Vail Resorts to Invest Nearly $10 Million in Enhancing the Experience at Afton Alps and Offers Minnesota Skiers and Riders Access to Nine Ski Resorts on the Popular Epic Season Pass for the 2013-2014 Winter Season

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Mar 06, 2013, 04:30 ET

BROOMFIELD, Colo., March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With Vail Resorts' recent acquisition of Afton Alps, Minnesota skiers and snowboarders can already look forward to next winter as the Company invests nearly $10 million in significant enhancements to the ski and ride experience and offers the greatest resort access and value in the snow sports industry on one season pass, the Epic Pass.

As part of Vail Resorts' commitment to providing the experience of a lifetime to all of its guests, the Company plans to invest nearly $10 million in enhancements and upgrades to Afton Alps this summer to dramatically improve the guest experience next winter. Vail Resorts intends to significantly improve snowmaking to open the ski resort earlier, extend the season and provide a more consistent and high-quality snow surface; create state-of-the-art terrain parks with extensive new features and rope tows; energize and modernize the base area facilities; and add Vail Resorts' signature EpicMix and EpicMix Racing technology to personalize the guest experience.

Vail Resorts also is bringing its popular season pass products, the Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass, to Minnesota skiers and riders and offering access to Afton Alps as well as eight iconic resorts in the West--Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe. Even better, kids can ski and ride Afton Alps and these eight western resorts for $5 less than 2012-2013 Afton Alps Child Pass. Adults can ski or ride all nine resorts for $529, just $130 more than a current Afton Alps Pass. Purchasing next season's pass now through April 14 guarantees the lowest price and offers skiers and riders the option of making a $49 down payment now with the remainder due in the fall.

"We're thrilled that Afton Alps is now a part of our family of resorts. It's a very special place steeped in snow sports tradition and we intend to honor that legacy by bringing additional enhancements to the ski area and creating more value for Minnesota skiers and riders in their season pass choices. Next winter, they'll be able to ski as much as they want in their own backyard and at eight world-class resorts out West with the Epic Pass," said Kirsten Lynch, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts. "Vail Resorts' season passes offer guests the flexibility to choose which pass is right for them based on how much and where they plan to ski and ride. We encourage all of our guests to purchase their passes this spring to take advantage of the lowest guaranteed price for next winter."

The following guide can help Minnesota skiers and snowboarders choose the best season pass options for them, based on how much they plan to ski and ride locally and out West. All passes are available for purchase at www.epicpass.com.

Ski or Ride Locally and Out West

The Epic Local Pass™: Perfect for snow sports enthusiasts who want to take their annual ski vacation out West and ski unrestricted in their backyard all season long. The Epic Local Pass at $529 offers unlimited and unrestricted skiing at Afton Alps, as well as at Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin with some restrictions at Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood. The pass also includes a total of 10 days at Vail and Beaver Creek with holiday restrictions. At the spring rate, the Epic Local Pass pays for itself in just over four days when skiing at the western resorts and is only $130 more than an Afton Alps Pass. A discounted rate is also offered for college students at $479 (proof of 12 credit hours is required).
The Epic Local Child Pass: Children ski and ride all next season at Afton Alps for less than the current 2012-2013 Afton Alps child Pass price and get eight resorts out West for free. New this year at $269, $5 less than the current 2012-2013 season's child's pass, children ages 5-12 can receive unlimited access with no restrictions at Afton Alps, as well as unlimited access to resorts out West, including Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin with limited restrictions at Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood with the Epic Local Child Pass. The pass also includes a total of 10 days at Vail and Beaver Creek with holiday restrictions.
The Epic Pass™: Ski as much as you want, whenever you want at $689 for adults and $359 for children.

Unlimited skiing or riding at Afton Alps, as well as at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe at $689 for adults and $359 for children (ages 5-12). No restrictions. At this spring rate, the Epic Pass pays for itself in just over five days when skiing at the western resorts.

Ski or Ride Afton Alps Only

Afton Alps Pass: Perfect for people who only plan to ski or ride at Afton Alps. At $399, the same price introduced last spring for the 2012-2013 season, pass holders receive unlimited access to Afton Alps with no restrictions. A discounted rate is also offered for seniors at $269 and college students at $269 (proof of 12 credit hours in the 2013-2014 school year is required). Discounts are available for families and groups of four people.

Ski or Snowboard Out West Any Day of the Season for a Great Value
Vail Resorts also offers options for guests who want to ski out West but don't plan to ski more than seven days next winter:

Epic 7-Day™: Perfect for people who don't plan to ski more than seven days. The Epic 7-Day gives skiers and snowboarders a total of seven unrestricted days of skiing at Afton Alps, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and Northstar, plus Arapahoe Basin anytime during the season for a price of $529. Ski any seven days all season long. At the spring rate, the Epic 7-Day pays for itself in just over four days.
New this year, the Epic 4-Day™: Perfect for people who only plan to take one ski vacation. The Epic 4-Day at $349 offers four unrestricted tickets valid at Afton Alps, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Arapahoe Basin. At the spring rate, the Epic 4-Day pays for itself in less than three days.

Pay $49 Down Now and Lock in The Lowest Price Available with Six Buddy Tickets
Vail Resorts is making it as easy as possible for guests to lock in the lowest guaranteed pass prices with a $49 down payment now and the remaining balance due in mid-September 2013. Season pass holders also will receive six discounted single-day lift tickets, or "buddy" tickets, to ski with family and friends. The lowest guaranteed 2013-2014 season pass prices and the six buddy tickets are only guaranteed through April 14, 2013. After April 14, those who purchase a season pass will receive only two buddy tickets.

Season Pass Insurance Option: Protect Your Pass Investment in the Event of Unexpected Circumstances
Vail Resorts encourages guests to purchase pass insurance. All of its pass products are non-refundable and non-transferrable; however, pass insurance covers pass holders in the event of unexpected circumstances including sickness, injury and job loss. Pass insurance is $20 for adults and $10 for children (ages 5-12). Coverage applies for all season passes and the Epic 7-Day and Epic 4-Day valid for the 2013-2014 ski season.

For more information about Vail Resorts' season passes or to purchase a pass online, visit www.epicpass.com.

For broadcast-quality video footage and more photos, visit The Vail Resorts Dropbox Page or contact Kate Lessman at Vail Resorts, [email protected], 303-404-1871. Please credit Vail Resorts for photos and video usage.

About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.