Vail Resorts says pass sales are up 67% compared to pre-COVID 2019

The season at Park City Mountain will start on November 19. Photo: Vail Resorts

PARK CITY, Utah — In a financial report released this week, Vail Resorts highlighted significant pass sales growth for the upcoming ski season.

“Pass product sales through September 17, 2021 increased approximately 67% in units and approximately 45% in sales dollars as compared to the period through September 20, 2019,” the report said.

Compared to pandemic-impacted 2020 numbers, pass sales are up 42%.

“Given the continued challenges associated with COVID-19, we are pleased with our operating results for the year,” said Chief Executive Officer of Vail Resorts Rob Katz.

Katz said he credits strong pass sales for the upcoming season to the 20% reduction in all pass prices.

“Results continued to improve as the 2020/2021 North American ski season progressed, primarily as a result of stronger destination visitation at our Colorado and Utah resorts. Excluding Peak Resorts, total skier visitation at our U.S. destination mountain resorts and regional ski areas for fiscal 2021 was only down 6% compared to fiscal 2019.”

Also this week, Vail announced the following upgrades to Park City Mountain that are planned for 2022-23 season:

• Park City Mountain, Eagle Lift: A high-speed 6-person chair with a new mid-station will replace the existing Eagle lift, significantly reducing crowding and wait times, and improving the guest experience, especially for beginner skiers and ski and ride school guests.
• Park City Mountain, Silverlode 8-Person Lift: Vail Resorts’ first-ever high-speed 8-person chair, replacing an existing 6-person chair, will increase uphill capacity by 20% and reduce wait times at a critical spot to circulate guests on mountain.

The upgrades are part of a wide $320 million investment project by Vail spanning across 14 of its resorts.

“Our teams have been hard at work identifying significant opportunities to improve the guest experience and have produced an initial list of exciting lift upgrades, a restaurant expansion and projects that expand access to incredible terrain for next season, with more to be announced,” said Katz.

“At some of our mountains, this means new high-speed lifts that will double how fast we can move people out of the base areas, and at others, the projects are all about making it easier for people to explore different sections of the mountain.”

You can explore and follow the progress of all of Vail’s projects at www.snow.com/EpicLiftUpgrade which includes videos of the initiatives opening this season as well as details of the new projects announced for the 2022-23 season.