Intrawest 2nd Quarter Results Hint at Future Growth

News Search

21 March 2014

Push to The Latest: No

SAM Magazine—Denver, Mar. 21, 2014—Intrawest saw increased visits at its resorts in the early season, and that fueled revenue growth for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2013, Intrawest Resort Holdings reported earlier this week. The report and subsequent call with analysts also indicated that Intrawest sees potential for growth in the future via increased capital investment at its existing resorts, acquisitions, and eventually, through base area real estate development.

For the final quarter of 2013, Intrawest saw a 12.4 percent increase in skier visits, and a 5.5 percent increase in revenues from its mountain segment, which accounted for 69 percent of Intrawest's revenues. Season pass and frequency product sales for the 2013-14 season were up 23.9 percent, and comprised 42.7 percent of total lift revenue, compared to 36.1 percent for the same period in 2012. Effective ticket price (ETP) was $42.17 for the December 2013 quarter compared to $45.25 for the same period in the prior year. Lower ETP resulted from a greater proportion of visits from season pass and frequency product holders, Intrawest said.

Revenues for the quarter increased to $76 million for the mountain segment, up from $72 million for the year-earlier quarter. Revenues were down for the adventure segment (primarily CMH) and real estate, to $11.5 and $13.9 million, respectively.

Intrawest's recent restructuring and IPO, which closed Feb. 4, has been a major preoccupation of the company and helps account for the relatively late reporting of the company's December quarter. The IPO and restructuring of the company's debt, however, has put the company in a position to grow. CEO Bill Jensen has said, during the IPO road show and in a conference call with stock analysts, that growth will come from three avenues: capital investments in Intrawest's existing resorts, acquisitions, and base area real estate development. Intrawest's maintenance investment totals approximately $30 million annually, with an additional $8 million to $12 million available for new facilities.

In acquisitions, Intrawest is focusing on the Northeast, Jensen said, and there is the potential to complete a few transactions in the next 6 to 24 months. Real estate development is most likely to occur after that period.

Intrawest will report its results for the quarter ended Mar. 31, 2014, which includes the bulk of its winter revenues, in mid-May.