe I should get an Epic pass going forward. Way easier to fly into UT and CO from Manila.

I wonder what this means for the Skilink proposal.

 

[ScottySkis]

Maybe I should get an Epic pass going forward. Way easier to fly into UT and CO from Manila.

I wonder what this means for the Skilink proposal.

You should lots of resorts so cheap it be paid off with two weeks of skiing. And Colorado has that legal plant now to FYI.

 

[meff]

Just waiting for Vail Resorts and it's EPIC pass, which now off the top of my head gets you access to 6 or 7 Colorado resorts, 1 or 2 Tahoe Resorts, a couple resorts in Michigan, a couple resorts in Austria and Switzerland and now The Canyons, to get into the Eastern Market! I've gotta think that they'd LOVE to lock up some more of the Eastern skier/rider non Eastern destination ski vacation market, and if you've got someone on an Epic Pass already, that's an even easier decision to make!

We've had Epic Local passes for five years now, would totally upgrade to a full Epic Pass if they bought something in New England.

 

[thetrailboss]

Very interesting, but not surprising considering that Talisker has been at it for what, five or six seasons since they took over from ASC? A win-win since Talisker probably would rather focus on the land and development and let Vail run the resort. Talisker has done a lot of good things...they replaced some lifts, did more marketing, did a lot to change the image of the place, ran some good deals, and really were pretty aggressive with the place. Apparently not aggressive enough. It will be very interesting to see how the ski operations change, if they do.

This doesn't bode well for POWDR.

The transaction also incorporates the potential for the lease, without additional consideration, to include the land under the ski terrain of Park City Mountain Resort that is adjacent to Canyons and is currently owned by Talisker and is subject to pending litigation. “We look forward to the litigation being resolved and hope that Vail Resorts can play a constructive role in helping to arrive at a solution that offers the best outcome for guests of both resorts,” Katz added.

Now THIS is very interesting. There has been no word here as to what is going on with the PCMR lawsuit. My understanding is that it was PCMR's fault for not renewing the 50-year lease it had with Talisker in writing before the expiration date and that Talisker, as landlord, wants them gone. Now with Vail in the picture, this will be interesting since PCMR is now fighting against two entities....landlord and potential tenant. I wonder if POWDR will give in.

And unlike last season, when PCMR was out saying that they were definitely opening for skiing and that passholders would be protected, I have not seen any publicity saying this for the upcoming season.

I'll have to listen to the teleconference.

It will also be interesting to see if Vail takes over the SkiLink project or if Talisker presses on...publicity and image problems and all. The biggest complaint I still hear is that Talisker tried to make it a landgrab through Congress instead of working the local channels.

 

[thetrailboss]

Buried on PCMR's site, you can see this statement:

Park City Mountain Resort is confident it will operate business as usual for the 2013-14 season, its 50th anniversary. Talisker Land Holdings, its landlord, has stated publicly numerous times that it will not interfere with Park City Mountain Resort’s ability to operate. In the unlikely event the Resort is forced to close for the 2013-14 season, the Resort will refund the full season pass price paid by holders of 2013-2014 season passes. If the Resort is forced to close for a portion of the 2013-2014 season, the Resort will prorate the refund based on the period the Resort is closed.

http://www.parkcitymountain.com/site/tickets-and-rentals/passes/season-passes/index.html

I'm not sure I'd have a real good feeling about buying a pass if I read this....sure I'd get my money back, but I'd want to ski.

 

[ss20]

Ideas for what Vail will do for the Canyons?

 

[snoseek]

I'm still sticking with my Tahoe local paas i think because if I'm gonna make the 8 hour drive over to Utah, the Canyons aint what I'm driving for. Still yet another bold move on Vails part. I predict pass wars commence in Utah although They're gonna want something else over their to diversify their offerings I think.

I wouldn't automatically expect big changes at the Canyons, they may but Vail doesn't always come in with truckloads of money and start tearing stuff down and rebuilding. They are slow and steady at Heavenly and Kirkwood.

I wonder where interconnect goes from here.....

 

[drjeff]

Ideas for what Vail will do for the Canyons?

Having skied about 50 days at The Canyons since 1999, and somewhat remembering the original master plan of The Canyons, here are what I wouldn't be shocked to see Vail resorts do in the next few seasons

1) Install a new lift (likely a gondola) from the base area that heads South towards either the base of Tombstone or possibly all the way over towards Dreamscape. That would both help improve the morning rush cluster F to get out of the base area and up on to the mountain, especially if you want to head over towards Tombstone/9990/Iron Mtn/Peak 5 or Dreamscape AND would give a way at the end of the day for those skiing/riding the South side of the area to get back to the base WITHOUT having to either survive their way down Sidewinder or basically Cross Country ski down Red Pine Rd to get back to the Red Pine Lodge area to download via the existing gondola or take the transfer lift over to Lookout Cabin and down Doc's Run to the base - this is a pain for any intermediate or lower who's been on the South side skiing + riding

#2 Continue the expansion South towards Park City Mtn Resort - let's be honest with this move, Talisker/Vail Resorts WANTS to one way or another link to PCMR and then over to Big Cottonwood Canyon - would create a true resort to resort ski experience unlike anything in North America and would likely draw in some BIG crowds

#3 Lift upgrades - especially in the Dreamscape/ Dreamcatcher/Daybreak area - on the master plan, those ASC installed lifts were supposed to be high speed, not fixed grip - ASC didn't have the $$ for HS lifts at that time, and IMHO at least Dreamscape and Dreamcatcher should be HS, especially since that is likely where the link to PCMR will be

#4 on mountain day lodge on the Southern side of the mtn - the tent like "Cloud dine" at the top of Dreamscape is nice - they need another on mtn lodge or 2 though in say the Tombstone base or 9990 Base or Dreamcatcher Base area - especially if they link to PCMR - If the canyon link gondola is built - near its base could also work for a new on mtn day lodge on the Southern part of the mtn

#5 More snowmaking - especially South of Tombstone

That's my top 5

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[dartmouth01]

The Epic Pass actually covers three tahoe resorts, northstar, heavenly, and Kirkwood. I've heard rumors (unsubstantiated) that there have been talks with Mammoth and Vail too....

 

[MadPadraic]

This will be my second season with an Epic local, the email today said "call to upgrade" and a comment that epic local access would be determined at a later date.

If I was sure that there was a trip running to St Anton, I'd upgrade in a heartbeat.

This pass is nearly perfect: Tahoe in December, Canyons for Sundance, and Colorado the other months.

 

[Anklebiter]

May be they could buy Saddleback, if it's still for sale. That would be great for me, since we'll be moving to Maine next month.

 

[AdironRider]

May be they could buy Saddleback, if it's still for sale. That would be great for me, since we'll be moving to Maine next month.

You do realize that its completely against their business model right?

 

[thetrailboss]

http://www.saminfo.com/news/vail-resorts-cuts-42-canyons-staff

Looks like Vail's first act was cutting a few folks.