Vail Resorts plans to showcase at least $100 million in capital improvements this year at its five ski resorts.
The spending, which could rise to $115 million by the end of the year, is more than the combined total for all other Colorado ski areas, Vail chief executive Rob Katz said Wednesday at a news conference.
National economic weakness and a slight decline last year in Colorado’s total skier visits have not caused Vail to rein in the spending program.
“We have not pulled back on a single improvement,” Katz said.
The company’s resorts include Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly Mountain Resort near Lake Tahoe.
Projects that skiers and visitors will see this winter include a new eight-passenger gondola at Keystone, a new base area with dining and lodging at Breckenridge’s Peak 7, the opening of the Arabelle hotel at Vail Square and a $7 million renovation of the former Inn at Beaver Creek, now called the Osprey at Beaver Creek.
Aside from the Osprey project, Vail officials declined to disclose the costs of the other projects.
Colorado Ski Country USA, an industry advocacy group, in a recent news release identified $107.5 million in capital projects this ski season at its member resorts.
Vail Resorts this year withdrew from the trade group. Katz at the time said Ski Country needed to focus more on public policy and less on marketing. The loss of Vail’s membership dues forced the group to slash its budget by half.
Katz on Wednesday downplayed Vail Resorts’ departure from the group.
“The fact that we didn’t always see eye-to-eye in every issue is much less important than the common goals we have,” he said. “We eagerly look forward to working with Ski Country and all the other Colorado resorts.”
Also announced Wednesday:
• Vail Resorts within two years will double from 5 percent to 10 percent its program to reduce energy consumption through conservation and equipment upgrades.
• Sales of the Epic season pass — allowing unlimited skiing at all Vail Resorts areas for $579 — have been strong.
• A new lodging promotion offers one free night at various Vail Resorts hotels during the season’s biggest holidays if four consecutive nights are purchased.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 or sraabe@denverpost.com
