BROOMFIELD, CO—Vail Resorts, Inc. has acquired Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin near the Illinois state line, expanding its collection of urban ski areas in the Midwest. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Vail Resorts plans to transform both the on-mountain and base area experience at Wilmot Mountain, including redesigned and updated terrain parks; coaching and instruction for all levels of skiers and riders; expanded dining and entertainment options at the base area; dedicated racing programs; and integrated technology and social media programs such as EpicMix. In addition, the ski area’s infrastructure will be improved for snowmaking, parking and access.
Vail Resorts also announced that access to Wilmot will be included in the company’s Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass for the 2016-2017 ski season, further connecting the Chicago area to its eight mountain resorts in Colorado, Utah and Lake Tahoe. The brand also appointed Taylor Ogilvie as general manager of Wilmot Mountain, effective immediately upon closing of the acquisition.
“Wilmot is steeped in skiing tradition and enjoys tremendous brand recognition among Chicago and Milwaukee skiers and snowboarders, thanks to the passion and dedication of the Stopa family over the last 75 years. We plan to offer our Chicago and Milwaukee guests new season pass offerings that will provide the chance to experience the best skiing and snowboarding locally and in the West and will use our best-in-class technology to create more sophisticated channels of communication with everyone who skis at Wilmot,” said Rob Katz, chairman and CEO, Vail Resorts. “We also plan to bring the same state-of-the-art lifts, snowmaking, lodges, racing, terrain parks, coaching and technology to the guest experience at Wilmot Mountain, much like we have done at Mt. Brighton and Afton Alps, all while honoring the important legacy of the ski area.”