SKICO, KSL TO ACQUIRE INTRAWEST, MAMMOTH RESORTS
In a span of only three days, two blockbuster deals took place that will consolidate some of the biggest and most popular mountain resorts in North America. KSL and Aspen Skiing Co. combined to form a new entity that first entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Intrawest in a deal valued at $1.5 billion, and shortly after, it announced Mammoth Resorts would be acquired as well. Intrawest resorts include Steamboat, Winter Park, Tremblant, Stratton, Snowshoe, and Blue Mountain (Ont.). Mammoth Resorts include Mammoth Mountain, Big Bear, Snow Summit, and June Mountain.

Intrawest CEO Tom Marano: “Our new partners bring additional financial resources and a shared passion for the mountains and our mountain communities.”

Mammoth Resorts CEO Rusty Gregory said, “This new platform, built around a collective passion for the mountains and our commitment to the people who visit, work and live there, is exactly what the ski resort business needs.”

The acquisitions are expected to close in the third quarter of 2017. All 2017-18 season pass products currently on sale will be honored at all resorts involved. For more on consolidation, see Blue Pages.

CNL COMPLETES SALE TO EPR, OZRE
In another blockbuster deal, CNL completed its $830 million sale of ski resorts, attractions, and family entertainment centers to Och-Ziff Real Estate (OZRE) and EPR Properties. The deal leaves Ski Resort Holdings LLC, owned by funds affiliated with OZRE, with 14 former CNL ski resort properties. EPR adds Northstar California resort to its portfolio, along with 15 of CNL’s water and amusement parks, and five smaller family entertainment centers. All of the ski areas will continue being operated under the same lease agreements, operators will just be writing the checks to the OZRE subsidiary instead of CNL.

THE SEASON PASS GAME
No question, (relatively) inexpensive passes have become wildly popular over the past decade. Season passholders now account for roughly 40 percent of all visits. And it’s likely that no group of pass options have helped drive sales more than the four multi-pass collaborations shown here. They are a testament to both the ingenuity and cleverness of resort marketers and the highly competitive markeplace in which they find themselves.

While these groups have vastly altered the current ticket landscape, the giant question mark for the future is: how will the new Aspen Skiing Company/KSL conglomerate (see reports, pp. 18 and 77 for details) further alter the market? The various pieces of this new empire are now strewn across the Mountain Collective and M.A.X. passes. SkiCo and KSL talk glowingly of their present partnerships, but it makes too much sense for this group of 16 resorts to craft a pass product that can compete directly with Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass. SkiCo and KSL could offer a compelling product for California downhillers, who comprise the largest market in the U.S. The company’s “local” areas—Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Mammoth, June, and Snow Summit/Bear Mountain—account for nearly half of the state’s skier/rider visits, and could offer great destinations on a shared pass—Aspen, Snowmass, and Steamboat especially.

Whatever SkiCo/KSL do in 2018-19, it’s likely that the other members of the Collective and M.A.X. pass will keep their programs alive—with or without the SkiCo/KSL resorts. Interesting times often lead to innovative thinking. And perhaps to even more new partnerships.

PEOPLE
In the West, following the retirement of Gary DeFrange, Winter Park, Colo., has named Sky Foulkes as its new president and CEO of the resort. … Jack Sibbach recently retired from his long-time role in marketing and PR at Sun Valley, Idaho, where Mike Fitzpatrick will be assuming his responsibilities. … Lynanne Kunkel has been hired as human resources chief of Vail Resorts. … Bob Stinchcomb is now vice president of business development at Big Sky Resort, Mont.

In Canada, Cypress Mountain welcomed Russell Chamberlain as president and CEO after the retirement of Bobby Swain. … Don Sharpe has joined the team at Holiday Trails Resorts.
In the East, Benny McGinnis is now the Carinthia Parks manager at Mount Snow, Vt.

SUPPLIER NEWS
Kässbohrer ATV, Inc., the North American Division of German parent company Kässbohrer AG and distributor of PistenBully snow grooming equipment, will move its regional headquarters, including construction of a new facility, to Lost Valley ski area in Auburn, Maine.

The newest members of the Snowsports Industries America board of directors are: Chris Licata of Tecnica Group USA, Alex Draper of K2 Sports, Johan Malkoski of C3, Brooke MacKenzie of Kjus, Eric Tung of Fera, Elysa Walk of Burton, and Chico Bukovansky of Dakine. Mike Noonan of Marker Völkl has been named chairman.

Brian Derouin has joined Paragon Insurance Holdings, LLC, serving as a liaison to the ski industry and Paragon’s brokerage network.

Inntopia has welcomed two new faces. Ryan Krukar joined the company as a revenue specialist, and Eileen Maloney is now the product owner for two Inntopia engineering teams.

Longtime Camelback Resort general manager Charles Blier has joined Prinoth North America as vice president of sales.

Burton’s former chief creative officer, Greg Dacyshyn, has opened his own creative agency, Camp High. Burton’s vice president of product Chris Cunningham, and chief marketing officer Anne-Marie Dacyshyn will assume responsibility for product and marketing.

After more than 40 years in the industry, Peter Geise of SMI is retiring. Wes Cashwell will take over the southeast territory, while John Parker will take over Pennsylvania.

Nokian Tyres is now POWDR Adventure Lifestyle Co.’s official automotive tire partner for its nine ski resort properties.

MND Group has signed a three-year contract for the turnkey development of the new Snowland Resort, located northwest of Beijing.

Amer Sports will buy U.S. ski maker Armada for $4.1 million.

OBITUARIES
Gary Black Jr., longtime publisher and CEO of Ski Racing International, died on February 25.