Vail now owns Afton Alps

.Hugo.

.Hugo.

Active member
Just found this out from my dad who is an instructor there. Thought it was pretty weird that such a big company would come after a small hill in MN.

So if any of you are like me and purchase an epic pass to go out to Colorado they are now good at Afton too
 
Are you sure they're gonna make Epic Passes good there? I have one, so if they are that would be so sick! I have a race there in February and they have the most expensive day passes of anywhere we ski.
 
just googled around and found this:

"Vail Resorts plans to upgrade each ski area's snowmaking, parking, terrain parks, racing programs, dining and entertainment options, and instruction programs. Exact budgets haven't been determined."

sounds good to me
 
My dad told me yes that they will work there. That is all I have to go off of.

Now I wish I still lived back home. I'd be going there so much
 
good move for Vail.

as many posters in here just proved vails thought process that plenty of people in MN (specifically the twin cities) get an Epic Pass. now with the added incentive of free skiing (assumidly next year) its going to be an easy choice for people as to where their family ski vacation is going to be. A VR.

plus there are nonstop flights to Eagle, Denver etc from MSP. Very Shrewd move Vail.
 
day passes, not season passes. VR said they did this to drive season pass sales. Granted i dont live in MN anymore but im pretty sure VR already markets the Epic pass at places like hoigarrds right? (the perfect VR customer, affluent) this just gives people more incentive to buy an afton pass (or epic pass) ski afton a bunch and then book their MLK trip to Breck, Vail, Keystone, etc. Even Tahoe isnt hard to get to from MSP.

If youre buying day tickets at afton you are not the person VR is targeting by this move.

it will be interesting to see if they dump a bunch of money into Afton...
 
No day pass people are a target as well if they do dump the aforementioned money into Afton. They can make it into a "model resort" with similar amenities and features to the out west resorts but on a smaller scale with the idea of getting people hooked on the "Vail Resorts experience."

At the same time though, ridiculous day pass prices are a part of their business model out West (which is why I have an Epic Pass) but I just can't see them wanting to put up barriers to potential customers in this instance.

I just hope they leave the yellow jacket guys out West, I don't like them.
 
They have had yellow jacket guys at Afton for years now. But they aren't nearly as bad as the ones out west
 
i think its a great move for Vail and us. Afton has a lot of potential as far as a "midwest resort" goes. I hope prices don't go up too much.
 
Papa Muntz is rolling over in his grave.

But seriously, founder Paul Augustine passed away January 2011. Sounds like his ungrateful daughter cashed out the family business
 
Well then I'm hiking the hill. Fuck I already bought their flagship season pass product and they want me to pay to ski their shittiest hill?!
 
I guess he is hearing something different everyday and depending on who he is talking to. So I guess we just have to wait for an official announcement from vail resorts.
 
yeah but when? hopefully they have some park crew from vail this year, or maybe changes but i doubt it.
 
It doesn't say anywhere in there that they're not. I wouldn't expect a general press release like that to address a niche group of people such as Minnesotans that already have Epic Passes.
 
Why would they be? Its all about money Vail core cant really buy much more in Colorado and they can make a fortune fixing up old wooden Midwest resorts. I am surprised they bought afton or others but noneless stoked for back home.
 
Well today a Vail Employee just told my dad that epic passes will be good at Afton this year.

So this is pretty much a shit show right now.
 
I don't know about this year, it might be too late now. But I would expect some big things for next season for sure. Afton's park was already getting better every year, that jump they had last year was absolute money.
 
are you going for your race this weekend? Im driving down with the marquette team from milwaukee for the weekend
 
I doubt it, I know they are going to put a lot of money into snow making. Hoping for rope tow on the park
 
that "hill" ( i say that in quotations because in reality its just a valley) is too short for a high speed lift.
 
i think it would be okay. high speed lifts only need maybe 80 feet before and after loading to accelerate / slow down.
 
Just got word that they will be getting rid of the tubing park and using that space to make the park bigger. They are also going to put in 2 high-speed ropes for the park. Fucking awesome!
 
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Here's a picture of the new park layout for next year. Dee's dive will have jumps and some jibs it looks like, dual rope tows are going in between the terrain park run and the old tubing hill, and the tubing area will be all park. I believe it's also being managed by SPT (responsible for the parks at breck, keystone, 7 springs, northstar, etc.) Looks so dope.

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just bought up an afton pass, pretty excited, still have my welch pass (seeing as i live next door to it) but im down to ride afton every weekend.
 
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