Later this morning we are announcing that the Company’s pass partnership with Arapahoe Basin will end after the 2018-19 ski season. Today’s announcement does not impact 2018-19 pass holders; employees and your dependents will have continued access to Arapahoe Basin for the remainder of the season. I am excited about what the future holds in Summit County for both our employees and our guests.
For some time now we have been working toward extending the season in Summit County. Last December, we were excited to announce a significant investment in state-of-the-art, automated, energy-efficient snowmaking technology that will help to drive an earlier opening date at Keystone. Our goal is for Keystone to be the first resort that opens not just in Colorado, but in the United States. When combined with the announcement last month that we plan on extending the season in Breckenridge to Memorial Day, the two resorts will offer one of the longest ski and ride seasons in the country.
Regarding guest access, when Epic Pass products launch in spring 2019, the Keystone A-Basin Pass will be replaced by the new Keystone Plus Pass providing unlimited access to Keystone with holiday restrictions, unlimited late spring skiing at Breckenridge starting April 1st and five days at Crested Butte, all with holiday restrictions. The Summit Value Pass will be back for the 2019-20 season and will provide unlimited skiing at Keystone and limited holiday restrictions at Breckenridge. All season pass products including the Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Summit Value Pass, Keystone Plus Pass, Tahoe Local Pass, and Tahoe Value Pass will receive 10 Buddy Tickets, a 67% increase from the prior year’s six. See here for useful talking points.
We are grateful for the mutually beneficial partnership we have enjoyed with Arapahoe Basin for over 20 years and wish them continued future success. We are disappointed but given the success they have had and their recent investments into the resort, we respect that this is the right time for them to move in a different direction.
Chris
Chris Jarnot
Mountain Division Vice President