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Why Vail Resorts Is Losing Skiers in a Growing Industry

Multi-resorts passes give steady income but lead to large crowds.

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With the Winter Olympics over and snowy season winding down, ski resorts around the country are getting ready to pack up until next year. But just because a resort shuts down for the season doesn’t mean its revenue dries up. As this video shows, big companies like Vail revolutionized the industry by introducing season-long passes that admit skiers across a number of resorts. While this strategy gives Vail a steady stream of income, critics worry that it’s leading to long lines, pricey lift passes, and a potential loss of aura for the ski scene. 

Questions:

  1. Why did Vail introduce its Epic Pass, and how does it help the company’s bottom line?

  2. What do smaller, independent ski lodges like Whitefish Mountain offer skiers that large operations like Vail do not?