#United States #Broomfield #Vail Resorts #Ski Season #Mountain Resorts

Vail Resorts Reports Ski Season Metrics for 2025

Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) has announced significant ski season metrics through January 5, 2025, shedding light on the company's performance in North America. This report compares the current season with the previous one, noting variations in skier visits, revenues, and guest behavior.

Key Metrics Overview

From the beginning of the ski season until January 5, 2025, total skier visits dropped by 0.3% compared to the same period last year. However, total lift ticket revenue has shown a commendable increase of 4.5%. Meanwhile, profits from ski school programs rose by 1.1%, and dining revenues experienced a notable uptick of 6.6%. In contrast, retail and rental income saw a decline of 5.4% when compared to the prior year's season-to-date figures.

CEO Insights on Performance

Kirsten Lynch, the Chief Executive Officer of Vail Resorts, expressed her satisfaction with the company's results, attributing them to the stability of the season pass program, investments in guest experiences, and efficient mountain operations across resorts. Lynch stated that favorable weather conditions early in the season contributed positively to local visitation, while a shift in the behavior of destination guests towards later in the season was also noted.

Despite the generally strong performance, the holiday period revealed a downturn in destination guest visitation at western North American resorts, which was attributed to changing industry trends and customer patterns observed during the season.

Forecast for the Remainder of the Season

Looking ahead, Lynch remains optimistic about improved performance in the remaining months, especially with a solid base of pre-committed guests and promising lodging bookings. The company anticipates achieving its Operational EBITDA guidance for the year, provided current economic conditions favor such outcomes.

The organization is also pleased to announce a new agreement with the Park City Mountain patrol union, aligning wage structures across all mountain resorts after the disruptions caused by prior strikes. Vail Resorts aims to ensure a rewarding and safe experience for its guests, while also focusing on building back trust and loyalty following these disturbances.

Conclusion

As Vail Resorts navigates through mixed results this ski season, strategic adjustments, customer-centric offerings, and robust pre-season commitments appear vital for the company's continued success. The ski season remains characterized by a dynamic landscape, with evolving patterns influencing visitation and overall performance.

With its commitment to an exceptional guest experience and a zero net operating footprint by 2030, Vail Resorts is set to enhance its appeal to both local and destination visitors, aiming for a comprehensive recovery in ski season metrics as the season progresses.