Operational resilience and record guest experience
Achieved record guest experience scores with year-over-year increases at every resort in the Rockies despite severe weather. Maintained full seasonal staffing, strong seasonal employee return rates, improved employee engagement, and reduced employee injuries per labor hour.
Outperformance vs. industry on lift ticket visitation
Company lift ticket visitation declined ~10% while U.S. industry lift ticket visitation was down ~20%; in the Northeast Vail Resorts' lift ticket visits increased ~8% versus industry down ~8%. Epic Friend benefit tickets drove a 10% increase in visitation from benefit tickets.
Effective pricing and product execution drove advanced sales behavior
Super-advanced lift tickets (30% discount for purchases ~1 month in advance) produced a 65% increase in tickets sold >28 days out. Expanded pass benefits and product adjustments improved post-Labor Day sales trends by ~5 percentage points versus earlier selling period.
Resource Efficiency Transformation delivering material savings
On track to exceed the initial 2-year target with expected $106 million of annualized efficiencies by year-end (above the $100M target) and an additional $30 million of savings planned for fiscal 2028; implies an incremental $45 million of efficiencies year-over-year (before $13M of one-time costs).
Strong balance sheet and disciplined capital allocation
Ended quarter with approximately $1.1 billion in liquidity, net leverage ~3.5x trailing 12 months EBITDA, reaffirmed capital plans ($215M–$220M core capex; $234M–$239M total capex), maintained quarterly dividend of $2.22 per share, and repurchased ~$45M of stock YTD.
Positive momentum in Australia and targeted product wins
EPIC Australia PASS units were up ~26% and dollars up ~31%. New young adult pass product is pacing meaningfully ahead of other age groups and unlimited/core Epic products are outperforming frequency products.