Vail Resorts Purchases Crans-Montana, Switzerland

Vail Resorts continues to expand. Following their acquisition of Andermatt-Sedrun in 2022, Vail Resorts is in the process of finalizing the purchase of Crans-Montana Mountain Resort as their second major destination in Switzerland. Starting the 2024-2025 ski season, Crans-Montana resort will be an Epic Pass mountain.

"Crans-Montana is an iconic ski destination in the heart of the Swiss Alps, with a unique heritage, incredible terrain, passionate team, and a community dedicated to the success of the region," said Kirsten Lynch, Chief Executive Officer of Vail Resorts. "Our acquisition of the resort aligns to our growth strategy of expanding our resort network in Europe, creating even more value for our Pass Holders and guests around the world. Much like Andermatt-Sedrun, we believe Crans-Montana has a unique opportunity for future growth."

Crans-Montana Mountain Resort Details:

- Spans over 4,500 feet of vertical skiable terrain with 140 kilometers of trails

- Located in French-speaking canton of the Valais region of Switzerland, accessible from 5 airports and train

- Recognized as one of the best ski resorts in Europe, with panoramic views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc

- The resort has a legacy of hosting world-class sports events such as the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, Mountain Bike World Cup, Omega European Masters and others

- The village is filled with gourmet restaurants, luxury retail stores, spas and upscale hotels

Vail Resorts is acquiring an 84-percent ownership stake in Remontees Mecaniques Crans Montana Aminona SA, which manages lift and mountain operations. They are also acquiring an 80-percent ownership stake in SportLife AG, which operates one of the on-mountain ski schools, and they will have a 100-percent ownership stake of 11 restaurants on and around the mountain.

Vail Resorts has placed a strong emphasis on working closely with the community, commitment to environmental responsibility and fostering growth and vitality in the area. In a statement, Lynch stressed that the company is committed to retaining employees, existing infrastructure and local expertise.

"We look forward to investing to support the growth, sustainability and vitality of the resort and region," continued Lynch. "We care deeply about the guest experience and are committed to working with the community, listening and learning from local partners and the resort's dedicated teams. We share many values with the Crans-Montana community, including a commitment to environmental responsibility and reducing our net-operating footprint."

The deal is expected to close during the 2023-2024 ski season, with Crans-Montana continuing to operate as usual this season.

Ski.com has been a long-time lover of Crans-Montana Resort and is excited to see growth in this area. Interested in visiting ski resorts in Europe this winter but not sure where to start? Touch base with a Ski.com Mountain Travel Expert today.

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