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Vail Resorts Finalizes Its $1 Billion Purchase of Whistler Blackcomb


Skift Take

Vail Resorts is strategically becoming one of the most dominant, global players in the ski business, and its acquisition of B.C.’s Whistler Blackcomb is only further proof of that.

On Oct. 17, Broomfield, Colo.-based Vail Resorts completed its $1.05-billion purchase of Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada.

Vail, which owns ski resorts in Colorado, California, Vermont, Australia, and other regions worldwide, paid approximately $13.30 in cash ($17.50 in Canadian dollars) and .097294 shares of Vail Resorts common stock for each Whistler Blackcomb share held.

As part of the deal, Vail Resorts appointed Michele Romanow, a former member of Whistler Blackcomb’s board of directors, to the Vail Resorts board of directors.

In a statement, Rob Katz, Vail Resorts chairman and CEO said, "Our mission at Vail Resorts is to deliver an experience of a lifetime to our guests and our employees, and this transaction is a significant milestone in making that experience even more special. Whistler Blackcomb is one of the most iconic mountain resorts in the world and we are tremendously excited to welcome the resort and the talented team who work there to the Vail Resorts family.”

As a benefit to Vail Resorts' season pass holders and to Whistler Blackcomb pass holders, Vail Resorts announced the following deals for skiers and snowboarders for this upcoming ski/snow season: All Vail Resorts 2016-17 Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass holders will receive five complimentary days at Whistler Blackcomb for this winter. Likewise, all 2016-17 Whistler Blackcomb Unlimited season pass holders will also receive five complimentary days at any of Vail Resorts’ U.S. mountain resorts this winter. Certain date restrictions apply.

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