Vail buys another Vermont resort

Vail Resorts announced Monday that it is buying 17 more ski areas, adding to its growing number. And the deal includes another resort in Vermont. Our Adam Sullivan has details from West Dover.

After acquiring Stowe Mountain Resort in 2017 and Okemo a year later, Vail Resorts is adding another Vermont ski to its portfolio-- Mount Snow.

"It's great news," said Donny Richard of the Tavern. "Very exciting."

The Epic Pass for skiers and riders-- which extends to all Vail resorts-- will soon include Mount Snow.

In a press release Monday, Vail CEO Rob Katz said, "We are incredibly excited to have the opportunity to add such a powerful network of ski areas."

The 17 resorts came with a purchase price valued at $264 million.

"Bring some new people into town who maybe ski at other mountains, so to join with Epic, super exciting," Richard said.

Richard manages the bar at the Tavern just down the road on Route 100.

"The local businesses need the ski season but they also need the summer business, too. So, if Vail could bring more year-round business, that would be huge," he said.

"Ninety percent of our revenue is done in 100 days in the winter," John Grush said.

Grush owns the sports shop First Trax. He agrees that Vail moving to town could be a big opportunity, especially during the off-season.

"People realize it's too viable of a marketplace for a big corporation to come in and just milk the money out of here. They know they have to spend some money on upgrades of some of the facilities here," Grush said.

Mount Snow's current owner, Peak Resorts, has pumped millions of dollars into the ski area over the last couple of years, including new snowmaking and a brand new base lodge.

WCAX News reached out to Mount Snow officials for comment but they referred us to the press release.

And while the news is the talk of the town, a couple of current employees, who declined to speak to us on camera, said they are a little concerned about what it could mean for their jobs.

The deal also includes Hunter Mountain in New York and three resorts in New Hampshire: Attitash, Crotched Mountain and Wildcat.