WHISTLER BC - Just months after announcing their ambitions Renaissance Project, a huge, multi-phase expansion and enhancement plan to bolster offerings and guest experience at the resort, Whistler has been sold to US resort operator, Vail Resorts Inc.
Regularly claiming the top title in as "Best Resort" in a variety of different rankings and surveys, Whistler has long been a source of pride for Canadian ski and snowboarders. Â Featuring some of the continent's best skiing, and most vibrant off-mountain life, Whistler attracts millions of visitors year-round.
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At the time owned by Whistler-Blackcomb Holdings Inc, on August 8, 2016, it was announced that the resort had been sold to Vail Resorts Inc for a cool $1.4 billion, which was reportedly made up of $676 million in cash, and a further $715 million in Vail stock. Â Whistler Blackcomb shareholders received $17.50 per share in cash and 0.0975 shares of Vail Resorts common stock, leaving the total combined value of a share at $36.00 per share, which had closed at $25.14 on the preceding Friday.
"Whistler Blackcomb is one of the most iconic mountain resorts in the world with an incredible history, passionate employees and a strong community. With our combined experience and expertise, together we will build upon the guest experience at Whistler Blackcomb while preserving the unique brand and character of the resort as an iconic Canadian destination for guests around the world." -Â Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts
As weather patterns continue to change and shift, as we saw last winter in the east, it leaves many ski resorts vulnerable to poor performing seasons.  While Whistler is well positioned to weather any poor weather years, this past season benefiting from a bumper year of near-record snowfall, and drastically extended season, they are not immune to these risks, two seasons ago being hit hard with poor snowfall, and worse still with a lot of rain.  The hope is that by becoming part of Vail Resorts' diverse portfolio of resorts world-wide, it will help secure the resort financially, ensuring continued sustainability and growth.
In the official press release announcing the takeover, they also committed to investing heavily in the resort, continuing with the existing Renaissance Project plans for expansion.
We've been reassured that primary leadership will remain local, along with maintaining local employment, but how exactly all of this will really affect the guest experience is yet to be seen.
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For the 2016-17 season they say they will be maintaining Whistler's current season pass structure, with plans to integrate the resort into Vail's "Epic Pass" structure for the following season.
That means skiers and snowboarders could enjoy discounts of up to 50% on current season pass prices.
Epic Passes for adults are currently listed at $809 USD, or around $1,056 CAD according to Vail Resorts. In comparison regularly priced unlimited adult season passes for Whistler Blackcomb will likely set you back more than $2,000 CAD (or $1,649 CAD with early bird discount).
Epic Passes would offer unlimited skiing not only at Whistler, but at all Vail Resort owned mountains, including:
- Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin, all in Colorado
- Park City in Utah
- Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe
- Perisher in Australia
- Afton Alps in Minnesota
- Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin
- Mt. Brighton in Michigan
Photo: Ian Watson / OUTSLOPES
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