Vail Resorts, Inc. (MTN – Snapshot Report) is loving El Nino this year as a big snowpack in its western resorts has resulted in a surge in lift ticket sales. This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) is expected to see double digit earnings growth in fiscal 2016.

Vail Resorts operates 9 mountain resorts and 2 urban ski areas, with an announcement of buying a third. It operates most of the well known west coast names including Vail, Bever Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado, Park City in Utah, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe.

Its two urban ski areas are Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan. Internaionally, it operates Perisher in Australia.

It also manages small hotels under the RockResorts brand, including the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Vail Buys Wilmot Mountain

On Jan 19, Vail announced its latest acquisition, and its third urban ski area, by acquiring Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Skiiers in Chicago know Wilmot, which has been in operation since 1938, as it’s just 65 miles north of Chicago just across the Wisconsin border.

Wilmot was the first Midwest resort with snowmaking equipment. It has 25 trails, four terrain parks, a ski and snowboard school, a ski racing program and a tubing hill with 23 lanes.

Vail intends to redesign and update the terrain parks and instruction and expand the dining and entertainment options at the base.

Wilmot will also be a part of the Epic Pass season ski pass with the 2016-2017 ski season which allows holders to ski in all parks.

2015-2016 Ski Season Starts Off Strong

It’s amazing what El Nino rains out west, resulting in a deep snow pack, and low gasoline prices will do.

On Jan 13, Vail Resorts reported its ski season metrics through Jan 10, 2016 at its U.S. mountin resorts, excluding the urban ski areas and Australia’s Perisher.

Total lift ticket revenue rose 19.4% year over year. Dining revenue jumped 14.3% and ski school revenue also grew 6.7%. Customers also spent on retail/rental as revenue was up at US resort store locations by 9.1%.