Reported on a couple different websites.  The empire builds.  Does anybody think Vail will try to grab a mid-atlantic resort?

Bonzski wrote:

Reported on a couple different websites.  The empire builds.  Does anybody think Vail will try to grab a mid-atlantic resort?

Hmm, wonder if Wintergreen would be attractive to Vail in terms of potential Epic Pass holders.  I would guess that Wintergreen property owners include people who fly out west to ski.  Can't think of any other NC/VA  resort with skiing that would be of interest to Vail or have any interest in being bought out.  Don't know the situation for PA though.

Have seen comments that the feeder hills that Vail adds to the collection are usually near airline hubs.  That knocks out Snowshoe or any ski area in WV.

Wintergreen resort recreation facilities now owned by outside group that also owns Ragged Mt and Wisp!

When the Dupres owned 7Springs, Vail resorts offered to buy them out. Unfortunately, the many heirs to Herman Dupre's resort could not come to an agreement to sell the resort to Vail. Not sure how Nutting got that to work.

With the Midwest acquisitions taking place it is a matter of time for Vail Resorts. I have always wondered if time would be right for Snowtime sell all of their resorts as bundle package. Liberty and Whitetail are big draws for the DC and Baltimore markets. If Vail Resorts comes East they may be looking at bigger resorts to acquire to help with the feeder resorts. Intrawest has been talking acquiring more but they have been quiet. Peaks picked up Hunter which was a huge statement that they want to be players.

padjaski68 wrote:

I have always wondered if time would be right for Snowtime sell all of their resorts as bundle package. Liberty and Whitetail are big draws for the DC and Baltimore markets. If Vail Resorts comes East they may be looking at bigger resorts to acquire to help with the feeder resorts.

Snowtime would be a hell of a crown jewel (on the feeder end) for this model of Vail's. It's all about grabbing affluent skiers at the local level and when time comes to plan a trip - they've already got the pass. Metro DC is about as affluent as it gets, while also having day tripping ability. Northern Jersey maybe in that same category.

But Snowtime makes money. It would be a hell of an acquisition price. Most of these other feeder hills seem to be slightly in the mom and pop category.

Bonzski wrote:

Reported on a couple different websites.  The empire builds.  Does anybody think Vail will try to grab a mid-atlantic resort?

Vails strategy is to buiild feeders to the major resorts. Detroit, Minneapolis, and now Chicago, Let's see, what's left? Oh yeah, Boston, NYC, and DC.  

Vail also bought Australia's biggest ski hill last year, and now those Aussie's are using their home hill passes to visit Vail's US hills.

Bonzski wrote:

Reported on a couple different websites.  The empire builds.  Does anybody think Vail will try to grab a mid-atlantic resort?

welcome to la familia - geez my Epic locals just keeps getting better and better. just think cheese and skiing all at the same time! just like Switzerland !