Vail Resorts is an American mountain resort company headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado. The company operates 42 ski resorts in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Switzerland.
Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN).
In addition to its 42 resorts in four countries, the company owns and/or manages a collection of elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, a portfolio of vacation rentals, condominiums and branded hotels located in close proximity to our mountain destinations, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Vail Resorts Retail operates more than 250 retail and rental locations across North America.
History and Key Milestones
Vail Mountain was founded by Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton in the early 1960s. Eaton, a lifelong resident, led Seibert (a former WWII 10th Mountain Division ski trooper) to the area in March 1957. They both became ski patrol guides at Aspen, Colorado, when they shared their dream of finding the "next great ski mountain." Seibert set off to secure financing, and Eaton engineered the early lifts. Their Vail ski resort opened in 1962.
In 1996, Vail Resorts completed its first major acquisition with a $310 million purchase of Ralston Resorts, the owner of Keystone, Breckenridge, and Arapahoe Basin.
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Vail Resorts stock opens on the New York Stock Exchange at $23.50.
Rob Katz ran Vail Resorts as CEO until November 2021, when he was appointed executive chairperson of the board.
In May 2025, CEO Kirsten Lynch resigned after the company had lost over half of its value during her tenure from 2021-2025.
Vail Resorts CEO on the upcoming ski season and growth prospects
Resort Portfolio
Vail Resorts operates several notable ski areas, including:
- Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Crested Butte in Colorado
- Northstar California, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, and Heavenly Mountain Resort on the California-Nevada border
- Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada (the largest ski resort in North America)
Acquired through Triple Peaks, LLC, in addition to Crested Butte and Okemo, alongside purchase of Stevens Pass.
Read also: Comprehensive Vail Resorts Overview
Bought from Peak Resorts along with 16 other mountains. The first resort in New Hampshire to be operated by Vail.
Local ski areas Afton Alps, outside of Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Mt.
Wildcat trail initially cut by CCC in 1933; original gondola started operation in 1958.
Epic Pass Program
In 2016, the company launched the industry-changing Epic Pass. Vail Resorts offers a variety of multi-resort season passes under the Epic Pass program. The Epic Pass transformed the world of skiing and riding-delivering incredible value for guests and long-term stability for the industry.
Our Pass Holders get the best deal in skiing and riding with incredible value, flexibility, and access.
Read also: Vail Ski Club Benefits
Recent Financial Performance
In June 2024, Vail Resorts reported lower-than-expected revenue during the February-April quarter due to a significantly warmer-than-anticipated winter across western North American resorts, with snowfall 28% lower than average. The company generated $1.28 billion in revenue during the quarter despite the stabilizing effect of its Epic Pass program, which allows customers to purchase a season pass for its North American resorts at a significant upfront cost.
In the 2024-2025 season the company reported that in North America it sold 2% fewer Epic passes than the year prior, which is the first decline in pass sales the company has ever reported. The outlook for the 2025-2026 season is also lower.
"Our first quarter results were in line with our expectations and importantly, we're seeing encouraging early momentum from our key initiatives to drive visitation during the 2025/2026 ski season, deepen our guest engagement, and create exceptional guest experiences," said CEO Rob Katz.
Community Relations and Challenges
Some of Vail Resort's acquisitions have fueled anger among local residents. Local towns have also complained recently about their partnerships with Vail and its mountains. At Heavenly Mountain Resort, the town of South Lake Tahoe, California has voiced grievances of overflowing traffic, parking and negligent tourists, which drain from local resources outside from the town's tax authority.
Katz, 58, knows some skiers don’t like him. He spent 15 years turning Vail Resorts into a powerhouse.
Commitment to Guest Experience and Innovation
To improve the guest experience, we have invested over $2.2 billion in the past 15 years. New lifts, new terrain and state-of-the-art facilities help our guests make the most of their day on mountain.
We believe that digital innovation, more than ever, will be key for delivering a great guest experience on-mountain. Read about the latest innovations we’re pioneering for the industry.
We are proud to cultivate positive learning experiences and a genuine passion for snowsports. Our mountain resorts are home to the world’s finest ski and snowboard schools, led by thousands of the industry’s top professional instructors from around the globe.
Introducing My Epic Gear: a first of its kind gear membership program. Get access to the latest skis, snowboards and boots with personalized insoles, all delivered to you or ready slopeside. It’s better than renting, easier than owning, and just for you in the palm of your hand in the My Epic App. Get the most out of your membership when you reserve in advance.
Sustainability Efforts
We take climate change seriously and are on track to reach a zero net operating footprint by 2030 across all 42 of our mountain resorts.
At the same time, we're evolving mountain access by lowering lift ticket prices for guests who plan ahead, deepening long-term loyalty by inviting guests to turn their lift ticket into savings on a Pass next year, and driving efficiency and sustainability upgrades across our resorts.
Vail Resorts’ Support for the Military Community
At Vail Resorts, we’re proud to support the military community through the Epic Military Pass, offering active-duty service members, veterans, and their dependents access to 42 of our resorts at an incredible discount. It’s our way of saying thank you - and sharing the joy of the mountains with those who’ve given so much.
Recent Leadership Changes
🚨Vail Resorts is thrilled to announce that effective January 26, 2026, Celeste Burgoyne will serve as our new Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer.
"Celeste's deep appreciation for the connection between brand, guest experience, and revenue will be critical as we continue to reimagine how we connect with our guests, reignite our resort brands, and accelerate growth in both lift revenue and our ancillary lines of business." - Rob Katz, Vail Resorts Chairperson & Chief Executive Officer. We can’t wait to welcome Celeste.
Investments in Employees
Our team members do not work for Vail Resorts, they are Vail Resorts. We know an investment in them is a direct investment in the guest experience.
A $175 million investment into the employee experience raises the minimum wage by an average of 30% to $20/$21 per hour, plus expands mental and reproductive health care, and adds frontline leadership development.