Highlights
Net income attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. was $256.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2018, an increase of 41.5% compared to net income of $181.1 million for the third fiscal quarter of 2017, which includes the reduction in our provision for income taxes resulting from U.S. Tax Reform.
Resort Reported EBITDA was $419.7 million for the third fiscal quarter of 2018, which includes the operations of Stowe (acquired in June 2017), $2.8 million of Triple Peaks and Stevens Pass acquisition related expenses and $0.7 million of Whistler Blackcomb and Stowe integration related expenses, compared to Resort Reported EBITDA of $392.0 million in the same period in the prior year, which included $2.3 million of acquisition and integration related expenses.
The Company updated its fiscal 2018 guidance range and is now expecting Resort Reported EBITDA to be between $612 million and $622 million, including an estimated $7.0 million of acquisition and integration related expenses specific to Triple Peaks and Stevens Pass and an estimated $3.2 million of integration related expenses specific to Whistler Blackcomb and Stowe.
Season pass sales for the 2018/2019 North American ski season, excluding military pass products, increased approximately 12% in units and approximately 19% in sales dollars through May 29, 2018, compared with the prior year period ended May 30, 2017, adjusted to eliminate the impact of foreign currency by applying current period exchange rates to the prior period for Whistler Blackcomb pass sales. The Company also had significant sales of its Military Epic pass products.
On June 4, 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire Triple Peaks, LLC, the parent company of Okemo Mountain Resort, Mount Sunapee Resort, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort, and separately entered into an agreement to acquire Stevens Pass Resort.
Commenting on the Companys fiscal 2018 third quarter results, Rob Katz, chief executive officer said, "We are pleased with our performance in the quarter and for the full 2017/2018 North American ski season, particularly given the challenging weather conditions across the western U.S. for much of the season. Our performance demonstrates the resiliency of our business model, the stability provided by our geographically diverse resort network and the importance of increased advanced purchase products, including our season passes. Our improved results in the third fiscal quarter also underscore the strength of the high-end consumer's demand for ski vacations once conditions improved across our network.
"Mountain revenue increased 7.1% for the third fiscal quarter compared to the same period in the prior year, with lift revenue growing 7.9%, primarily as a result of strong season pass sales for the 2017/2018 North American ski season and the inclusion of Stowe, which was partially offset by lower non-pass lift revenue at our western U.S. resorts. Total visitation, including Stowe, grew 6.4% for the third fiscal quarter compared to the prior year period. Whistler Blackcomb experienced excellent conditions and achieved another season of record results. As conditions improved across the western U.S. in the second half of the ski season, overall skier visits rebounded sharply despite total snowfall remaining significantly below the long-term average at many of our western U.S. resorts."
Katz continued, "With our winter season behind us, we are pleased that our year-to-date results delivered growth over the prior year despite the very challenging conditions in the first half of the season. We believe this highlights the continued success of our season pass and guest-focused marketing efforts, the importance of geographic diversification in our resort network and the outstanding experience we provide at our resorts. We also continue to benefit from our improved ability to target and personalize our marketing messages to guests, resulting from the significant investments we have made in data capture and data-driven marketing capabilities over the past several years."
Regarding Lodging, Katz said, "Our lodging results for the third fiscal quarter were relatively flat as compared to the prior year period, with Lodging revenue (excluding payroll cost reimbursements) declining 0.2%." Katz continued, "Resort Reported EBITDA was $419.7 million for the fiscal quarter, an increase of 7.1% over the same period in the prior year. Resort EBITDA margin for the quarter was 49.9%, an increase of 30 basis points over the same period in the prior year."
Regarding Real Estate, Katz said, "During the third fiscal quarter, we closed on the sale of a development land parcel for $3.0 million. Real Estate EBITDA for the quarter also includes the recognition of a legal settlement totaling $5.5 million. The cash proceeds related to this legal settlement were received in a prior fiscal year."
Regarding the Company's outlook, Katz said, "Given our performance to date this year, we expect that our fiscal 2018 Resort Reported EBITDA will finish the year between $612 million and $622 million, an increase of 3.1% to 4.8% compared to the prior year. Our fiscal 2018 Resort Reported EBITDA guidance includes an estimated $10.2 million of acquisition and integration related expenses."
Katz continued, "Our balance sheet remains strong and the business continues to generate robust cash flow. We ended the quarter with $181.6 million of cash on hand and our Net Debt was 1.5 times trailing twelve months Total Reported EBITDA, which includes our outstanding debt of $1.1 billion as of April 30, 2018. I am also very pleased to announce that our Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend on Vail Resorts' common stock. The quarterly dividend will be $1.47 per share of common stock and will be payable on July 12, 2018, to shareholders of record on June 27, 2018. Additionally, the Company repurchased $25.8 million of stock during the quarter at an average price of $223.51."
Vail Resorts Reports Fiscal 2018 Third Quarter Results and Early Season Pass Sales Results | Vail Resorts, Inc.
