By Zach Sartain
Skiing is rarely considered cheap. Whether you’re a vacationer, or an avid skier, the most convenient mountains are often the largest. And many of the largest in the United States, are owned by Vail Resorts. Not only are these tickets or passes pricey, but also virtually everything else on each mountain. Rental equipment, food, lessons, and lodging are things most skiers must take into consideration, and they usually happen to be owned by the same company, Vail Resorts.
Starting in 1962, Vail was in control of one mountain. Over time, the company grew, buying out mountain after mountain all over the United States and Canada. Today, Vail Resorts owns 37 ski mountains, with over double the acreage of the second largest ski company, Alterra. Together, these “two companies control roughly 35 percent of national skier visits and an even larger share of the total revenue” (Outside). As these two companies continue to grow, how much power will they consume, and what mountains will come under their ownership next?
Should the ski resort industry be considered a Monopoly, with Vail Resorts at the top, or an oligopoly, as a couple large companies generally compete with each other. While Alterra is worth a staggering $4 billion, Vail Resorts is worth over double, at $11 billion (Outside). The barriers to enter the ski resort industry are high, and there is not much competition for Vail Resorts. To keep customers around, they’ve built shops, hotels, and entertainment around the slopes. There’s plenty to do, and plenty to spend money on.
Peruzzi, Marc. “The Giant Resort Companies You Hate Are Saving Skiing.” Outside Online, 30 June 2021, www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/snow-sports/keep-skiing-weird/.
Staff, 24/7 Wall St. “Companies That Own the Most Ski Resorts.” 24/7 Wall St., 12 Jan. 2022, 247wallst.com/special-report/2022/01/13/companies-that-own-the-most-ski-resorts/.
“Vail Ski Resort.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Apr. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vail_Ski_Resort#:~:text=Vail%20Ski%20Resort%20was%20founded,that%20passed%20through%20the%20valley.