Air Canada To Launch Nonstop Winter Service Between Toronto and Vail/Eagle Airport
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contacts: May Lilley, (303) 504-5824, mlilley@vailresorts.com
Rosalie Waxman, (720) 524-5042, rwaxman@vailresorts.com
Peter Fitzpatrick (416) 263-5576, Peter.Fitzpatrick@aircanada.ca
Online newsroom: news.vailresorts.com
Air Canada To Launch Nonstop Winter Service Between Toronto and Vail/Eagle Airport
· Vail and Beaver Creek more accessible to Canadian skiers and snowboarders than ever before
· New Air Canada service represents first non-stop, international carrier and service to Vail/Eagle Airport
· Epic Pass Value is even Further Enhanced for Canadians Looking to Ski the World, with Access to the Best of the USA, Austria and Switzerland on One Season Pass
VAIL, Colo. – July 31, 2013 – Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) in partnership with Air Canada, announced today new, non-stop Air Canada flight service between Toronto (YYZ) and Vail/Eagle (EGE) Airports for the coming winter season beginning Dec. 14, 2013, through April 5, 2014. The 120-seat Airbus A319 aircraft will offer a choice of Executive or Economy class service, and feature complimentary seatback entertainment throughout the aircraft. The new service will be the second non-stop western ski gateway from Toronto, behind Denver, making it easier than ever before for those traveling from Toronto and Eastern Canada to ski and snowboard Vail and Beaver Creek, two premier mountain resort destinations in the United States. The new flight also allows for skiing and riding on the same day of travel, as well as the convenience of clearing customs and immigration prior to departure in Toronto. Eagle Airport is conveniently located 45km from Beaver Creek and 56km from Vail, with seamless, door-to-door transfers to accommodations in Vail or Beaver Creek with Colorado Mountain Express, offering wi-fi enabled shared shuttle and private chauffeured SUV options.
“Canada is one of our most important international markets, so we’re thrilled that our Canadian guests can now enjoy a seamless travel experience to Vail and Beaver Creek, thanks to our valued Air Canada partnership,” said Bob Stinchcomb, vice president of business development of Vail Resorts. “We have seen consistent growth in visitation to Vail and Beaver Creek from the Canadian market over the last several years and this new non-stop service between the Vail/Eagle and Toronto Pearson Airports will create an even more compelling reason for Canadians to experience our world-class mountain resorts, with same day skiing, unparalleled Vail Resorts service and incredible value. The Epic Pass has proven to be the best value lift pass in the industry, providing the opportunity to ski the world, with access to 18 mountain resorts, across three countries, on the one pass. We look forward to welcoming even more Canadians to our resorts for the coming winter season and having the opportunity to further enhance the value and experience for our valued Canadian guests.”
“This new direct nonstop service from Air Canada's Toronto hub is the first international direct service to the Eagle/Vail Valley and makes it easier than ever for our Canadian friends to visit,” said Greg Phillips, director of aviation of Eagle Airport. “We are proud of our partnership with Vail Resorts and we are very excited to welcome this new flight for the coming winter season. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Air Canada.”
Saturday service will be offered for the new nonstop flight, with convenient times that allow travelers to be on the slopes of Vail or Beaver Creek on the same day as arrival. The inbound flight schedule from Toronto will depart at 9:50 a.m., arriving at Eagle Airport at 11:45 a.m., allowing for afternoon skiing and riding at Vail or Beaver Creek. Outbound flights from Eagle Airport will depart at 12:30 p.m., arriving in Toronto at 5:43 p.m., aligned with hotel check-out times or the option to enjoy some perfectly manicured corduroy or fresh powder tracks before the flight home. Daily connections are available with Star Alliance partner United Airlines for service from Eagle County Airport to Denver, connecting to Air Canada from Denver to Toronto. Air Canada also offers convenient connections to other major Canadian cities, including Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax.
“Air Canada is pleased to offer customers the convenience of the only non-stop service between Canada and Colorado’s world-famous resorts of Vail and Beaver Creek Mountains,” said Marcel Forget, vice president of network planning of Air Canada. “Customers beginning their ski holiday will appreciate the convenience of a mid-day arrival with just a short, 30-minute drive before reaching the slopes.”
In March, Vail Resorts announced a record capital plan for the coming winter season, in accordance with the Company’s mission to provide an Experience of a Lifetime for guests, further consolidating the Vail Resorts’ position as the premier mountain resort company in the world.
On the heels of opening the state-of-the-art Gondola One in November 2012, complete with heated seats and Wi-Fi, Vail Mountain, the largest ski resort in the United States, is continuing its on-mountain investment with two new lifts for the 2013-2014 season. The new chairlifts will continue to build upon Vail's preeminent position in delivering the best experience in the ski industry worldwide. A new high-speed, six-passenger chairlift will replace the high-speed Mountaintop Express Lift (#4) from Mid-Vail to the Patrol Headquarters area. The replacement will result in a 33 percent increase in capacity, or 3,600 people per hour, which is the same capacity as Vail’s new Gondola One. The existing lift was installed in 1985 and is one of the most frequently used lifts on Vail Mountain, providing access to Patrol Headquarters and a number of surrounding areas including the legendary Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin. Additionally, the Gopher Hill Lift (#12) in Golden Peak – a fixed-grip double chairlift installed in 1974 – will be replaced by the former Rose Bowl lift (#4) from Beaver Creek, where a new high speed quad was installed in 2011. The fixed-grip triple lift will increase capacity by 50 percent over the existing Gopher Hill Lift (#12), which predominantly provides access to the Golden Peak area for beginners as well as access to Vail Village. The triple lift will also allow for twice the capacity of three to six-year-old ski and snowboard school guests, who are required to ride the lift with an adult.
At Beaver Creek, construction is underway on a new European-inspired on-mountain restaurant named Talons, situated at the confluence of Larkspur Bowl, Grouse Mountain and Birds of Prey. It will replace Red Tail Camp. The name Talons reflects the theme on this part of the mountain, which is home to many birds of prey in the area. Talons will be 17,000 square feet with 500 indoor seats on two levels and 250 outdoor seats, more than doubling the previous capacity. The menu will feature gourmet dining options such as the Talons Kasseler Rippchen Casserole and Colorado Lamb Burger served in an upscale cafeteria setting. The architecture pays homage to the early era of Beaver Creek with a nostalgic barn exterior and post and beam construction. Originally constructed in 1997, the new building is situated lower down the hill, offering easier access for skiers and riders in the area. Talons is expected to open at the start of the 2013-2014 ski season and it also will serve as the press center for the 2013 Birds of Prey World Cup events as well as the 2015 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships. It’s all about the details at Beaver Creek, from ski concierges to guest service ambassadors, whose sole job is to ensure the experience of a lifetime for guests.
Epic Pass holders enjoy unlimited, unrestricted access to Vail Resorts’ eight world-class resorts in the United States, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, and Eldora in Colorado, Canyons in Park City, Utah, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe, Mt. Brighton in Michigan and Afton Alps in Minnesota, and now, five free days at Verbier, Switzerland and five free consecutive days at Arlberg, Austria. At only US$689, the Epic Pass is the best value lift pass in the industry. Visit www.epicpass.com for more information and to purchase.
Vail Resorts also offers other pass options, to allow guests to choose the pass that best suits their needs:
Season Pass Benefits
Access to Verbier, Switzerland, and Arlberg, Austria, is only provided to Epic Pass holders and not holders of other passes offered by Vail Resorts (Epic Local, Tahoe Local, Summit Value and Tahoe Value). In addition to access to 18 mountain resorts, Epic Pass and all Vail Resorts season pass holders will continue to receive exclusive offers on lodging, dining, ski rentals, equipment, ski school and special events for the 2013-2014 ski and snowboard season at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Canyons, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood, as well as Arapahoe Basin and Eldora. All season pass products are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Find images, and more news, please visit https://news.vailresorts.com/. Find broadcast-quality video footage and more photos here. Please credit ‘Vail Resorts’, for photos and video.
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Canyons in Park City, Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Afton Alps in Minnesota; and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.comand consumer website is www.snow.com.
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Media contacts: May Lilley, (303) 504-5824, mlilley@vailresorts.com
Rosalie Waxman, (720) 524-5042, rwaxman@vailresorts.com
Peter Fitzpatrick (416) 263-5576, Peter.Fitzpatrick@aircanada.ca
Online newsroom: news.vailresorts.com
Air Canada To Launch Nonstop Winter Service Between Toronto and Vail/Eagle Airport
· Vail and Beaver Creek more accessible to Canadian skiers and snowboarders than ever before
· New Air Canada service represents first non-stop, international carrier and service to Vail/Eagle Airport
· Epic Pass Value is even Further Enhanced for Canadians Looking to Ski the World, with Access to the Best of the USA, Austria and Switzerland on One Season Pass
VAIL, Colo. – July 31, 2013 – Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) in partnership with Air Canada, announced today new, non-stop Air Canada flight service between Toronto (YYZ) and Vail/Eagle (EGE) Airports for the coming winter season beginning Dec. 14, 2013, through April 5, 2014. The 120-seat Airbus A319 aircraft will offer a choice of Executive or Economy class service, and feature complimentary seatback entertainment throughout the aircraft. The new service will be the second non-stop western ski gateway from Toronto, behind Denver, making it easier than ever before for those traveling from Toronto and Eastern Canada to ski and snowboard Vail and Beaver Creek, two premier mountain resort destinations in the United States. The new flight also allows for skiing and riding on the same day of travel, as well as the convenience of clearing customs and immigration prior to departure in Toronto. Eagle Airport is conveniently located 45km from Beaver Creek and 56km from Vail, with seamless, door-to-door transfers to accommodations in Vail or Beaver Creek with Colorado Mountain Express, offering wi-fi enabled shared shuttle and private chauffeured SUV options.
“Canada is one of our most important international markets, so we’re thrilled that our Canadian guests can now enjoy a seamless travel experience to Vail and Beaver Creek, thanks to our valued Air Canada partnership,” said Bob Stinchcomb, vice president of business development of Vail Resorts. “We have seen consistent growth in visitation to Vail and Beaver Creek from the Canadian market over the last several years and this new non-stop service between the Vail/Eagle and Toronto Pearson Airports will create an even more compelling reason for Canadians to experience our world-class mountain resorts, with same day skiing, unparalleled Vail Resorts service and incredible value. The Epic Pass has proven to be the best value lift pass in the industry, providing the opportunity to ski the world, with access to 18 mountain resorts, across three countries, on the one pass. We look forward to welcoming even more Canadians to our resorts for the coming winter season and having the opportunity to further enhance the value and experience for our valued Canadian guests.”
“This new direct nonstop service from Air Canada's Toronto hub is the first international direct service to the Eagle/Vail Valley and makes it easier than ever for our Canadian friends to visit,” said Greg Phillips, director of aviation of Eagle Airport. “We are proud of our partnership with Vail Resorts and we are very excited to welcome this new flight for the coming winter season. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Air Canada.”
Saturday service will be offered for the new nonstop flight, with convenient times that allow travelers to be on the slopes of Vail or Beaver Creek on the same day as arrival. The inbound flight schedule from Toronto will depart at 9:50 a.m., arriving at Eagle Airport at 11:45 a.m., allowing for afternoon skiing and riding at Vail or Beaver Creek. Outbound flights from Eagle Airport will depart at 12:30 p.m., arriving in Toronto at 5:43 p.m., aligned with hotel check-out times or the option to enjoy some perfectly manicured corduroy or fresh powder tracks before the flight home. Daily connections are available with Star Alliance partner United Airlines for service from Eagle County Airport to Denver, connecting to Air Canada from Denver to Toronto. Air Canada also offers convenient connections to other major Canadian cities, including Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax.
“Air Canada is pleased to offer customers the convenience of the only non-stop service between Canada and Colorado’s world-famous resorts of Vail and Beaver Creek Mountains,” said Marcel Forget, vice president of network planning of Air Canada. “Customers beginning their ski holiday will appreciate the convenience of a mid-day arrival with just a short, 30-minute drive before reaching the slopes.”
In March, Vail Resorts announced a record capital plan for the coming winter season, in accordance with the Company’s mission to provide an Experience of a Lifetime for guests, further consolidating the Vail Resorts’ position as the premier mountain resort company in the world.
On the heels of opening the state-of-the-art Gondola One in November 2012, complete with heated seats and Wi-Fi, Vail Mountain, the largest ski resort in the United States, is continuing its on-mountain investment with two new lifts for the 2013-2014 season. The new chairlifts will continue to build upon Vail's preeminent position in delivering the best experience in the ski industry worldwide. A new high-speed, six-passenger chairlift will replace the high-speed Mountaintop Express Lift (#4) from Mid-Vail to the Patrol Headquarters area. The replacement will result in a 33 percent increase in capacity, or 3,600 people per hour, which is the same capacity as Vail’s new Gondola One. The existing lift was installed in 1985 and is one of the most frequently used lifts on Vail Mountain, providing access to Patrol Headquarters and a number of surrounding areas including the legendary Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin. Additionally, the Gopher Hill Lift (#12) in Golden Peak – a fixed-grip double chairlift installed in 1974 – will be replaced by the former Rose Bowl lift (#4) from Beaver Creek, where a new high speed quad was installed in 2011. The fixed-grip triple lift will increase capacity by 50 percent over the existing Gopher Hill Lift (#12), which predominantly provides access to the Golden Peak area for beginners as well as access to Vail Village. The triple lift will also allow for twice the capacity of three to six-year-old ski and snowboard school guests, who are required to ride the lift with an adult.
At Beaver Creek, construction is underway on a new European-inspired on-mountain restaurant named Talons, situated at the confluence of Larkspur Bowl, Grouse Mountain and Birds of Prey. It will replace Red Tail Camp. The name Talons reflects the theme on this part of the mountain, which is home to many birds of prey in the area. Talons will be 17,000 square feet with 500 indoor seats on two levels and 250 outdoor seats, more than doubling the previous capacity. The menu will feature gourmet dining options such as the Talons Kasseler Rippchen Casserole and Colorado Lamb Burger served in an upscale cafeteria setting. The architecture pays homage to the early era of Beaver Creek with a nostalgic barn exterior and post and beam construction. Originally constructed in 1997, the new building is situated lower down the hill, offering easier access for skiers and riders in the area. Talons is expected to open at the start of the 2013-2014 ski season and it also will serve as the press center for the 2013 Birds of Prey World Cup events as well as the 2015 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships. It’s all about the details at Beaver Creek, from ski concierges to guest service ambassadors, whose sole job is to ensure the experience of a lifetime for guests.
Epic Pass holders enjoy unlimited, unrestricted access to Vail Resorts’ eight world-class resorts in the United States, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, and Eldora in Colorado, Canyons in Park City, Utah, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe, Mt. Brighton in Michigan and Afton Alps in Minnesota, and now, five free days at Verbier, Switzerland and five free consecutive days at Arlberg, Austria. At only US$689, the Epic Pass is the best value lift pass in the industry. Visit www.epicpass.com for more information and to purchase.
Vail Resorts also offers other pass options, to allow guests to choose the pass that best suits their needs:
- The Epic Local Pass™ is perfect for guests who can navigate a pass with a few more restrictions on their winter holiday. The Epic Local Pass for US$529 offers unlimited and unrestricted skiing or riding at Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin with limited restrictions at Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood. Also includes a total of 10 days at Vail and Beaver Creek with US holiday restrictions. At the spring rate, the Epic Local Pass pays for itself in just over four days.
- The Epic 7-Day™ is perfect for people who don’t plan to ski more than 7 days. The Epic 7-Day gives skiers or riders a total of seven unrestricted tickets valid at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Canyons, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, and Arapahoe Basin for a price of US$529. Ski any seven days of the season. At the spring rate, the Epic 7-Day pays for itself in just over four days.
- The Epic 4-Day™ is perfect for people who don’t plan to ski more than 4 days. The Epic 4-Day gives skiers or riders a total of four unrestricted tickets valid at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Canyons, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, and Arapahoe Basin anytime during the season for a price of US$349. Ski any four days of the season. The Epic 4-Day pays for itself in less than three days.
Season Pass Benefits
Access to Verbier, Switzerland, and Arlberg, Austria, is only provided to Epic Pass holders and not holders of other passes offered by Vail Resorts (Epic Local, Tahoe Local, Summit Value and Tahoe Value). In addition to access to 18 mountain resorts, Epic Pass and all Vail Resorts season pass holders will continue to receive exclusive offers on lodging, dining, ski rentals, equipment, ski school and special events for the 2013-2014 ski and snowboard season at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Canyons, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood, as well as Arapahoe Basin and Eldora. All season pass products are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Find images, and more news, please visit https://news.vailresorts.com/. Find broadcast-quality video footage and more photos here. Please credit ‘Vail Resorts’, for photos and video.
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Canyons in Park City, Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Afton Alps in Minnesota; and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.comand consumer website is www.snow.com.
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About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Canyons in Park City, Utah; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Canyons in Park City, Utah; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.
Contact(s)
Peter Fitzpatrick (416) 263-5576, Peter.Fitzpatrick@aircanada.ca