BROOMFIELD, Colo., Dec. 9, 2024
/CNW/ -- Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) today reported results
for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 ended October 31, 2024, provided season pass sales
results for the 2024/2025 season, updated fiscal 2025 net income
attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. guidance and reaffirmed fiscal
2025 Resort Reported EBITDA guidance, announced capital investment
plans for calendar year 2025, declared a dividend payable in
January 2025, and announced first
quarter share repurchases.
Highlights
- Net loss attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. was $172.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal
2025 compared to net loss attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. of
$175.5 million in the same period in
the prior year.
- Resort Reported EBITDA loss was $139.7
million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, which included
$2.7 million of one-time costs
related to the previously announced two-year resource efficiency
transformation plan and $0.9 million
of acquisition and integration related expenses, compared to a
Resort Reported EBITDA loss of $139.8
million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024, which included
$1.8 million of acquisition and
integration related expenses.
- Pass product sales through December 3,
2024 for the upcoming 2024/2025 North American ski season
decreased approximately 2% in units and increased approximately 4%
in sales dollars as compared to the period in the prior year
through December 4, 2023. Pass
product sales are adjusted to eliminate the impact of changes in
foreign currency exchange rates by applying current U.S. dollar
exchange rates to both current period and prior period sales for
Whistler Blackcomb.
- The Company has made certain adjustments to its guidance for
net income attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. primarily related to
a gain recorded during the first quarter of fiscal 2025, which
impacted Real Estate Reported EBITDA. For fiscal 2025, the Company
now expects $240 million to
$316 million of net income
attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. and reaffirmed its Resort
Reported EBITDA guidance of $838
million to $894 million.
- The Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $2.22 per share of Vail Resorts' common stock
that will be payable on January 9,
2025 to shareholders of record as of December 26, 2024 and repurchased approximately
0.1 million shares during the quarter at an average price of
approximately $174 for a total of
$20 million.
Commenting on the Company's fiscal 2025 first quarter results,
Kirsten Lynch, Chief Executive
Officer, said, "Our first fiscal quarter historically operates at a
loss, given that our North American and European mountain resorts
are generally not open for ski season. The quarter's results were
driven by winter operations in Australia and summer activities in
North America, including
sightseeing, dining, retail, lodging, and administrative
expenses.
"Resort Reported EBITDA was consistent with the prior year,
driven by growth in our North American summer business from
increased activities spending and lodging results. This growth was
offset by a decline in Resort Reported EBITDA of $9 million compared to the prior year from our
Australian resorts due to record low snowfall and lower demand,
cost inflation, the inclusion of Crans-Montana, and approximately
$2.7 million of one-time costs
related to the two-year resource efficiency transformation plan and
$0.9 million of acquisition and
integration related expenses."
Regarding the Company's resource efficiency transformation plan,
Lynch said, "Vail Resorts continues to make progress on its
two-year resource efficiency transformation plan, which was
announced in our September 2024
earnings. The two-year Resource Efficiency Transformation Plan
is designed to improve organizational effectiveness and scale for
operating leverage as the Company grows globally. Through scaled
operations, global shared services, and expanded workforce
management, the Company expects $100 million in
annualized cost efficiencies by the end of its 2026 fiscal year. We
will provide updates as significant milestones are achieved."
Turning to season pass results, Lynch said, "Our season pass
sales highlight the compelling value proposition of our pass
products and our commitment to continually investing in the guest
experience at our resorts. Over the last four years, pass product
sales for the 2024/2025 North American ski season have grown 59% in
units and 47% in sales dollars. For the upcoming 2024/2025 North
American ski season, pass product sales through December 3, 2024 decreased approximately 2% in
units and increased approximately 4% in sales dollars as compared
to the period in the prior year through December 4, 2023. This year's results benefited
from an 8% price increase, partially offset by unit growth among
lower priced Epic Day Pass products. Pass product sales are
adjusted to eliminate the impact of changes in foreign currency
exchange rates by applying an exchange rate of $0.71 between the Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar
in both periods for Whistler Blackcomb pass sales. For the period
between September 21, 2024 and
December 3, 2024, pass product sales
trends improved relative to pass product sales through September 20, 2024, with unit growth of
approximately 1% and sales dollars growth of approximately 7% as
compared to the period in the prior year from September 23, 2023 through December 4, 2023, due to expected renewal
strength, which we believe reflects delayed decision making.
"Our North American pass sales highlight strong loyalty with
growth among renewing pass holders across all geographies. For the
full selling season, the Company acquired a substantial number of
new pass holders, however the absolute number of new guests was
smaller compared to the prior year, driving the overall unit
decline for the full selling season. New pass holders come from
lapsed guests, prior year lift ticket guests, and new guests to our
database. The Company achieved growth from lapsed guests, who
previously purchased a pass or lift ticket but did not buy a pass
or lift ticket in the previous season. The decline in new pass
holders compared to the prior year was driven by fewer guests who
purchased lift tickets in the past season and from guests who are
completely new to our database, which we believe was impacted by
last season's challenging weather and industry normalization. Epic
Day Pass products achieved unit growth driven by the strength in
renewing pass holders. We expect to have approximately 2.3 million
guests committed to our 42 North American, Australian, and European
resorts in advance of the season in non-refundable advance
commitment products this year, which are expected to generate over
$975 million of revenue and account
for approximately 75% of all skier visits (excluding complimentary
visits)."
Lynch continued, "Heading into the 2024/2025 ski season, we are
encouraged by our strong base of committed guests, providing
meaningful stability for our Company. Additionally, early season
conditions have allowed us to open some resorts earlier than
anticipated, including Whistler Blackcomb, Heavenly, Northstar,
Kirkwood, and Stevens Pass. Early season conditions have also
enabled our Rockies resorts to open with significantly improved
terrain relative to the prior year, including the opening of the
legendary back bowls at Vail Mountain opening the earliest since
2018. Our resorts in the East are experiencing typical seasonal
variability for this point in the year, with all resorts planned to
open ahead of the holidays. We are continuing to hire for the
winter season, and are on track with our staffing plans and have
achieved a strong return rate of our frontline employees from the
prior season. Lodging bookings at our U.S. resorts for the upcoming
season are consistent with last year. At Whistler Blackcomb,
lodging bookings for the full season are lagging prior year levels,
which may reflect delayed decision making following challenging
conditions in the prior year."
Operating Results
A more complete discussion of our operating results can be found
within the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations section of the Company's Form
10-Q for the first fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2024, which was filed today with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The following are segment
highlights:
Mountain Segment
- Mountain segment net revenue increased $0.8 million, or 0.5%, to $173.3 million for the three months ended
October 31, 2024 as compared to the
same period in the prior year, primarily driven by an increase in
summer visitation at our North American resorts as a result of
improved weather conditions compared to the prior year, which
generated increases in on-mountain summer activities revenue,
sightseeing revenue, and dining revenue. These increases were
partially offset by a decrease in lift revenue from our Australian
resorts as a result of reduced visitation from weather-related
challenges that impacted terrain and resulted in early closures in
the current year, and a decrease in retail/rental revenue driven by
the impact of broader industry-wide customer spending trends which
negatively impacted retail demand, particularly at our Colorado city store locations.
- Mountain Reported EBITDA loss was $144.1
million for the three months ended October 31, 2024, which represents a decrease of
$4.5 million, or 3.3%, as compared to
Mountain Reported EBITDA loss for the same period in the prior
year, primarily driven by our Australian operations, which
experienced weather-related challenges that impacted terrain and
resulted in early closures, as well as incremental off-season
losses from the addition of Crans-Montana (acquired May 2, 2024), partially offset by an increase in
summer operations at our North American resorts, which benefited
from warm weather conditions late in the season. Mountain segment
results also include one-time operating expenses attributable to
our resource efficiency transformation plan of $2.0 million for the three months ended
October 31, 2024, as well as
acquisition and integration related expenses of $0.9 million and $1.8
million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Lodging Segment
- Lodging segment net revenue (excluding payroll cost
reimbursements) increased $5.4
million, or 6.9%, to $83.8
million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 as compared to the same period
in the prior year, primarily driven by positive weather conditions
in the Grand Teton region, which enabled increased room pricing and
drove increases in owned hotel rooms revenue. Additionally, dining
revenue and golf revenue increased each primarily as a result of
increased summer visitation at our North American mountain resort
properties.
- Lodging Reported EBITDA was $4.4
million for the three months ended October 31, 2024, which represents an increase of
$4.6 million, as compared to Lodging
Reported EBITDA loss for the same period in the prior year,
primarily as a result of favorable weather conditions which drove
increased visitation in the Grand Teton region and at our mountain
resort properties. Lodging segment results also include one-time
operating expenses attributable to our resource efficiency
transformation plan of $0.7 million
for the three months ended October 31,
2024.
Resort - Combination of Mountain and Lodging Segments
- Resort net revenue was $260.2
million for the three months ended October 31, 2024, an increase of $5.9 million as compared to Resort net revenue of
$254.3 million for the same period in
the prior year.
- Resort Reported EBITDA loss was $139.7
million for the three months ended October 31, 2024, compared to Resort Reported
EBITDA loss of $139.8 million for the
same period in the prior year.
Real Estate Segment
- Real Estate Reported EBITDA was $15.1
million for the three months ended October 31, 2024, an increase of $9.7 million as compared to Real Estate Reported
EBITDA of $5.4 million for the same
period in the prior year. During the three months ended
October 31, 2024, the Company
recorded a gain on sale of real property for $16.5 million related to the resolution of the
October 2023 Eagle County District
Court final ruling and valuation regarding the Town of Vail's condemnation of the Company's
East Vail property that was
planned for Vail Resorts' incremental affordable workforce housing
project, as compared to the same period in the prior year, during
which we recorded a gain on sale of real property for $6.3 million related to a land parcel sale in
Beaver Creek, Colorado.
Total Performance
- Total net revenue increased $1.7
million, or 0.7%, to $260.3
million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 as compared to the same period
in the prior year.
- Net loss attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. was $172.8 million, or a loss of $4.61 per diluted share, for the first quarter of
fiscal 2025 compared to a net loss attributable to Vail Resorts,
Inc. of $175.5 million, or a loss of
$4.60 per diluted share, in the prior
year.
Outlook
The Company's Resort Reported EBITDA guidance for the year
ending July 31, 2025 is unchanged
from the prior guidance provided on September 26, 2024. The Company is updating its
guidance for net income attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc., which
it now expects to be between $240
million and $316 million, up
from the prior guidance range of $224
million to $300 million. The
primary difference is due to a $17
million increase from the gain on sale of real property
related to the resolution of the October
2023 Eagle County District Court final ruling and valuation
regarding the Town of Vail's
condemnation of the Company's East
Vail property that was planned for Vail Resorts' incremental
affordable workforce housing project, a transaction that has been
recorded as Real Estate Reported EBITDA. Additionally, the guidance
is updated to include a decrease in expected interest expense
of approximately $2 million which
assumes that interest rates remain at current levels for the
remainder of fiscal 2025. These changes have no impact on expected
Resort Reported EBITDA. The Company continues to expect Resort
Reported EBITDA for fiscal 2025 to be between $838 million and $894
million, including approximately $27
million of cost efficiencies and an estimated $15 million in one-time costs related to the
multi-year resource efficiency transformation plan, and an
estimated $1 million of acquisition
and integration related expenses specific to Crans-Montana. As
compared to fiscal 2024, the fiscal 2025 guidance includes the
assumed benefit of a return to normal weather conditions after the
challenging conditions in fiscal 2024, more than offset by a return
to normal operating costs and the impact of the continued industry
normalization, impacting demand. Additionally, the guidance
reflects the negative impact from the record low snowfall and
related shortened season in Australia in the first quarter of fiscal 2025,
which negatively impacted demand and resulted in a $9 million decline of Resort Reported EBITDA
compared to the prior year period. After considering these items,
we expect Resort Reported EBITDA to grow from price increases and
ancillary spending, the resource efficiency transformation plan,
and the addition of Crans-Montana for the full year.
The guidance also assumes (1) a continuation of the current
economic environment, (2) normal weather conditions for the
2024/2025 North American and European ski season and the 2025
Australian ski season, and (3) the foreign currency exchange rates
as of our original fiscal 2025 guidance issued September 26, 2024.
Foreign currency exchange rates have experienced recent
volatility. Relative to the current guidance, if the currency
exchange rates as of yesterday, December 8,
2024 of $0.71 between the
Canadian Dollar and U.S. Dollar related to the operations of
Whistler Blackcomb in Canada,
$0.64 between the Australian Dollar
and U.S. Dollar related to the operations of Perisher, Falls Creek
and Hotham in Australia, and
$1.14 between the Swiss Franc and
U.S. Dollar related to the operations of Andermatt-Sedrun and
Crans-Montana in Switzerland were
to continue for the remainder of the fiscal year, the Company
expects this would have an impact on fiscal 2025 guidance of
approximately negative $5 million for
Resort Reported EBITDA.
The following table reflects the forecasted guidance range for
the Company's fiscal year ending July 31,
2025 for Total Reported EBITDA (after stock-based
compensation expense) and reconciles net income attributable to
Vail Resorts, Inc. guidance to such Total Reported EBITDA
guidance.
|
Fiscal 2025
Guidance
|
|
(In
thousands)
|
|
For the Year
Ending
|
|
July 31, 2025
(6)
|
|
Low
End
|
|
High
End
|
|
Range
|
|
Range
|
Net income attributable
to Vail Resorts, Inc.
|
$
240,000
|
|
$
316,000
|
Net income attributable
to noncontrolling interests
|
23,000
|
|
17,000
|
Net income
|
263,000
|
|
333,000
|
Provision for income
taxes (1)
|
91,000
|
|
115,000
|
Income before income
taxes
|
354,000
|
|
448,000
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
295,000
|
|
279,000
|
Interest expense,
net
|
174,000
|
|
166,000
|
Other
(2)
|
21,000
|
|
13,000
|
Total Reported
EBITDA
|
$
844,000
|
|
$
906,000
|
|
|
|
|
Mountain Reported
EBITDA (3)
|
$
818,000
|
|
$
872,000
|
Lodging Reported EBITDA
(4)
|
16,000
|
|
26,000
|
Resort Reported EBITDA
(5)
|
838,000
|
|
894,000
|
Real Estate Reported
EBITDA
|
6,000
|
|
12,000
|
Total Reported
EBITDA
|
$
844,000
|
|
$
906,000
|
|
|
|
|
(1) The
provision for income taxes may be impacted by excess tax benefits
primarily resulting from vesting and exercises of equity awards.
Our estimated provision for income taxes does not include the
impact, if any, of unknown future exercises of employee equity
awards, which could have a material impact given that a significant
portion of our awards may be in-the-money depending on the current
value of the stock price.
|
(2) Our
guidance includes certain forward looking known changes in the fair
value of the contingent consideration based solely on the passage
of time and resulting impact on present value. Guidance excludes
any forward looking change based upon, among other things,
financial projections including long-term growth rates for Park
City, which such change may be material. Separately, the
intercompany loan associated with the Whistler Blackcomb
transaction requires foreign currency remeasurement to Canadian
dollars, the functional currency of Whistler Blackcomb. Our
guidance excludes any forward looking change related to foreign
currency gains or losses on the intercompany loans, which such
change may be material. Additionally, our guidance excludes the
impact of any future sales or disposals of land or other assets
which are contingent upon future approvals or other
outcomes.
|
(3)
Mountain Reported EBITDA also includes approximately $25 million of
stock-based compensation.
|
(4)
Lodging Reported EBITDA also includes approximately $4 million of
stock-based compensation.
|
(5) The
Company provides Reported EBITDA ranges for the Mountain and
Lodging segments, as well as for the two combined. The low and high
of the expected ranges provided for the Mountain and Lodging
segments, while possible, do not sum to the high or low end of the
Resort Reported EBITDA range provided because we do not expect or
assume that we will hit the low or high end of both
ranges.
|
(6)
Guidance estimates are predicated on an exchange rate of $0.74
between the Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar, related to the
operations of Whistler Blackcomb in Canada; an exchange rate of
$0.67 between the Australian dollar and U.S. dollar, related to the
operations of our Australian ski areas; and an exchange rate of
$1.18 between the Swiss franc and U.S. dollar, related to the
operations of Andermatt-Sedrun and Crans-Montana in
Switzerland.
|
Liquidity and Return of Capital
As of October 31, 2024, the
Company's total liquidity as measured by total cash plus revolver
availability was approximately $1,024
million. This includes $404
million of cash on hand, $407
million of U.S. revolver availability under the Vail
Holdings Credit Agreement, and $213
million of revolver availability under the Whistler Credit
Agreement. As of October 31, 2024,
the Company's Net Debt was 2.8 times its trailing twelve months
Total Reported EBITDA.
Regarding the return of capital to shareholders, the Company
declared a quarterly cash dividend of $2.22 per share of Vail Resorts' common stock
payable on January 9, 2025 to
shareholders of record as of December
26, 2024. In addition, the Company repurchased
approximately 0.1 million shares during the quarter at an average
price of approximately $174 for a
total of $20 million. The Company has
1.6 million shares remaining under its authorization for share
repurchases.
Commenting on capital allocation, Lynch said, "We will continue
to be disciplined stewards of our shareholders' capital,
prioritizing investments in our guest and employee experience,
high-return capital projects, strategic acquisition opportunities,
and returning capital to our shareholders. The Company has a strong
balance sheet and remains focused on returning capital to
shareholders while always prioritizing the long-term value of our
shares."
Capital Investments
Vail Resorts is committed to enhancing the guest experience and
supporting the Company's growth strategies through significant
capital investments. For calendar year 2025, the Company plans to
invest approximately $198 million to
$203 million in core capital, before
$45 million of growth capital
investments at its European resorts, including $41 million at Andermatt-Sedrun and $4 million at Crans-Montana, and $6 million of real estate related capital
projects to complete multi-year transformational investments at the
key base area portals of Breckenridge Peak 8 and Keystone River
Run, and planning investments to support the development of the
West Lionshead area into a fourth base village at Vail Mountain.
Including European growth capital investments, and real estate
related capital, the Company plans to invest approximately
$249 million to $254 million in calendar year 2025. Projects in
the calendar year 2025 capital plan described herein remain subject
to approvals.
In calendar year 2025, the Company will embark on two multi-year
transformational investment plans at Park City Mountain and Vail
Mountain.
- Park City Mountain – The transformation of Park City
Mountain's Canyons Village is underway to support a world-class
luxury base village experience. These investments will support Park
City Mountain in welcoming athletes and fans from across the world
who visit the resort as it serves as a venue for the 2034 Olympic
Winter Games. As announced in September, we are replacing the
Sunrise lift with a new 10-person gondola in partnership with the
Canyons Village Management Association in calendar year 2025, which
will provide improved access and enhanced guest experience for
existing and future developments within Canyons Village. The
Company also plans to enhance the beginner and children's
experience by expanding the existing Red Pine Lodge restaurant to
upgrade the dining experience for ski and ride school guests, and
by improving the teaching terrain surrounding the Red Pine Lodge.
These investments are further supported by the construction of the
Canyons Village Parking Garage, a new covered parking structure
with over 1,800 stalls being developed by TCFC, the master
developer of the Canyons Village, which is expected to break ground
in spring 2025. Planning of additional investments at Park City
Mountain across the mountain experience is underway and additional
projects will be announced in the future.
- Vail Mountain – In October
2024, the Company announced the development of West
Lionshead area into a fourth base village at Vail Mountain in
partnership with the Town of Vail
and East West Partners. The new base village will reinforce Vail
Mountain's status as a world-class destination, and is anticipated
to feature access to the resort's 5,317 acres of legendary terrain,
plus new lodging, restaurants, boutiques, and skier services, as
well as community benefits such as workforce housing, public
spaces, transit, and parking. In addition, the Company is
developing a multi-year plan to invest in base area improvements,
lift upgrades, and across the beginner ski and ride school and
dining experiences. In calendar year 2025, the Company is planning
to renovate guestrooms and common spaces at its luxury Vail hotel, the Arrabelle at Vail Square.
Additionally, in calendar year 2025 the Company plans to invest in
real estate planning to develop the West Lionshead area.
In addition to embarking on two multi-year transformational
investment plans, the Company is planning significant investments
across the guest experience in calendar year 2025, including:
- Andermatt-Sedrun – The Company plans to replace the
four-person fixed grip Calmut lift and the four-person fixed grip
Cuolm lift with two new six-person high speed lifts that will
increase capacity and significantly improve the guest experience at
the Val Val area. The Company also plans to upgrade and expand
snowmaking infrastructure at the Gemsstock area on the western side
of the resort to enhance the consistency of the guest experience,
particularly in the early season, and significantly improve energy
efficiency. In addition, the Company plans to complete the
previously announced upgrade of the Sedrun-Milez snowmaking
infrastructure and improvements to the Milez and Natschen
restaurants. Through calendar year 2025, Vail Resorts will have
invested approximately CHF 50 million
of a total CHF 110 million capital
that was invested as part of the purchase of the Company's majority
ownership stake in Andermatt-Sedrun.
- Perisher – At Perisher in Australia, the Company plans to replace the Mt
Perisher Double and Triple Chairs with a new six-person high speed
lift, following the capital spending in calendar year 2024 that is
continuing into calendar year 2025 to be completed in time for the
2025 winter season in Australia.
- Technology – The Company will be investing in additional
new functionality for the My Epic App, including new tools to
better communicate with and personalize the experience for our
guests. Building on the pilot of My Epic Assistant, a new guest
service technology within the My Epic App powered by advanced AI
and resort experts, at four resorts for the upcoming 2024/2025 ski
season, the Company is planning to invest in more advanced AI
capabilities in calendar year 2025.
- Dining – The Company plans to invest in physical
improvements to dining outlets at its largest destination resorts
to improve throughput.
- Commitment to Zero – The Company plans to continue
investing in waste reduction and emissions reduction projects
across its resorts to achieve its goal of zero net operating
footprint by 2030.
- Breckenridge – The
Company is making real estate related investments to complete the
multi-year transformation of the Breckenridge Peak 8 base area,
where the Company has enhanced the beginner and children's
experience and increased uphill capacity with the introduction of a
new four-person high speed 5-Chair, new teaching terrain, and a
transport carpet from the base, making the beginner experience more
accessible.
- Keystone – The Company is investing in acquisition and
build out costs for skier services that will reside in the newly
developed Kindred Resort at Keystone, a family-friendly luxury
ski-in, ski-out lodging residence and Rock Resorts-branded hotel at
the base of the River Run Gondola, including new restaurants, a
full-service spa, pool and hot tub facilities, and the new home for
the Keystone Ski & Ride School, and a retail and rental shop.
The Kindred development follows the transformational lift-served
terrain expansion project in Bergman Bowl, increasing lift-served
terrain by 555 acres with the addition of a new six-person high
speed lift, which was completed for the 2023/2024 North American
ski season.
In addition to the investments planned for calendar year 2025,
the Company is completing significant investments that will enhance
the guest experience for the upcoming 2024/2025 North American and
European ski season. As previously announced, the Company expects
its capital plan for calendar year 2024 to be approximately
$189 million to $194 million, excluding $13 million of incremental capital investments in
premium fleet and fulfillment infrastructure to support the
official launch of My Epic Gear for the 2024/2025 winter season at
12 destination and regional resorts across North America, $7
million of growth capital investments at Andermatt-Sedrun,
$2 million of maintenance and
$2 million of integration investments
at Crans-Montana, and $3 million of
reimbursable capital. Including these one-time investments, the
Company's total capital plan for calendar year 2024 is now expected
to be approximately $216 million to
$221 million.
Earnings Conference Call
The Company will conduct a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. eastern time to discuss the financial
results. The call will be webcast and can be accessed at
www.vailresorts.com in the Investor Relations section, or dial
(800) 579-2543 (U.S. and Canada)
or +1 (785) 424-1789 (international). The conference ID is MTNQ125.
A replay of the conference call will be available two hours
following the conclusion of the conference call through
December 16, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. eastern time. To access the replay,
dial (800) 753-9146 (U.S. and Canada) or +1 (402) 220-2705 (international).
The conference call will also be archived at
www.vailresorts.com.
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts is a network of the best destination and
close-to-home ski resorts in the world including Vail Mountain,
Breckenridge, Park City Mountain,
Whistler Blackcomb, Stowe, and 32 additional resorts across
North America; Andermatt-Sedrun
and Crans-Montana Mountain Resort in Switzerland; and Perisher, Hotham, and Falls
Creek in Australia. We are
passionate about providing an Experience of a Lifetime to our team
members and guests, and our EpicPromise is to reach a zero net
operating footprint by 2030, support our employees and communities,
and broaden engagement in our sport. Our 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, Wyo. Vail Resorts Retail operates more than 250 retail
and rental locations across North
America. Learn more about our company at
www.VailResorts.com, or discover our resorts and pass options at
www.EpicPass.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements discussed in this press release and on the
conference call, other than statements of historical information,
are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal
securities laws, including the statements regarding fiscal 2025
performance and the assumptions related thereto, including, but not
limited to, our expected net income and Resort Reported EBITDA; our
expectations regarding our liquidity; expectations related to our
season pass products; our expectations regarding our ancillary
lines of business; capital investment projects; our calendar year
2025 capital plan; our expectations regarding our resource
efficiency transformation plan; and the payment of dividends.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.
All forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include but are
not limited to risks related to a prolonged weakness in general
economic conditions, including adverse effects on the overall
travel and leisure related industries and our business and results
of operations; risks associated with the effects of high or
prolonged inflation, elevated interest rates and financial
institution disruptions; unfavorable weather conditions or the
impact of natural disasters or other unexpected events; the
ultimate amount of refunds that we could be required to refund to
our pass product holders for qualifying circumstances under our
Epic Coverage program; the willingness or ability of our guests to
travel due to terrorism, the uncertainty of military conflicts or
public health emergencies, and the cost and availability of travel
options and changing consumer preferences, discretionary spending
habits; risks related to travel and airline disruptions, and other
adverse impacts on the ability of our guests to travel; risks
related to interruptions or disruptions of our information
technology systems, data security or cyberattacks; risks related to
our reliance on information technology, including our failure to
maintain the integrity of our customer or employee data and our
ability to adapt to technological developments or industry trends;
our ability to acquire, develop and implement relevant technology
offerings for customers and partners; the seasonality of our
business combined with adverse events that may occur during our
peak operating periods; competition in our mountain and lodging
businesses or with other recreational and leisure activities; risks
related to the high fixed cost structure of our business; our
ability to fund resort capital expenditures, or accurately identify
the need for, or anticipate the timing of certain capital
expenditures; risks related to a disruption in our water supply
that would impact our snowmaking capabilities and operations; our
reliance on government permits or approvals for our use of public
land or to make operational and capital improvements; risks related
to resource efficiency transformation initiatives; risks related to
federal, state, local and foreign government laws, rules and
regulations, including environmental and health and safety laws and
regulations; risks related to changes in security and privacy laws
and regulations which could increase our operating costs and
adversely affect our ability to market our products, properties and
services effectively; potential failure to adapt to technological
developments or industry trends regarding information technology;
our ability to successfully launch and promote adoption of new
products, technology, services and programs; risks related to our
workforce, including increased labor costs, loss of key personnel
and our ability to maintain adequate staffing, including hiring and
retaining a sufficient seasonal workforce; our ability to
successfully integrate acquired businesses, including their
integration into our internal controls and infrastructure; our
ability to successfully navigate new markets, including
Europe, or that acquired
businesses may fail to perform in accordance with expectations; a
deterioration in the quality or reputation of our brands, including
our ability to protect our intellectual property and the risk of
accidents at our mountain resorts; risks related to scrutiny and
changing expectations regarding our environmental, social and
governance practices and reporting; risks associated with
international operations, including fluctuations in foreign
currency exchange rates where the Company has foreign currency
exposure, primarily the Canadian and Australian dollars and the
Swiss franc, as compared to the U.S. dollar; changes in tax laws,
regulations or interpretations, or adverse determinations by taxing
authorities; risks related to our indebtedness and our ability to
satisfy our debt service requirements under our outstanding debt
including our unsecured senior notes, which could reduce our
ability to use our cash flow to fund our operations, capital
expenditures, future business opportunities and other purposes; a
materially adverse change in our financial condition; adverse
consequences of current or future litigation and legal claims;
changes in accounting judgments and estimates, accounting
principles, policies or guidelines; and other risks detailed in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July
31, 2024, which was filed on September 26, 2024.
All forward-looking statements attributable to us or any persons
acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by
these cautionary statements. All guidance and forward-looking
statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof and
we do not undertake any obligation to update any forecast or
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
Statement Concerning Non-GAAP Financial Measures
When reporting financial results, we use the terms Resort
Reported EBITDA, Total Reported EBITDA, Resort EBITDA Margin, Net
Debt and Net Real Estate Cash Flow, which are not financial
measures under accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America
("GAAP"). Resort Reported EBITDA, Total Reported EBITDA, Resort
EBITDA Margin, Net Debt and Net Real Estate Cash Flow should not be
considered in isolation or as an alternative to, or substitute for,
measures of financial performance or liquidity prepared in
accordance with GAAP. In addition, we report segment Reported
EBITDA (i.e. Mountain, Lodging and Real Estate), the measure of
segment profit or loss required to be disclosed in accordance with
GAAP. Accordingly, these measures may not be comparable to
similarly-titled measures of other companies. Additionally, with
respect to discussion of impacts from currency, the Company
calculates the impact by applying current period foreign exchange
rates to the prior period results, as the Company believes that
comparing financial information using comparable foreign exchange
rates is a more objective and useful measure of changes in
operating performance.
Reported EBITDA (and its counterpart for each of our segments)
has been presented herein as a measure of the Company's
performance. The Company believes that Reported EBITDA is an
indicative measurement of the Company's operating performance, and
is similar to performance metrics generally used by investors to
evaluate other companies in the resort and lodging industries. The
Company defines Resort EBITDA Margin as Resort Reported EBITDA
divided by Resort net revenue. The Company believes Resort EBITDA
Margin is an important measurement of operating performance. The
Company believes that Net Debt is an important measurement of
liquidity as it is an indicator of the Company's ability to obtain
additional capital resources for its future cash needs.
Additionally, the Company believes Net Real Estate Cash Flow is
important as a cash flow indicator for its Real Estate segment. See
the tables provided in this release for reconciliations of our
measures of segment profitability and non-GAAP financial measures
to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
Vail Resorts,
Inc. Consolidated Condensed Statements of
Operations (In thousands, except per share
amounts) (Unaudited)
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
October 31,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
Net revenue:
|
|
|
|
Mountain and Lodging
services and other
|
$
187,050
|
|
$
182,834
|
Mountain and Lodging
retail and dining
|
73,162
|
|
71,442
|
Resort net
revenue
|
260,212
|
|
254,276
|
Real Estate
|
63
|
|
4,289
|
Total net
revenue
|
260,275
|
|
258,565
|
Segment operating
expense:
|
|
|
|
Mountain and Lodging
operating expense
|
266,264
|
|
255,576
|
Mountain and Lodging
retail and dining cost of products sold
|
28,947
|
|
31,295
|
General and
administrative
|
106,857
|
|
108,025
|
Resort operating
expense
|
402,068
|
|
394,896
|
Real Estate operating
expense
|
1,491
|
|
5,181
|
Total segment
operating expense
|
403,559
|
|
400,077
|
Other operating
(expense) income:
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
(71,633)
|
|
(66,728)
|
Gain on sale of real
property
|
16,506
|
|
6,285
|
Change in estimated
fair value of contingent consideration
|
(2,079)
|
|
(3,057)
|
Loss on disposal of
fixed assets and other, net
|
(1,529)
|
|
(2,043)
|
Loss from
operations
|
(202,019)
|
|
(207,055)
|
Mountain equity
investment income, net
|
2,151
|
|
859
|
Investment income and
other, net
|
2,493
|
|
3,684
|
Foreign currency loss
on intercompany loans
|
(264)
|
|
(4,965)
|
Interest expense,
net
|
(42,154)
|
|
(40,730)
|
Loss before benefit
from income taxes
|
(239,793)
|
|
(248,207)
|
Benefit from income
taxes
|
58,249
|
|
65,160
|
Net loss
|
(181,544)
|
|
(183,047)
|
Net loss attributable
to noncontrolling interests
|
8,708
|
|
7,535
|
Net loss attributable
to Vail Resorts, Inc.
|
$ (172,836)
|
|
$ (175,512)
|
Per share
amounts:
|
|
|
|
Basic net loss per
share attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc.
|
$
(4.61)
|
|
$
(4.60)
|
Diluted net loss per
share attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc.
|
$
(4.61)
|
|
$
(4.60)
|
Cash dividends
declared per share
|
$
2.22
|
|
$
2.06
|
Weighted average
shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
37,473
|
|
38,117
|
Diluted
|
37,473
|
|
38,117
|
Vail Resorts,
Inc.
Consolidated
Condensed Statements of Operations - Other Data
(In
thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
October 31,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
Other
Data:
|
|
|
|
Mountain Reported
EBITDA
|
$ (144,062)
|
|
$ (139,525)
|
Lodging Reported
EBITDA
|
4,357
|
|
(236)
|
Resort Reported
EBITDA
|
(139,705)
|
|
(139,761)
|
Real Estate Reported
EBITDA
|
15,078
|
|
5,393
|
Total Reported
EBITDA
|
$ (124,627)
|
|
$ (134,368)
|
Mountain stock-based
compensation
|
$
5,811
|
|
$
5,848
|
Lodging stock-based
compensation
|
819
|
|
896
|
Resort stock-based
compensation
|
6,630
|
|
6,744
|
Real Estate stock-based
compensation
|
61
|
|
52
|
Total stock-based
compensation
|
$
6,691
|
|
$
6,796
|
Vail Resorts,
Inc. Mountain Segment Operating Results (In
thousands, except ETP) (Unaudited)
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
October 31,
|
|
Percentage
Increase
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
(Decrease)
|
Net Mountain
revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lift
|
$
40,423
|
|
$
45,390
|
|
(10.9) %
|
Ski school
|
6,839
|
|
7,178
|
|
(4.7) %
|
Dining
|
20,628
|
|
18,077
|
|
14.1 %
|
Retail/rental
|
29,526
|
|
33,474
|
|
(11.8) %
|
Other
|
75,880
|
|
68,336
|
|
11.0 %
|
Total Mountain net
revenue
|
173,296
|
|
172,455
|
|
0.5 %
|
Mountain operating
expense:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Labor and
labor-related benefits
|
118,530
|
|
112,049
|
|
5.8 %
|
Retail cost of
sales
|
15,031
|
|
17,821
|
|
(15.7) %
|
General and
administrative
|
92,568
|
|
93,168
|
|
(0.6) %
|
Other
|
93,380
|
|
89,801
|
|
4.0 %
|
Total Mountain
operating expense
|
319,509
|
|
312,839
|
|
2.1 %
|
Mountain equity
investment income, net
|
2,151
|
|
859
|
|
150.4 %
|
Mountain Reported
EBITDA
|
$ (144,062)
|
|
$ (139,525)
|
|
(3.3) %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total skier
visits
|
548
|
|
658
|
|
(16.7) %
|
ETP
|
$
73.76
|
|
$
68.98
|
|
6.9 %
|
Vail Resorts,
Inc. Lodging Operating Results (In thousands,
except Average Daily Rate ("ADR") and Revenue per Available Room
("RevPAR")) (Unaudited)
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
October 31,
|
|
Percentage
Increase
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
(Decrease)
|
Lodging net
revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owned hotel
rooms
|
$
28,075
|
|
$
25,177
|
|
11.5 %
|
Managed condominium
rooms
|
11,705
|
|
12,003
|
|
(2.5) %
|
Dining
|
19,952
|
|
18,083
|
|
10.3 %
|
Golf
|
7,550
|
|
6,376
|
|
18.4 %
|
Other
|
16,501
|
|
16,723
|
|
(1.3) %
|
|
83,783
|
|
78,362
|
|
6.9 %
|
Payroll cost
reimbursements
|
3,133
|
|
3,459
|
|
(9.4) %
|
Total Lodging net
revenue
|
86,916
|
|
81,821
|
|
6.2 %
|
Lodging operating
expense:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Labor and
labor-related benefits
|
37,227
|
|
37,475
|
|
(0.7) %
|
General and
administrative
|
14,289
|
|
14,857
|
|
(3.8) %
|
Other
|
27,910
|
|
26,266
|
|
6.3 %
|
|
79,426
|
|
78,598
|
|
1.1 %
|
Reimbursed payroll
costs
|
3,133
|
|
3,459
|
|
(9.4) %
|
Total Lodging operating
expense
|
82,559
|
|
82,057
|
|
0.6 %
|
Lodging Reported
EBITDA
|
$
4,357
|
|
$
(236)
|
|
1,946.2 %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owned hotel
statistics:
|
|
|
|
|
|
ADR
|
$
315.97
|
|
$
304.03
|
|
3.9 %
|
RevPAR
|
$
178.87
|
|
$
158.97
|
|
12.5 %
|
Managed condominium
statistics:
|
|
|
|
|
|
ADR
|
$
232.00
|
|
$
233.92
|
|
(0.8) %
|
RevPAR
|
$
53.07
|
|
$
50.78
|
|
4.5 %
|
Owned hotel and managed
condominium statistics (combined):
|
|
|
|
|
|
ADR
|
$
276.02
|
|
$
269.31
|
|
2.5 %
|
RevPAR
|
$
92.03
|
|
$
82.95
|
|
10.9 %
|
Key Balance Sheet
Data (In thousands) (Unaudited)
|
|
|
As of October
31,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
Total Vail Resorts,
Inc. stockholders' equity
|
$
444,099
|
|
$
633,031
|
Long-term debt,
net
|
$ 2,709,955
|
|
$ 2,732,037
|
Long-term debt due
within one year
|
57,045
|
|
69,659
|
Total debt
|
2,767,000
|
|
2,801,696
|
Less: cash and cash
equivalents
|
403,768
|
|
728,859
|
Net debt
|
$ 2,363,232
|
|
$ 2,072,837
|
Reconciliation of Measures of Segment Profitability and
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Presented below is a reconciliation of net loss attributable to
Vail Resorts, Inc. to Total Reported EBITDA for the three months
ended October 31, 2024 and 2023.
|
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended
October 31,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
Net loss attributable
to Vail Resorts, Inc.
|
$
(172,836)
|
|
$
(175,512)
|
Net loss attributable
to noncontrolling interests
|
(8,708)
|
|
(7,535)
|
Net loss
|
(181,544)
|
|
(183,047)
|
Benefit from income
taxes
|
(58,249)
|
|
(65,160)
|
Loss before benefit
from income taxes
|
(239,793)
|
|
(248,207)
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
71,633
|
|
66,728
|
Loss on disposal of
fixed assets and other, net
|
1,529
|
|
2,043
|
Change in fair value of
contingent consideration
|
2,079
|
|
3,057
|
Investment income and
other, net
|
(2,493)
|
|
(3,684)
|
Foreign currency loss
on intercompany loans
|
264
|
|
4,965
|
Interest expense,
net
|
42,154
|
|
40,730
|
Total Reported
EBITDA
|
$
(124,627)
|
|
$
(134,368)
|
|
|
|
|
Mountain Reported
EBITDA
|
$
(144,062)
|
|
$
(139,525)
|
Lodging Reported
EBITDA
|
4,357
|
|
(236)
|
Resort Reported
EBITDA*
|
(139,705)
|
|
(139,761)
|
Real Estate Reported
EBITDA
|
15,078
|
|
5,393
|
Total Reported
EBITDA
|
$
(124,627)
|
|
$
(134,368)
|
|
|
|
|
* Resort represents the
sum of Mountain and Lodging
|
|
|
|
Presented below is a reconciliation of net income attributable
to Vail Resorts, Inc. to Total Reported EBITDA calculated in
accordance with GAAP for the twelve months ended October 31,
2024.
|
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
|
Twelve Months
Ended
|
|
October 31,
2024
|
Net income attributable
to Vail Resorts, Inc.
|
$
233,081
|
Net income attributable
to noncontrolling interests
|
14,701
|
Net income
|
247,782
|
Provision for income
taxes
|
105,727
|
Income before
provision for income taxes
|
353,509
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
281,398
|
Loss on disposal of
fixed assets and other, net
|
9,119
|
Change in fair value of
contingent consideration
|
46,979
|
Investment income and
other, net
|
(17,401)
|
Foreign currency gain
on intercompany loans
|
(561)
|
Interest expense,
net
|
163,263
|
Total Reported
EBITDA
|
$
836,306
|
|
|
Mountain Reported
EBITDA
|
$
797,535
|
Lodging Reported
EBITDA
|
27,611
|
Resort Reported
EBITDA*
|
825,146
|
Real Estate Reported
EBITDA
|
11,160
|
Total Reported
EBITDA
|
$
836,306
|
|
|
* Resort represents the
sum of Mountain and Lodging
|
|
The following table reconciles long-term debt, net to Net Debt
and the calculation of Net Debt to Total Reported EBITDA for the
twelve months ended October 31,
2024.
|
(In
thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
|
As of October 31,
2024
|
Long-term debt,
net
|
$
2,709,955
|
Long-term debt due
within one year
|
57,045
|
Total debt
|
2,767,000
|
Less: cash and cash
equivalents
|
403,768
|
Net debt
|
$
2,363,232
|
Net debt to Total
Reported EBITDA
|
2.8x
|
The following table reconciles Real Estate Reported EBITDA to
Net Real Estate Cash Flow for the three months ended
October 31, 2024 and 2023.
|
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended
October 31,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
Real Estate Reported
EBITDA
|
$
15,078
|
|
$
5,393
|
Non-cash Real Estate
cost of sales
|
—
|
|
3,607
|
Non-cash Real Estate
stock-based compensation
|
61
|
|
52
|
Change in real estate
deposits and recovery of previously incurred project costs/land
basis less
investments in real estate
|
(16,534)
|
|
206
|
Net Real Estate Cash
Flow
|
$
(1,395)
|
|
$
9,258
|
The following table reconciles Resort net revenue to Resort
EBITDA Margin for fiscal 2025 guidance.
|
(In
thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
|
Fiscal 2025 Guidance
(2)
|
Resort net revenue
(1)
|
$
3,031,000
|
Resort Reported EBITDA
(1)
|
$
866,000
|
Resort EBITDA margin
(1)
|
28.6 %
|
|
|
(1) Resort
represents the sum of Mountain and Lodging
|
(2)
Represents the mid-point of Guidance
|
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SOURCE Vail Resorts, Inc.