Summit County Citizens Voice

Base area real estate part of the deal

Kirkwood Mountain is Vail Resorts' newest acquisition.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Vail Resorts is expanding its stable of ski areas in California with an $18 million purchase of Kirkwood Mountain, with about 2,300 acres of skiable terrain and undeveloped real estate at the base area zoned for residential and commercial development.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kirkwood into our family as our seventh world-class mountain resort. Kirkwood offers some of the most extraordinary ski terrain found anywhere in North America with high alpine trails and the most annual average snowfall in Lake Tahoe. Kirkwood represents skiing and riding at its purest, something we intend to retain and protect long into the future,” said Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts.

Vail already owns Heavenly Valley and Northstar, and passholders will now have access to all three ski areas.

Kirkwood is about 35 miles southwest of Lake Tahoe and sits at an elevation of 7,800 to 9,800 feet. The ski area averages 472 inches of snow annually. Kirkwood offers 2,000 feet of vertical drop. The resort offers four terrain parks, from beginner to advanced, as well as a Boarder X course.

Vail Resorts expects to close on the acquisition of Kirkwood Mountain Resort within the next month. Further terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Closing is subject to certain conditions, including transfer of the U.S. Forest Service Permit.

Filed under: business, Colorado, ski industry, Ski Resorts, Vail Resorts Tagged: | Calfornia ski areas, Kirkwood Mountain, ski industry, Tahoe region skiing, Vail buys Kirkwood, Vail Resorts