Mount Snow, Hunter Mountain Among 17 Mountain Resorts Acquired by Vail Resorts & Included in Epic Pass

Our intimate group participating in Mount Snow’s first-ever Devin Logan Experience (Olympic freestyle skiing silver medalist and hometown hero Devin Logan is second from left). Mount Snow, Vermont is one of 17 resorts newly acquired by Vail Resorts and included in this season’s Epic Pass © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

BROOMFIELD, Colo.—September 24, 2019—Popular Northeast mountain resorts Hunter Mountain in New York and Mount Snow in Vermont, are now part of Vail Resorts and will be included on this year’s Epic Pass. Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) today announced that the Company has closed on its acquisition of Peak Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: SKIS) for a purchase price of $11.00 per share. With this acquisition, Vail Resorts has added 17 U.S. ski areas to its network of world-class resorts, bringing its total number of owned and operated resorts to 37 worldwide.

The 17 new resorts are located in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, near major metropolitan areas including New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Columbus, St. Louis, Kansas City and Louisville.

The new resorts in the Northeast are: Mount Snow in Vermont; Hunter Mountain in New York; and Attitash Mountain Resort, Wildcat Mountain and Crotched Mountain in New Hampshire. They join the Company’s existing Northeast resorts – Stowe Mountain Resort and Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont, and Mount Sunapee Resort in New Hampshire – and together will provide skiers and riders incredible variety and choice in the region.

In the Mid-Atlantic, the acquired resorts are: Liberty Mountain Resort, Roundtop Mountain Resort, Whitetail Resort, Jack Frost and Big Boulder in Pennsylvania.

In the Midwest, the new resorts are: Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine and Mad River Mountain in Ohio; Hidden Valley and Snow Creek in Missouri; and Paoli Peaks in Indiana. They join the Company’s other Urban resorts in the Midwest which draw guests from Chicago, Detroit and Minneapolis. Those resorts are: Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin; Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and Afton Alps in Minnesota.

“We are thrilled that with this acquisition, skiers and riders living in and around some of the biggest cities in the country will now have access to both ski close to home and at renowned mountain resorts around the world – with just one pass,” said Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts. “We are excited to welcome each of these ski areas into the Vail Resorts family and to continue to invest in what makes them unique.”

The 2019-20 Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Epic Australia Pass and Military Epic Pass now include unlimited and unrestricted access to each of the 17 ski areas, in addition to the access provided to some of the world’s most well-known resorts including Vail, Whistler Blackcomb, Park City and Breckenridge. Guests with an Epic Day Pass are also able to access these 17 ski areas as a part of the total number of days purchased. For the 2019-20 season, Vail Resorts will honor all Peak Resorts pass products and continue to sell them through the fall. Current Peak Resorts’ pass holders now have the option to upgrade to an Epic Pass or Epic Local Pass.

Following today’s closing, Vail Resorts plans to invest approximately $15 million over the next two years in one-time capital spending to elevate the guest experience at these resorts. Additionally, the Company’s annual ongoing capital expenditures are expected to increase by approximately $10 million to support the addition of the new ski areas.

Peak’s common stock will be delisted from the Nasdaq Global Select Market effective as of the close of trading on September 24, 2019.

Epic Pass Access Details

Vail Resorts currently offers the following access and benefits for 2019-20 Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Military Epic Pass and Epic Day Pass holders. These products now include access to each of the 17 acquired ski areas as outlined below.

• Epic Pass™: For $969 for adults and $509 for children (ages five to 12), the Epic Pass offers the following access and benefits:

o    Unlimited, unrestricted access to: Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Okemo, Mount Snow, Mount Sunapee, Attitash, Wildcat, Crotched, Hunter, Liberty, Roundtop, Whitetail, Jack Frost, Big Boulder, Stevens Pass, Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine, Mad River, Hidden Valley, Snow Creek, Paoli Peaks, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton, and Wilmot in North America. The Epic Pass also includes access to Perisher, Falls Creek, and Hotham in Australia.

• • Limited access to partner resorts, including: seven days at each of Telluride, Sun Valley, Snowbasin, and the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies; five consecutive days at Hakuba Valley, Japan’s ten ski resorts; five consecutive days at Japan’s Rusutsu Resort. The Epic Pass also grants limited access to Les 3 Vallées in France; 4 Vallées in Switzerland; and Skirama Dolomiti in Italy. 

• Epic Local Pass™: For $719 for adults, $579 for teens (ages 13 to 18) and $379 for children (ages five to 12), the Epic Local Pass offers the following access and benefits:
  • Unlimited, unrestricted access to: Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Okemo, Mount Snow, Mount Sunapee, Attitash, Wildcat, Crotched, Hunter, Liberty, Roundtop, Whitetail, Jack Frost, Big Boulder, Stevens Pass, Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine, Mad River, Hidden Valley, Snow Creek, Paoli Peaks, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton, and Wilmot.
  • Unlimited access with holiday restrictions to: Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, and Stowe.
  • 10 total days combined (with holiday restrictions) at: Vail, Beaver Creek, and Whistler Blackcomb.
  • Limited access to partner resorts, including: two days (with limited holiday restrictions) at Sun Valley; two days (with limited holiday restrictions) at Snowbasin; and five total consecutive days with no blackout dates at Hakuba Valley’s ten ski resorts in Japan; and five total consecutive days with no blackout dates at Rusutsu Resort.

• Military Epic Pass™: For $159 for Active and Retired Military and their dependents and $559 for Veteran Military and their dependents, the      Military Epic Pass offers the following access:

• • Unlimited, unrestricted access to: Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Okemo, Mount Snow, Mount Sunapee, Attitash, Wildcat, Crotched, Hunter, Liberty, Roundtop, Whitetail, Jack Frost, Big Boulder, Stevens Pass, Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine, Mad River, Hidden Valley, Snow Creek, Paoli Peaks, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton, and Wilmot in North America. The Military Epic Pass also includes access to Perisher, Falls Creek, and Hotham in Australia.

         Epic Day Pass: Announced earlier this year as a part of Epic for Everyone, the Epic Day Pass provides unprecedented flexibility and season pass discounts to guests skiing as little as one day.

o   With the customizable pass, guests can unlock discounts of up to 50 percent off lift ticket window prices by selecting the number of days they plan to ski or ride – from one day to seven days – and whether or not to add holiday access.

o   Guests can use the pass at any of the Company’s North American owned resorts, including Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, and more, including the 17 new resorts. Those purchasing four or more days also get access to Telluride, Sun Valley, Snowbasin, and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies as a part of the total number of days purchased.

Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading global mountain resort operator. Vail Resorts’ subsidiaries operate 37 world-class mountain resorts and urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada; Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham in Australia; Stowe, Mount Snow, Okemo in Vermont; Hunter Mountain in New York; Mount Sunapee, Attitash, Wildcat and Crotched in New Hampshire; Stevens Pass in Washington; Liberty, Roundtop, Whitetail, Jack Frost and Big Boulder in Pennsylvania; Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine and Mad River in Ohio; Hidden Valley and Snow Creek in Missouri; Wilmot in Wisconsin; Afton Alps in Minnesota; Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and Paoli Peaks in Indiana. Vail Resorts owns and/or manages a collection of casually elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning and development subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN).

More information at www.snow.com.

 

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I Love NY Winter Ski Bus Kicks Off Jan. 22 from NYC to 4 Mountain Destinations

The I Love NY Winter Ski Bus from NYC offers an overnight trip to Whiteface Mountain, Lake Placid© 2016 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The I LOVE NEW YORK Winter Ski Bus will begin weekly trips from New York City to upstate ski areas on January 22. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the bus will offer downstate skiers and riders day trips to Hunter, Plattekill and Belleayre mountains, plus an overnight trip to Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid. Additionally, I LOVE NEW YORK has partnered with popular outfitter REI to further spread the word about the outdoor adventures that the State has to offer.

The I LOVE NEW YORK Bus winter program schedule features:

Fridays to Hunter Mountain, providing weekday access for skiers and snowboarders with shorter lift lines and more runs in the Snowmaking Capital of the World.

Saturdays to Plattekill Mountain, featuring 38 different trails and a family-friendly atmosphere, the mountain offers a great skiing experience for everyone.

Sundays to Belleayre, this model of winter mountain perfection offers 50 trails, parks and glades and a 1,404 vertical drop.

Overnight Trip to Whiteface Mountain, Lake Placid: Experience the mountain with highest vertical drop east of the Rockies and host of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. In the evening enjoy the beautiful town of Lake Placid for dining and further shopping and entertainment.

Also new in 2016 is the Have Your Own Mountain for a Day option. This exciting new feature allows groups of 100 or more to reserve Plattekill Mountain on a weekday just for themselves. Reservations can be made through Hampton Jitney, call 631-283-4600 ext. 343 for more information. Trips can be booked now at www.Iloveny.com/bus.

Hampton Jitney Vice President Andrew Lynch said, “The success of the I LOVE NEW YORK BUS ski trips last year led us to expand our destinations for 2016. With new partners like REI joining this year, the momentum and engagement is sure to grow.”

“The I LOVE NEW YORK Bus is a great way for downstate skiers and riders to enjoy some of New York State’s top mountains,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo. “It has never been easier for New Yorkers and tourists alike to experience the world renowned skiing and other outdoor recreational activities that await them upstate this winter.”

Partnership with REI

I LOVE NEW YORK’s partnership with REI will help promote winter attractions and outdoor recreation in New York State through in-store promotions, email offers and ski visit information on the company’s website. The partnership will also introduce travelers to New York State’s booming craft beverage and winery trails.

REI Outdoor Programs and Outreach Manager Melissa Abramson said, “REI is thrilled to be partnering with I LOVE NEW YORK to provide the opportunity for our members and customers to explore some of New York’s most beautiful ski destinations.”

Anyone who loves the outdoors can come to the co-op to learn a new activity or advance their skills with the local REI Outdoor School. REI Outdoor School is the nation’s largest provider of outdoor education, offering a wide variety of beginner to advanced classes led by professionally trained instructors. REI’s instructors are passionate about the outdoors and are dedicated to teaching outdoor ethics and outdoor skills with each and every experience. Across the country, REI Outdoor School offers a robust schedule of free and low-cost in-store classes, field programs and day outings for cycling, paddling, fitness, hiking and camping, climbing, snow sports, photography and wilderness medicine.

Last year, more than 200,000 people participated in an REI Outdoor School program or outing, including more than 5,000 New York-area residents. Examples of popular local classes are Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing, Hiking Tri-States Best Places and Introduction to Kayaking. Since REI Outdoor School launched in 2005, over 1 million people have learned with the co-op. Learn more at http://www.rei.com/learn.html.

Hampton Jitney is a pioneer in the transportation field. In 1974, Hampton Jitney started with one van and a commitment to providing the finest personalized transportation service between Eastern Long Island and metropolitan New York. Building on that simple premise, Hampton Jitney now operates a fleet of luxury motor coaches and limousines. Hundreds of thousands of people now travel each year in style and comfort, safely and on time via Hampton Jitney. Hampton Jitney operates 365 days a year between Eastern Long Island and Metro New York, including the airports. In addition, Hampton Jitney limousines, charters and tour coaches operate regularly throughout the northeastern U.S. and Canada. More information is available athttp://www.hamptonjitney.com/.

New York State features 11 beautiful vacation regions. New York’s attractions feature landmarks such as Niagara Falls, the largest park in the continental U.S. in the Adirondacks and treasures such as the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and the Corning Museum of Glass. New York State offers diverse activities for all: outdoor fun – fishing, hiking and boating, year-round festivals and exploring the rich history and culture of one of the 13 original colonies. Visitors also enjoy the fine cuisine, beverage trails and farm-to-table fresh foods. For more information, visit http://www.iloveny.com.

Follow the I LOVE NY social media channels for news on tourism in New York State. Check out I LOVE NEW YORK on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for great ideas for your next getaway.

 

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Top Fall Getaways in the Great Northern Catskills of Greene County in NYS

Thompson House, Windham, NY has a fall golf getaway © 2013 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The Great Northern Catskills of Greene County offer a colorful, and family-friendly destination for leaf peeping located just two hours north of New York City. Save with seasonal packages, participate in the Adventure Passport Contest and experience autumn in the Adventure Capital of the Catskills!

In celebration of fall, the Great Northern Catskills offer special lodging deals, a number of seasonal festivals and ongoing family-friendly entertainment creating an unforgettable mountain getaway. Check out these top fall package deals and find additional savings online at www.greatnortherncatskills.com.

Save, Stay & Play Fall Golf Getaway at the Thompson House in Windham. Package includes accommodations, breakfast and lunch, 18 holes of golf at the Windham Country Club or Christman’s Pleasant Valley Golf Course with cart. Rates start at $101 per person, per day. Available through mid-October. Guests can also join in the revelry during Oktoberfest I at Hunter Mountain. Slated for October 5-6, the weekend will include authentic Bavarian entertainment, cuisine and family-friendly activities.

Adventurous Rejuvenation Package at the Kaatskill Mountain Club in Hunter. Package includes overnight accommodations in a suite, two 25-minute massages each day, dinner at Van Winkles Restaurant, easy access to hiking and geocaching at Hunter Mountain and late check-out. Rates start at $134 per person, per night. Package available through October 31, Wednesday-Friday only.

Columbus Day Guinness Oktoberfest at Gavin’s Irish Country Inn in Cornwallville. Package includes entry to Gavin’s 6^th Annual Guinness Oktoberfest Weekend, three nights’ accommodations, six meals, a pint of Guinness at check-in, and live Irish musical entertainment all weekend. Rates start at $349 per person based on double occupancy. Available October 11-14. For additional fun, check out Hunter Mountain’s Oktoberfest II festivities, from October 12-13.

While visiting Greene County, look for Adventure Passport Contest locations, snap a photo and enter to win incredible prizes worth up to $3,400! Simply take four photos at participating Greene County Adventure Passport Contest attractions, log onto contest.GreatNorthernCatskills.com and upload the photos for a chance to win prizes, including an all-inclusive vacation, a brand new mountain bike, golf passes, gift certificates to Greene County businesses and more.

Greene County is located in the Great Northern Catskill Mountains and the verdant Hudson River Valley.  The region is home to five of the 10 highest Catskill Peaks and the Catskill State Park and is known as the nation’s first wilderness. Renowned as the home of Thomas Cole’s Hudson River School and the inspiration for Washington Irving’s literary legend, Rip Van Winkle, the Catskills are a haven for outdoor recreation and artistic inspiration.

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