Dear Perisher Employees
Today we announced that Vail Resorts has entered into an agreement to acquire Perisher Ski Resort, becoming the first mountain resort company to operate on two continents. On behalf of Vail Resorts, I want to offer all of you a warm and enthusiastic welcome to our Company.
This is an incredibly exciting time for both of our companies. As the largest ski resort in Australia (and the Southern Hemisphere) with an incredible track record of service and innovation, Perisher is a perfect fit for everything that Vail Resorts stands for. Further, Australia is one of the most important international markets for Vail Resorts – and this acquisition brings great potential to strengthen the connection between our iconic U.S. and Australian resorts and valued guests.
To showcase the power of this combination, Perisher has announced that it has reopened sales of the Freedom Pass, which will now include season-long access to our 9 world-class resorts in the United States, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Canyons, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood.
From an employee perspective, becoming a member of the Vail Resorts family will bring you exciting opportunities as well. As part of the world’s largest mountain resort operator, you will have greater opportunity for professional growth and development, expanded resources and sharing of best practices and comprehensive and competitive perks and benefits.
After the closing of the acquisition, which is expected before Perisher opens for the 2015 ski season, we expect very little change to occur in Perisher’s day-to-day operations. Perisher will remain under the outstanding leadership of Peter Brulisauer. In the meantime, I encourage each of you to reference the Frequently Asked Questions we compiled for you to help familiarize yourself with the Company and what to expect going forward.
I cannot emphasise enough what an exciting time this is for Perisher and Vail Resorts. I look forward to working with you to acquaint Australian snowsports enthusiasts with our iconic mountain resorts and create the Experience of a Lifetime for all of you. I am hoping to come down to visit all of you within the next few weeks, when we will get a chance to say hello and talk more about this amazing development.
Again, from across the Company, we welcome you to the Vail Resorts family and we look forward to an epic 2015 ski season at Perisher!
All the best,
Rob
Rob Katz
Vail Resorts CEO