What Vails entrance into Perisher means for Australian skiers and snowboarders

Australian skiers and snowboarders can look forward to more value for their snow dollar this season with the announcement of Vail Resorts acquiring the country's largest ski resort, Perisher in New South Wales.

The acquisition which should be completed by the fourth quarter of 2015, means that Freedom Pass 2015 season holders for Perisher will now receive unlimited skiing and riding at Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Park City, Canyons, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the US, with ten free days at Vail and Beaver Creek in the 2015/2016 Northern season.  

The $176.6 million deal works both ways with 2015/2016 Vail Resorts Epic Pass holders receiving unlimited skiing at Perisher in 2015. Once the acquisition is finalised the Epic Pass is expected to be introduced as Perisher's season pass for the 2016 season.

Perisher is an enlightened choice for the world's largest ski resort company and the first acquisition of a ski resort by Vail Resorts outside of the US. The deal is set to shake up the competition in Australia and benefit the consumer in the long run.

"We've been talking with Perisher and other resorts all the time, we are always looking for opportunities and not just for acquisition, for cross promotion and marketing too," said Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz. 

"Sometimes, as in this case, those discussions develop into something bigger. Perisher have a very successful season pass program similar to ours, they have a digital dashboard similar to ours, it makes sense."

While the acquisition certainly strengthens ties between Vail Resorts and Australia, the number one international inbound ski market to Colorado, it's not expected to drive an increase in the number of North Americans flying to Australia for a ski season. 

Why would it, Vail receives close to nine metres of annual snowfall each northern season compared to just over two metres in Australia. However thanks to extensive snowmaking Perisher has maintained an average 1.9-metre base over the past fifteen years.

Vail Resorts have a history of purchasing a resort and then investing big dollars in infrastructure with new chairlifts and terrain expansion. The current Perisher management team will remain in place for 'business as usual' with Katz remaining tight-lipped on his long term plans for upgrades and the mythical 800 bed village that has been in the works for years. 

The Freedom Pass with Epic Benefits is on sale until May 31 for $749 for adults and $429 for students.