AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 19, 1996
REGISTRATION NO. 333-5341
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM S-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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VAIL RESORTS, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE 51-0291762
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
137 BENCHMARK ROAD
AVON, COLORADO 81620
(970) 476-5601
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
JAMES S. MANDEL, ESQ.
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
POST OFFICE BOX 7
VAIL, COLORADO 81658
(970) 476-5601
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
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COPIES TO:
JAMES J. CLARK, ESQ. NORMAN BROWNSTEIN, ESQ. HOWARD A. SOBEL, ESQ.
CAHILL GORDON & BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER KRAMER, LEVIN, NAFTALIS
REINDEL & STRICKLAND, P.C. & FRANKEL
80 PINE STREET 410 SEVENTEENTH STREET, 919 THIRD AVENUE, 39TH
NEW YORK, NY 10005 22ND FLOOR FLOOR
(212) 701-3000 DENVER, CO 80202-4437 NEW YORK, NY 10022-3903
(303) 534-6335 (212) 715-9100
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933 check the following box. [_]
If the registrant elects to deliver its latest annual report to security
holders, or a complete and legible facsimile thereof, pursuant to Item
11(a)(1) of this Form, check the following box. [_]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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PROPOSED MAXIMUM
TITLE OF EACH CLASS AGGREGATE OFFERING AMOUNT OF
OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED PRICE(1) REGISTRATION FEE
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Common Stock, $.01 par value............... $200,000,000 $68,966(2)
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(1)Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in
accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933.
(2)Of this amount, $51,274 was previously paid.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION,
ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement contains two forms of prospectus: one to be used
in connection with an underwritten public offering in the United States and
Canada (the "U.S. Prospectus") and one to be used in a concurrent underwritten
public offering outside the United States and Canada (the "International
Prospectus"). The two prospectuses are identical except for the front and back
cover pages. The form of U.S. Prospectus is included herein and is followed by
the alternative pages to be used in the International Prospectus. Each of the
alternate pages for the International Prospectus included herein is labeled
"International Prospectus--Alternate Pages." Final forms of each Prospectus
will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Rule 424(b)
under the Securities Act of 1933.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF +
+ANY SUCH STATE. +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 19, 1996
PROSPECTUS
SHARES
[LOGO] VAIL RESORTS, INC.
COMMON STOCK
Of the shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common
Stock"), offered hereby, shares will be sold by Vail Resorts, Inc. (the
"Company") and shares will be sold by certain Selling Stockholders. The
Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the
Selling Stockholders. See "Principal and Selling Stockholders."
A total of shares (the "U.S. Shares") are being offered in the United
States and Canada (the "U.S. Offering") by the U.S. Underwriters, and
shares (the "International Shares") are being offered outside the United States
and Canada (the "International Offering") by the Managers. The initial public
offering price and the underwriting discounts and commissions are identical for
both the U.S. Offering and the International Offering (collectively, the
"Offerings").
The outstanding capital stock of the Company consists of the Common Stock and
the Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Class A Common
Stock"). The Common Stock and the Class A Common Stock are substantially
identical, except that holders of the Class A Common Stock elect a class of
directors that constitutes two-thirds of the Board of Directors and holders of
the Common Stock elect a class of directors that constitutes one-third of the
Board of Directors. See "Description of Capital Stock."
Prior to the Offerings, there has been no public market for the Common Stock.
It is currently anticipated that the initial public offering price will be
between $ and $ per share. See "Underwriting" for a discussion of the
factors considered in determining the initial public offering price. Up to
of the shares will be reserved for sale to approximately persons who are
directors, officers or employees of, or are otherwise associated with, the
Company. See "Underwriting."
The Common Stock has been approved for listing, subject to official notice of
issuance, on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MTN."
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 15 FOR CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT
TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK.
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO
DISCOUNTS AND PROCEEDS TO SELLING
PRICE TO PUBLIC COMMISSIONS(1) COMPANY(2) STOCKHOLDERS
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Per Share.............. $ $ $ $
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Total(3)............... $ $ $ $
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(1) See "Underwriting" for indemnification arrangements with the U.S.
Underwriters and the Managers.
(2) Before deducting expenses related to the Offerings estimated at $ , all
of which will be paid by the Company.
(3) The Selling Stockholders have granted to the U.S. Underwriters and the
Managers 30-day options to purchase in the aggregate up to additional
shares of Common Stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If the
options are exercised in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting
Discounts and Commissions, and Proceeds to Selling Stockholders will be
$ , $ and $ , respectively. See "Underwriting."
-----------
The U.S. Shares are offered by the several U.S. Underwriters, subject to
prior sale, when, as and if delivered to and accepted by them and subject to
certain conditions, including the approval of certain legal matters by counsel.
The U.S. Underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the U.S.
Offering and to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery
of the U.S. Shares will be made against payment therefor on or about ,
1996, at the offices of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., 245 Park Avenue, New York,
New York 10167.
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BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
FURMAN SELZ LLC
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
SCHRODER WERTHEIM & CO.
SMITH BARNEY INC.
, 1996
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a Registration Statement on Form S-2 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the Common Stock
offered hereby. This Prospectus, which is part of the Registration Statement,
does not contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement
and the exhibits and schedules thereto, certain items of which are omitted in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. Statements made
in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other
document referred to are not necessarily complete. With respect to each such
contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, reference is made to the exhibit for a more complete description of
the matter involved, and each such statement shall be deemed qualified in its
entirety by such reference.
The Company is subject to the information requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports and other information with the Commission. For
further information with respect to the Company and the Common Stock offered
hereby, reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and such
exhibits and schedules filed as a part thereof as well as such reports and
other information filed by the Company, which may be inspected and copied at
prescribed rates at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and at the following regional offices of the Commission: 7 World
Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048, and Citicorp Center, 500
West Madison Street, 14th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of all or any
portion of the Registration Statement may be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission, upon payment of prescribed rates. The
Commission also maintains a Web site at http://www.sec.gov which contains
reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding
registrants that file electronically with the Commission. The Common Stock
will be listed on The New York Stock Exchange, and such reports, proxy
statements, and other information can also be inspected and copied at the
offices of The New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York
10005.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The following documents heretofore filed by the Company (formerly named
Gillett Holdings, Inc.) with the Commission (File No. 1-9614) pursuant to the
Exchange Act are incorporated and made a part of this Prospectus by reference,
except as superseded or modified herein:
1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September
30, 1995;
2. The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
December 31, 1995, March 31, 1996 and June 30, 1996;
3. The Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated July 3, 1996;
and
4. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 23, 1996.
The Company undertakes to provide without charge to each person, including
any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the
written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any document described
herein (not including exhibits to those documents unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference into the information incorporated into
this Prospectus). Requests for such copies should be directed to James S.
Mandel, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Vail Resorts, Inc.,
Post Office Box 7, Vail, Colorado 81658, (970) 476-5601.
The Company's mailing address is Post Office Box 7, Vail, Colorado 81658 and
its executive offices are located at 137 Benchmark Road, Avon, Colorado 81620.
Its telephone number is (970) 476-5601.
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IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERINGS, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK
AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH
TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE OR OTHERWISE. SUCH
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
2
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in
conjunction with, the more detailed information and consolidated financial
statements (including the notes thereto) appearing elsewhere in, or
incorporated by reference into, this Prospectus. Except where otherwise
indicated, the information in this Prospectus (i) assumes that the over-
allotment options granted to the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers will not be
exercised and (ii) gives effect to a for 1 stock split with respect to the
Common Stock and Class A Common Stock that will be effected prior to the
consummation of the Offerings. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term
"Company" refers to (a) Vail Resorts, Inc. (formerly known as Gillett Holdings,
Inc., "Vail Resorts") and its subsidiaries, as such entities exist prior to the
consummation of the Acquisition (as hereinafter defined) and shall not include
the Acquired Resorts (as hereinafter defined) when used with respect to
historical information contained herein or (b) Vail Resorts and its
subsidiaries, including the Acquired Resorts, as such entities will exist upon
consummation of the Acquisition, when used with respect to information about
events occurring upon completion of or after the Acquisition or when giving pro
forma effect thereto, "fiscal" in connection with a year shall mean the 12
months ended September 30, "ski season" shall mean the period from the opening
of any of the Company's mountains for skiing to the closing of the Company's
last mountain for skiing, typically mid-November to late April, and "skier day"
shall mean one guest accessing a ski mountain on any one day. "Beaver Creek"
and other designated trademarks are registered trademarks of the Company.
THE COMPANY
Vail Resorts is the premier mountain resort operator in North America. The
Company operates Vail Mountain, the largest single ski mountain complex in
North America, and Beaver Creek(R) Mountain, one of the world's premier family-
oriented mountain resorts (together with Vail Mountain, the "Existing
Resorts"). The Company is one of the most profitable resort operators in the
ski industry due to its attractive guest demographics, favorable weather and
snowfall conditions, ability to attract both destination resort guests and day
travelers from local population centers and proximity to both Denver
International Airport and Vail/Eagle County Airport. In addition to resort
operations, the Company owns substantial real estate from which it derives
significant strategic benefits and cash flow. In July 1996, the Company entered
into an agreement to acquire the Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin
mountain resorts (the "Acquired Resorts") and significant related real estate
interests and developable land (the "Acquisition"). Following the Acquisition,
the Company will be uniquely positioned to attract a broad range of guests due
to its diverse ski terrain, varied price points and numerous activities and
services. As the Company's five resorts are located within 50 miles of each
other, the Company will be able to offer guests the opportunity to visit each
resort during one vacation stay and participate in common loyalty programs. For
the 12 months ended June 30, 1996 (which includes the Company's entire 1995-96
ski season), the Company's revenue from resort operations ("Resort Revenue")
and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization from resort
operations ("Resort Cash Flow"), pro forma for the Acquisition, were $274.2
million and $88.9 million, respectively. Management believes that the Company's
Resort Revenue and Resort Cash Flow, pro forma for the Acquisition, are greater
than that of any other mountain resort company in the world.
EXISTING RESORTS
Vail Mountain is the largest and most popular single ski mountain complex in
North America, offering over 4,100 acres of unique and varied ski terrain
spanning approximately 20 square miles. Included in this complex are Vail's
world-famous Back Bowls(TM) (the "Back Bowls"), the largest network of high
speed quad chairlifts in the world, a top rated ski school and a wide variety
of dining and retail venues. Vail Mountain's skier days reached 1.65 million
during the 1995-96 ski season, the most of any ski mountain in North America
and a new record for Vail Mountain. Vail Mountain has been chosen to host the
World Alpine Ski Championships in 1999, the first time a North American ski
resort has been selected to host this prestigious event twice. For the last
eight years, Vail Mountain has been rated the number one ski resort in the
United States by the Snow Country magazine survey.
3
Beaver Creek Mountain, located ten miles west of Vail Mountain, is one of the
world's premier family-oriented mountain resorts, offering its guests a
superior level of service in a pristine alpine setting. Since opening in 1980,
Beaver Creek Mountain has been one of the fastest growing ski resorts in North
America, with annual skier days increasing from 111,746 in the 1980-81 ski
season to 576,249 during the 1995-96 ski season, representing a new record for
Beaver Creek Mountain. For the 1996-97 ski season, the Company will complete
the first step in introducing a European style village-to-village ski
experience by connecting (through ski lifts and trails) three distinct ski
areas--Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch(TM) and Arrowhead(TM). Beaver Creek
Mountain, which provides a distinct and varied vacation experience from Vail
Mountain, has consistently been rated among the top ten resorts in North
America in various industry surveys (it was ranked number four in the 1996 Snow
Country magazine survey) and was ranked the best family ski resort by USA Today
in 1995.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
A key component of the Company's business strategy has been to expand and
enhance its core ski operations, while at the same time increasing the scope,
diversity and quality of the complementary activities and services offered to
its skiing and non-skiing guests throughout the year. This focus has resulted
in growth in skier days and lift ticket sales and has also allowed the Company
to expand its revenue base beyond its core ski operations. While lift ticket
sales (traditionally the largest source of revenues for most ski resorts) have
grown each year over the past ten years, revenues from other sources have grown
at a much faster rate and, as a result, have increased as a percentage of
Resort Revenue from 36% in fiscal 1985 to 50% in fiscal 1995. This trend is
expected to continue as the projects outlined in "Growth Initiatives" are
completed.
The Company's focus on developing a comprehensive destination resort
experience has also allowed it to attract a diverse guest population with an
attractive demographic and economic profile, including a significant number of
affluent and family-oriented destination guests, who tend to generate higher
and more diversified revenues per guest than day skiers from local population
centers. While the Company's Resort Revenue per skier day is currently among
the highest in the industry, management believes that the Company currently
captures less than 20% of the total vacation expenditures of an average
destination guest at its resorts. Vail Resorts' business strategy is not only
to increase skier days and guest visits but also to increase Resort Revenue per
skier day by capturing a higher percentage of the total spending by its year
round destination and day guests, by continuing to expand the range and enhance
the quality of activities and services offered by the Company. See "Business--
Growth Initiatives."
The Company's success in implementing its business strategy, high Resort
Revenue per skier day and efficient operations have resulted in growth in
Resort Cash Flow and in levels of cash flow generation that are among the
highest in the industry. Between fiscal 1985 and fiscal 1995, the Company's
Resort Cash Flow increased from $7.9 million to $44.0 million and reached $51.0
million for the 12 months ended June 30, 1996. Furthermore, Resort Cash Flow as
a percentage of Resort Revenue was 36.6% for the 12 months ended June 30, 1996.
The Company's high level of Resort Cash Flow has allowed it to reinvest
significant capital in its operations. Over the last ten calendar years, the
Company has invested approximately $125 million in resort improvements, of
which approximately $80 million was expansion capital to improve and grow
operations. In addition, during calendar year 1996, the Company will invest
$34.2 million of expansion capital in its Existing Resorts to further improve
and grow resort operations. See "Business--Growth Initiatives." Management
believes that the quality and scope of its resort facilities and ski operations
are unequaled in North America and represent a significant competitive
advantage.
GROWTH INITIATIVES
The Company's growth in Resort Revenue and Resort Cash Flow has been and
continues to be derived from a variety of factors, including (i) increases in
skier days and guest visits due primarily to "new attractions" (major terrain
and facility expansions) and the creation of additional resort lodging, (ii)
improving industry trends
4
due to growth in snowboarding and advances in ski equipment technology ("fat"
skis and specially shaped skis), (iii) increases in Resort Revenue per skier
day resulting from new retail and restaurant operations and other activities
including expanded activities for nonskiers, (iv) margin increases resulting
from the benefits of operating leverage, and (v) increases in the Company's
licensing and sponsorship activities. During the next 24 months, the Company's
Existing Resort operations will undergo a period of significant expansion as
numerous projects currently under development are completed. The results of
this expansion will be:
. A 30% expansion in the contiguous ski terrain on Beaver Creek Mountain
with the creation of a European style village-to-village ski experience;
. A greater than 50% increase in high speed access lift capacity on Vail
Mountain with the installation of both a new high speed quad lift and a
state-of-the-art, high speed, custom-designed gondola;
. An increase in base area retail and restaurant square footage owned by
the Company from 86,500 to 140,000 upon the completion of the retail core
of Beaver Creek Village, a new base lodge on Vail Mountain and five new
themed restaurants available for day, "apres ski" and evening dining; and
. The creation of the Company's first major non-ski activity center
(reached by Vail's new gondola) at the top of Vail Mountain, offering day
and evening ice skating, sledding, tubing, snowboarding attractions, a
children's snowpark and evening snowmobile tours.
Furthermore, over the next five years the Company plans to complete several
other significant projects at the Existing Resorts, including (i) the opening
of Category III, a major terrain expansion which will increase the skiable
acreage on Vail Mountain by approximately 50% to 6,000 acres with significant
intermediate bowl skiing, (ii) the redevelopment of the Company's property at
Lionshead, a primary access point at the base of Vail Mountain, which will
provide significant additional resort lodging, skier services, and retail and
restaurant facilities and (iii) a significant increase in resort lodging from
the completion of Arrowhead Village, Bachelor Gulch Village and Beaver Creek
Village. See "Business--Growth Initiatives," "Business--Real Estate" and "Risk
Factors--Growth Initiatives."
Historically, the completion of major terrain and facility expansions has
resulted in increases in skier days at the Company's resorts. For example,
prior to the beginning of the 1988-89 ski season Vail Mountain opened China
Bowl(TM), adding 1,881 acres of new open bowl ski terrain to Vail Mountain,
including the first intermediate runs in the Back Bowls. Over the two year
period following the opening of China Bowl, annual skier days at Vail Mountain
increased by 224,000 or 17%. Although management believes that the completion
of the terrain and facility expansions discussed above will significantly
increase the number of skier days at the Existing Resorts, particularly during
non-peak periods, there can be no assurance that such increases will be
achieved. See "Business--Growth Initiatives." Based on current levels of
operations, the Company believes it will be able to fund the growth initiatives
identified above with cash flow from operations and borrowings under the New
Credit Facilities (as hereinafter defined).
5
ACQUIRED RESORTS
Breckenridge Mountain, located approximately 85 miles west of Denver and 40
miles east of Vail Mountain, is North America's second most popular ski area,
trailing only Vail Mountain in skier days. Breckenridge's skier days reached
1.35 million during the 1995-96 ski season, a new record for Breckenridge
Mountain. Breckenridge Mountain offers over 2,023 acres of skiing on four
different mountain peaks, including open bowl and excellent beginner and
intermediate ski terrain. The ski area is located adjacent to the Town of
Breckenridge, a Victorian mining town, which has numerous apres ski activities
and an extensive and growing bed base, making Breckenridge Mountain an
attractive destination for national and international skiers. The Company
believes there are improvements which can be made to Breckenridge Mountain
which will contribute to further growth in skier days and Resort Revenue,
including (i) an upgrade of certain older lift equipment and the addition of
new high speed quads, which will reduce lift lines and improve on-mountain
skier circulation, (ii) a significant expansion of the mountain's snowmaking
coverage, to ensure a better early and late season ski product and (iii) an
expansion of the Company's ski school, food service, retail and rental
operations. In addition, Breckenridge owns certain strategic land parcels at
the base of the mountain and in the Town of Breckenridge which are currently in
the planning stages for significant residential and commercial development.
Keystone Mountain is located 70 miles west of Denver and 15 miles from
Breckenridge and offers 1,739 acres of skiable terrain. Keystone Mountain is
the third most popular ski area in North America, achieving 1.06 million skier
days during the 1995-96 ski season. Keystone Mountain has the largest and most
advanced snowmaking capability of any Colorado mountain resort with snowmaking
coverage extending over 49% of Keystone's skiable acreage. Keystone Mountain is
located within the planned family-oriented community of Keystone Resort, which
offers numerous year round activities, the majority of which will be operated
by the Company, including the Keystone Conference Center, which hosts the
second largest number of resort conventions in Colorado. Keystone Mountain also
provides the largest single-mountain night skiing experience in North America,
with 13 lighted trails covering 2,340 vertical feet, offering a 12 1/2 hour ski
day. Planned upgrades to Keystone Mountain include (i) for the 1996-97 ski
season, the construction of $5 million of snowboarding related improvements,
including a snowboard park, representing the first time snowboarders will be
allowed on Keystone Mountain and a significant opportunity for Keystone to
capture a share of this growing market and (ii) for the 1997-98 ski season, the
installation of a new high speed quad access lift from one of the resort's
major base areas. In addition, Keystone, through a joint venture (the "Keystone
JV"), received approval for and has begun the long term development of up to
3,400 new residential and lodging units and up to 318,000 square feet of new
commercial space on land contributed to the Keystone JV. This development will
supplement the resort's existing 1,100 residential and lodging units and
approximately 144,000 square feet of commercial real estate. By the end of
1996, 130 residential and lodging units and 33,000 square feet of commercial
space will have been constructed by the Keystone JV. This development, which is
expected to be completed over the next 20 years, will create significant new
resort lodging and will be a primary factor in skier day growth. The
development will also create significant new retail, food service and apres ski
activities, which the Company believes will attract destination skiers and
increase the Company's Resort Revenue.
Arapahoe Basin is the highest ski area in North America, offering over 486
acres of skiing with a summit elevation of 13,050 feet. This high elevation
allows for the longest ski season in Colorado, with the mountain remaining open
well into June and even as late as August. During the 1995-96 ski season,
Arapahoe Basin had 241,435 skier days. Arapahoe Basin has a rustic flavor and
offers limited amenities, primarily targeting the skiing enthusiast with
advanced intermediate to expert ski terrain. The Company is currently reviewing
the possibility of adding snowmaking facilities to Arapahoe Basin, which would
improve conditions during the traditional ski season and allow the Company to
offer year round skiing, which it believes would be a popular attraction to the
numerous summer tourists in Colorado.
6
ACQUISITION STRATEGY
The Company's strategy in effecting the Acquisition is to build on the
historical success at the Acquired Resorts by introducing many of the programs
currently in effect at the Existing Resorts and to capitalize on the
combination of the Company's five resorts. The Company believes there are
numerous opportunities to increase guest participation in activities operated
by the Acquired Resorts by upgrading existing facilities and implementing
incentivized selling techniques currently used at the Existing Resorts. For
example, revenue from ski school operations for the 12 months ended June 30,
1996 at the Acquired Resorts (which had 2.7 million skier days during the 1995-
96 ski season) was $9.3 million, versus $25.0 million at the Existing Resorts
(which had 2.2 million skier days during the 1995-96 ski season). In addition,
for the 1995-96 ski season, Breckenridge Mountain achieved $1.54 in mountain
food service revenue per skier day, versus $5.37 in mountain food service
revenue per skier day achieved by the Existing Resorts during the same period.
Similarly, the Company believes there are opportunities to upgrade
infrastructure at the Acquired Resorts, including the addition of new ski
lifts, as the Acquired Resorts will operate 9 high speed lifts while the
Existing Resorts will operate 16 high speed lifts. The Company has also
identified numerous opportunities to reduce costs as a result of the
Acquisition, including the consolidation of insurance premiums, professional
fees, systems development, purchases of capital equipment, consumables and
retail goods and the selective consolidation of administrative functions.
Following the Acquisition, the Company believes it will benefit from a
coordinated marketing and promotional effort for the Company's five resorts.
REAL ESTATE
The Company also benefits from its extensive holdings of real property at its
Existing Resorts and throughout the Vail Valley and from the activities of Vail
Associates Real Estate Group, Inc. ("VAREG"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company. VAREG manages the Company's real estate operations, including the
planning, oversight, marketing, infrastructure improvement and development of
Vail Resorts' real property holdings. The Company generated $35.7 million in
revenue from real estate operations in the first nine months of fiscal 1996.
The Company believes that the current market for the sale of its resort
property is strong, as evidenced by the fact that the Company contracted for
the sale of 94 single family homesites over the last 14 months in Bachelor
Gulch Village at an aggregate sales price of approximately $73 million. These
sales occurred through a lottery format because demand significantly exceeded
the number of homesites available for sale. In addition to the substantial cash
flow generated from real estate sales, these development activities benefit the
Company's resort operations through (i) the creation of additional resort
lodging which is available to the Company's guests, (ii) the ability to control
the architectural theming of its resorts, (iii) the creation of unique
facilities and venues (primarily themed restaurant and retail operations) which
provide the Company with the opportunity to create new sources of recurring
revenue and (iv) the expansion of the Company's property management and
brokerage operations, which are the preferred providers of these services for
all developments on VAREG's land. In order to facilitate the development and
sale of its real estate holdings, VAREG spends significant amounts on mountain
improvements, such as ski lifts, snowmaking equipment and trail construction.
While these mountain improvements enhance the value of the real estate held for
sale (for example, by providing ski-in/ski-out accessibility), they also
benefit resort operations. In most cases, VAREG seeks to minimize the Company's
exposure to development risks and maximize the long-term value of the Company's
real property holdings by selling land to third party developers for cash
payments prior to the commencement of construction, while retaining approval of
all development plans as well as an interest in the developer's profit. The
Company also typically retains the option to purchase, at a price significantly
below fair market value, any commercial space created in a development. The
Company is able to secure these benefits from third party developers as a
result of the high property values and strong demand associated with property
in close proximity to its world class mountain resort facilities.
7
Following the Acquisition, the Company will also benefit from the activities
of the Keystone JV, which is developing a significant portion of the Keystone
Resort. As residential and commercial projects are completed, the Company has a
priority right to receive payments of up to approximately $22.6 million for the
land which it previously contributed to the Keystone JV. The Company also will
receive approximately 50% of the profits generated by the Keystone JV and will
have the first option to lease any commercial space created by the Keystone JV.
The Company will be under no obligation to invest additional funds in the
Keystone JV or to guarantee any of its indebtedness, but has approval rights
over all major decisions. The Company will also own certain strategic land
parcels at the base of Breckenridge Mountain and in the Town of Breckenridge
which are currently in the planning stages for significant residential and
commercial development. In addition to generating cash flow from real estate
sales, the development opportunities at both Keystone and Breckenridge are
expected to benefit the Company's resort operations by creating significant new
resort lodging and guest amenities. See "Business--Real Estate."
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On July 29, 1996, Adam Aron was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. Mr. Aron has extensive experience in the resort leisure
industry, most recently serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd. Mr. Aron previously served as Senior Vice President
of Marketing for United Airlines and Senior Vice President of Marketing for
Hyatt Hotels. Andrew Daly, currently President and Chief Executive Officer of
Vail Associates, Inc., the Company's principal subsidiary, was appointed to the
additional position of President of the Company.
On July 22, 1996, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement (the
"Stock Purchase Agreement") with Ralston Foods, Inc. ("Foods") under which it
agreed to acquire 100% of the stock of Ralston Resorts, Inc. ("Ralston
Resorts"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Foods which operates the Acquired
Resorts. In connection with the Acquisition, Foods will receive a minimum of
3,777,203 shares of Common Stock (subject to a post-closing adjustment based
upon investments by Foods in Ralston Resorts prior to the closing of the
Acquisition) and the Company will assume $165.0 million of Ralston Resorts'
indebtedness. The closing under the Stock Purchase Agreement is subject to
various conditions, including the continued accuracy of the representations and
warranties, obtaining of financing and the receipt of necessary governmental
approvals. The Offerings are conditioned upon consummation of the Acquisition.
See "The Acquisition."
The Company intends to distribute a right to receive up to $5.00 per share of
Common Stock (the "Rights") to all stockholders of record on September [ ],
1996, with a maximum aggregate amount payable under the Rights of $50 million.
The purpose of the Rights is to provide cash to the existing stockholders of
the Company as a partial return on their investment in the Company. As of
September 30, 1996, the Company had outstanding contracts (the "Real Estate
Contracts") for the sale of certain real estate and related amenities. The
Company will make payments under the Rights only to the extent it receives
sufficient gross proceeds under the Real Estate Contracts to make such
payments. The Company currently estimates payments under the Rights will be
made in December 1996 and in June 1997. Stockholders who purchase shares in the
Offerings will not be entitled to any payments with respect to the Rights. In
addition, the Company intends to amend certain option agreements held by
management of the Company to eliminate the right of option holders to receive
any portion of the payments made under the Rights. In connection with such
amendment, the Company will accrue a payable to such holders of approximately
$5 million (the "Option Payment"). The Rights and the Option Payment are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Distribution." See "Business--Real
Estate," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Certain
Transactions."
8
THE OFFERINGS
Common Stock to be sold by the Company:
U.S. Offering.......... shares
International shares
Offering...............
Total................. shares
Common Stock to be sold by Selling Stockholders:
U.S. Offering.......... shares
International shares
Offering...............
Total................. shares
Common Stock to be outstanding after the Offerings:
Common Stock........... shares (a)
Class A Common Stock... shares
Total................. shares
Voting Rights...........
The rights of holders of Class A Common Stock and
Common Stock are substantially identical, except that
holders of Class A Common Stock elect a class of di-
rectors that constitutes two-thirds of the Board of
Directors and holders of Common Stock elect a class
of directors that constitutes one-third of the Board
of Directors. The Class A Common Stock is convertible
into Common Stock (i) at the option of the holder,
(ii) automatically upon transfer to a non-affiliate
of the holder and (iii) automatically if less than
2,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock are out-
standing. Upon completion of the Offerings, Apollo
Ski Partners, L.P. ("Apollo Ski Partners"), which
will hold at least 93% of the Class A Common Stock
and approximately % of the Common Stock, will have
approximately % of the combined voting power of
all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Compa-
ny. See "Management" and "Principal and Selling
Stockholders."
Use of Proceeds.........
Approximately $67 million of the net proceeds of the
Offerings to be received by the Company will be used
to redeem all of the Company's outstanding 12 1/4%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2002 (the "Senior Sub-
ordinated Notes") (including accrued interest and a
redemption premium) with the balance of approximately
$21.0 million used to reduce outstanding borrowings
under the New Credit Facilities. The Company believes
that this reduction in indebtedness will give it the
flexibility to make additional borrowings in the fu-
ture to finance internal and external growth
initiatives. The Company will not receive any pro-
ceeds from the sale of Common Stock by the Selling
Stockholders. See "Use of Proceeds."
New York Stock Exchange
Symbol............
"MTN"
- --------
(a) Excludes 1.69 million shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options
and warrants with an average exercise price of $ per share. See
"Management."
9
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER SKIER DAY DATA)
The summary consolidated historical financial data presented below have been
derived from the Company's and Ralston Resorts' consolidated financial
statements and should be read in conjunction with those statements and related
notes thereto, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations," and the other financial information included elsewhere
in this Prospectus. The summary consolidated financial data as of and for the
nine months ended June 30, 1995 and June 30, 1996 are derived from the
unaudited consolidated financial statements also appearing herein, which in the
respective opinions of the Company's and Ralston Resorts' management, reflect
all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments, necessary
to present fairly the financial position and results of operations and cash
flows for those interim periods. The Company's and Ralston Resorts' business is
highly seasonal in nature and, as a result, the results for the interim periods
are not indicative of the results of operations expected for a full fiscal
year. The unaudited pro forma summary combined financial data for the 12 months
ended June 30, 1996 give effect to the Distribution, the Acquisition and the
Offerings and are derived from the unaudited pro forma financial data presented
elsewhere in this Prospectus. See "Pro Forma Financial Data."
THE COMPANY
PRE-EFFECTIVE DATE(1)
----------------------
YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
30, 1991(2) 8, 1992(2)
----------- ----------
(UNAUDITED)
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
Resort............ $97,048 $105,525
Real estate....... 2,601 3,767
------- --------
Total revenues.. 99,649 109,292
Operating expenses:
Resort............ 56,680 63,099
Real estate....... 4,282 4,472
Corporate
expense(4)....... 7,939 4,151
Depreciation and
amortization..... 8,389 7,626
------- --------
77,290 79,348
Operating income
from continuing
operations........ 22,359 29,944
Income (loss) from
continuing
operations (after-
tax)(5)........... NM NM
Unaudited pro forma
earnings per
common share(6)...
OTHER DATA:
Resort
Resort Revenue.... $97,048 $105,525
Resort Cash
Flow(7).......... 40,368 42,426
Skier days........ 1,969 1,986
Resort
Revenue/skier
day.............. $ 49.29 $ 53.13
Real estate
Revenues from
real estate
sales............ $ 2,601 $ 3,767
Real estate
operating
profit(8)........ (1,681) (705)
Real estate
assets(9)........ 16,144 13,091
POST-EFFECTIVE DATE(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
NINE MONTHS TWELVE COMBINED
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED JUNE 30, MONTHS TWELVE MONTHS
--------------------------------- ----------------------- ENDED ENDED
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 JUNE 30, 1996(3) JUNE 30, 1996
----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------------- -------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
Resort............ $ 114,623 $ 124,982 $ 126,349 $119,624 $132,410 $139,135 $274,205
Real estate....... 4,610 22,203 16,526 11,223 35,714 41,017 41,979
----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------------- -------------
Total revenues.. 119,233 147,185 142,875 130,847 168,124 180,152 316,184
Operating expenses:
Resort............ 69,749 78,365 82,305 71,240 77,101 88,166 185,283
Real estate....... 5,165 20,341 14,983 11,594 31,251 34,640 34,640
Corporate
expense(4)....... 6,467 7,160 6,701 5,149 3,451 5,003 5,003
Depreciation and
amortization..... 13,404 17,186 17,968 13,212 13,590 18,346 37,999
----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------------- -------------
94,785 123,052 121,957 101,195 125,393 146,155 262,925
Operating income
from continuing
operations........ 24,448 24,133 20,918 29,652 42,731 33,997 53,259
Income (loss) from
continuing
operations (after-
tax)(5)........... (146) 761 3,282 10,962 15,263 7,583 15,742
Unaudited pro forma
earnings per
common share(6)...
OTHER DATA:
Resort
Resort Revenue.... $ 114,623 $ 124,982 $ 126,349 $119,624 $132,410 $139,135 $274,205
Resort Cash
Flow(7).......... 44,874 46,617 44,044 48,384 55,309 50,969 88,922
Skier days........ 2,059 2,056 2,136 2,136 2,228 2,228 4,898
Resort
Revenue/skier
day.............. $ 55.67 $ 60.79 $ 59.15 $ 56.00 $ 59.43 $ 62.45 $ 55.98
Real estate
Revenues from
real estate
sales............ $ 4,610 $ 22,203 $ 16,526 $ 11,223 $ 35,714 $ 41,017 $ 41,979
Real estate
operating
profit(8)........ (555) 1,862 1,543 (371) 4,463 6,377 7,339
Real estate
assets(9)........ 15,673 42,637 54,858 40,347 66,247 66,247 111,577
10
RALSTON RESORTS
NINE MONTHS TWELVE
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED JUNE 30, MONTHS
-------------------------------- ----------------------- ENDED
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 JUNE 30, 1996(3)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
DATA:
Revenues:
Resort................. $ 83,717 $ 127,676 $ 125,816 $112,708 $121,962 $135,070
Real estate............ 2,141 4,979 1,778 1,781 965 962
--------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues....... 85,858 132,655 127,594 114,489 122,927 136,032
Operating expenses:
Resort................. 71,330 94,382 94,846 76,560 78,831 97,117
Real estate............ 1,619 3,837 1,040 1,040 -- --
Depreciation and
amortization.......... 10,754 14,227 14,948 11,023 12,214 16,139
--------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- --------
83,703 112,446 110,834 88,623 91,045 113,256
Operating income........ 2,155 20,209 16,760 25,866 31,882 22,776
Net income (loss)....... (4,090) 8,923 3,927 11,106 15,038 7,859
OTHER DATA:
Resort
Resort Revenue......... $ 83,717 $ 127,676 $ 125,816 $112,708 $121,962 $135,070
Resort Cash Flow(7).... 12,387 33,294 30,970 36,148 43,131 37,953
Skier days............. 1,284 2,568 2,532 2,518 2,656 2,670
Resort Revenue/skier
day................... $ 65.20 $ 49.72 $ 49.69 $ 44.76 $ 45.92 $ 50.59
Real estate
Revenues from real
estate sales.......... $ 2,141 $ 4,979 $ 1,778 $ 1,781 $ 965 $ 962
Real estate operating
profit(8)............. 522 1,142 738 741 965 962
Real estate
assets(9)............. 34,108 39,256 39,582 39,585 40,007 40,007
11
SUMMARY PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT EARNINGS PER SHARE AND PER SKIER DAY DATA)
The following unaudited summary pro forma combined financial and operating
data as of June 30, 1996, for the year ended September 30, 1995, and for the
nine and 12 months ended June 30, 1996 (except other data) are derived from the
historical financial data of the Company and Ralston Resorts included elsewhere
in this Prospectus and give pro forma effect to the Distribution, the
Acquisition and the Offerings as if they had occurred on June 30, 1996 with
respect to the balance sheet data, and as of October 1, 1994 and July 1, 1995
with respect to the statement of operations data. The pro forma combined
financial data is not intended to be indicative of either future results of
operations or results that might have been achieved had the Distribution, the
Acquisition and the Offerings actually occurred on the dates specified. See
"Pro Forma Financial Data." In the opinion of the Company's management, all
adjustments necessary to present fairly such unaudited pro forma combined
financial data have been made based upon the proposed terms of the
Distribution, the Acquisition and the Offerings. The unaudited summary pro
forma combined financial and operating data should be read in conjunction with
the historical consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of both the
Company and Ralston Resorts included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
YEAR ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 JUNE 30, 1996 JUNE 30, 1996(3)
------------------ ----------------- -------------------
PRO FORMA COMBINED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
DATA:
Revenues:
Resort................. $252,165 $254,372 $274,205
Real estate............ 18,304 36,679 41,979
-------- -------- --------
Total revenues......... 270,469 291,051 316,184
-------- -------- --------
Operating expenses:
Resort................. 177,151 155,932 185,283
Real estate............ 16,023 31,251 34,640
Corporate expense(4)... 6,701 3,451 5,003
Depreciation and amor-
tization.............. 36,430 28,439 37,999
-------- -------- --------
236,305 219,073 262,925
Operating income........ 34,164 71,978 53,259
Net income.............. 7,509 30,527 15,742
Unaudited pro forma
earnings per common
share(6)...............
Weighted average common
shares outstanding.....
OTHER DATA:
Resort
Resort Revenue......... $252,165 $254,372 $274,205
Resort Cash Flow(7).... 75,014 98,440 88,922
Skier days............. 4,668 4,884 4,898
Resort Revenue/skier
day................... $ 54.02 $ 52.08 $ 55.98
Real estate
Revenues from real es-
tate sales............ $ 18,304 $ 36,679 $ 41,979
Real estate operating
profit(8)............. 2,281 5,428 7,339
Real estate assets(9).. 94,440 111,577 111,577
AS OF
PRO FORMA COMBINED JUNE 30, 1996
BALANCE SHEET DATA: -------------------
Total assets............ $738,787
Total debt.............. 213,119
Stockholders' equity.... 367,489
12
- --------
(1) In addition to its resort operations, which are conducted by the Company's
wholly owned subsidiary, Vail Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries
(collectively "Vail Associates"), the Company also previously owned
subsidiaries which were engaged in the communications and beef products
businesses. In each year from fiscal 1986 through fiscal 1991, the
Company's resort operations experienced growth in Resort Cash Flow. In
1991, due to an inability to service debt incurred in connection with the
acquisition of certain assets in the communications business, the Company
was forced to seek relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. On
October 8, 1992 (the "Effective Date"), the Company emerged from bankruptcy
(the "Reorganization") pursuant to a plan of reorganization which
contemplated divestitures of the Company's communications and beef products
businesses. Such divestitures were completed in fiscal years 1993 and 1994,
and accounted for as discontinued operations. As a result of the
transactions that took place on the Effective Date and the related
accounting treatment, the financial information for the two years presented
prior to the Effective Date ("Pre-Effective Date") is not comparable to the
financial information for the periods presented after the Effective Date
("Post-Effective Date"). See Note 1 to the Company's consolidated financial
statements.
(2) For fiscal 1991, results of operations include only nine months of
corporate expense of the Company due to a change in the fiscal year of the
Company. The results of Vail Associates for fiscal 1991 and the period
ended October 8, 1992 ("fiscal 1992") have been derived from their
separately audited financial statements.
(3) Since the Company and Ralston Resorts experience operating deficits during
the last five months of their fiscal years, results of operations for the
12 months ended June 30, 1996 have been presented to report results of a
complete business cycle for the Company.
(4) Prior to the Offerings, corporate expense included the costs associated
with the Company's holding company structure and overseeing multiple lines
of business, including the discontinued operations. Following the
Offerings, corporate expense will include certain personnel, tax, legal,
directors' and officers' insurance and other consulting fees relating
solely to the Company's resort and real estate operations. Corporate
expenses are classified as resort operating expenses in the consolidated
financial statements of Ralston Resorts. Corporate expense for the 12
months ended June 30, 1996 includes expenses related to the Company's
former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Company believes it will
realize an annualized savings of $750,000 relating to changes made in
corporate management, however this amount has not been reflected in the pro
forma summary combined financial data.
(5) Due to the Reorganization discussed in Note 1, income from continuing
operations and per share information for fiscal 1991 and fiscal 1992 are
not comparable to amounts reported in subsequent fiscal years, and
therefore, are not considered meaningful.
(6) Due to the Distribution, the Acquisition and the Offerings, the Company's
and Ralston Resorts' historical capital structure is not indicative of its
prospective structure upon the closing of the aforementioned transactions.
Accordingly, historical earnings per common share is not considered
meaningful and has not been presented herein.
(7) Resort Cash Flow is defined as revenues from resort operations less resort
operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization. Resort Cash
Flow is not a term that has an established meaning under generally accepted
accounting principles. The Company has included information concerning
Resort Cash Flow as it is generally used by investors to evaluate companies
in the resort industry. Resort Cash Flow does not purport to represent cash
provided by operating activities and should not be considered in isolation
or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. For information regarding the
Company's and Ralston Resorts' historical cash flows, see the Company's and
Ralston Resorts' consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in
this Prospectus.
(8) Real estate operating profit is defined as revenue from real estate
operations less real estate costs and expenses, which include (i) selling
costs; (ii) holding costs; (iii) operating expenses; and (iv) the
allocation of the capitalized land, infrastructure, mountain improvement
and other costs relating to property sold. Real estate costs and expenses
exclude charges for depreciation and amortization as the Company has
determined that the portion of those expenses allocable to real estate are
not significant.
(9) Real estate assets includes all land, development costs, and other
improvements associated with real estate held for sale and classified as
such in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. Real estate assets for
Ralston Resorts include investments in real estate joint ventures, real
estate held for sale and other developable land.
13
RISK FACTORS
Prospective purchasers of the Common Stock should carefully consider the
following risk factors, as well as the other information contained, and
incorporated by reference, in this Prospectus before making an investment in
the Common Stock. Information contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus contains "forward-looking statements" which can be identified by
the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may,"
"will," "should" or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or other variations
thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. See, e.g.,
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and "Business--Growth Initiatives." No assurance can be given that
the future results covered by the forward-looking statements will be achieved.
The following matters constitute cautionary statements identifying important
factors with respect to such forward-looking statements, including certain
risks and uncertainties, that could cause actual results to vary materially
from the future results covered in such forward-looking statements. Other
factors could also cause actual results to vary materially from the future
results covered in such forward-looking statements.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SEASONALITY. The business of the Existing and Acquired
Resorts is highly seasonal. Over the last five fiscal years, the Existing
Resorts on average realized 92.4% of their Resort Revenue during the period
from November to April. The Existing Resorts have negative Resort Cash Flow
for the months of May through October and report losses for such period. The
Acquired Resorts experience similar seasonality. To finance its activities and
working capital requirements from May to October, the Company has typically
relied on borrowings under its revolving credit facilities. The Company's
ability to borrow under its revolving credit facilities is subject to certain
conditions, including compliance with certain financial covenants. While the
Company believes that it will continue to comply with such conditions and that
borrowings under its revolving credit facilities will be adequate to support
its capital requirements for the May through October periods, to the extent
that such borrowings became unavailable, the Company could experience a
material adverse impact on its operations. See "Description of Certain
Indebtedness--Revolving Credit Facilities."
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS. The operation and development of the Existing and
Acquired Resorts is capital intensive. The Company spent approximately $16.6
million, $17.4 million and $20.3 million in its fiscal years ended September
30, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively, on resort capital expenditures. The
Company typically categorizes approximately $6 million to $7 million a year of
total resort capital expenditures as maintenance expenditures. For fiscal
years 1993, 1994, and 1995, the Acquired Resorts spent approximately $9.3
million, $10.4 million and $11.0 million, respectively, on resort capital
expenditures, a substantial portion of which was categorized as maintenance
expenditures. In addition, the Company makes significant investments in
connection with its real estate development activities. See "Business--Real
Estate." The Company anticipates making significant capital expenditures in
the future for maintenance and project development to maintain the competitive
position and enhance the operations of its resorts and implement its growth
initiatives. See "Business--Growth Initiatives."
GROWTH INITIATIVES. The Company is currently engaged in and has plans for a
variety of development projects relating to both resort and real estate
operations. Although the Company expects that these projects will be completed
on schedule and at their respective estimated costs, there can be no assurance
(i) that the Company will receive the necessary regulatory approvals for such
projects, (ii) as to when such projects will be completed, (iii) that the
Company's estimated costs associated with such projects will prove to be
accurate or (iv) that the Company will receive the expected benefits from such
projects. Based on current levels of operations and anticipated growth and
cash availability, the Company believes that it will be able to fund its
growth initiatives with cash flow from operations, borrowings under the Credit
Facilities and real estate sales. See "Business--Growth Initiatives."
DILUTION. Purchasers of Common Stock offered hereby will experience
immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the
Common Stock. The immediate dilution to purchasers of Common Stock offered
hereby will be $ or % per share of Common Stock. See "Dilution."
14
NO ASSURANCE OF SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION OF ACQUIRED RESORTS/FUTURE
ACQUISITIONS. The Company believes it will realize substantial benefits from
the successful integration of the Acquired Resorts. However, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to establish, maintain or increase the
profitability of the Acquired Resorts or that the Acquired Resorts will be
successfully integrated into the operations of the Company. In addition, there
is no assurance that the Company will be able to realize any of the cost
savings it has identified in connection with integrating the operations of the
Existing and Acquired Resorts. The Company continually evaluates potential
acquisitions and intends to actively pursue acquisition opportunities, some of
which could be material. Future acquisitions could be financed by internally
generated funds, bank borrowings, public offerings or private placements of
equity or debt securities, or a combination of the foregoing. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to make acquisitions on terms favorable
to the Company. If the Company completes acquisitions, it will encounter
various associated risks, including the possible inability to integrate an
acquired business into the Company's operations, increased goodwill
amortization, diversion of management's attention and unanticipated problems or
liabilities, some or all of which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's operations and financial performance.
IMPACT OF SIGNIFICANT COMPETITION. The ski industry is highly competitive.
The Existing and Acquired Resorts compete with mountain resort areas in the
United States, Canada and Europe for destination guests and with numerous ski
areas in Colorado for the day skier. The Company also competes with other
worldwide recreation resorts, including warm weather resorts, for the vacation
guest. The Existing and Acquired Resorts' major U.S. competitors include the
Utah ski areas, the Lake Tahoe ski areas in California and Nevada, the New
England ski areas and the other major Colorado ski areas, including Copper
Mountain, Telluride, Steamboat Springs, Winter Park and the Aspen resorts.
Total skier days generated by all United States ski areas have increased by a
total of only 2% since the 1985-86 ski season which also has increased
competition for the vacation guest. The competitive position of the Existing
and Acquired Resorts is dependent upon many diverse factors such as proximity
to population centers, availability and cost of transportation to the areas,
including direct flight availability by major airlines, pricing, snowmaking
facilities, type and quality of skiing offered, duration of the ski season,
prevailing weather conditions, the number, quality and price of related
services and lodging facilities, and the reputation of the areas. In addition
to competition with other mountain and warm weather resorts for the vacation
guest, the Existing and Acquired Resorts also face competition for day skiers
from nearby population centers from varied alternative leisure activities, such
as attendance at movies, sporting events and participation in alternative
indoor and outdoor recreational activities.
FOREST SERVICE PERMITS. The Company has been granted the right to use 12,590
acres of federal land adjacent to the Town of Vail and 2,775 acres of federal
land adjacent to its Beaver Creek property as the site for most of its ski
lifts and trails and related activities under the terms of permits with the
United States Forest Service (the "Forest Service"). The Company's ski
operations on Arrowhead Mountain and in the Bachelor Gulch area are located on
Company-owned property and are thus not subject to permits. Under the terms of
the permits the Forest Service has the right to review and comment on the
location, design and construction of improvements in the permit area and on
many operational matters. The Vail permit is a "unified permit" which expires
on October 31, 2031, but can be terminated by the Forest Service if required in
the public interest. The Vail permit covers Category III, and the Company has
received Forest Service approval (subject to appeal) to begin construction in
this area. The Beaver Creek property is covered by a Term Special Use Permit
covering 80 acres and a Special Use Permit covering the remaining 2,695 acres.
These permits expire in 2006 but are terminable by the Forest Service at its
discretion. In December 1992, the Company exercised its statutory right to
convert its dual permits for the Beaver Creek ski area into a unified permit
for the maximum period of 40 years and is currently in the process of
negotiating the final terms of the unified permit. The Forest Service has
informed the Company that the Beaver Creek unified permit has been approved
pending resolution of one issue as to whether a restaurant/overnight
accommodation facility located on Company-owned land should be included in
calculating fees payable to the Forest Service under the Beaver Creek unified
permit upon issuance. No assurance can be given that the Beaver Creek unified
permit will be granted or that it will be granted for the entire 40 year
period. With respect to the Acquired Resorts, Ralston Resorts has been granted
the right to use 3,156 acres, approximately 5,571 acres and approximately 825
acres of federal land under terms of permits with the Forest Service for
Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin, respectively. Both the Breckenridge
permit
15
and the Arapahoe Basin permit expire on December 31, 2029, while the Keystone
permit expires on December 31, 2032. Like the Vail permit, each of the permits
for the Acquired Resorts is terminable by the Forest Service if required in
the public interest. While the Company believes that its relationship with the
Forest Service is good, and to the Company's knowledge no recreational Special
Use Permit or Term Special Use Permit for any major ski resort has ever been
terminated by the Forest Service, a termination of any of the Existing or
Acquired Resorts' permits would have a material adverse effect on the business
and operations of the Company or the Acquired Resorts. See "Business--
Regulation and Legislation."
POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS OF UNFAVORABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS. Attracting
guests to the Existing and Acquired Resorts depends upon favorable weather
conditions and adequate snowfall during the winter ski season. Historically,
the Existing and Acquired Resorts have been able to mitigate the adverse
effects of unfavorable weather conditions and inadequate snowfall with its
snowmaking capabilities and through its broad offering of guest services and
activities. However, continuing periods of adverse weather conditions could
have a material adverse impact on the Company's operating results.
POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN. Because the Existing and
Acquired Resorts derive a significant portion of their revenues from the
worldwide leisure market, an economic recession or other significant economic
slowdown could adversely affect the Company's business. Although historically
economic downturns have not had an adverse impact on the Company's operating
results, there can be no assurance that a decrease in the amount of
discretionary spending by the public in the future would not have an adverse
effect on the Company's business.
CONTROL BY APOLLO SKI PARTNERS. Following the Offerings, Apollo Ski Partners
will own at least 93% of the Company's outstanding shares of Class A Common
Stock and approximately % of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, giving
Apollo Ski Partners approximately % of the combined voting power with
respect to all matters submitted for a vote of all stockholders. Apollo
Advisors, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Apollo Advisors"), indirectly
controls Apollo Ski Partners. Accordingly, Apollo Ski Partners and,
indirectly, Apollo Advisors will be able to elect two-thirds of the Board of
Directors of the Company and control the approval of matters requiring
approval by the Board of Directors and control most decisions on matters
submitted for stockholder consideration. This concentration of ownership under
certain circumstances could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change
in control of the Company.
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT. The Company has extensive real estate holdings in
the Vail Valley and manages its real estate operations through VAREG. The
Company invested approximately $3.8 million, $53.6 million and $22.5 million
in fiscal years 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively, in its real estate
operations. The Acquired Resorts have a significant investment in the Keystone
JV and have property at Breckenridge which the Company intends to develop.
Investments in real property and related development activities are subject to
numerous risks. The value of the Company's properties (including those
obtained in the Acquisition) and the revenue from related development
activities may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the
national and local economic climate, local real estate conditions (such as an
oversupply of space or a reduction in demand for real estate in an area), the
attractiveness of the properties to prospective purchasers and tenants,
competition from other available property or space, the ability of the Company
to obtain adequate insurance and to cover other construction costs, government
regulations and changes in real estate, zoning or tax laws, interest rate
levels, the availability of financing and potential liabilities under
environmental and other laws. In addition, acquisitions of new properties
entail risks that the investments will fail to perform in accordance with
expectations, and the risk that estimates of the costs of improvements for
such properties may prove inaccurate. While the Company attempts to mitigate
its exposure to these risks by selling multi-family development parcels to
third party developers who assume the risk of construction or by pre-selling
single-family homesites or condominium residences to individual purchasers
prior to the start of construction projects developed by the Company, there
can be no assurance that the Company will continue to do so in the future. See
"Business--Real Estate."
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE. Future sales of shares of Common Stock by
the Company or its existing stockholders could adversely affect the prevailing
market price of the Common Stock. The Company and each
16
of its officers, directors and the Selling Stockholders have agreed not to
sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock or Class A Common
Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or
Class A Common Stock without the prior written consent of Bear, Stearns & Co.
Inc. ("Bear Stearns"), for a period of days from the date of this
Prospectus. The foregoing does not prohibit the Selling Stockholders from
selling shares subject to the Underwriters' over-allotment option or prohibit
the Company from issuing shares pursuant to its stock option plans. In
connection with the Acquisition, Foods will receive a minimum of 3,777,203
shares of Common Stock. Upon consummation of the Offerings, Apollo will own
[ ] shares of Common Stock and [ ] of Class A Common Stock. Apollo and
Foods each will have certain demand and piggyback registration rights. See
"Acquisition--Shareholder Agreement." No prediction can be made as to the
effect, if any, that future sales of shares, or the availability of shares for
future sale, will have on the market price of the Common Stock from time to
time. Sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock in the public market, or
the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect prevailing
market prices for the Common Stock and could impair the Company's ability to
raise additional capital through an offering of its equity securities. See
"Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
NO PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET; POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE. Prior to the
Offerings, there has been no public market for the Common Stock. Although the
Company has applied to list the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange,
there can be no assurance that an active public market for the Common Stock
will develop or continue after the Offerings. Prices for the Common Stock will
be determined in the marketplace and may be influenced by many factors,
including quarterly variations in the financial results of the Company,
changes in earnings estimates by industry research analysts, investors'
perceptions of the Company and general economic, industry and market
conditions. The initial public offering price per share of the Common Stock
will be determined by negotiations among the Company and the representatives
of the Underwriters and may not be indicative of the price at which the Common
Stock will trade after completion of the Offerings. The Company believes that
there are relatively few comparable companies that have publicly-traded equity
securities which may also impact the trading price of the Common Stock after
the Offerings. See "Underwriting." In addition, the stock market has from time
to time experienced extreme price and volume volatility. These fluctuations
may be unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies whose
shares are traded. Market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price
of the Common Stock. The market price of the Common Stock could be subject to
significant fluctuations in response to the Company's operating results and
other factors, and there can be no assurance that the market price of the
Common Stock will not decline below the initial public offering price.
DIVIDENDS. The Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends (other
than the Distribution) on its shares of Common Stock or Class A Common Stock
in the foreseeable future. See "Dividend Policy."
17
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the Offerings will be
approximately $88.0 million. Approximately $67.0 million of such net proceeds
will be used to redeem all of the Company's outstanding Senior Subordinated
Notes (including accrued interest and a redemption premium) and the balance of
such proceeds will be used to reduce outstanding borrowings under the New
Credit Facilities. The Company believes that this reduction in indebtedness
will give it the flexibility to make additional borrowings in the future to
finance internal and external growth initiatives. The Company will not receive
any of the proceeds from the sale of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders.
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Description of Certain
Indebtedness."
DIVIDEND POLICY
The Company has never paid or declared a cash dividend on its Common Stock
or Class A Common Stock (other than the Distribution described under "Certain
Transactions"). The declaration of cash dividends in the future will depend on
the Company's earnings, financial condition and capital needs and on other
factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors at that time. It is the
current policy of the Company's Board of Directors to retain earnings to
finance the operations and expansion of the Company's business, and the
Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends (other than the
Distribution) on its shares of Common Stock or Class A Common Stock in the
foreseeable future.
18
DILUTION
The net tangible book value of the Company as of June 30, 1996 was
approximately $ per share of Common Stock (including Class A Common Stock).
"Net tangible book value per share" represents the amount of (a) total
tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by (b) the aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock (including Class A Common Stock) deemed outstanding on
such date (after giving retroactive effect to the to 1 stock split that
will be effected prior to the consummation of the Offerings). After taking
into account changes in such net tangible book value after June 30, 1996,
including the consummation of the Acquisition, the Distribution described
under "Certain Transactions," and the receipt of the estimated net proceeds
from the Offerings at an assumed offering price of $ per share (the
midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus), after
deduction of the estimated aggregate underwriting discounts and commissions
and estimated Offering expenses to be paid by the Company, the Company's pro
forma net tangible book value per share at June 30, 1996 would be $ ,
representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value per share of
$ to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $ per share to
new investors. Dilution is determined by subtracting pro forma net tangible
book value per share of Common Stock (including Class A Common Stock) after
the Offerings and the Acquisition from the public offering price paid by new
investors for a share of Common Stock. The following table illustrates this
dilution:
PER SHARE
---------
Assumed initial public offering price............................ $
Net tangible book value before the Offerings and the
Acquisition................................................... $
Increase attributable to the sale of shares offered hereby.....
Decrease attributable to the Acquisition.......................
Pro forma net tangible book value after the Offerings..........
----
Dilution of net tangible book value to new investors........... $
====
19
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization of the Company
as of June 30, 1996 (after giving retroactive effect to the for 1 stock
split that will be effected prior to the consummation of the Offerings), and as
further adjusted to give effect to (i) the Distribution, (ii) the Acquisition
and (iii) the sale by the Company in the Offerings of shares of Common
Stock at an assumed price of $ per share and the application by the Company
of the estimated net proceeds therefrom.
PRO FORMA
ADJUSTMENTS
--------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
JUNE 30, 1996 AS
ACTUAL DISTRIBUTION ACQUISITION OFFERINGS ADJUSTED
------------- ------------ ----------- --------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS)
Short term debt......... $ 63 $ -- $ 1,757(4) $ -- $ 1,820
Long term debt.......... 121,703 -- 173,243(4) (83,647)(2) 211,299
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total debt............ 121,766 -- 175,000 (83,647) 213,119
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, $.01
par value; 25,000,000
shares authorized, no
shares issued and
outstanding.......... -- -- -- -- --
Class A Common Stock,
$.01 par value;
20,000,000 shares
authorized; 6,401,312
shares (actual);
shares (as
adjusted) issued and
outstanding.......... 64 -- -- -- 64
Common Stock, $.01 par
value; 40,000,000
shares
authorized; 3,598,688
shares (actual);
shares
(as adjusted) issued
and outstanding...... 36 -- -- -- 36
Additional paid-in
capital.............. 137,650 (9,349)(3) 151,088(5) 88,000 (1) 367,389
Retained earnings..... 47,198 (45,651)(3) -- (1,547)(2) --
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total stockholders'
equity............. 184,948 (55,000) 151,088 86,453 367,489
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total capitalization.... $306,714 $(55,000) $326,088 $ 2,806 $580,608
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
- --------
(1) Assumes the Company will realize approximately $88 million of net proceeds
from the sale of Common Stock in the Offerings.
(2) Reflects (i) the redemption of $62.6 million principal amount of the Senior
Subordinated Notes and a $1.5 million after-tax reduction to stockholders'
equity for the expense associated with the related contractual redemption
premium and (ii) the reduction of $21 million of outstanding borrowings
under the New Credit Facilities.
(3) Reflects the Distribution (see "Certain Transactions").
(4) Reflects the assumption of $165 million in debt related to the Acquisition
and the incurrence of $10 million of Acquisition related fees.
(5) Reflects the issuance of shares of Common Stock to Foods pursuant to the
Acquisition.
20
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
The following unaudited pro forma financial data (the "Pro Forma Financial
Data") is derived from the historical consolidated financial statements of the
Company and Ralston Resorts, in each case included elsewhere in this
Prospectus, and should be read in conjunction with such financial statements
and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The unaudited pro
forma statement of operations data for the year ended September 30, 1995 and
the nine and 12 month periods ended June 30, 1996 give effect to the
Distribution, the Acquisition and the Offerings as if they had occurred on
October 1, 1994 and July 1, 1995, respectively. The unaudited pro forma
balance sheet data as of June 30, 1996 give effect to the Distribution, the
Acquisition and the Offerings as if they had occurred on such date. The Pro
Forma Financial Data is not intended to be indicative of either future results
of operations or results that might have been achieved had the Distribution,
the Acquisition and the Offerings actually occurred on the dates specified. In
the opinion of the Company's management, all adjustments necessary to present
fairly such unaudited pro forma combined financial data have been made based
upon the proposed terms of the Distribution, the Acquisition and the
Offerings. No estimates of future cost savings related to administrative
consolidations and other efficiencies or economies of scale related to the
Acquisition have been reflected in the pro forma statement of operations data.
See "The Acquisition," "Use of Proceeds" and "Risk Factors--No Assurance of
Successful Integration of Acquired Resorts/Future Acquisitions."
21
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET DATA
AS OF JUNE 30, 1996
RALSTON DISTRIBUTION ACQUISITION OFFERING COMBINED
THE COMPANY RESORTS ADJUSTMENTS ADJUSTMENTS ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
----------- -------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS)
Cash and cash equiva-
lents.................. $ 531 $ 2,724 $ $ $ (72) $ 3,183
Receivables............. 3,599 5,864 9,463
Inventories............. 4,687 2,940 7,627
Deferred income taxes... 9,500 184 9,684
Other current assets.... 2,024 748 2,772
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Total current assets... 20,341 12,460 (72) 32,729
Property and equipment,
net.................... 199,451 143,461 342,912
Real estate held for
sale................... 66,247 12,392 78,639
Investment in joint ven-
ture................... -- 22,750 5,323 28,073
Deferred charges and
other assets........... 8,876 284 9,160
Intangible assets....... 87,544 36,745 122,985 247,274
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Total assets........... $382,459 $228,092 $ -- $128,308 $ (72) $738,787
======== ======== ======== ======== ======= ========
Accounts payable and
accrued expenses....... $ 26,712 $ 15,504 $ 5,000 $ (731) $(1,919) $ 44,566
Income taxes payable.... 81 -- 81
Payable under Rights.... -- -- 50,000 50,000
Long term debt due
within one year........ 63 1,757 1,820
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Total current liabili-
ties.................. 26,856 17,261 55,000 (731) (1,919) 96,467
Long term debt.......... 121,703 129,202 44,041 (83,647) 211,299
Other long term liabili-
ties................... 9,259 2,191 11,450
Deferred income taxes... 39,693 13,348 (959) 52,082
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Total liabilities...... 197,511 162,002 55,000 43,310 (86,525) 371,298
Stockholders' equity.... 184,948 66,090 (55,000) 84,998 86,453 367,489
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity... $382,459 $228,092 $ -- $128,308 $ (72) $738,787
======== ======== ======== ======== ======= ========
22
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET DATA
SUMMARY OF PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS--BALANCE SHEET DATA
BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNT NOTE ADJUSTMENT JUNE 30, 1996
--------------------- ---- ---------- -------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
DISTRIBUTION ADJUSTMENTS
Accounts payable and accrued Accrual of the Option
expenses................... Payment $ 5,000
-------
Payable under Rights........ Distribution to existing
stockholders 50,000
-------
Effect on total liabili-
ties...................... 55,000
=======
Stockholders' equity........ (55,000)
=======
ACQUISITION ADJUSTMENTS
Investment in joint ven- (d) Advance to Keystone JV by
ture....................... Foods 5,323
-------
Intangible assets........... Allocation of purchase
(a) price 122,985
-------
Effect on total assets..... 128,308
=======
Accounts payable and accrued Ralston Resorts pension
expenses................... liability which will not
be assumed in the
Acquisition (731)
-------
Long-term debt.............. Borrowings under the New
Credit Facilities to
refinance debt assumed in
the Acquisition 34,041
Transaction costs related
(b) to the Acquisition 10,000
-------
44,041
-------
Effect on total liabili-
ties...................... 43,310
=======
Stockholders' equity........ Elimination of Ralston
Resorts stockholder's
equity (66,090)
Issuance of shares of
Common Stock to Foods 151,088
-------
84,998
=======
OFFERINGS ADJUSTMENTS
Cash........................ Net proceeds of the
Offerings 88,000
Application of net proceeds
of the Offerings to redeem
the Senior Subordinated
Notes (62,647)
Payment of premium on early
redemption of the Senior
Subordinated Notes (2,506)
Payment of accrued interest
payable on the Senior
Subordinated Notes (1,919)
Application of net proceeds
of the Offerings to reduce
outstanding borrowings
under the New Credit
Facilities (21,000)
-------
(72)
=======
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses .................. Payment of accrued interest
payable on the Senior
Subordinated Notes (1,919)
-------
Long-term debt.............. Application of net proceeds
of the Offerings to redeem
the Senior Subordinated
Notes (62,647)
Application of net proceeds
of the Offerings to reduce
outstanding borrowings
under the New Credit
Facilities (21,000)
-------
(83,647)
-------
Deferred income taxes....... (e) Tax effect of premium on
early redemption of the
Senior Subordinated Notes (959)
-------
Effect on total liabili-
ties.................... (86,525)
=======
Stockholders' equity........ Net proceeds of the
Offerings 88,000
(e) Premium on early redemption
of the Senior Subordinated
Notes (after-tax) (1,547)
-------
86,453
=======
23
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
HISTORICAL
--------------------
RALSTON ACQUISITION OFFERINGS COMBINED
THE COMPANY RESORTS ADJUSTMENTS ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
----------- -------- ----------- ----------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS)
Revenues:
Resort................ $126,349 $125,816 $ $ $252,165
Real estate........... 16,526 1,778 18,304
-------- -------- ------- ------- --------
Total revenues...... 142,875 127,594 270,469
-------- -------- ------- ------- --------
Operating expenses:
Resort................ 82,305 94,846 177,151
Real estate........... 14,983 1,040 16,023
Corporate expense..... 6,701 -- 6,701
Depreciation and amor-
tization............. 17,968 14,948 3,514 36,430
-------- -------- ------- ------- --------
121,957 110,834 3,514 236,305
-------- -------- ------- ------- --------
Operating income........ 20,918 16,760 (3,514) 34,164
Investment income....... 3,295 -- 3,295
Interest expense........ (19,498) (9,686) (2,863) 9,039 (23,008)
Gain (loss) on the dis-
posal of fixed assets.. (849) -- (849)
Other................... 3,291 -- 3,291
-------- -------- ------- ------- --------
Income (loss) from oper-
ations before
income taxes........... 7,157 7,074 (6,377) 9,039 16,893
(Provision) benefit for
income taxes........... (3,875) (3,147) 1,095 (3,457) (9,384)
-------- -------- ------- ------- --------
Net income.............. $ 3,282 $ 3,927 $(5,282) $ 5,582 $ 7,509
======== ======== ======= ======= ========
Earnings per common
share.................. $
========
Weighted average common
shares
outstanding............
========
24
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
HISTORICAL
--------------------
RALSTON ACQUISITION OFFERINGS COMBINED
THE COMPANY RESORTS ADJUSTMENTS ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
----------- -------- ----------- ----------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS)
Revenues:
Resort................ $132,410 $121,962 $ $ $254,372
Real estate........... 35,714 965 36,679
-------- -------- ------- ------ --------
Total revenues...... 168,124 122,927 291,051
-------- -------- ------- ------ --------
Operating expenses:
Resort................ 77,101 78,831 155,932
Real estate........... 31,251 -- 31,251
Corporate expense..... 3,451 -- 3,451
Depreciation and amor-
tization............. 13,590 12,214 2,635 28,439
-------- -------- ------- ------ --------
125,393 91,045 2,635 219,073
-------- -------- ------- ------ --------
Operating income........ 42,731 31,882 (2,635) 71,978
Investment income....... 944 -- 944
Interest expense........ (13,678) (6,876) (2,147) 6,780 (15,921)
Gain (loss) on the dis-
posal of fixed assets.. (2,629) -- (2,629)
Other................... (879) -- (879)
-------- -------- ------- ------ --------
Income (loss) from
operations before
income taxes........... 26,489 25,006 (4,782) 6,780 53,493
(Provision) benefit for
income taxes........... (11,226) (9,968) 821 (2,593) (22,966)
-------- -------- ------- ------ --------
Net income.............. $ 15,263 $ 15,038 $(3,961) $4,187 $ 30,527
======== ======== ======= ====== ========
Earnings per common
share.................. $
========
Weighted average common
shares outstanding.....
========
25
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
HISTORICAL
--------------------
RALSTON ACQUISITION OFFERINGS COMBINED
THE COMPANY RESORTS ADJUSTMENTS ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
----------- -------- ----------- ----------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS)
Revenues:
Resort................ $139,135 $135,070 $ $ $274,205
Real estate........... 41,017 962 41,979
-------- -------- ------- ------ --------
Total revenues...... 180,152 136,032 316,184
-------- -------- ------- ------ --------
Operating expenses:
Resort................ 88,166 97,117 185,283
Real estate........... 34,640 -- 34,640
Corporate expense..... 5,003 -- 5,003
Depreciation and
amortization......... 18,346 16,139 3,514 37,999
-------- -------- ------- ------ --------
146,155 113,256 3,514 262,925
-------- -------- ------- ------ --------
Operating income........ 33,997 22,776 (3,514) 53,259
Investment income....... 1,687 -- 1,687
Interest expense........ (18,334) (9,217) (2,863) 9,039 (21,375)
Gain (loss) on the
disposal of fixed
assets................. (3,569) -- (3,569)
Other................... 395 -- 395
-------- -------- ------- ------ --------
Income (loss) from
operations before
income taxes........... 14,176 13,559 (6,377) 9,039 30,397
(Provision) benefit for
income taxes........... (6,593) (5,700) 1,095 (3,457) (14,655)
-------- -------- ------- ------ --------
Net income.............. $ 7,583 $ 7,859 $(5,282) $5,582 $ 15,742
======== ======== ======= ====== ========
Earnings per common
share.................. $
========
Weighted average common
shares outstanding.....
========
26
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
SUMMARY OF PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS--STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
NINE TWELVE
YEAR MONTHS MONTHS
ENDED ENDED ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS ITEM NOTE ADJUSTMENT 1995 1996 1996
---------------------------- ---- ---------- ------------- -------- --------
ACQUISITION ADJUSTMENTS
-----------------------
Depreciation and amortization.. (a) Amortization of $ 3,514 $ 2,635 $ 3,514
goodwill................
Interest expense............... (c) Interest expense on debt
assumed in the
Acquisition............ 2,863 2,147 2,863
Provision for income taxes..... (e) Tax effect of pro forma
adjustments............ (1,095) (821) (1,095)
------- -------- -------
Effect on net income.......... $(5,282) $ (3,961) $(5,282)
======= ======== =======
OFFERINGS ADJUSTMENTS
---------------------
Interest expense............... (c) Reduction of interest
expense attributable to
redemption of the
Senior Subordinated
Notes.................. $(7,674) $(5,756) $(7,674)
(c) Reduction of interest
expense attributable to
reduction of borrowings
outstanding under the
New Credit Facilities.. (1,365) (1,024) (1,365)
------- -------- -------
(9,039) (6,780) (9,039)
------- -------- -------
Provision for income taxes..... (e) Tax effect of pro forma
adjustments............ 3,457 2,593 3,457
------- -------- -------
Effect on net income.......... $ 5,582 $ 4,187 $ 5,582
======= ======== =======
27
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO THE PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
(a) The Acquisition of Ralston Resorts by the Company will result in the
assets of Ralston Resorts being written up to reflect the purchase price
of the transaction. The purchase price of Ralston Resorts will be
calculated as the sum of (i) the fair value of the Company's Common Stock
that will be issued to Foods, the sole stockholder of Ralston Resorts,
(ii) the fair value of any liabilities of Ralston Resorts assumed, and
(iii) the transaction costs incurred by the Company. Under the purchase
accounting method, the acquisition cost is allocated to the assets and
liabilities acquired based on their relative fair values. The Company has
not yet received the results of appraisals and other valuation studies
which are in process, nor has it made a final determination of the useful
lives of the assets acquired. The Company's preliminary allocation of
acquisition cost resulted in an excess of purchase price over the
historical basis of net assets acquired of approximately $124 million. For
purposes of the pro forma combined financial data, this excess has been
allocated to various intangible assets, including goodwill. Amortization
expense in the pro forma financial statements has been calculated assuming
an amortization period of 35 years.
When the final purchase price is computed as of the closing date and an
actual allocation of the purchase price to the underlying assets acquired
is completed, some portion of the excess of purchase price over the
historical basis of the net assets acquired may be allocated to specific
tangible and intangible assets. Only after the final purchase price has
been allocated and the estimated remaining useful lives of the tangible and
intangible assets are determined by management will the actual amortization
charge associated with the acquired assets of Ralston Resorts become
available. The actual allocation of purchase cost and the resulting effect
on operating income may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts
included herein.
(b) The Company will incur various direct costs and professional fees in
connection with the Acquisition which will be paid from borrowings under
the New Credit Facilities.
(c) The Senior Subordinated Notes accrue interest at a rate of 12.25%. The
average rate of interest under the New Credit Facilities is assumed to be
6.5%.
(d) Foods has made loans to the Keystone JV in the aggregate amount of $5
million. Under the terms of the Acquisition, these loans plus accrued
interest receivable thereon of $323,000 will be transferred to Ralston
Resorts prior to the closing of the Acquisition.
(e) All adjustments to the unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of
Operations Data have been tax-effected using the expected statutory rate.
28
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER SKIER DAY DATA)
The selected consolidated historical financial data presented below have
been derived from the Company's and Ralston Resorts' consolidated financial
statements and should be read in conjunction with those statements and related
notes thereto, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations," and the other financial information included
elsewhere in this Prospectus. The selected consolidated financial data as of
and for the nine months ended June 30, 1995 and June 30, 1996 are derived from
the unaudited consolidated financial statements also appearing herein, which
in the respective opinions of the Company's and Ralston Resorts' management,
reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of normal and recurring
adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of
operations and cash flows for the interim periods. The Company's and Ralston
Resorts' business is highly seasonal in nature and, as a result, the results
for the interim periods are not indicative of the results of operations
expected for a full fiscal year. The unaudited pro forma summary combined
financial data for the 12 months ended June 30, 1996 give effect to the
Distribution, the Acquisition and the Offerings and are derived from the
unaudited pro forma financial data presented elsewhere in this Prospectus. See
"Pro Forma Financial Data."
THE COMPANY
PRE-EFFECTIVE DATE (1) POST-EFFECTIVE DATE (1) PRO FORMA
------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------- COMBINED
TWELVE TWELVE
YEAR YEAR NINE MONTHS MONTHS MONTHS
ENDED ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED JUNE 30, ENDED ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, OCTOBER 8, --------------------------------- ----------------------- JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
1991 (2) 1992 (2) 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 1996 (3) 1996
------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
Resort............ $ 97,048 $105,525 $ 114,623 $ 124,982 $ 126,349 $119,624 $132,410 $139,135 $274.205
Real estate....... 2,601 3,767 4,610 22,203 16,526 11,223 35,714 41,017 41,979
--------- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues.. 99,649 109,292 119,233 147,185 142,875 130,847 168,124 180,152 316,184
Operating expenses:
Resort............ 56,680 63,099 69,749 78,365 82,305 71,240 77,101 88,166 185,283
Real estate....... 4,282 4,472 5,165 20,341 14,983 11,594 31,251 34,640 34,640
Corporate expense
(4).............. 7,939 4,151 6,467 7,160 6,701 5,149 3,451 5,003 5,003
Depreciation and
amortization..... 8,389 7,626 13,404 17,186 17,968 13,212 13,590 18,346 37,999
--------- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
77,290 79,348 94,785 123,052 121,957 101,195 125,393 146,155 262,925
Operating income
from continuing
operations........ 22,359 29,944 24,448 24,133 20,918 29,652 42,731 33,997 53,259
Income (loss) from
continuing
operations (after-
tax) (5).......... NM NM (146) 761 3,282 10,962 15,263 7,583 15,742
Unaudited pro forma
earnings per
common share(6)...
Weighted average
shares outstanding
(6)...............
OTHER DATA:
Resort
Resort Revenue.... $ 97,048 $105,525 $ 114,623 $ 124,982 $ 126,349 $119,624 $132,410 $139,135 $274,205
Resort Cash Flow
(7).............. 40,368 42,426 44,874 46,617 44,044 48,384 55,309 50,969 88,922
Skier days........ 1,969 1,986 2,059 2,056 2,136 2,136 2,228 2,228 4,898
Resort
Revenue/skier
day.............. $ 49.29 $ 53.13 $ 55.67 $ 60.79 $ 59.15 $ 56.00 $ 59.43 $ 62.45 $ 55.98
Real estate
Revenues from real
estate sales..... $ 2,601 $ 3,767 $ 4,610 $ 22,203 $ 16,526 $ 11,223 $ 35,714 $ 41,017 $ 41,979
Real estate
operating profit
(8).............. (1,681) (705) (555) 1,862 1,543 (371) 4,463 6,377 7,339
Real estate assets
(9).............. 16,144 13,091 15,673 42,637 54,858 40,347 66,247 66,247 111,577
BALANCE SHEET DATA
(AT PERIOD END):
Total assets...... $ 569,319 $805,881 $ 459,131 $ 450,018 $ 429,628 $418,830 $382,459 $382,459 $738,787
Long term debt.... 1,009,759 376,718 250,566 225,654 191,313 175,153 121,766 121,766 213,119
Total
stockholders'
equity
(deficit)........ (578,007) 132,102 131,973 162,494 167,694 177,968 184,948 184,948 367,489
29
RALSTON RESORTS
NINE MONTHS TWELVE
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED JUNE 30, MONTHS
--------------------------------- ----------------------- ENDED
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 JUNE 30, 1996(3)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
DATA:
Revenues:
Resort................. $ 83,717 $ 127,676 $ 125,816 $112,708 $121,962 $135,070
Real estate............ 2,141 4,979 1,778 1,781 965 962
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- --------
Total Revenues....... 85,858 132,655 127,594 114,489 122,927 136,032
Operating expenses:
Resort................. 71,330 94,382 94,846 76,560 78,831 97,117
Real estate............ 1,619 3,837 1,040 1,040 -- --
Depreciation and
amortization.......... 10,754 14,227 14,948 11,023 12,214 16,139
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- --------
83,703 112,446 110,834 88,623 91,045 113,256
Operating income........ 2,155 20,209 16,760 25,866 31,882 22,776
Net income (loss)....... (4,090) 8,923 3,927 11,106 15,038 7,859
OTHER DATA:
Resort
Resort Revenue......... $ 83,717 $ 127,676 $ 125,816 $112,708 $121,962 $135,070
Resort Cash Flow(7).... 12,387 33,294 30,970 36,148 43,131 37,953
Skier days............. 1,284 2,568 2,532 2,518 2,656 2,670
Resort Revenue/skier
day................... $ 65.20 $ 49.72 $ 49.69 $ 44.76 $ 45.92 $ 50.59
Real estate
Revenues from real
estate sales.......... $ 2,141 $ 4,979 $ 1,778 $ 1,781 $ 965 $ 962
Real estate operating
profit(8)............. 522 1,142 738 741 965 962
Real estate
assets(9)............. 34,108 39,256 39,582 39,585 40,007 40,007
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets........... $ 235,611 $ 231,362 $ 226,240 $227,928 $228,092 $228,092
Long term debt......... 30,522 130,295 130,053 130,295 130,959 130,959
Total stockholder's
equity................ 178,477 71,787 67,033 69,368 66,090 66,090
30
(1) In addition to its resort operations, which are conducted by Vail
Associates, the Company also previously owned subsidiaries which were
engaged in the communications and beef products businesses. In each year
from fiscal 1986 through fiscal 1991, the Company's resort operations
experienced growth in Resort Cash Flow. In 1991, due to an inability to
service debt incurred in connection with the acquisition of certain assets
in the communications business, the Company was forced to seek relief under
Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. On the Effective Date, the Company
emerged from bankruptcy pursuant to the Reorganization, which contemplated
divestitures of the Company's communications and beef products businesses.
Such divestitures were completed in fiscal years 1993 and 1994 and
accounted for as discontinued operations. As a result of the transactions
that took place on the Effective Date and the related accounting treatment,
the Pre-Effective Date financial information is not comparable to the Post-
Effective Date financial information. See Note 1 to the Company's
consolidated financial statements.
(2) For fiscal 1991, results of operations include only nine months of
corporate expense of the Company due to a change in the fiscal year of the
Company. The results of Vail Associates for fiscal 1991 and fiscal 1992
have been derived from their separately audited financial statements.
(3) Since the Company and Ralston Resorts experience operating deficits during
the last five months of their fiscal years, results of operations for the
12 months ended June 30, 1996 have been presented to report results of a
complete business cycle for the Company.
(4) Prior to the Offerings, corporate expense included the costs associated
with the Company's holding company structure and overseeing multiple lines
of business, including the discontinued operations. Following the
Offerings, corporate expense will include certain personnel, tax, legal,
directors' and officers' insurance and other consulting fees relating
solely to the Company's resort and real estate operations. Corporate
expenses are classified as resort operating expenses in the consolidated
financial statements of Ralston Resorts. Corporate expense for the 12
months ended June 30, 1996 includes expenses related to the Company's
former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Company believes it will
realize an annualized savings of $750,000 relating to changes made in
corporate management, however this amount has not been reflected in the pro
forma summary combined financial data.
(5) Due to the Reorganization discussed in Note 1, income from continuing
operations and per share information for fiscal 1991 and fiscal 1992 are
not comparable to amounts reported in subsequent fiscal years, and
therefore, are not considered meaningful.
(6) Due to the Distribution, the Acquisition and the Offerings, the Company's
and Ralston Resorts' historical capital structure is not indicative of its
prospective structure upon the closing of the aforementioned transactions.
Accordingly, historical earnings per common share is not considered
meaningful and has not been presented herein.
(7) Resort Cash Flow is defined as revenues from resort operations less resort
operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization. Resort Cash
Flow is not a term that has an established meaning under generally accepted
accounting principles. The Company has included information concerning
Resort Cash Flow as it is generally used by investors to evaluate companies
in the resort industry. Resort Cash Flow does not purport to represent cash
provided by operating activities and should not be considered in isolation
or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. For information regarding the
Company's and Ralston Resorts' historical cash flows, see the Company's and
Ralston Resorts' consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in
this Prospectus.
(8) Real estate operating profit is defined as revenues from real estate
operations less real estate costs and expenses, which includes (i) selling
costs, (ii) holding costs, (iii) operating expenses and (iv) the allocation
of the capitalized land, infrastructure, mountain improvement and other
costs relating to property sold. Real estate costs and expenses exclude
charges for depreciation and amortization as the Company has determined
that the portion of those expenses allocable to real estate are not
significant.
(9) Real estate assets include all land, development costs, and other
improvements associated with real estate held for sale and classified as
such in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. Real estate assets of
Ralston Resorts include investments in real estate joint ventures, real
estate held for sale and other developable land.
31
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 VERSUS NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995
Resort Revenue. Resort Revenue for the nine months ended June 30, 1996 were
$132.4 million, an increase of $12.8 million, or 10.7%, compared to the nine
months ended June 30, 1995. The increase was attributable primarily to (i) a
4.3% increase in skier days (a 5.3% increase at Vail Mountain and a 1.5%
increase at Beaver Creek Mountain), (ii) an increase in effective ticket price
(defined as total lift ticket revenue divided by total skier days) ("ETP") from
$29.93 to $31.13, or 4.0% and (iii) increases in revenues from ski school, food
service, retail, hospitality, brokerage and commercial leasing activities.
Resort Operating Expenses. Operating expenses from resort operations ("Resort
Operating Expenses") were $77.1 million for the nine months ended June 30,
1996, representing an increase of $5.9 million, or 8.2%, as compared to the
nine months ended June 30, 1995. As a percentage of Resort Revenue, Resort
Operating Expenses declined from 59.6% to 58.2% in the nine months ended June
30, 1996. The increase in Resort Operating Expenses is primarily attributable
to (i) increased variable expenses resulting from the increased level of Resort
Revenue and skier days in the nine months ended June 30, 1996, (ii) a $2.2
million increase in the accrual for long term incentive compensation associated
with the improvement in the operating results of the resorts segment during the
nine months ended June 30, 1996, and (iii) an $870,000 increase in marketing
expense due to an expansion of direct advertising programs.
Resort Cash Flow. Resort Cash Flow for the nine months ended June 30, 1996
was $55.3 million, an increase of $6.9 million, or 14.3%, compared to the nine
months ended June 30, 1995. Resort Cash Flow as a percentage of Resort Revenue
increased to 41.8% for the nine months ended June 30, 1996 as compared to 40.5%
for the nine months ended June 30, 1995. The increase in Resort Cash Flow is
primarily due to the increase in skier days and ETP as discussed above. The
Company's business is highly seasonal in nature and, as a result, Resort Cash
Flow for the nine months ended June 30, 1996 is not indicative of the full
year's results, since the Company has negative Resort Cash Flow for the last
fiscal quarter of the year.
Real Estate Revenues. Revenues from real estate operations for the nine
months ended June 30, 1996 were $35.7 million, an increase of $24.5 million,
compared to the nine months ended June 30, 1995. The increase is due primarily
to the closings of sales of 28 single family lots in the Strawberry Park
development at Beaver Creek Resort in December 1995 and February 1996, which
generated $28.5 million in gross proceeds.
Real Estate Operating Expenses. Real estate operating expenses for the nine
months ended June 30, 1996 were $31.3 million, an increase of $19.7 million,
compared to the nine months ended June 30, 1995. The increase resulted
primarily from the cost of sales and commissions associated with the sale of
the Strawberry Park lots which totaled $22.9 million.
Corporate Expense. Corporate expense decreased by $1.7 million for the nine
months ended June 30, 1996 as compared to the nine months ended June 30, 1995.
The decrease was primarily due to the inclusion in the nine months ended June
30, 1995, of $1.2 million of compensation expense related to shares of Common
Stock granted to the Company's former Chief Executive Officer pursuant to an
employment agreement dated October 8, 1992. The shares were earned over the
three year period beginning on the date of the employment agreement and ending
on October 8, 1995. Accordingly, compensation expense was charged to corporate
expense ratably over that period. The remaining decrease was attributable to
reductions in payroll expense and other office expenses related to the partial
closure of the Company's Denver office as of December 31, 1995.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased by $378,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 1996 over the nine
months ended June 30, 1995, primarily due to capital expenditures made in
fiscal 1995.
Interest Expense. During the nine months ended June 30, 1996 and the nine
months ended June 30, 1995, the Company recorded interest expense of $13.7
million and $14.8 million, respectively, which relates primarily to the
Company's Senior Subordinated Notes, the Industrial Development Bonds, and the
Company's existing
32
credit facilities. The decrease in interest expense from the nine months ended
June 30, 1995 to the nine months ended June 30, 1996, is attributable to the
redemptions of $30 million and $24.5 million in principal amount of Senior
Subordinated Notes on December 11, 1995 and February 2, 1996, respectively,
offset by call premiums paid in connection with those redemptions. See
"Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Gain (loss) on disposal of fixed assets. The loss on disposal of fixed
assets for the nine months ended June 30, 1996 was $2.6 million compared to a
gain on disposals of fixed assets of $91,000 for the nine months ended June
30, 1995. The loss for the nine months ended June 30, 1996 consists primarily
of a $2.3 million loss on the retirement of the Lionshead gondola, and a
$340,000 loss on the Golden Peak chairlift. Both lifts are currently being
replaced with upgraded equipment. The gain for the nine months ended June 30,
1995 consists of gains on the disposals of various items, none of which are
individually significant.
Other income (expense). The significant components of other income (expense)
for the nine months ended June 30, 1996 are (i) a $725,000 increase in the
reserves related to the Company's indemnity to the purchaser of a former
subsidiary of the Company, (ii) a $450,000 increase in the estimate of the
pension liability related to three founders of the Company and (iii) $373,000
in income related to a favorable retrospective adjustment on a worker's
compensation insurance policy of a former subsidiary of the Company. The
significant components of other income (expense) for the nine months ended
June 30, 1995 are (i) a $1.2 million gain on the sale of securities and (ii)
income of $687,000 related to the elimination of reserves for pre-petition
bankruptcy claims.
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 ("FISCAL 1995") VERSUS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1994 ("FISCAL 1994")
Resort Revenue. Resort Revenue for fiscal 1995 is $126.3 million, an
increase of $1.4 million, or 1.1%, compared to fiscal 1994. The increase was
attributable primarily to a 3.9% increase in skier days (a 2.7% increase at
Vail Mountain and a 7.4% increase at Beaver Creek Mountain), offset by a
decline in ETP from $31.29 to $29.93, or 4.5%. The decline in ETP in fiscal
1995 resulted from increased skier days in the early and late season, which
have lower ETPs than those in the peak season. The increase in early and late
season skiers was due to incentive programs targeted to attract increased
corporate groups and skiers from the Denver metropolitan area. In addition,
skier days in the peak season, which have higher ETPs, were adversely affected
by a number of factors, including (i) an unusually high number of closings of
Interstate 70 (the main highway from Denver to Vail) due to adverse weather
conditions, and (ii) the December 1994 financial crisis in Mexico, the country
of origin of a significant portion of the Company's international guests who
typically visit the Company's resorts during the peak season. Following the
1994-95 ski season, the Company, working with state and local agencies, took
steps designed to improve snow removal operations on Interstate 70. As a
result of these steps, the number and duration of highway closings were
significantly reduced during the 1995-96 ski season.
Resort Operating Expenses. Resort Operating Expenses were $82.3 million for
fiscal 1995, representing an increase of $3.9 million, or 5.0%, as compared to
fiscal 1994. As a percentage of Resort Revenue, Resort Operating Expenses
increased from 62.7% in fiscal 1994 to 65.1% in fiscal 1995. The increase in
Resort Operating Expenses is primarily attributable to (i) a $2.0 million
increase in marketing expenditures primarily related to increased direct
advertising expenditures, (ii) an increase of $1.3 million in expenses related
to an expansion of the Company's retail operations, write-downs of obsolete
inventory purchased in prior seasons, and costs associated with the
implementation of new point of sale inventory system, (iii) an increase of
$740,000 in rent and occupancy costs due to the relocation of certain of Vail
Associates' offices from Company-owned space in the Town of Vail to leased
office space in the Town of Avon and (iv) increased expenses resulting from
the increased level of Resort Revenue in fiscal 1995.
Resort Cash Flow. Resort Cash Flow for fiscal 1995 was $44.0 million, a
decrease of $2.6 million, or 5.5%, compared to fiscal 1994. Resort Cash Flow
as a percentage of Resort Revenue decreased to 34.9% in fiscal 1995 as
compared to 37.3% in fiscal 1994. The decrease in Resort Cash Flow was due to
the decline in ETP and increase in Resort Operating Expenses as discussed
above.
Real Estate Revenues. Revenues from real estate operations for fiscal 1995
were $16.5 million, a decrease of $5.7 million, compared to fiscal 1994. The
decrease is due primarily to a reduction in the number of closings of
residential lot sales in Beaver Creek Resort due to the Company not having
significant lots available for sale during the period.
33
Real Estate Operating Expenses. Real estate operating costs and expenses for
fiscal 1995 were $15.0 million, a decrease of $5.4 million, compared to fiscal
1994 due to lower costs of sales associated with the reduced amount of lot
sales activity.
Corporate Expense. Corporate expense decreased $459,000 in fiscal 1995 as
compared to fiscal 1994 due primarily to lower salary and service costs.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense from
continuing operations increased $782,000 in fiscal 1995 as compared to fiscal
1994, primarily as a result of the capital expenditures made during fiscal
1994.
Interest Expense. During fiscal 1995, the Company recorded interest expense
of $19.5 million, which relates primarily to the interest on the Company's
Senior Subordinated Notes and the Industrial Development Bonds and revolving
credit facilities of Vail Associates. See "--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
The decrease in interest expense from $22.5 million during fiscal 1994 to
$19.5 million during fiscal 1995 relates primarily to the redemption of the
Company's Senior Secured Notes on September 29, 1994 and the redemption of
$24.9 million principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes on December 15,
1994.
Other Income (Expense). The significant components of other income (expense)
for the nine months ended June 30, 1995 are (i) income of $1.6 million related
to the elimination of a liability related to the Company's obligation to a
medical research foundation, (ii) a $1.2 million gain on the sale of
securities and (iii) income of $687,000 related to the elimination of reserves
for pre-petition bankruptcy claims.
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1994 ("FISCAL 1994") VERSUS PERIOD OCTOBER 9, 1992
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1993 ("FISCAL 1993")
Resort Revenue. Resort Revenue for fiscal 1994 were $125.0 million, an
increase of $10.4 million, or 9.0%, compared to fiscal 1993. The increase was
attributable primarily to (i) an 8.2% increase in skier days at Beaver Creek
Mountain (partially due to the acquisition of Arrowhead), (ii) an increase in
ETP from $30.61 to $31.29 or 2.2%, (iii) increases in revenues associated with
ski school, food service, and retail operations, (iv) a $1.4 million increase
in revenues from the Pines Lodge, a 60 room luxury hotel, due to inclusion of
a full year of its operation in fiscal 1994 versus four months of operation in
fiscal 1993 and (v) the inclusion of revenue from ski operations at Arrowhead
from November 30, 1993 (the date of its acquisition by the Company). These
increases were partially offset by a 2.7% decline in skier days at Vail
Mountain particularly during the Christmas holiday and early January periods.
Resort Operating Expenses. Resort Operating Expenses were $78.4 million for
fiscal 1994, representing an increase of $8.6 million, or 12.4%, as compared
to fiscal 1993. As a percentage of Resort Revenue, Resort Operating Expenses
increased from 60.9% in fiscal 1993 to 62.7% in fiscal 1994. The increases in
Resort Operating Expenses is primarily attributable to (i) increased expenses
resulting from the increased level of Resort Revenue in fiscal 1994, (ii) an
increase in overhead expenses related to the Company's planned expansion of
its retail operations, (iii) an increase of $900,000 in expenses related to
the Pines Lodge, due to inclusion of a full year of its operation in fiscal
1994 versus four months of operation in fiscal 1993 and (iv) the inclusion of
expenses related to the ski operations at Arrowhead. See "Note 4 to the
Company's Consolidated Financial Statements."
Resort Cash Flow. Resort Cash Flow for fiscal 1994 was $46.6 million, an
increase of $1.7 million, or 3.9%, compared to fiscal 1993. Resort Cash Flow
as a percentage of Resort Revenue decreased to 37.3% in fiscal 1994 as
compared to 39.1% in fiscal 1993.
Real Estate Revenues. Revenues from real estate operations for fiscal 1994
were $22.2 million, an increase of $17.6 million, compared to fiscal 1993. The
increase is due primarily to an increase in the number of closings of
residential lot sales in Beaver Creek Resort.
Real Estate Operating Expenses. Real estate operating costs and expenses for
fiscal 1994 were $20.3 million, an increase of $15.2 million, compared to
fiscal 1993 related to the increase in cost of sales associated with the
increase in closings of residential lot sales.
34
Corporate Expense. Corporate expense increased $693,000 in fiscal 1994 as
compared to fiscal 1993. This increase resulted primarily from lower corporate
reimbursements from a former affiliate of the Company, offset by reductions in
insurance expenses and other cost cutting measures. See "Note 3 to the
Company's Consolidated Financial Statements."
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased $3.8 million in fiscal 1994 as compared to fiscal 1993 primarily as
a result of the capital expenditures made during fiscal 1993 and the
acquisition of Arrowhead during fiscal 1994.
Interest Expense. During fiscal 1994, the Company recorded interest expense
from continuing operations of $22.5 million as compared to $26.3 million in
fiscal 1993. The decrease in interest expense relates primarily to the
redemption of $160.8 million of Senior Secured Notes on July 9, 1993. See
"Liquidity and Capital Resources." In addition, approximately $4.0 million of
interest expense was charged to income from discontinued operations during
each of fiscal years 1993 and 1994.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company has historically provided funds for debt service, capital
expenditures and acquisitions through a combination of cash flow from
operations, short term and long term borrowings and sales of real estate.
At September 30, 1995, the Company had outstanding $117.2 million of Senior
Subordinated Notes maturing on June 30, 2002. On December 11, 1995 and
February 2, 1996, the Company redeemed principal amounts of $30.0 million and
$24.5 million, respectively, of the Senior Subordinated Notes. At June 30,
1996, the outstanding principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes was $62.6
million. The Company will use a portion of the net proceeds from the Offerings
to redeem all of the remaining outstanding Senior Subordinated Notes.
The Company has $41.2 million of outstanding Industrial Development Bonds
issued by Eagle County, Colorado which accrue interest at 8% per annum and
mature on August 1, 2009. Interest is payable semi-annually on February 1 and
August 1. The Company has provided the holder of these bonds a debt service
reserve fund of $3.3 million, which has been netted against the principal
amount for financial reporting purposes.
The Company has received a commitment from NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as
agent (the "Agent"), to provide financing for the Acquisition and the working
capital needs of the Company upon the closing of the Acquisition. The New
Credit Facilities ("New Credit Facilities") will provide for debt financing up
to an aggregate principal amount of $340 million. The New Credit Facilities
are comprised of (i) a $175 million Revolving Credit Facility ("Revolving
Credit Facility"), (ii) a $115 million Tranche A Term Loan Facility ("Tranche
A") and (iii) a $50 million Tranche B Term Loan Facility (together with the
Tranche A, the "Term Loan Facilities"). The Term Loan Facilities will be used
to refinance a portion of the $165 million of debt assumed in connection with
the Acquisition. The Revolving Credit Facility matures on April 15, 2003. The
minimum amortization under the Term Loan Facilities will be $11.5 million,
$14.0 million, $19.0 million, $21.5 million, $26.5 million, $31.5 million, and
$41 million during fiscal years ending September 30, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001,
2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively. The Company will also be required to make
mandatory amortization payments under the Term Loan Facilities with excess
cash flow, proceeds from asset sales, and proceeds from equity and debt
offerings.
The New Credit Facilities require that no more than $125.0 million in the
aggregate be outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility for a period of
30 consecutive days during each fiscal year, which includes April 15. The
proceeds of the loans made under the Revolving Credit Facilities may be used
to fund the Company's working capital needs, capital expenditures and other
general corporate purposes, including the issuance of letters of credit.
35
Resort capital expenditures for the nine months ended June 30, 1996 were $8.3
million. Investments in real estate for the nine months ended June 30, 1996
were $22.3 million, which included $4.6 million of mountain improvements (such
as ski lifts and snowmaking equipment) which are related to real estate
development but will also benefit resort operations. For the remaining three
months of fiscal 1996, the Company plans to make (i) additional resort capital
expenditures of approximately $12 million and (ii) additional investments in
real estate of approximately $34 million, which will include approximately $5
million in mountain improvements which are related to real estate operations
but will also benefit resort operations. The primary projects included in
resort capital expenditures for fiscal 1996 are (i) the new Lionshead gondola,
(ii) the creation of the Eagles Nest non-ski activity center and (iii) the
allocated cost of the new retail, restaurant and skier service facilities to be
created in the renovated Golden Peak base facility. The primary projects
included in investments in real estate for fiscal 1996 are (i) the renovation
of the Golden Peak base facility, including a new high speed quad chairlift,
(ii) infrastructure related to Bachelor Gulch Village, including a new high
speed quad chairlift and related snowmaking equipment, (iii) construction
related to the Beaver Creek Village Center, the majority of the related
expenses of which will be recouped during fiscal 1996 from the third party
developer of the project and certain homeowner, community and governmental
organizations, (iv) infrastructure related to Arrowhead Village and (v)
infrastructure related to the Strawberry Park development in Beaver Creek
Resort. The Company plans to fund capital expenditures and investments in real
estate for the balance of fiscal 1996 and the beginning of fiscal 1997 with
borrowings under the Credit Facilities.
The Acquired Resorts intend to make capital expenditures in the amount of $9
million during the remainder of the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996. See
"The Acquisition."
In connection with the Distribution, the Company will make payments
aggregating $55 million, which it estimates will be made in December 1996 and
June 1997. The Company will fund payments made under the Distribution from
proceeds of the Real Estate Contracts.
Based on current levels of operations and cash availability, the Company
believes that it will be able to satisfy its debt service and capital
expenditure requirements from cash flow from operations, borrowings under the
New Credit Facilities.
The Company believes that inflation during the past three years has had
little effect on its results of operations and that any impact on costs has
been largely offset by increased pricing.
36
BUSINESS
GENERAL
Vail Resorts is the premier mountain resort operator in North America. The
Company operates Vail Mountain, the largest single ski mountain complex in
North America, and Beaver Creek(R) Mountain, one of the world's premier
family-oriented mountain resorts (together with Vail Mountain, the "Existing
Resorts"). The Company is one of the most profitable resort operators in the
ski industry due to its attractive guest demographics, favorable weather and
snowfall conditions, ability to attract both destination resort guests and day
travelers from local population centers and proximity to both Denver
International Airport and Vail/Eagle County Airport. In addition to resort
operations, the Company owns substantial real estate, from which it derives
significant strategic benefits and cash flow. In July 1996, the Company
entered into an agreement to acquire the Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe
Basin mountain resorts (the "Acquired Resorts") and significant related real
estate interests and developable land (the "Acquisition") . Following the
Acquisition, the Company will be uniquely positioned to attract a broad range
of guests due to its diverse skiing terrain, varied price points and numerous
activities and services. As the Company's five resorts are located within 50
miles of each other, the Company will be able to offer guests the opportunity
to visit each resort during one vacation stay and participate in common
loyalty programs. For the 12 months ended June 30, 1996 (which includes the
Company's entire 1995-96 ski season), the Company's Resort Revenue and Resort
Cash Flow, pro forma for the Acquisition, were $274.2 million and $88.9
million, respectively. Management believes that the Company's Resort Revenue
and Resort Cash Flow, pro forma for the Acquisition, are greater than that of
any other mountain resort company in the world.
INDUSTRY
There are approximately 800 ski areas in North America, which during the
1994-95 ski season generated a total of approximately 70 million skier days.
There are approximately 520 ski areas in the U.S., which during the 1994-95
ski season generated approximately 53 million skier days. These resorts range
from small ski resort operations, which cater primarily to day skiers from
nearby population centers, to larger resorts which, given the scope of their
operations and their accessibility, are able to attract both day skiers and
destination resort guests who are seeking a comprehensive vacation experience.
While the day skier tends to focus primarily on lift ticket price and round-
trip travel time, destination travelers tend to make their choices based on
the number of amenities and activities offered, as well as the perceived
overall quality of the vacation experience. As a result, destination guests
generate significantly higher Resort Revenue per skier day than day skiers.
Within the United States, regional distribution of skier days is estimated
to be as follows: Northeast (11.3 million); Southeast (4.7 million); Midwest
(6.9 million); Rocky Mountain (18.4 million); and Pacific West (11.3 million).
The 25 ski areas located in Colorado currently account for over 21% of total
skier days in the United States, up from 16.4% in 1984. While total skier days
generated by all United States resorts have increased by a total of 2% since
the 1985-86 ski season, skier days generated by Colorado ski areas have grown
by more than 25% during the same period. During the same time period, skier
days at the Existing and Acquired Resorts increased by 39% and 29%,
respectively. The Company believes that the primary reasons for Colorado's
growth relative to the rest of the United States include the quality of the
ski areas located in the state, the accessibility of its resorts from major
transportation centers and the relatively favorable climate of the Rocky
Mountains. The Existing Resorts' share of the total skier days generated by
mountain resorts located in Colorado has grown from 17.7% in 1986 to 19.4% in
1996.
The Company believes that it will benefit from certain trends and
developments which should favorably impact the North American ski industry,
including (i) advances in ski equipment technology ("fat" skis and specially
shaped skis) which facilitate learning and make the sport easier to enjoy,
thereby increasing an individual's days skied per year and overall years of
skiing, (ii) the rapid growth of snowboarding, which is increasing youth
participation in "on-snow" sports, (iii) a greater focus on leisure and
fitness and (iv) a growing interest among affluent families in purchasing
second homes in mountain resort communities.
37
Snowboarding has energized interest in "on-snow" sports, primarily among
males between the ages of 13 and 24. According to the National Sporting Goods
Association (the "NSGA"), the number of snowboarders in the U.S. has increased
from 1.5 million in 1990 to 2.4 million in 1995, an increase of almost 10% per
year. U.S. skier days attributable to snowboarders have increased an average
of 17% per year over the past three years and snowboarders are currently
estimated to represent 14% of all U.S. skier days. With international markets
believed to be experiencing similar growth rates, snowboarding is among the
fastest growing sports in the world. Recently, the International Olympic
Committee designated snowboarding as a demonstration event at the 1998 Winter
Olympic Games. Management believes that the growth in snowboarding has had a
positive impact on the ski industry and will continue to be an important
source of lift ticket, ski school, retail and rental revenue growth for the
Company. Management believes that the growth in snowboarding among children
and teens, who influence family vacation decisions, will allow the Company to
attract additional family-oriented destination guests. Consequently, the
Company intends to position itself as an industry leader in the creation of
snowboard attractions, programs and events.
The mountain resort industry is in a period of consolidation as the cost of
the infrastructure required to maintain competitiveness has increased, thereby
enhancing the position of larger and better capitalized resort owners. The
number of U.S. ski resorts has declined from approximately 709 in 1986 to 520
in 1995 and, based on industry estimates, the number of mountain resorts is
expected to decline further, as the majority of mountain resorts lack the
infrastructure, capital and management capability to compete in this multi-
dimensional and service-intensive industry. At the same time, the high cost of
mountain resort development and environmental restrictions have prevented new
resorts from being created. Since Beaver Creek Mountain opened in 1980, only
one other major ski facility has opened in the United States. Despite this
consolidation, the ski industry remains highly fragmented, with no one resort
operator accounting for more than 10% of the United States' 53 million skier
days. The Company believes that the consolidation trend in the mountain resort
industry will continue, and the Company intends to actively pursue acquisition
opportunities which provide attractive investment returns.
EXISTING RESORTS
VAIL MOUNTAIN
Opened in 1962, Vail Mountain is the largest and most popular single ski
mountain complex in North America, offering over 4,100 acres of unique and
varied ski terrain, spanning approximately 20 square miles. Included in this
complex is the largest network of high speed lifts in the world, a top-rated
ski school and a wide variety of dining and retailing establishments. Vail
Mountain is ideally suited for all levels of skiers as it has a balanced
distribution of beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain. Perhaps no single
physical attribute defines Vail Mountain better than the Back Bowls. More than
seven miles wide, the Back Bowls are one of the most distinctive terrain
features found at any ski mountain in North America and offer some of the
finest skiing in the world. Along with comprehensive snowmaking capabilities,
Vail Mountain receives "dry," dependable snowfall due to its central Rocky
Mountain location and, in its 34th season, attracted over 1.65 million skier
days, the highest number of skier days of any North American ski mountain and
a new record for Vail Mountain. For the last eight years, Vail Mountain has
been rated the number one ski resort in United States by the Snow Country
magazine survey.
While Vail Mountain provides the largest and most varied ski terrain of any
North American mountain resort, the Company has received approval (subject to
appeal) from the Forest Service for infrastructure development of bowl skiing
terrain within its current permit area known as Category III. Category III
will add approximately 2,000 additional acres of ski terrain to the Back
Bowls, including 850 acres of new trails and an additional 1,150 acres of
undisturbed gladed skiing, increasing the ski terrain on Vail Mountain by
approximately 50%. The terrain's high, north facing location typically yields
extremely reliable snow conditions and should allow for earlier and later ski
season operations than Vail's existing Back Bowls which face south. Although
management believes that the completion of this terrain expansion will
significantly increase the number of skier days at Vail Mountain, particularly
in the early and late season non-peak periods, there can be no assurance that
such an increase will be achieved. See "Business--Growth Initiatives."
38
For the 1996-97 ski season, Vail Mountain will have a total of 26 lifts,
including ten high speed quads and a new high speed custom-designed gondola,
constituting the largest network of high speed lifts in the world. Based on
Vail Mountain's existing terrain and lift network, the theoretical capacity on
the mountain is 19,900 skiers at one time. During the 1995-96 ski season, the
average skiers per day on Vail Mountain was approximately 9,500, with only
three days out of a 173 day ski season having over 16,000 skiers.
The Company has also consistently improved and expanded guest amenities on
Vail Mountain. The Company currently owns and operates 15 on-mountain food
service establishments as well as 21,650 square feet of retail and commercial
space located throughout the mountain and at the three primary access points--
Golden Peak, Vail Village and Lionshead. While Vail Mountain is already viewed
as one of the premier destination mountain resorts in North America, the
Company has commenced several projects which will continue to improve mountain
operations, expand guest services and provide the Company with additional
retail and restaurant venues. See "Business--Growth Initiatives" and
"Business--Resort Operations--Food Service."
BEAVER CREEK MOUNTAIN
Beaver Creek Mountain, located ten miles west of Vail Mountain, consists of
the Beaver Creek, Arrowhead and Bachelor Gulch ski areas, and for the 1996-97
ski season will include 1,530 acres of ski terrain. The Company acquired
Beaver Creek Mountain in 1972 and opened the ski facilities during the 1980-81
ski season. In 1993, the Company expanded Beaver Creek Mountain by acquiring
significant privately owned ski terrain and development property at Arrowhead
and Bachelor Gulch. This purchase allowed the Company to (i) develop a
European style village-to-village ski experience which will interconnect,
through ski lifts and ski trails, the three distinct ski areas, (ii) add
significant intermediate terrain, (iii) improve skier distribution patterns
across Beaver Creek Mountain and (iv) add mountain infrastructure capable of
supporting anticipated skier growth. Like Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek Mountain
benefits from "dry" dependable snowfall in addition to excellent snowmaking
capabilities. Since its opening, Beaver Creek Mountain has increased its skier
days from 111,746 in 1980-81 to 576,249 in the 1995-96 ski season, making it
one of the fastest growing mountain resorts in North America. Despite
achieving rapid growth over a sustained period of time, Beaver Creek Mountain
currently operates at an average of one-third of its theoretical skier
capacity. Prior to the completion of the interconnect referred to above, the
theoretical skier capacity on Beaver Creek Mountain was 9,800 skiers at one
time. During the 1995-96 ski season, the average skiers per day on Beaver
Creek Mountain was approximately 3,500, with only six days out of a 150 day
ski season having over 7,000 skiers. Management believes that the success of
Beaver Creek Mountain has resulted from its unique combination of ambience,
architecture and a variety of groomed and natural terrain providing world-
class skiing which appeals to Beaver Creek Mountain's family-oriented
destination guests. For the 1996-97 ski season, Beaver Creek Mountain will
operate 14 lifts, including five high speed quads. The Company also owns and
operates seven on-mountain restaurants as well as 15,650 square feet of
retail/commercial space, strategically located on and at the base of Beaver
Creek Mountain. The Company has commenced several projects that will continue
to improve mountain operations, expand guest services and provide the Company
with additional owned retail and restaurant venues. See "Business--Growth
Initiatives" and "Business--Resort Operations--Food Service."
One of the primary factors in the growth of Beaver Creek Mountain has been
an increase in resort lodging. Beaver Creek Resort has grown from only 500
residential units and no hotels in 1985 to nearly 1,480 residential units and
private homes and 471 hotel rooms as of January 1, 1996. In addition to the
significant growth taking place in Beaver Creek Resort, there has been
substantial development in the surrounding communities of Avon, Edwards, Eagle
and Gypsum, providing substantial additional, moderately-priced, resort
lodging. The Company anticipates the substantial resort lodging growth to
continue from the buildout of the Bachelor Gulch Village and Arrowhead Village
resort communities, both of which offer unique slopeside development
opportunities due to the Company's fee simple ownership of the mountain land,
and from the significant development taking place in the surrounding
communities. See "Business--Real Estate."
39
PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
During the next 24 months, the Company's Existing Resort operations will
undergo a period of significant expansion as numerous projects under
construction are completed.
Village-to-Village Skiing--For the 1996-97 ski season, Vail Resorts will
complete the first step in introducing a European style village-to-village ski
experience by connecting (through ski lifts and ski trails) three distinct ski
areas--Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead. The interconnect of these
three areas will increase the contiguous ski terrain on Beaver Creek Mountain
by 330 acres or 30%. The Company has incorporated architectural, food and
retail themes in the development plans of Bachelor Gulch Village and Arrowhead
Village which are distinct from Beaver Creek Village and from each other.
[DEPICTION OF VILLAGE-TO-VILLAGE SKIING TO BE INSERTED]
Golden Peak(TM)--Construction is underway on the redevelopment of Golden
Peak, which will revitalize and replace the base facility at one of Vail
Mountain's primary access points. Improvements include the construction of a
new 83,000 square foot base lodge which will include approximately 21,000
square feet of restaurant and retail space, including the Company's first
restaurant offering apres ski and evening dining proximate to Vail Village,
and approximately 22,000 square feet of ski school, ticketing and skier
service facilities. The redevelopment will replace the existing Golden Peak
lift with an extended high speed quad lift with more than double the capacity
of the existing lift, balance skier flow at the base of Vail Mountain and
provide a direct connection to the Back Bowls. Other components of the Golden
Peak project include six luxury condominiums, a private 148 space parking
garage and club facility and substantial site and transportation improvements.
Due to their convenient location adjacent to both the Vail Village and the
Ford Park Amphitheater, the Company believes that, following the
redevelopment, Golden Peak's retail and restaurant facilities will generate
significant revenues both in the evening and throughout the year. Construction
on Golden Peak is scheduled to be completed during the 1996-97 ski season at a
total cost anticipated to be $31.5 million. The Company has executed contracts
for the sale of the six condominiums for an aggregate sales price of $24.2
million (representing an average price per saleable square foot of $1,000). In
addition, the Company expects to generate an additional $6 million
(approximately $4.3 million of which is already under contract) from the sale
of private parking privileges and access to club facilities.
[ARTIST RENDERING OF GOLDEN PEAK TO BE INSERTED]
One Beaver Creek--Construction has begun and is expected to be completed
during 1997 on a new mixed use retail, restaurant, skier service and
condominium project at the base of the primary access lift to Beaver Creek
Mountain. The Company was involved in the planning and design of this project,
which is being developed by a third party. The project will include 18
condominium units, 17,260 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and
10,847 square feet of ski school, ticketing and skier service facilities. The
Company has contracted to purchase all the retail, restaurant, ski school,
ticketing and skier service facilities from the developer at a price
approximating cost, which is significantly below fair market value. The cost
of this purchase will be financed primarily from proceeds the Company received
from the sale of the land to the developer. The One Beaver Creek project will
include substantial improvements in pedestrian access to Beaver Creek Mountain
through the installation of outdoor escalators integrated with the new retail,
restaurant and skier service facilities and will constitute a substantial step
toward the completion of Beaver Creek Village. Due to its convenient location
within Beaver Creek Village, the Company believes that, following its
development, One Beaver Creek will generate significant revenues both in the
evening and throughout the year.
40
[ARTIST RENDERING OF ONE BEAVER CREEK TO BE INSERTED]
Beaver Creek Village Center--Construction has begun on this multi-phase,
multi-year project that will be completed in stages beginning in 1997. The
completion of the Village Center development will add significantly to the
ambiance, character and amenities of Beaver Creek Resort. The project is
expected to include a year-round outdoor ice skating rink surrounded by 13,000
square feet of retail and restaurant space, a 518 seat performing arts center,
a new transportation center, a 423 space parking garage and additional resort
lodging, including approximately 78 condominium and townhouse units and a 45
unit timeshare project to be developed by a major international hotel
operator. The Company was involved in the planning and design of this project,
which is being developed by a third party. A substantial portion of the common
improvements are being paid for by homeowner, community and governmental
organizations. The Company has contracted to purchase all of the retail and
restaurant space from the developer at a price approximating cost, which is
significantly below fair market value. The cost of this purchase will be
financed primarily from proceeds the Company received from the sale of the
land to the developer. After development, the Company will also own 166
parking spaces in the newly created parking garage. The Village Center
development will complete the retail core of Beaver Creek Village and is
expected to result in a substantial increase in pedestrian traffic throughout
Beaver Creek Village, which also should benefit the Company's existing
restaurant and retail operations. Due to its convenient location within Beaver
Creek Village and adjacent to the performing arts center and ice rink, the
Company believes that, following its development, the restaurant and retail
operations in the Village Center development will generate significant
revenues for the Company in the evening and throughout the year.
[ARTIST RENDERING OF BEAVER CREEK VILLAGE CENTER TO BE INSERTED]
Lionshead/Eagle's Nest(TM) Gondola--A new state-of-the-art custom designed
high speed gondola will replace the current Lionshead gondola during the
summer of 1996. Lionshead is one of three primary access points to Vail
Mountain. The gondola will travel from Lionshead to the Eagle's Nest mountain
facility, which is located at the top of the western side of Vail Mountain.
The capacity of the new gondola will be 2.5 times that of the current gondola.
The cabins will be oversized for twelve passengers and will include amenities
such as cushioned seating, heat and lights. The new gondola will allow for
nighttime operation and will provide evening access to Eagle's Nest and Game
Creek Club(TM). This gondola improvement, in conjunction with the new high
speed chairlift being installed at Golden Peak, will increase high speed
access lift capacity to Vail Mountain by over 50%.
[DEPICTION OF LIONSHEAD/EAGLE'S NEST GONDOLA TO BE INSERTED]
Eagle's Nest Improvements--The first major non-ski activity center on Vail
Mountain will open for the 1996-97 ski season at Eagle's Nest. Activities
offered will include (i) snowboard parks and related attractions, (ii)
sledding and tubing with lifts for uphill transport, (iii) ice skating, (iv)
snowmobile tours and (v) a children's snowpark. New facilities at Eagle's Nest
and at the base of the gondola will include an 80 seat bar, a 170 seat
pizzeria and a 300 seat outdoor sundeck serviced by both the bar and an
outdoor kitchen. Management believes that the improvements to Eagle's Nest
will allow the Company to offer its guests a more diversified vacation
experience and increase Resort Revenue per skier day.
41
[ARTIST RENDERING OF EAGLE'S NEST TO BE INSERTED]
Game Creek Club--In addition to evening dining options at Eagle's Nest, the
Company will offer gourmet dinners at the Game Creek Club. Built in 1996 at a
cost of approximately $7 million, Game Creek Club is the premier dining
facility on Vail Mountain, available to members for lunch during the ski
season and open to the general public for dinners throughout the year. A
similar dinner operation at Beano's Cabin(TM) on Beaver Creek Mountain
generated revenues of $3.3 million in fiscal 1995. The construction cost of
Game Creek Club is being financed primarily by the sale of club memberships.
As of August 31, 1996, 215 out of a total of 395 available memberships in Game
Creek Club have been sold for total proceeds of $6.8 million.
[DEPICTION OF GAME CREEK CLUB TO BE INSERTED]
Bachelor Gulch Village(TM)--The Company is currently completing its master
plan for the development of 746 dwelling units in Bachelor Gulch Village. In
addition, zoning for Bachelor Gulch Village includes approximately 68,000
square feet of retail, restaurant and commercial space. Infrastructure
development commenced in 1994 and is expected to be substantially completed by
1998. During the summer of 1995 and the winter of 1996, 94 single-family
homesites (averaging approximately two acres each) were contracted for sale at
prices aggregating approximately $73 million (an average of approximately
$776,000 per homesite). All 94 homesites were sold in a lottery format because
demand significantly exceeded the number of homesites available for sale. The
Company is in discussions with developers regarding the sale of multi-family
and cluster homesite parcels. See "Business--Real Estate."
[ARTIST RENDERING OF BACHELOR GULCH VILLAGE TO BE INSERTED]
Arrowhead Village--The Company's current development activities in Arrowhead
are focused on the development of Arrowhead Village, a 218-unit staged
development centered around an alpine club. The proposed Arrowhead Alpine Club
is expected to be a 79,000 square foot facility containing 23 condominiums,
16,200 square feet of spa and athletic training space and 9,200 square feet of
restaurant, retail and skier service facilities. The Company is currently pre-
selling condominiums and Arrowhead Alpine Club memberships. In Arrowhead
Village, developers have commenced construction on 44 residential units on
land purchased from the Company. In addition, multi-family parcels zoned for
an additional 42 residential units have been sold to developers with
construction scheduled to begin in the Spring of 1997. See "Business--Real
Estate."
[ARTIST RENDERING OF ARROWHEAD VILLAGE TO BE INSERTED]
PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT
Category III--The Company has received approval (subject to appeal) to begin
construction to expand its renowned Back Bowls by approximately 2,000
additional acres into an area known as Category III. Category III is expected,
at completion, to include three lifts, numerous trails and mountain
infrastructure and two restaurants. The opening of Category III will increase
the ski terrain on Vail Mountain by approximately 50%, including significant
terrain offering intermediate and advanced bowl and gladed skiing, which will
further improve skier distribution on Vail Mountain. With over 50% of the
guests at Vail Mountain classified as intermediate skiers, Category III
represents a significant expansion in non-expert bowl skiing for these skiers.
Category III will also offer better snow conditions in the early and late
season due to its northern exposure. See "Risk Factors--Forest Service
Permits."
42
Lionshead Redevelopment--The Company is currently planning the redevelopment
of its owned property in Lionshead, together with related properties owned by
third parties. Current plans contemplate more than 200 luxury hotel rooms, a
significant number of condominiums and timeshare units, significant additions
to restaurant and retail space, an employee housing complex, an office
facility (intended to be used for Vail Mountain's administrative and
operations functions) and a convention center. The redevelopment of Lionshead
will require certain approvals from, and a cooperative partnership with, the
Town of Vail and there can be no assurance that the Company will receive such
approvals or cooperation.
ACQUIRED RESORTS
BRECKENRIDGE
Breckenridge Mountain, located approximately 85 miles west of Denver and 40
miles east of Vail Mountain, is North America's second most popular ski area,
trailing only Vail Mountain in skier days. Breckenridge's skier days reached
1.35 million during the 1995-96 ski season, a new record for Breckenridge
Mountain. Breckenridge offers over 2,023 acres of skiing on four different
mountain peaks, including open bowl skiing and excellent beginner and
intermediate ski terrain. Breckenridge's mountains are interconnected by a
network of 18 lifts, including four high speed quad chairlifts. Breckenridge
currently operates four on-mountain food service establishments and 3,030
square feet of on-mountain retail and commercial space, a relatively modest
scope of operations in comparison to the Existing Resorts. The Company
believes there are improvements which can be made to Breckenridge Mountain
which will contribute to further growth in skier days and Resort Revenue,
including (i) an upgrade of certain older lift equipment and the addition of
new high speed quads, which will reduce lift lines and improve on-mountain
skier circulation, (ii) a significant expansion of the mountain's snowmaking
coverage to ensure a better early and late season ski product and (iii) an
expansion of the Company's ski school, food service, retail and rental
operations. The Company will own certain strategic land parcels at the base of
Breckenridge Mountain and in the Town of Breckenridge which are currently in
the planning stages for significant residential and commercial development.
The Breckenridge mountain resort benefits significantly from its location
adjacent to the Town of Breckenridge, a restored 140 year old Victorian mining
town which has over 20,000 beds, over 70 restaurants and bars and over 130
shops. Significant apres ski activities and extensive bed base have made
Breckenridge an attractive destination to national and international
destination guests. The Company anticipates significant additional resort
lodging growth will be fueled by third party developers as well as by the
development of the Company's owned properties, (see "Acquired Resorts--Real
Estate").
KEYSTONE
Keystone Mountain, located approximately 70 miles west of Denver and 15
miles from Breckenridge, is North America's third most popular mountain
resort, achieving 1.06 million skier days during the 1995-96 ski season.
Comprised of three mountains and interconnected by a network of 19 lifts,
including two high speed gondolas and three high speed quad chairlifts,
Keystone provides over 1,739 skiable acres suited to a wide variety of skier
ability levels. Keystone has the largest and most advanced snowmaking
capability of any Colorado mountain resort with snowmaking coverage extending
over 49% of Keystone's skiable acreage. As a result, Keystone is typically
among the first mountain resorts in the nation to open each season and is one
of the last to close. Keystone also provides the largest single-mountain night
skiing experience in North America. With 13 lighted trails covering 2,340
vertical feet from the summit to the base, Keystone offers a 12 1/2 hour ski
day allowing day guests to customize their ski day and providing destination
guests the opportunity to ski on arrival days. Keystone is a planned family-
oriented community which offers a variety of year round activities, the
majority of which will be operated by the Company, including 20 on-mountain
and in-valley restaurants and 24,522 feet of on-mountain and in-valley retail
and rental stores. Planned upgrades to Keystone Mountain include (i) for the
1996-97 ski season, the construction of $5 million of snowboarding related
improvements, including a snowboard park, representing the first time
snowboarders will be allowed on Keystone Mountain and a significant
opportunity for Keystone to capture a share of this growing market and (ii)
for the 1997-98 ski season, the installation of a new high speed quad access
lift from one of the resort's major base areas.
43
The Keystone JV is developing a significant portion of the Keystone Resort,
and expects to add up to 3,400 residential and lodging units and up to 318,000
square feet of retail and restaurant space over the next 20 years. The Company
believes that the build-out of this real estate will result in increased skier
days and Resort Revenue per skier day and will significantly increase the
number of higher revenue destination guests at Keystone Resort (see "Acquired
Resorts--Real Estate").
ARAPAHOE BASIN
Arapahoe Basin is the highest ski area in North America, offering over 486
acres of skiing with a summit elevation of 13,050 feet. This high elevation
allows for the longest ski season in Colorado, with the mountain remaining
open well into June and even as late as August. During the 1995-96 ski season,
Arapahoe Basin had 241,435 skier days. Arapahoe Basin has a rustic flavor and
offers limited amenities, primarily targeting the skiing enthusiast with
advanced intermediate to expert ski terrain. The Company is currently
reviewing the possibility of adding snowmaking facilities to Arapahoe Basin,
which would improve conditions during the traditional ski season and allow the
Company to offer year round skiing, which it believes would be a popular
attraction to the numerous summer tourists in Colorado.
ACCESSIBILITY
Given their close proximity to Vail/Eagle County Airport ("Vail/Eagle
Airport") and the recently-completed Denver International Airport ("DIA"), all
of the Company's five resorts are easily accessible to national and
international destination resort guests, as well as to day travelers from the
Denver metropolitan area. The Vail/Eagle Airport is located within 25 miles of
Beaver Creek and reasonably accessible to the Acquired Resorts and can
accommodate large jet aircraft from major metropolitan areas. The Company
estimates that approximately 35% of the destination guests arriving at the
Existing Resorts currently arrive through Vail/Eagle Airport, up from only 3%
in 1990. The Company estimates that approximately 60% of the destination
guests traveling to the Existing Resorts and a similar percentage of the
destination guests traveling to the Acquired Resorts arrive through DIA.
Over the last six years, the Company has worked closely with the nation's
major airlines to significantly improve accessibility to its resorts through
Vail/Eagle Airport. As a result of these efforts, the number of daily non-stop
flights, total seats, major airlines and cities served by Vail/Eagle Airport
have increased significantly. The Company expects that Vail/Eagle Airport will
continue to expand its operations and offer more direct flights to more North
American cities. In the spring of 1996, American Airlines announced plans to
add four daily flights to the Vail/Eagle Airport, as well as two additional
flights per week from Miami International Airport, representing a total of
approximately 73,000 additional annual seats, a 44% increase in total airline
seats from the 1995-96 ski season. Furthermore, the Company continues to work
with the major airlines to increase both direct and connecting international
flights into Vail/Eagle Airport. Presently, guests from major cities located
in Europe, South America, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Rim
can conveniently fly to the Vail Valley with only a single stopover or
connection through a major U.S. city. The Company believes that its proximity
to Vail/Eagle Airport provides it with a significant competitive advantage
relative to other North American destination ski resorts. In order to induce
major air carriers to offer flights from new cities to the Vail/Eagle Airport,
the Company has entered into agreements guaranteeing a minimum seat occupancy.
The Company made no payments under these agreements during fiscal 1995 and
1996 and has made no material payments under the agreements during the last
five years.
44
As of September 30, 1996, scheduled flights to the Vail/Eagle Airport for
the 1996-97 ski season are as follows:
NUMBER OF FLIGHTS NUMBER OF SEATS
CARRIER CITY PER WEEK PER SEASON
------- ---- ----------------- ---------------
American Dallas/Fort Worth 23 65,800
American Chicago 15 42,864
American Miami 3 8,084
American New York 1 2,820
American Newark 7 21,244
American Los Angeles 7 21,244
Delta Atlanta 7 20,340
Northwest Minneapolis/St. Paul 9 28,690
Northwest Detroit 2 6,460
United Denver 28 42,944
United Los Angeles 28 9,592
Western Pacific Colorado Springs 28 14,760
--- -------
151 284,842*
=== =======
- --------
* Compares to approximately 164,000 seats during the 1995-96 ski season.
WEATHER, SNOWMAKING AND GROOMING
Given their location in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Vail Mountain and
Beaver Creek Mountain receive some of the most reliable snowfall experienced
anywhere in the world, averaging approximately 340 inches of annual snowfall
over the last 20 years, which is significantly in excess of the average for
all ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains for such period.
Despite the natural snowfall described above, the Company continues to
invest in the latest technology in snowmaking systems and actively acquires
additional water rights, which has allowed it to offer its guests more
predictable and consistent conditions, particularly during the early and late
ski season. During 1995, the Company doubled its snowmaking capacity on Vail
Mountain and purchased water rights sufficient to enable a further doubling of
snowmaking capacity in the future. For the 1996-97 ski season, the Company
will increase snowmaking capacity on Beaver Creek Mountain by 60% and, with
the addition of a new reservoir planned for completion in 1997, will further
increase snowmaking capacity on Beaver Creek Mountain by an additional 100%.
For the 1996-97 ski season, approximately 800 acres of the Company's ski
terrain will be covered by snowmaking. In addition, the Company has extensive
snowgrooming equipment, including the largest fleet of snowcats in the world.
The Acquired Resorts are also located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and
receive consistent and reliable natural snowfall which has averaged in excess
of 255 inches over the last 20 years. In addition to abundant natural
snowfall, the Acquired Resorts have made a significant investment in
snowmaking technology and equipment. Keystone Resort currently has the largest
and most advanced snowmaking system in Colorado, enabling it to manufacture
snow using less water and at warmer temperatures than other mountain resorts.
With the ability to cover approximately 49% of the mountain, including trails
accessible from each lift, with snow, Keystone has consistently been one of
the first resorts in Colorado to open each ski season. Breckenridge's
snowmaking system currently has the capacity to cover 360 acres and management
plans to upgrade the existing snowmaking system and increase capacity to cover
an additional 180 acres for the 1997-98 season. While Arapahoe Basin does not
currently possess snowmaking capability, as the highest lift-served mountain
in the United States, Arapahoe Basin enjoys abundant natural snowfall and a
favorable climate which typically allows Arapahoe Basin to offer a longer ski
season than any other mountain resort in Colorado.
45
The Company's snowmaking capabilities and diversity of activities and
services has mitigated the effects of fluctuations in yearly snowfall. The
chart below illustrates the Company's historical ability to increase Resort
Revenue at the Existing Resorts despite fluctuations in annual snowfall.
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
CUSTOMERS
The Company's customers are primarily comprised of worldwide resort
destination guests and, to a lesser extent, day skiers from the Front Range,
the Vail Valley and Summit County. For the 1995-96 ski season, the Company
believes that destination guests represented 77% of total skier days at the
Existing Resorts and 69% of total skier days at the Acquired Resorts, for a
combined average of 73%.
By offering diverse vacation experiences and services at a variety of price
points, the Existing and Acquired Resorts attract a broad guest population
with complementary demographic profiles, allowing the Company to compete for a
wide array of potential customers. The following chart highlights that while
the Existing Resorts attract a more affluent guest with a higher relative
concentration from the Northeast and Western United States, the Acquired
Resorts attract a more price sensitive consumer with a relative higher
concentration from the Southern and Midwestern United States. In addition,
while international guests at the Existing Resorts have a higher relative
concentration from Mexico and South America, international guests at the
Acquired Resorts have a higher relative concentration from Europe
(particularly the United Kingdom) and Australia/New Zealand.
46
COMPARISON OF CUSTOMER DEMOGRAPHICS
ANNUAL INCOME OF SKIERS*
EXISTING ACQUIRED
RESORTS RESORTS
-------- --------
Less than $50,000....................................... 29.0% 41.1%
$50,000 - $100,000...................................... 23.2% 35.1%
------ ------
Less than $100,000...................................... 52.2% 76.2%
$100,000 - $200,000..................................... 24.0% 16.5%
Greater than $200,000................................... 23.8% 7.3%
------ ------
Greater than $100,000................................... 47.8% 23.8%
Total................................................... 100.0% 100.0%
====== ======
GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN OF DESTINATION SKIERS**
EXISTING ACQUIRED
RESORTS RESORTS
-------- --------
South................................................... 26.6% 28.4%
Northeast............................................... 24.5% 17.0%
Midwest................................................. 22.8% 33.2%
International........................................... 12.7% 12.5%
West.................................................... 11.7% 6.4%
Non-Colorado Rocky Mountains............................ 1.7% 2.5%
------ ------
100.0% 100.0%
====== ======
GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN OF INTERNATIONAL SKIERS**
EXISTING ACQUIRED
RESORTS RESORTS
-------- --------
United Kingdom.......................................... 34.4% 43.4%
Mexico/South America.................................... 22.6% 3.9%
Canada.................................................. 15.1% 11.8%
Europe.................................................. 16.1% 23.7%
Australia/New Zealand................................... 8.6% 13.2%
Other................................................... 3.2% 4.0%
------ ------
100.0% 100.0%
====== ======
- --------
* Based upon mountain surveys conducted by RRC Associates at the Existing and
Acquired Resorts during the 1995-96 ski season.
** Based upon mountain surveys conducted by RRC Associates at the Existing
Resorts during the 1995-96 ski season and at the Acquired Resorts during
the 1994-95 ski season.
Although the Company's resorts accommodate a wide range of budgets and
attract guests from different regions of the country and the world, both the
Existing Resorts and the Acquired Resorts attract family-oriented guests who
tend to generate higher and more diversified revenues per guest than day
skiers from local population centers. Forty-seven percent of the guests at the
Existing Resorts visited with their families during the 1995-96 ski season.
International guests, who tend to have longer average stays and higher
vacation expenditures than other destination guests, accounted for
approximately 13% of the Existing Resorts' destination skier days during the
1995-96 ski season, an increase from 5% in fiscal 1988. The Company believes
that this growth was partially
47
attributable to the prestige gained by, and the promotional opportunities
resulting from, the Existing Resorts' hosting of the 1989 World Alpine Ski
Championships, which had an estimated worldwide television viewership of over
300 million people. The Company anticipates a further increase in
international visits will result when it hosts the 1999 World Alpine Ski
Championships. As the first North American site to host the event twice, the
Company will use the occasion to promote both the Existing Resorts and the
Acquired Resorts to further increase its penetration of the international
market. Breckenridge Mountain has excellent relationships with European tour
operators, a primary factor behind the Acquired Resorts' international guests
representing 13% of its destination skier days. The Company intends to expand
these relationships to further promote the Existing Resorts throughout Europe.
Consistent with the trends in the overall ski market, snowboarders represent
the fastest growing segment of the Company's guest demographic. The Company
believes that, for the 1995-96 ski season, snowboarders represented 11% of the
total skier days at the Existing Resorts and 15% at the Acquired Resorts
(excluding Keystone which will first offer snowboarding for the 1996-97 ski
season). The Company is committed to promoting snowboarding as an exciting
outgrowth of traditional skiing. As an example of this commitment, the Company
has upgraded the snowboard facilities at the Existing Resorts, published trail
maps for the convenience of snowboarders and created additional trails, half-
pipes and other varied terrain to attract snowboarders. For the 1996-97 ski
season, Keystone Mountain will complete construction of $5 million in
snowboarding related improvements, including a snowboarding park. Furthermore,
the ski schools at the Acquired Resorts have added extensive snowboarding
instruction to their schedules, and these classes have become one of the
fastest growing lesson products offered in the industry. The Company believes
that snowboarding, which is easier to learn and excel at than skiing, will
continue to increase the Company's skier days.
The Company believes that the Existing and Acquired Resorts are well
positioned to respond to the needs presented by the industry trends toward
family vacationers, conference attendees, international travelers and
snowboarders, while at the same time attracting guests from differing economic
and geographic backgrounds. By marketing to different economic and geographic
consumers, the Company intends to minimize competition among the resorts for
the same guest dollar while providing the opportunity to cross-market the
Existing and Acquired Resorts. The Company believes that it has been
successful at providing an exceptional vacation experience to its guests as
evidenced by the fact that for the 1995-96 ski season over 75% of the guests
at the Existing Resorts and approximately 50% of the guests at the Acquired
Resorts, were return visitors.
RESORT OPERATIONS
The Company derives Resort Revenue from a wide variety of sources, including
lift ticket sales, ski school, equipment rental, retail stores, restaurants,
travel reservation services, lodging, property, club and conference
management, real estate brokerage, licensing and sponsorship activities,
recreational activities (including golf and tennis facilities) and property,
club and conference management.
48
The Company's ability to appeal to a broad spectrum of guests and offer a
wide selection of activities and services has enabled the Company to generate
Resort Revenue per skier day at the Existing Resorts that is among the highest
in the industry and approximately 53% higher than the average Resort Revenue
per skier day of all ski areas in the United States. Set forth below is a
chart outlining the Resort Revenue per skier day at both the Existing and
Acquired Resorts for fiscal 1995 and the 12 months ended June 30, 1996, and a
comparison to industry averages for the 1994-95 ski season.
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
Lift ticket revenue represents the single largest revenue source at both the
Existing and Acquired Resorts. While lift ticket revenue at the Existing
Resorts increased 23% over the last five years, non-lift ticket revenue
increased 72% over the same time period and currently represents over 50% of
Resort Revenue. The Company expects non-lift ticket revenue will continue to
grow at a greater rate than lift ticket revenue as a result of the ongoing
expansion of the activities and services it provides.
REVENUES FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 ($ EXISTING ACQUIRED
IN THOUSANDS) RESORTS RESORTS TOTAL
------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- --------
Lift Ticket Revenue................................ $ 69,307 $ 64,361 $133,668
Non-Lift Ticket Revenue............................ 69,828 70,709 140,537
-------- -------- --------
Total Resort Revenue............................... $139,135 $135,070 $274,205
======== ======== ========
The Company believes there are selected opportunities to increase non-lift
ticket revenue at the Acquired Resorts. While overall non-lift ticket revenue
represents 50% of total Resort Revenue at the Acquired Resorts due to the
extensive hospitality operation at Keystone Resort, activities such as ski
school are far less developed than they are at the Existing Resorts, and
operations such as retail and food service at Breckenridge Mountain are very
modest. In addition to creating new activities at the Acquired Resorts, the
Company intends to implement a number of the operating strategies currently in
place at the Existing Resorts, such as incentivized selling techniques and
cross marketing programs, to increase guest participation in Company operated
activities.
Lift Ticket Revenue ($133.7 million of revenue for the 12 months ended June
30, 1996, pro forma for the Acquisition ("Pro Forma LTM Revenue")). The
Existing Resorts' favorable demographics and world class resort facilities
have enabled the Company to achieve premium ticket pricing. The Company's lead
ticket price, which for the 1995-96 ski season was $48 a day, is among the
highest in the industry. To maximize skier volume during non-peak periods and
attract certain segments of the market, the Company also offers a wide variety
of incentive ticket programs, including season passes, student rates, group
discounts and senior discounts.
49
Depending upon anticipated levels of skier demand at various times throughout
the ski season, the Company sells lift tickets at reduced prices. The Company
engages in sophisticated yield management analysis to maximize its ETP which
was $31.13 for the 1995-96 ski season, and among the highest in the industry.
Over the past ten fiscal years, the Company has been able to increase its ETP
at an average of 4.1% per year.
The Acquired Resorts ETP for the 1995-96 season was $24.19. The Company
believes that the differential in ETP between the Acquired Resorts and the
Existing Resorts is partially a result of different guest demographics. The
Company intends to introduce a "five mountain pass" allowing guests to ski at
any one of the Company's five resorts which the Company believes will increase
the perceived value of its lift tickets.
Ski School ($33.3 million of Pro Forma LTM Revenue). The Company believes
that the Vail/Beaver Creek Ski School(TM) is the largest (1,288 instructors),
most profitable ski school in the world and has a higher guest participation
rate than any other ski school in the world. The Vail/Beaver Creek Ski School
has achieved revenue growth of 53% since 1991. Future growth is expected to
stem in part from the significant growth in the sport of snowboarding, for
which the ski school has qualified instructors, and technological advances
currently taking place in alpine skiing equipment.
The success of the ski school comes from (i) personalizing and enhancing the
guest vacation experience, (ii) creating new teaching and learning systems
(many of which have historically been purchased from the Company by the
Professional Ski Instructors of America and adopted as the standard for the
industry), (iii) introducing innovative teaching methods for children,
including separate children's centers, mountain-wide attractions, themed
entertainment and teaching systems geared toward specific age groups, and (iv)
continually creating new techniques to react to technological advances in
ski/snowboard equipment.
Another differentiating characteristic of the Vail/Beaver Creek Ski School
is its commitment to instructor training procedures and customer service. In
addition to ski technique, instructors are trained to match teaching
methodologies to individual learning styles. Each instructor is trained in
sports psychology and the latest sports performance enhancement techniques.
Customer service is continually reviewed and improved as the result of
feedback from customers. The Company has adopted a pay incentive program to
reward instructors based on guest satisfaction and repeat students.
Breckenridge and Keystone also have significant ski school operations which
on a combined basis include more than 900 full and part-time instructors.
During the 1995-96 ski season, the Breckenridge and Keystone ski schools
achieved a 8.0% guest participation rate versus a rate of 11.8% at the
Company's Existing Resorts. The Company believes that by implementing
strategies similar to those utilized at its Existing Resorts, such as
incentive compensation programs and new lesson products, it can increase ski
school participation rates at the Acquired Resorts.
Food Service ($37.7 million of Pro Forma LTM Revenue). Food service is a
key component in providing a satisfying guest experience and has been an
important source of revenue growth for the Company. The Company believes that
by owning and operating both on-mountain and base area restaurants, it can
better ensure the quality of products and services offered to its guests, as
well as capture a greater percentage of the guest's vacation expenditures. The
strategies with respect to its food service operations include (i) focusing
growth in venues which allow for food service throughout the day and
throughout the year, including breakfast, lunch, apres-ski, dinner, evening
entertainment, group functions and summer/non-ski season operations, (ii)
creating unique themed environments to maximize guest enjoyment and revenue
opportunities, (iii) further expanding on-mountain seating, (iv) offering
affordable family lunchtime and evening dining and entertainment, (v)
continuing to create additional private clubs and restaurants which are
financed through memberships and the sale of related real estate and (vi)
continuing affiliations with institutions such as Johnson and Wales, one of
the largest culinary and restaurant management schools in the world. The large
number of food service facilities operated by the Company allows it to improve
margins through large quantity purchasing agreements and sponsorship
relationships.
The Company's restaurant operations range from full service sit-down
restaurants to trailside express food outlets and offer a wide variety of
cuisine. The Company operates 19 restaurants on Vail Mountain and 11
50
restaurants on Beaver Creek Mountain and in Beaver Creek Village. The Company
currently has indoor seating capacity on Vail Mountain of 3,136 (which will be
increased to 3,717 for the 1996-97 ski season). On Beaver Creek Mountain the
Company currently has 1,449 indoor seats.
Over the next 24 months, the Company intends to open a number of new food
service facilities, each of which will be themed and provide apres ski,
nighttime and off-season dining. These facilities are as follows:
INDOOR OUTDOOR
RESTAURANT SEATS SEATS LOCATION DESCRIPTION
- ---------- ------ ------- -------- -----------
Vail Mountain
Eagle's Nest Bar*...... 80 300 Eagle's Nest Mountain top setting with excep-
tional views; accessed by Vail's
new high speed gondola; serving
drinks and finger foods; open for
lunch, dinner, apres ski and eve-
ning entertainment.
Eagle's Nest Pizze- 170 0 Eagle's Nest Mountain top setting with excep-
ria*.................. tional views; accessed by Vail's
new high speed gondola; seating
in old gondola cars amid vintage
ski equipment; serving pizza;
open for lunch, dinner, apres
ski.
Cucina Riva*........... 215 176 Golden Peak Slope-side northern Italian din-
ing featuring a display kitchen
and located within easy walking
distance of Vail Village; open
year round for breakfast, lunch,
dinner, apres ski.
Wreck Room*............ 116 0 Golden Peak Located on the lower level of the
Golden Peak base lodge; designed
to accommodate children and ski
groups; offering casual dining in
a relaxed setting; open for
breakfast, lunch, dinner and
apres ski.
Game Creek Club*....... 191 76 Game Creek Bowl Set amid Vail's Game Creek Bowl,
this nighttime adventure restau-
rant is accessed by sleigh or
snowcat from a pick-up point at
the top of Vail's new gondola.
Already open for lunch, this fa-
cility will now also be open for
dinner and special events.
Beaver Creek Mountain
One Beaver Creek**..... -- -- Base of Centennial Slope-side dining with signifi-
Lift cant outdoor seating located ad-
jacent to large retail plaza,
Beaver Creek Village and the
Hyatt hotel; open for breakfast,
lunch, dinner and apres ski.
Village Center**....... -- -- Beaver Creek Located adjacent to the ice rink
Village and Beaver Creek performing arts
center; open for breakfast,
lunch, dinner, apres ski.
- --------
* New for 1996-97 ski season
** New for 1997-98 ski season. Seating to be determined.
Keystone operates almost all of the food service facilities available to
guests at the Keystone Resort, with 12 on-mountain restaurants totaling 3,200
indoors seats in addition to eight in-valley restaurants. Keystone has the
only two AAA Four Diamond fine dining restaurants in Summit County, including
the highest on-mountain
51
dining facility in North America. Open for dinner year round, these
establishments are popular among resort guests and have a significant
following among residents and visitors to the greater Summit County as well.
As a popular year round resort, Keystone generates significant food service
revenues throughout the non-ski season, including substantial banquet revenues
from groups utilizing Keystone's conference center facility. The Company
expects to further expand its food service operations, including the addition
of a number of new restaurants, as the Company exercises its option to lease
commercial space developed by the Keystone JV (see "Acquired Resorts--Real
Estate").
Breckenridge owns and operates four on-mountain restaurants totaling only
1,090 indoor seats and as a result achieved only $1.54 in mountain food
service revenue per skier day during the 1995-96 season. This compares to
$5.37 in mountain food service revenue per skier day achieved by the Existing
Resorts during the same season. Due to Breckenridge's lack of on-mountain
dining options, most Breckenridge guests dine at food establishments located
in the town of Breckenridge which are owned and operated by third parties.
Management believes there is a substantial opportunity to expand dining
operations at Breckenridge and capture a significantly greater percentage of
its guest food expenditures.
Arapahoe Basin owns a 700 seat cafeteria style restaurant located at the
base of the mountain and a 260 seat limited service lunch facility located at
the mountain's mid-station.
Hospitality ($31.5 million of LTM Pro Forma Revenue). The Company's
hospitality operations are designed to offer the Company's guests a full
complement of quality resort services and provide the Company with additional
sources of revenue and profitability. These operations include reservations,
tour and travel operations, lodging and property, club and conference center
management.
The Existing Resort's reservation center provides the Company's guests with
information and access to the full complement of the resorts' services and
activities. The center handles over 90,000 calls per year and is capable of
booking and selling airline and ground transportation, lodging, lift tickets,
ski school and most other Vail Valley activities, earning commissions on each
third party sale. The Acquired Resorts operate two full service reservations
operations, Keystone Reservations and "Reservations for the Summit". Keystone
Reservations handles over 330,000 calls per year and is capable of booking and
selling discounted airline tickets, rental cars, ground transportation,
condominium/hotel accommodations, lift tickets, ski lessons, ski rentals,
dinner reservations and recreation activities prior to a guest's arrival at
the resort. "Reservations for the Summit" provides a similar range of services
for Summit County as a whole, handling over 50,000 calls per year. The
Acquired Resorts believe that 97% of Keystone's overnight guests (representing
approximately $39 million in sales) and an additional 1.2% of Summit County
overnight guests (representing $3 million in sales) use these reservation
services.
Both the Existing Resorts' reservation center and "Reservations for the
Summit" are relatively new operations, which the Company believes will
continue to grow as the operations mature. Following the Acquisition, the
Company believes that a significant opportunity exists to expand the Company's
central reservation operations, by (a) creating preferred relationships with
major travel companies, (b) increasing purchases of bulk air and large blocks
of room nights, (c) capitalizing on the growth of the Company's customer
database, (d) expanding the variety of activities and services offered and (e)
improving cross-selling of the Company's activities and services, particularly
prior to the guest's arrival at the resort.
The Company's property management operation seeks to utilize the Company's
hospitality expertise through the first class management of lodging properties
owned by both the Company and third parties. The Company currently manages 13
properties, including hotels, timeshare projects and condominiums. The Company
believes that its substantial historical investment in this operation will
allow for growth at attractive margins as new properties are brought under
management. One source of new properties for this operation will be the
continued development of the Company's real estate throughout the Vail Valley.
In certain situations, such as the Pines Lodge in Beaver Creek Resort (a 60
room luxury hotel), the Company will purchase properties whose financial
performance can be improved through the Company's property management
operation.
52
The Acquired Resorts' property management operations are primarily conducted
at Keystone Resort where the Acquired Resorts have property management
contracts representing approximately 85% of the Keystone Resort bed base.
Property management services performed by the Acquired Resorts includes rental
management of 855 condominiums and homes, maintenance services to non-renting
unit owners, and association management services to condominium associations.
In fiscal 1996, property management activities generated more than 179,000
room nights at Keystone Resort. The Company believes the scope of property
management operations at Keystone provides a number of important advantages
including the ability to set quality standards for rental unit participants,
ensuring guests receive a consistent lodging product and providing the
reservation operations with significant lodging inventory. The Company expects
the property management operations to continue to expand as it secures
contracts on the additional condominiums and homes developed by the Keystone
JV and third party developers. See "Business--Real Estate".
The Company will own and operate the Keystone Conference Center, which hosts
the second largest number of winter and summer resort conventions in Colorado.
With meeting facilities totaling 32,500 square feet and capable of
accommodating groups of up to 1,800, the Keystone Conference Center draws
groups throughout the year and is typically sold-out during the non-ski
season. In fiscal 1996, the Keystone Conference Center hosted over 670 groups,
generating more than $3 million of banquet food service revenues and 82,000
room nights at the resort. Additionally, the Company believes that over 90% of
the conference center attendees utilize the Acquired Resorts' recreational
facilities and activities, including skiing, golf, tennis and horseback
riding. The Company is presently reviewing plans to add 25,000 square feet of
exhibit space to the Keystone Conference Center, which would allow it to
accommodate the significant excess demand which it currently experiences. In
addition to the Keystone Conference Center, the Acquired Resorts own and
operate the 152 room Keystone Lodge, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide, and operate The Inn at Keystone, a hotel, meeting and banquet
facility, under a management contract.
The Company is also active in the creation and management of private
membership clubs, which allows the Company to provide high-end services and
amenities to its upper income guest, and evening dining options and other
services and activities to its overall guest population. The Company's current
clubs include (i) the Beaver Creek Club, which offers members luncheon
privileges at Beano's Cabin (which is open to the general public for dinner)
and certain golf, tennis and skiing amenities, (ii) Game Creek Club, which
offers members luncheon privileges and will be open to the general public for
dinner commencing with the 1996-97 ski season, and (iii) the Passport
Clubhouse at Golden Peak(TM), which, when completed, will provide members with
a reserved parking space, concierge services, a private dining facility and
locker and club facilities at the base of Vail Mountain. In addition to using
membership sales to defray and in some cases entirely pay for the cost of
construction, the Company earns management fees for overseeing club
operations. The Company intends to create selected additional clubs over the
next five years, including the Arrowhead Alpine Club at Arrowhead Village and
a mountain club to be located in Bachelor Gulch Village similar to Beano's
Cabin. These clubs allow the Company to add to its restaurant operations and
related skier service and retail operations, at a relatively modest capital
cost.
Retail/Rental Operations ($13.9 million in Pro Forma LTM Revenue). The
Company's retail division operates all on-mountain locations and selected base
area locations. Over the last six months, the Company has taken several steps
to significantly expand the scope of its retail and rental operations in order
to maximize Resort Revenue and Resort Cash Flow derived from these activities.
This expansion will increase retail space from 32,000 square feet in fiscal
1996 to 40,300 for fiscal 1997 and 59,000 square feet for fiscal 1998.
The Company's on-mountain retail locations offer ski accessories (i.e.,
hats, gloves, sunglasses, goggles, warmers), snack food and selected logo
merchandise, all in locations which are conveniently located for skiers. Off-
mountain, the Company operates both ski equipment rental and retail locations.
The Company's retail operations typically feature Company or resort-related
logo merchandise and products of the Company's sponsors. The Company's rental
operations offer a wide variety of ski and snowboard equipment for daily and
weekly use. The Company intends to utilize certain locations within the
Company's newly created leasable space as new retail and rental operations,
while continuing to maintain a significant presence of third party tenants.
53
The Acquired Resorts have significant retail and rental operations at
Keystone Resort, both in the base area and on-mountain. Base area operations
include seven venues covering 24,522 square feet with a mix of ski/snowboard
retail and rental products. For the 1996-97 ski season, the Acquired Resorts
will operate one retail shop at Breckenridge Mountain and one at Arapahoe
Basin. The Company intends to significantly expand on- mountain and base area
retail operations at Breckenridge.
Commercial Leasing Operations. The Company owns significant on-mountain and
base area restaurant, retail and commercial space at both Vail Mountain and
Beaver Creek Mountain. The Company operates all on-mountain space and leases a
portion of its base area space to third parties. The strategy of the Company's
leasing operation is to secure the commercial locations adjacent to its resorts
for retail, restaurant and entertainment venues and carefully select the
appropriate tenant mix for these locations to provide a high quality and
diverse selection of retailers and restauranteurs. The Company anticipates a
significant expansion in its owned commercial space over the next two years.
Upon the completion of One Beaver Creek and Beaver Creek Village Center, the
Company's leasable restaurant and retail space will increase from 39,179 square
feet to 69,439 square feet. These projects will also include the creation of a
"Rockefeller Center" style year-round ice skating rink and a 518 seat
performing arts theater in the center of Beaver Creek Village which management
believes, in combination with the additional square footage, will bring the
entire village to the critical mass necessary to serve as a new destination for
shopping in the Vail Valley. The Company currently owns 23,973 square feet of
retail and restaurant space at the base of Vail Mountain and has 20,889 square
feet of additional such space under construction and expected to be completed
prior to the 1996-97 ski season. The information set forth above excludes the
Company's on-mountain retail, restaurant and commercial space. See "Business--
Growth Initiatives."
The Acquired Resorts currently have limited commercial leasing operations.
The Company, through the Keystone JV, will significantly expand its commercial
leasing operations (which currently leases 18,500 square feet of commercial
space to third parties) through its development activities at Keystone Resort.
In addition, the Company intends to retain commercial space created by the
Company's development activities at Breckenridge Mountain.
Licensing and Sponsorship. An important part of the Company's business
strategy is to leverage its brand name by (i) entering into sponsorship
relationships and strategic alliances with world-class business partners, (ii)
building its logo and licensing business and (iii) gaining national and
international exposure through the hosting of special events. The Company's
leading industry position coupled with the demographics of its customer base
make it an attractive partner. Examples of the Company's sponsors include (i)
FILA, which is supplying the Company's employee ski uniforms over a six-year
period and has launched a line of clothing using the Vail name and logo (ii)
Chevy Trucks, which provides the Company with mountain vehicles and national
marketing exposure, and (iii) Pepsi, which, among other things, provides
substantial marketing benefits. The Company's sponsorship arrangements
typically have a three to five year term and provide benefits in the form of
cash payments, expense reductions, capital improvements and/or marketing
exposure. The Company has licensed the use of its trademarks to over one
hundred companies for a variety of products such as apparel and sunglasses.
While the terms of each license agreement vary, such agreements generally are
for a two-year term and provide for the payment by the licensee of quarterly
royalty payments ranging from 6% to 8% of the gross wholesale price of the
licensed goods.
The Acquired Resorts do not currently have significant revenues from
licensing and sponsorship activities. The Company plans to extend existing
licensing and sponsorship relationships across the brand names of the Acquired
Resorts and create new relationships which leverage the exposure the Company
can offer corporate sponsors to almost five million winter skier days and
numerous summer visitors.
Vail and Beaver Creek Mountains are frequently the sites of special events
and promotions. In addition to hosting annual World Cup Skiing and World Cup
Biking events, Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek Mountain have collectively been
chosen as the site for the 1997 World Cup Skiing Finals and the 1999 World
Alpine
54
Skiing Championships, an event previously hosted by Vail in 1989, marking the
first time a North American site has been selected twice. These events give
the Company significant international exposure. TV viewership in Europe for
World Cup Skiing and the World Alpine Skiing Championships is estimated to be
in excess of 250 million viewers. These events will be organized by and co-
hosted with the Vail Valley Foundation, a non-profit foundation whose mandate
is to bring international sporting and cultural events to the Vail Valley. The
Foundation provides significant funding, volunteers and liability assumption
in conjunction with such events. The Company's facilities are also the site of
numerous skiing, snowboarding and music events sponsored by corporations.
These events generate revenue for the Company through sponsorship fees and
increased skier traffic, as well as provide national and international brand
exposure through television and advertising campaigns. The Company also owns
an interest in an events production company, Eclipe Television and Sports
Marketing, LLC, which creates and produces made-for-TV events.
Brokerage
The Company's real estate brokerage operations are conducted through a joint
venture in which the Company has a 50% interest. The joint venture was created
in June 1994 to facilitate the merger of the Company's brokerage operations,
Vail Associates Real Estate, Inc., with the brokerage operations of Slifer,
Smith and Frampton, which combined the two largest brokerage operations in the
Vail Valley. The joint venture has a large share of both first time developer
sales and resales throughout the Vail Valley, creating both a significant
source of profitability and a valuable source of information in planning and
marketing the Company's real estate projects. The joint venture will continue
to benefit from its position as the preferred provider of brokerage services
to all of the Company's future development projects. In addition to profit
distributions from the joint venture, the Company will directly receive
certain override payments on all brokerage revenue from sales of its own
property. Brokerage operations at Keystone are operated by the Keystone JV.
Other Revenue Sources
The Company also derives revenue during the non-ski season by offering
guests a variety of activities and services, including (i) gondola and
chairlift rides, (ii) on-mountain and base area bike rentals, (iii) on-
mountain lunch operations, (iv) wedding and group functions at mountain and
village restaurants, (v) golf and tennis, (vi) horseback riding, fly fishing,
hiking and barbecues at Piney River Ranch(TM) and (vii) shopping at the
Company's retail locations. Management expects summer revenues to increase in
the future due to the expansion of the Company's restaurant, retail and group
event operations.
SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY
New information systems are helping the Company improve its guest
communications and enhance guest service and convenience. The Company has
consistently invested in new technology and is currently in the implementation
phase of a comprehensive systems and technology plan which was developed in
1995 and includes: (i) bar code lift ticket scanning systems that provide more
accurate tracking, control and information on all ticket and pass products;
(ii) a Direct-To-Lift access system that allows skiers to bypass the ticket
window and proceed directly to the lift with a photo ID that is linked to
their credit cards; (iii) a ski school reservation system that allows guests
to book a specific ski instructor, enabling the Company to optimize the
utilization of its 1,288 instructors; (iv) an equipment rental system that
tracks guest preferences, allows for resort-wide exchanges, and incorporates
state-of-the-art ski tuning technology, making it more convenient for a guest
to rent ski equipment; (v) an integrated customer database that tracks
information about Vail Resorts' guests which will be readily retrievable at
all points of sale, providing guest history, guest preferences and spending
patterns, functioning as both a source of information for "front-line" guest
service systems, as well as a "back-end" tool for the Company's direct
marketing and promotion activities; (vi) a resort-wide guest charging system
whereby a lift ticket or I.D. card can be used to charge goods or services at
any of the Company's facilities, eliminating the need for cash or credit cards
to make purchases; and (vii) an extensive data communications network which
links all on-mountain and off-mountain sales locations back to a central data
center.
55
Following the Acquisition, the Company intends to integrate systems which
exist at each resort, expanding the most advanced systems and replacing older
equipment. This will enable the Company to utilize common technology
throughout all of its resorts, allowing the Company to successfully implement
programs such as joint lift ticket passes and loyalty programs. The Company
believes it will realize significant synergies by leveraging its information
technology development costs over all five resorts, ensuring the Company's
industry leadership in this crucial aspect of guest service, marketing and
operations.
MARKETING AND SALES
The primary objectives of the Company's marketing efforts include (i)
continuing to increase the recognition and goodwill associated with the
Company's brand names and trademarks, (ii) building demand during both peak
and non-peak periods (iii) increasing overall sales through targeted
promotional programs in national and international markets, and (iv) capturing
a larger share of an individual vacationer's total out-of-pocket spending at
the Company's resorts. The Company's total marketing expenses for fiscal 1995
were $8.8 million for the Existing Resorts. Following the Acquisition, the
Company anticipates its total marketing budget will approach $20 million. A
major focus of this marketing program will also be to reinforce the image of a
"family" of five resorts, each with its distinct personality, theming and
character, but all providing an exciting, service-oriented vacation experience
with superior infrastructure and amenities.
Mountain resorts generally do not sell significant numbers of vacation
packages to travel agents or wholesale tour operators even though such agents
and operators control the vast majority of air travel vacations in the United
States and Canada. Following the Acquisition, the Company believes that it
will be able to supply sufficient lodging nights, air transportation and other
complementary activities and services to develop and aggressively distribute
vacation packages through this segment of the tourism industry.
The Company's primary marketing method is direct print media advertising in
ski industry publications such as SKI and Snow Country and lifestyle
publications such as Conde Nast Traveler and Bon Appetit, whose readership
reflects the demographic profile of the Company's clientele. The Company is
also very active in a number of promotional programs such as discount programs
offered through local retailers designed to attract day skiers from local
population centers. In an effort to target destination guests, a newspaper and
radio advertising campaign is used in markets which have direct air service to
the Vail/Eagle Airport.
In addition to advertisements directed at the vacation guest, an important
part of the Company's marketing activities is focused on attracting ski
groups, corporate meetings and convention business. During the 1995-96 ski
season, the Existing and Acquired Resorts hosted over 1,100 groups, ranging in
size from 10 to 2,100 people. The Company is constantly attracting new
conference business due to its excellence in providing professional planning
services, recreational activities, and superior dining and lodging facilities.
The Existing Resorts typically capture a large share of the high-end
professional conferences, particularly from the legal, medical, computer and
insurance communities due to the Company's world class facilities and
amenities.
The Company has intensified its use of sophisticated direct mail and direct
marketing techniques, including maintaining a sizable database of past
customers. In 1996, the Company sent directly or through third party marketing
arrangements over seven million pieces of direct mail to past and potential
customers.
REAL ESTATE
The Company benefits from its extensive holdings of real property at its
Existing Resorts and throughout the Vail Valley and from the activities of
VAREG, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. VAREG manages the Company's
real estate operations, including the planning, oversight, marketing,
infrastructure improvement and development of Vail Resorts' real property
holdings. In addition to the substantial cash flow generated from real estate
sales, these development activities benefit the Company's resort operations
through (i) the creation of additional resort lodging which is available to
the Company's guests, (ii) the ability to control the
56
architectural theming of its resorts, (iii) the creation of unique facilities
and venues (primarily themed restaurant and retail operations) which provide
the Company with the opportunity to create new sources of recurring revenue,
and (iv) the expansion of the Company's property management and brokerage
operations, which are the preferred providers of these services for all
developments on VAREG's land. In order to facilitate the development and sale
of its real estate holdings, VAREG spends significant amounts on mountain
improvements, such as ski lifts, snowmaking equipment and trail construction.
While these mountain improvements enhance the value of the real estate held
for sale (for example, by providing ski-in/ski-out accessibility), they also
benefit resort operations. In most cases, VAREG seeks to minimize the
Company's exposure to development risks and maximize the long-term value of
the Company's real property holdings by selling land to third party developers
for cash payments prior to the commencement of construction, while retaining
approval of all development plans as well as an interest in the developer's
profit. The Company also typically retains the option to purchase, at a price
significantly below fair market value, any retail/commercial space created in
a development. The Company is able to secure these benefits from third-party
developers as a result of the high property values and strong demand
associated with property in close proximity to its mountain resort facilities.
VAREG's principal activities include (i) the sale of single family homesites
to individual purchasers; (ii) the sale of certain land parcels to third party
developers for condominium, townhome, cluster home, lodge and mixed use
developments; (iii) the zoning, planning and marketing of new resort
communities (such as Beaver Creek Resort, Bachelor Gulch Village and
Arrowhead); (iv) arranging for the construction of the necessary roads,
utilities and mountain infrastructure for new resort communities; (v) the
development of certain mixed use condominium projects which are integral to
resort operations (such as the base facility at Golden Peak); and (vi) the
purchase of selected strategic land parcels, which the Company believes can
augment its existing land holdings or resort operations. The Company's current
development activities are focused on (i) the completion of its three resort
communities, Beaver Creek Resort, Bachelor Gulch Village and Arrowhead; (ii)
preparing for the redevelopment of the Lionshead base area and adjacent land
holdings; and (iii) the long-term planning of the Company's significant real
estate holdings in and around Avon and at the entrance to Beaver Creek Resort.
In developing its real estate holdings, VAREG typically contracts to sell
multi-family sites to third party developers who undertake the construction
and sale of these projects. In this case, the Company typically receives an
upfront cash payment and a residual interest in the profit realized by such
developers. In connection with the sale of single-family homesites and VAREG's
development of certain mixed use condominium projects, VAREG often seeks to
sell such homesites or condominium residences to individual purchasers in
advance of significant infrastructure investments. As a result, the Company is
able to forecast a large portion of its real estate revenues 12 to 18 months
in advance and reduce development risk prior to making significant
expenditures.
The Company's expenses associated with its real estate operations consist
primarily of: (i) selling costs, which include brokerage fees and direct
marketing costs, (ii) holding costs, which include property taxes and
insurance; (iii) operating expenses, which include VAREG's general and
administration expense; and (iv) the amortization of the capitalized land and
other costs relating to the property sold.
The Company has been able to have a substantial portion of the
infrastructure costs (primarily related to road and utility costs), in
connection with certain of its developments, funded by quasi-municipal
entities ("Metro Districts"). These Metro Districts raise funds through the
sale of tax-exempt municipal bonds supported by the assessed valuation of a
particular real estate development or district. The Company may guarantee bond
issuances by a Metro District during the early stages of a development until
the assessed valuation is sufficient to support the district's infrastructure
and other costs. A letter of credit has been issued under the credit
facilities on behalf of the Company in the amount of $27.6 million to secure
the Metro District bonds issued in connection with infrastructure and other
costs in Bachelor Gulch Village. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay
capital improvement fees to one of the Metro Districts. The Company estimates
that such payments will not exceed $5.7 million, payable over the four years
ending April 30, 2000.
In addition to the costs and expenses set forth above, VAREG spends
significant amounts on mountain improvements, such as ski lifts, snowmaking
equipment and trail construction. While these mountain
57
improvements enhance the value of the real estate held for sale (for example,
by providing ski-in/ski-out accessibility), they also benefit resort
operations. VAREG expenses all on mountain improvements undertaken in
conjunction with its real estate development activities as the related real
estate is sold.
A summary of the Company's historical real estate revenues and real estate
expenses are as follows:
NINE MONTHS
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED JUNE 30,
------------------------- ---------------
1994 1995 1996
------------ ------------ ---------------
Revenues:
Multi-family parcels........... $ 2,473,000 $ 8,906,000 $ 5,596,000
Single family lots............. 12,803,000 323,000 29,694,000
Other.......................... 6,927,000 7,297,000 424,000
------------ ------------ -----------
Total revenues............... 22,203,000 16,526,000 35,714,000
============ ============ ===========
Expenses:
Selling and holding costs...... 1,900,000 613,000 2,826,000
Operating expenses............. 4,464,000 5,163,000 3,402,000
Allocated land, infrastructure
and other costs............... 13,977,000 9,207,000 18,001,000
Allocated mountain improvement
costs......................... -- -- 7,022,000
------------ ------------ -----------
Total expenses............... 20,341,000 14,983,000 31,251,000
------------ ------------ -----------
Real estate operating income..... $ 1,862,000 $ 1,543,000 $ 4,463,000
============ ============ ===========
The Company currently owns acres of developable real estate, including
land zoned for residential units and square feet of commercial space.
The majority of the Company's undeveloped land holdings and current
development activities are located in Beaver Creek Resort, Bachelor Gulch
Village and Arrowhead. A summary of each of these resort communities is set
forth below.
Beaver Creek Resort
Since its opening in 1980, Beaver Creek Resort has emerged as one of the
world's premier resort communities. Beaver Creek Resort offers a wide array of
shopping, dining, lodging and entertainment options in addition to being the
primary skiing access point to Beaver Creek Mountain. See "Business--Beaver
Creek Mountain."
Over the past 12 months, VAREG has completed extensive development planning
to complete the Beaver Creek Resort village core. VAREG has sold the One
Beaver Creek and Beaver Creek Village Center development sites to third party
developers. These projects will be adjacent to the Company's existing retail
operations and will contain the majority of the Company's retail and
restaurant operations in Beaver Creek Resort. See "Business--Growth
Initiatives."
In addition to the completion of the Beaver Creek Resort village core, the
Company is engaged in the development of its residential property in Beaver
Creek Resort. In 1994, the Company sold 30 single-family ski-in-ski-out
homesites (averaging approximately two acres each), in an area known as
Strawberry Park on Beaver Creek Mountain. All 30 lots were sold by VAREG in
one day in a lottery format because demand significantly exceeded the number
of homesites available for purchase. Gross proceeds of this sale were
approximately $31 million, or an average of over $1.0 million per homesite.
The Company's remaining land holdings in Beaver Creek Resort consist of one
single-family homesite as well as zoned multi-family sites (requiring limited
additional infrastructure expenditures) expected to contain approximately 200
multi-family residences located at the entrances to Beaver Creek Resort. The
Company expects to sell these remaining land holdings over the next five
years.
58
Bachelor Gulch Village
The Bachelor Gulch Village development, which will be the newest village on
Beaver Creek Mountain, is comprised of 1,410 acres of Company-owned land
located in a valley between Arrowhead and Beaver Creek Resort. A private
residential resort community set in a natural ski mountain environment,
Bachelor Gulch Village will combine a skiing gateway to Beaver Creek Mountain,
an intimate mountain village and private, upscale real estate enclaves with
ski-in/ski-out access to a substantial portion of the homesites, and
architecture modeled after the grand lodges of the U.S. National Parks. In
addition, plans for Bachelor Gulf Village incorporate 67,880 square feet of
retail, restaurant and commercial space. Commencing with the 1996-97 ski
season, Bachelor Gulch Village will feature a high speed quad chairlift and
approximately 150 acres of mostly intermediate ski terrain contiguous with
Beaver Creek Mountain.
The Company is currently completing its master plan for the development of
746 residential units in Bachelor Gulch Village. Infrastructure development
commenced in 1994 and is expected to be substantially complete in 1998. A
significant portion of the infrastructure costs have already been incurred,
including the majority of the mountain improvements. A substantial portion of
these costs have been financed by a Metro District bond issue as described
above.
During the summer of 1995 and the winter and summer of 1996, 94 single-
family homesites (averaging approximately two acres per lot) were contracted
for by purchasers at prices aggregating $73 million (an average of $776,000
per lot). All 94 homesites were sold in a lottery format because demand
significantly exceeded the number of homesites available for purchase.
Closings of these sales are anticipated to occur in 1996 and 1997. The Company
is in discussions with developers regarding the sale of multifamily parcels in
Bachelor Gulch Village.
The Company's current unsold inventory in Bachelor Gulch Village consists of
17 single-family homesites, 49 cluster homesites and development parcels zoned
for 581 condominium, timeshare and lodge units. The Company expects to
complete the sale of these parcels over the next five to ten years.
Arrowhead
Arrowhead, known as "Vail's Private Address," is comprised of over 1,500
acres of Company-owned land and is recognized for its country club approach to
residential and resort amenities. Home of the Country Club of the Rockies, a
private golf club designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arrowhead features swimming, clay
tennis courts, hiking, mountain biking, private fly-fishing on the Eagle River
and privacy gates that assure controlled access 24 hours a day. Arrowhead
contains the westernmost skiing access point to Beaver Creek Mountain.
The Company's current development activities are focused on the development
of Arrowhead Village, a 218 unit staged development centered around an alpine
club. The proposed Arrowhead Alpine Club is expected to serve as the social
and athletic activity center of Arrowhead. The Arrowhead Alpine Club is
expected to be a 79,000 square foot facility consisting of 23 residential
condominiums and 16,200 square feet of spa and athletic training space and
9,200 square feet of restaurant, retail and skier service facilities. The
Company's plans to build the Arrowhead Alpine Club are contingent upon the
pre-sale of a sufficient number of condominium residences and Arrowhead Alpine
Club memberships. The Company is currently marketing both condominium
residences and Alpine Club memberships.
In Arrowhead Village, developers have commenced construction of 44 multi-
family units on land purchased from the Company. Multi-family parcels planned
for 42 additional units have been sold to developers and construction is
expected to begin in the Spring of 1997. In addition to the remaining multi-
family parcels in Arrowhead Village, the Company has extensive land holdings
in Arrowhead, including land zoned for 25 single-family homesites and 25
cluster homesites and land for 150 multi-family units which are planned but
not yet zoned.
59
In addition to the Company's extensive land holdings contained in the resort
communities discussed above, the Company has substantial land holdings in
Lionshead (located in the Town of Vail), Avon (located at the base of Beaver
Creek Mountain) and elsewhere in the Vail Valley.
Real Estate Contracts
As of September 30, 1996 the Company had entered into Real Estate Contracts
for the sale of certain real estate and related amenities for gross proceeds
of approximately $108.6 million as set forth in the chart below. The Company
estimates that subsequent to September 30, 1996, it will incur additional
selling, holding and infrastructure costs of $24.8 million in connection with
the sale of the properties subject to the Real Estate Contracts. The Company
will utilize $55 million of the gross proceeds from the Real Estate Contracts
to fund the Distribution. As a result, assuming all the sales under the Real
Estate Contracts are closed, after taking into account the additional expenses
to be incurred by the Company to complete the projects and the payments under
the Distribution, the Company will realize net pre-tax cash proceeds of $28.8
million. In addition, the Company expects that subsequent to September 30,
1996 it will make mountain improvements of $10.2 million (a portion of which
will be completed in connection with the sale of the properties subject to the
Real Estate Contracts), which will consist primarily of a high speed quad
chairlift, base area improvements and snowmaking and will benefit the
properties subject to the Real Estate Contracts as well as the Company's
remaining real estate holdings in Bachelor Gulch Village and Arrowhead. See
"Certain Transactions."
AMOUNTS RECEIVABLE
UNDER
REAL ESTATE
CONTRACTS
PROJECT (IN MILLIONS) DESCRIPTION
------- ------------------ -----------
Beaver Creek Resort
Village Center................ $ 1.7 Four multi-family sites
and related parking
Art's Center Parking.......... 2.0 Private parking spaces
Residual developer
Elkhorn Lodge................. 2.9 interest
Residual developer
The Aspens Townhomes ......... 0.8 interest
One Beaver Creek ............. 2.5 Deferred purchase price
Market Square ................ 0.5 Deferred purchase price
------
Subtotal.................... 10.4
------
Bachelor Gulch Village
Eastern Ridge................. 72.9 Single family lots
------
Arrowhead
Cresta........................ 3.6 Cluster homes
Village Lodge Phase II........ 1.1 Deferred purchase price
------
Subtotal.................... 4.7
------
Other
Golden Peak Condominiums...... 20.6 Six condominium residences
------
Total......................... $108.6
======
KEYSTONE
In 1994, the Acquired Resorts contributed approximately 550 acres of land at
the base of Keystone Mountain to the Keystone JV. With the benefit of
extensive market research, community input and government involvement, the
Keystone JV created and has received approval for an over $500 million master
development plan which the Keystone JV expects to develop over the next 20
years. The plan calls for the creation of six separate neighborhoods, each
featuring distinctive amenities and architecture based on the area's colorful
mining,
60
ranching and railroad history. At full buildout there will be an estimated
4,600 residential homes and lodging units and 382,000 square feet of commercial
space as well as more than 300 acres of open space at Keystone Resort. A
network of pedestrian trails and a shuttle bus system are planned to link the
resort neighborhoods and amenities.
The long term development plan for Keystone Resort is expected to benefit the
Company, by (i) creating significant additional resort lodging which will
contribute to future skier day growth and the growth of the Company's property
management operations and (ii) creating new facilities, venues and activities
which create new sources of recurring revenue. As residential and commercial
projects are completed the Company has a priority right to receive payments of
up to $22.6 million for land which was previously contributed to the Keystone
JV. The Company will also receive approximately 50% of the profits generated by
the Keystone JV and will have the first option to lease any commercial space
created by the Keystone JV. The Keystone JV is involved in a wide range of real
estate development activities, including the planning, infrastructure
improvement, construction and marketing of all real property improvements on
its land. The Keystone JV seeks to minimize its exposure to development and
construction risks by pre-selling a significant portion of the residential and
lodging units prior to the commencement of construction of a project and by
individually financing each project through a secured construction loan and
equity investment, which generally consists only of the contribution of the
Keystone JV's land required for the project.
The first two neighborhoods being developed by the real estate joint venture
are River Run and Ski Tip Ranch. River Run is a ski-in/ski-out pedestrian
village and commercial corridor which will be the new focal point of Keystone
Resort. Located at the base of the River Run Gondola, at full development the
River Run neighborhood will include 860 residential units, 250 lodge units and
190,000 square feet of restaurants, boutiques and apres ski cafes. Ski Tip
Ranch is a wooded residential community of 86 townhomes under development at
the easternmost end of the resort. As of August 31, 1996 the joint venture had
constructed 89 condominiums and lodging units in the River Run and Ski Tip
neighborhoods of which 84 units have been sold. Additionally, there are 189
condominium and lodging units currently under construction for completion in
1997 of which 135 units have already been sold. Development of commercial space
in 1996 is expected to total 33,000 square feet with an additional 31,000
square feet under development for completion in 1997. During the next five
years, the Keystone JV expects to develop more than 900 new residential and
lodging units and 150,000 square feet of commercial space. In addition,
Keystone's second championship golf course is currently under development with
construction expected to commence in early 1997 and an opening planned for
1999.
As of June 30, 1996, the book value of the Acquired Resorts' investment in
the Keystone JV was $28.1 million of which $18.9 million relates to land
contributed to the Keystone JV and $9.2 million relates to cash invested in
real estate improvements and undistributed profits. In addition, the Keystone
JV has an option to require the Acquired Resorts to contribute to the joint
venture additional land, which had a book value as of June 30, 1996, of $8.9
million.
BRECKENRIDGE
Developable real estate at Breckenridge Mountain encompasses approximately
295 acres located at the base of the mountain and in the Town of Breckenridge.
These parcels are strategically important as they will enable the resort to (i)
improve and expand the parking and transportation system at Breckenridge,
significantly enhancing guest access to the resort and skier distribution on
the mountain, (ii) create highly desirable ski-in/ski-out residential units,
(iii) create resort owned and operated on-mountain and in-valley commercial
space and (iv) establish a foundation for future terrain expansion. As of June
30, 1996, the Acquired Resorts' book value in developable land at Breckenridge
Mountain was $19.9 million, comprised of $6.2 million of land held for sale and
$13.7 million of developable land used in operations.
COMPETITION
The ski industry is highly competitive. The Company competes with mountain
resort areas in the United States, Canada and Europe for destination guests and
with numerous mountain resorts in Colorado for day skiers.
61
The Company also competes with other worldwide recreation resorts, including
warm weather resorts, for the vacation guest. The Company's major U.S.
competitors include the Utah ski areas, the Lake Tahoe mountain resorts in
California and Nevada, the New England mountain resorts and the major Colorado
areas, including Copper Mountain, Telluride, Steamboat Springs, Winter Park
and the Aspen resorts. In addition, while the Company's skier days have
increased 39% over the past ten years, there has been relatively modest growth
in United States skier days (which have increased only 2% over the same
period). The competitive position of the Company's mountain resorts is
dependent upon many diverse factors such as proximity to population centers,
availability and cost of transportation to the areas, including direct flight
availability by major airlines, pricing, snowmaking facilities, type and
quality of skiing offered, duration of the ski season, prevailing weather
conditions, the number, quality and price of related services and lodging
facilities, and the reputation of the areas. In addition to competition with
other mountain and warm weather resorts for the vacation guest, the Company
also faces competition for day skiers from varied alternative leisure
activities, such as attendance at movies, sporting events and participation in
alternative indoor and outdoor recreational activities. Based upon a review of
these factors, management believes that the Company is in a strong competitive
position.
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION
The Company has been granted the right to use 12,590 acres of federal land
adjacent to the Town of Vail and 2,775 acres of federal land adjacent to its
Beaver Creek property as the site for most of its ski lifts and trails and
related activities under the terms of permits with the Forest Service. No
permits are required for Arrowhead or Bachelor Gulch Village since the
Arrowhead and Bachelor Gulch Village land is owned by the Company.
The permits originally granted to the Company or its subsidiary, Beaver
Creek Associates, Inc., for the Vail and Beaver Creek mountain resorts
consisted of (i) Term Special Use Permits which were granted for 30 year
terms, but are terminable upon 30 days written notice by the Forest Service if
it determines that the public interest requires such termination and (ii)
Special Use Permits which are terminable at will by the Forest Service. In
November 1986, a new law was enacted providing that Term Special Use Permits
and Special Use Permits may be combined into a unified single term special use
permit which can be issued for up to 40 years. On December 23, 1991, the
Company exercised its statutory right to convert its dual permits for the Vail
mountain resort into a unified permit covering 12,590 acres. The Vail permit
expires on October 1, 2031, but can be terminated by the Forest Service if
required in the public interest. The Vail permit covers Category III, and the
Company has received Forest Service approval (subject to appeal) to begin
construction in the area. The Beaver Creek property is covered by a Term
Special Use Permit covering 80 acres and a Special Use Permit covering the
remaining 2,695 acres. These permits will expire in 2006 but are terminable by
the Forest Service at its discretion. In December 1992, the Company exercised
its statutory right to convert its dual permits for the Beaver Creek mountain
resort into a unified permit for the maximum period of 40 years and is
currently in the process of negotiating the final terms of the unified permit.
The Forest Service has informed the Company that the Beaver Creek unified
permit has been approved pending the resolution of one issue as to whether a
restaurant/overnight accommodation facility located on Company-owned land
should be included in calculating fees payable to the Forest Service under the
Beaver Creek unified permit upon issuance. No assurance can be given that the
Beaver Creek unified permit will be granted for the entire 40 year period. To
the Company's knowledge, no recreational Special Use Permit or Term Special
Use Permit for any major ski resort has ever been terminated by the Forest
Service.
With respect to the Acquired Resorts, Ralston Resorts has been granted the
right to use 3,156 acres, approximately 5,571 acres and approximately 825
acres of federal land under terms of permits with the Forest Service for
Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin, respectively. Both the Breckenridge
permit and the Arapahoe Basin permit expire on December 31, 2029 while the
Keystone permit expires on December 31, 2032. Like the Vail permit, each of
the permits for the Acquired Resorts is terminable by the Forest Service if
required in the public interest.
The Forest Service has the right to review and comment on the location,
design and construction of improvements in the permit area and on many
operational matters. Under the permits, the Company and the
62
Acquired Resorts are each required to pay a graduated fee to the Forest
Service, which ranges from one to approximately five percent of gross
receipts, with the rate rising with increased gross receipts and varying
according to the dollar amount of gross fixed assets and the type of sales
items. Included in the gross receipts calculations are sales or proceeds from,
among other things, food, beverages, rental equipment and lift tickets, ski
school lessons and merchandise.
The Company believes that its relations with the Forest Service are good
and, during the last two years, the Company has received awards and
recognition from the Forest Service including the "National Forest Partner
Award" for outstanding outdoor education programs and the Beaver Creek Nature
Center, the "National Service Award" for implementing universal access,
selection as a Forest Service "Accessible Trails Demonstration Project" and
designation as the Forest Service's first "Role Model for Socially Responsible
Programs."
EMPLOYEES
The Company currently employs approximately 800 year-round and 3,500
seasonal employees. None of the Company's employees is represented by a labor
union, and the Company considers its employee relations to be good. The
Acquired Resorts current employ approximately 1,500 year round employees and
2,300 seasonal employees. Approximately 125 of the Acquired Resorts' seasonal
employees are unionized.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The athletic nature of the Company's ski operations subjects the Company to
litigation in the ordinary course of business, including claims for personal
injury and wrongful death. The Company is currently defending seven such
lawsuits, all of which are covered by extensive liability insurance subject to
applicable self-insured retentions. The Existing Resorts are currently
defending four of such claims under the Colorado Ski Safety Act (the "Act"), a
comprehensive assumption-of-risk statute, while the Acquired Resorts are
currently defending two lawsuits under the Act. The Act delineates the
responsibilities of both ski resort operators and skiers. As long as the ski
resort operator complies with the Act's mandates, which consist of markings in
relation to ski lifts and man made obstructions, signage in relation to closed
areas and ski trails and their difficulty, designation of the ski resort
boundaries, closed trails and "danger areas" and flagging and lighting certain
maintenance equipment such as snowmobiles, the operator is presumed to be not
negligent in accidents involving injury to one of its guests. The Act further
provides that a skier injured through one of the "inherent dangers and risks
of skiing," which include weather and snow conditions and collisions with man-
made and natural objects and other skiers, is barred from suing the mountain
resort.
Other than the matters discussed in the preceding paragraph and other
matters with respect to which the Company believes it is adequately insured,
the Company is not currently a defendant in any material litigation and there
are no material legal proceedings pending against the Company or to which any
of its property is subject and, to the knowledge of management, no such
proceedings have been threatened against it.
63
MANAGEMENT
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the directors and
executive officers of the Company.
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
Adam M. Aron................... 42 Chairman of the Board of Directors and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company
Frank Biondi................... 51 Director
Leon D. Black.................. 44 Director
Craig M. Cogut................. 42 Director
Stephen C. Hilbert............. 49 Director
Robert A. Katz................. 29 Director
Thomas H. Lee.................. 51 Director
William L. Mack................ 56 Director
Antony P. Ressler.............. 35 Director
Marc J. Rowan.................. 33 Director
John J. Ryan III............... 68 Director
John F. Sorte.................. 48 Director
Bruce H. Spector............... 53 Director
James S. Tisch................. 42 Director
Andrew P. Daly................. 50 President and Director of the Company
Gerald E. Flynn................ 45 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company
James S. Mandel................ 46 Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary of the Company
J. Kent Myers.................. 47 Senior Vice President of Vail Associates
Edward D. O'Brien.............. 56 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, Vail Associates Real Estate
Group, Inc.
Christopher P. Ryman........... 44 Senior Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of Vail Associates
James P. Thompson.............. 52 President, Vail Associates Real Estate
Group, Inc.
Pursuant to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Restated Bylaws of
the Company, the Board is divided into two classes of Directors, denoted as
Class 1 and Class 2, each serving one-year terms. Class 1 directors are
elected by a majority vote of the holders of the Class A Common Stock and
Class 2 directors are elected by a majority vote of the holders of the Common
Stock. The Class 1 directors are Messrs. Aron, Black, Cogut, Daly, Katz, Mack,
Ressler, Rowan, Ryan and Spector, and the Class 2 directors are Messrs.
Biondi, Hilbert, Lee, Sorte and Tisch. In addition, Apollo has agreed to vote
in favor of the election of two directors nominated by Foods. See "The
Acquisition."
Adam M. Aron is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Aron served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd. from July 1993 until July
1996. From November 1990 until July 1993 Mr. Aron served as Senior Vice
President of Marketing for United Airlines. From 1987-1990, Mr. Aron served as
Senior Vice President of Marketing for the Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
Frank Biondi was appointed a Director of the Company on July 29, 1996. Mr.
Biondi is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MCA Inc. Mr. Biondi
previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Viacom, Inc.
from July 1987 to January 1996. He has also held executive positions with The
Coca-Cola
64
Company, Home Box Office Inc. and Time Inc. Mr. Biondi currently is a member
of the Boards of Directors of Leake and Watts Services, The Museum of
Television and Radio, The Bank of New York and the American Health Foundation.
Leon D. Black is one of the founding principals of Apollo Advisors, L.P.,
which was established in August 1990 ("Apollo Advisors"), and which, together
with an affiliate, acts as managing general partner of Apollo Investment Fund,
L.P., AIF II, L.P. and Apollo Investment Fund III, L.P., private securities
investment funds, of Apollo Real Estate Advisors, L.P. ("AREA") which,
together with an affiliate, acts as managing general partner of the Apollo
real estate investment funds and of Lion Advisors, L.P. ("Lion Advisors"),
which acts as financial advisor to and representative for certain
institutional investors with respect to securities investments. Mr. Black is
also a director of Big Flower Press, Inc., Culligan Water Technologies, Inc.,
Furniture Brands International, Inc., Samsonite Corporation and Telemundo
Group, Inc. Mr. Black was appointed a director of the Company in October 1992.
Mr. Black is Mr. Ressler's brother-in-law.
Craig M. Cogut is currently a private investor. Prior thereto he was one of
the founding principals of Apollo Advisors and of Lion Advisors. Prior to
1990, Mr. Cogut was a consultant and legal advisor, principally to Drexel
Burnham Lambert Incorporated and associated entities. Mr. Cogut is also a
director of Envirotest Systems, Inc. and Salant Corporation. Mr. Cogut was
appointed a director of the Company in October 1992.
Stephen C. Hilbert was appointed a director of the Company in December 1995.
Mr. Hilbert founded Conseco, Inc. in 1979, and serves as its Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer. Conseco, Inc. is a financial services
holding company which owns and operates life insurance companies, provides
investment management, administrative and other services to affiliates and
non-affiliates for fees and acquires and restructures life insurance companies
in partnership with other investors. Mr. Hilbert is a Trustee of Indiana State
University and a Director of the Indiana State University Foundation. He also
serves on the Board of Trustees of both the Indianapolis Parks Foundation and
the U.S. Ski Team Foundation, as a Trustee of the Central Indiana Council on
Aging Foundation, and as a Director of both the Indianapolis Zoo and the St.
Vincent Hospital Foundation.
Robert A. Katz is an officer of Apollo Capital Management, Inc. and Lion
Capital Management, Inc., the general partners of Apollo Advisors and Lion
Advisors, respectively. Mr. Katz is a limited partner of Apollo Advisors and
of Lion Advisors, with which he has been associated since 1990. Mr. Katz was
appointed a director of the Company in June 1996. Mr. Katz is also a director
of Salant Corporation and Aris Industries, Inc.
Thomas H. Lee was appointed a director of the Company in January 1993. Mr.
Lee founded the Thomas H. Lee Company in 1974 and since that time has served
as its President. Mr. Lee also is Chairman and a Trustee of Thomas H. Lee
Advisors I and II, L.P., the investment advisor to two public mezzanine
investment funds, and is Individual General Partner of Equity Advisors, L.P.,
the investment advisor to Thomas H. Lee Equity Partners, L.P., which
participates in equity or equity-related investments of acquired companies.
From 1966 through 1974, Mr. Lee was with First National Bank of Boston where
he directed the bank's high technology lending group from 1968 to 1974 and
became a Vice President in 1973. Prior to 1966, Mr. Lee was a securities
analyst in the institutional research department of L.F. Rothschild in New
York. Mr. Lee also serves as a director of Autotote Corporation, Finlay Fine
Jewelry Corporation, First Security Services Corporation, General Nutrition,
Inc., Health-o-meter, Inc. and Playtex Family Products, Inc.
William L. Mack was appointed a director of the Company in January 1993. Mr.
Mack has been the President and Managing Partner of The Mack Organization, an
owner and developer of and investor in office and industrial buildings and
other commercial properties principally in the New York/New Jersey
metropolitan area as well as throughout the United States, since 1963. Mr.
Mack is a founding principal of AREA and since 1993 has provided consulting
services to Apollo Real Estate Investment Fund II, L.P. Mr. Mack is a Director
of Crocker Realty Trust, Inc. and First Capital Holdings Corp. He has been
Director of the Urban Development Corporation for the State of New York since
1983. Mr. Mack has also been Chairman of the Board of Directors
65
of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Development Corporation of New York
since 1984 and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of New York Convention
Center Operating Corporation since 1988.
Antony P. Ressler is one of the founding principals of Apollo Advisors and
of Lion Advisors. Mr. Ressler is also a director of PRI Holdings, Inc. and
United International Holdings, Inc. Mr. Ressler was appointed a director of
the Company in October 1992. Mr. Ressler is Mr. Black's brother-in-law.
Marc J. Rowan is one of the founding principals of Apollo Advisors and of
Lion Advisors. Mr. Rowan is also a director of Culligan Water Technologies,
Inc., Farley, Inc. and Samsonite Corporation. Mr. Rowan was appointed a
director of the Company in October 1992.
John J. Ryan III has been a financial advisor based in Geneva, Switzerland
since 1972. Mr. Ryan is a director of Artemis S.A. and Financiere Pinault
S.A., private holding companies in Paris, France and Furniture Brands
International, Inc. He is Vice President and Director of Evergreen Resources
Inc., a publicly held oil and gas exploration company. Mr. Ryan is President
of J.J. Ryan & Sons, a closely held textile trading corporation in Greenville,
South Carolina. Mr. Ryan was appointed a director of the Company in January
1995. Artemis S.A. is a significant investor in Apollo Ski Partners.
John F. Sorte has been President of New Street Advisors L.P., a merchant
bank, and of New Street Investments L.P., its broker-dealer affiliate, since
he co-founded such entities in March 1994. From 1992 to March 1994, Mr. Sorte
was President and Chief Executive Officer of New Street Capital Corporation, a
merchant banking firm, and from 1990 to 1992, he was President and Chief
Executive Officer of The Drexel Burnham Lambert Group Inc., an investment
firm. Prior to 1990, Mr. Sorte was employed by Drexel Burnham Lambert
Incorporated. Mr. Sorte is also a director of West Point Stevens Inc. and
serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The New York Media Group, Inc.
Mr. Sorte was appointed a director of the Company in January 1993.
Bruce H. Spector has been a consultant to Apollo Advisors since 1992 and
since 1995 has been a principal in Apollo Advisors II, L.P., an affiliate of
Apollo Advisors which acts as general partner of Apollo Investment Fund III,
L.P. Prior to October 1992, Mr. Spector, a reorganization attorney, was a
member of the Los Angeles law firm of Stutman Triester and Glatt. Mr. Spector
is also a director of Telemundo Group, Inc. and United International Holdings,
Inc. Mr. Spector was appointed a director of the Company in January 1995.
James S. Tisch is President and Chief Operating Officer of Loews
Corporation. He has been with Loews Corporation since 1977. Prior to that he
was with CNA Financial Corporation. Mr. Tisch is Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., a member of the Board of
Directors of Champion International Corporation, CNA Financial Corporation,
and Loews Corporation. He is also Chairman of the Federation Employment and
Guidance Service, a member of the Board of Directors of UJA-Federation of New
York, and a Trustee of The Mount Sinai Medical Center. Mr. Tisch was appointed
a director of the Company in January 1995.
Andrew P. Daly was appointed a director of the Company in June 1996. Mr.
Daly became President of Vail Associates in 1992 and President of the Company
in 1995. He joined Vail Associates in 1989 as Executive Vice President and
President of Beaver Creek Resort. Prior to joining Vail Associates, Mr. Daly
owned and was President of Lake Eldora Ski Corporation, which operated the
Lake Eldora Mountain Resort ski area. From 1982 to 1987, Mr. Daly was Chief
Executive Officer of Copper Mountain Resort, where he held several positions
from 1972 to 1982.
Gerald E. Flynn became Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Vail Associates in 1992, and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of the Company in 1995. Mr. Flynn joined Vail Associates in 1981 as Manager of
Tax and Joint Venture Planning before being promoted to Director of Corporate
Planning in 1983. Mr. Flynn was promoted to Treasurer in 1984 and to Vice
President of Finance in 1986. Prior to joining Vail Associates, Mr. Flynn was
a senior tax accountant for the Denver office of Deloitte, Haskins & Sells
from 1977 to 1981.
66
James S. Mandel joined the Company and Vail Associates in 1994 as Senior
Vice President and General Counsel of both the Company and Vail Associates,
and was named Secretary of Vail Associates in 1994 and of the Company in 1995.
From 1978, until joining the Company, Mr. Mandel was a partner with
Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber and Strickland, a Denver law firm, and specialized
in real estate development and corporate finance.
J. Kent Myers became Senior Vice President of Vail Associates in 1995. Prior
to that, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Beaver Creek Resort from 1992
to 1995, and as Vice President of Marketing for Vail Associates from 1988 to
1992. From 1981 to 1988, Mr. Myers was Vice President of Marketing for
Steamboat Ski Corporation.
Edward D. O'Brien joined Vail Associates Real Estate Group, Inc. in 1993.
Prior to that he was Chief Financial Officer and a Managing General Partner of
Lincoln Property Company, a real estate development and management firm from
1971 to 1991. From 1962 to 1971 Mr. O'Brien was an auditor with Arthur
Andersen LLP.
Christopher P. Ryman became Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice
President of Vail Associates in 1995. From 1992 to 1995, he was Senior Vice
President of Mountain Operations. Mr. Ryman was managing director of the Vail
and Beaver Creek Ski Schools from 1986 to 1992, served in management positions
at the Beaver Creek Ski School from 1980 to 1985 and was involved in ski
school operations from 1978 to 1980. Prior to joining Vail Associates in 1978,
Mr. Ryman held positions at the Mt. Hood, Snowbird and Alta ski resorts.
James P. Thompson joined Vail Associates Real Estate Group, Inc. in 1993 in
connection with Vail Associates' acquisition of Arrowhead. He joined Arrowhead
in 1989, becoming President in March of 1994. Prior to joining Arrowhead, he
served as Vice-President of Moore and Company in Denver for 14 years.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
Messrs. Black, Katz, Ressler, Rowan and Spector are associated with Apollo
Advisors, an affiliate of Apollo Ski Partners, L.P. Apollo Ski Partners is
organized principally for the purpose of holding capital stock of the Company.
See "Principal and Selling Stockholders" regarding the shares of Company stock
held by Apollo Ski Partners.
The Board of Directors has established an Executive Committee, an Audit
Committee and a Compensation Committee.
The Executive Committee has all powers and rights necessary to exercise the
full authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and
affairs of the Company when necessary in between meetings of the Board of
Directors. The members of the Executive Committee are Adam M. Aron, Andrew P.
Daly, Robert A. Katz and Marc J. Rowan.
The Audit Committee is primarily concerned with the effectiveness of the
Company's accounting policies and practices, financial reporting and internal
controls. The Audit Committee is authorized to (i) make recommendations to the
Board of Directors regarding the engagement of the Company's independent
accountants, (ii) review the plan, scope and results of the annual audit, the
independent accountants' letter of comments and management's response thereto,
and the scope of any non-audit services which may be performed by the
independent accountants, (iii) manage the Company's policies and procedures
with respect to internal accounting and financial controls, and (iv) review
any changes in accounting policy. The members of the Audit Committee are
Stephan C. Hilbert, John F. Sorte and James S. Tisch.
The Compensation Committee is authorized and directed to (i) review and
approve the compensation and benefits of the executive officers, (ii) to
review and approve the annual salary plans, (iii) to review management
organization and development, (iv) review and advise management regarding the
benefits, including bonuses, and other terms and conditions of employment of
other employees and (v) administer any stock option plans which may be adopted
and the granting of options under such plans. The members of the Compensation
Committee are Leon D. Black, Marc J. Rowan and Thomas H. Lee.
67
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Prior to July, 1996, there was no Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors. During fiscal 1995, executive compensation decisions were made by
the entire Board of Directors.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
All directors' fees will be determined by the Board of Directors of the
Company. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Company had paid no fees to
its directors, and the Company currently does not intend to pay directors'
fees. The Company pays a management fee of $500,000 per year to Apollo
Advisors, L.P. Messrs. Black, Katz, Mack, Ryan, Ressler, Rowan and Spector are
associated with Apollo Advisors and are directors of the Company.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table shows all the cash compensation paid or to be paid by
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, as well as certain other compensation
paid or accrued, during the years ended September 30, 1995 and 1994 and the
period from January 1, 1993 through September 30, 1993 to the Chief Executive
Officer and the four highest paid executive officers of the Company whose
compensation was at least $100,000 for the year ended September 30, 1995 in
all capacities in which they served:
68
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
---------------------- -------------------------------
AWARDS PAYOUTS
-------------------- ------------
RESTRICTED
SALARY OTHER ANNUAL STOCK LTIP ALL OTHER
NAME, PRINCIPAL AND BONUS COMPENSATION AWARD(S) OPTIONS/ PAYMENTS COMPENSATION
POSITION, AND PERIOD ($) ($)(1) ($) SAR ($)(2) ($)(3)
-------------------- --------- ------------ ---------- -------- -------- ------------
George N. Gillett, Jr.,
(4)
Former Chairman and
Chief Executive
Officer of the Company
Period from January 1,
1993
through September 30,
1993.................. 1,125,000 63,000 -- -- -- 1,880,886
1994................... 1,542,000 58,150 -- -- -- 296,812
1995................... 1,515,100 116,000 -- -- -- --
Andrew P. Daly,
Chief Executive Officer
and President of Vail
Associates, President
of the Company
Period from January 1,
1993
through September 30,
1993.................. 246,338 16,644 -- 162,910(5) 96,942 --
1994................... 269,907 34,835 -- -- 113,883 --
1995................... 307,538 32,322 -- -- 113,883 --
J. Kent Myers,
Senior Vice President
of Vail Associates
Period from January 1,
1993
through September 30,
1993.................. 151,610 10,229 -- 89,980(5) 35,008 --
1994................... 174,462 16,280 -- -- 70,016 --
1995................... 193,618 14,673 -- -- 70,016 --
James S. Mandel,
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and
Secretary of the
Company
Period from January 1,
1993
through September 30,
1993.................. -- -- -- -- -- --
1994................... 174,000 -- -- 89,980(6) -- --
1995................... 311,500 1,716 -- -- -- --
Christopher P. Ryman,
Senior Vice President
and Chief Operating
Officer
Period from January 1,
1993
through September 30,
1993.................. 130,000 10,229 -- 89,980(5) 35,008 --
1994................... 155,000 16,225 -- -- 70,016 --
1995................... 175,512 14,504 -- -- 70,016 --
- --------
(1) Includes interest on long-term incentive plan compensation paid during the
period indicated to the named executive officer.
(2) Prior to October 8, 1992, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries
offered deferred compensation plans to certain key management employees in
lieu of any type of pension plans, stock options or other retirement
plans. As of October 8, 1992, following payments made on or around October
8, 1992, the outstanding deferred compensation balances for Mr. Daly, Mr.
Myers, and Mr. Ryman were $455,532, $280,063 and $280,063, respectively.
Mr. Daly's, Mr. Myers' and Mr. Ryman's outstanding deferred compensation
balances after October 8, 1992 are being paid to them over a four-year
period, with interest accruing on the balance at a rate of 8% per annum.
As of September 30, 1995 Mr. Daly's, Mr. Myers' and Mr. Ryman's
outstanding deferred compensation balances were $142,394, $87,519 and
$87,519, respectively. Due to the long-term incentive characteristics of
the deferred compensation plans of the Company and its subsidiaries,
payout amounts pursuant to these plans have been included in this column.
(3) In connection with the sale of certain non-ski-related assets of the
Company, Mr. Gillett received incentive payments of $1,880,886 on May 25,
1993 and $296,812 on September 23, 1994, each pursuant to the terms of his
employment agreement.
(4) Mr. Gillett has resigned as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
and Director of the Company in order to pursue other business interests.
(5) Pursuant to a stock option plan adopted by the Company, these options were
issued effective as of March 31, 1993. The options vest in equal
installments over a five year period and provide for an exercise price of
$13.70 per share. See "Management--Stock Option Plan."
(6) Pursuant to a stock option plan adopted by the Company, these options were
issued on March 21, 1994. The options vest in equal installments over a
five year period and provide for an exercise price of $20.00 per share.
See "Management--Stock Option Plan."
69
AGGREGATE OPTION/SAR EXERCISES DURING NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
AND OPTION/SAR VALUES AS OF JUNE 30, 1996
VALUE OF
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS/SARS OPTIONS/SARS
AT FY-END (#) AT FY-END ($)(1)
-------------- ----------------
SHARES
ACQUIRED ON EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME EXERCISE (#) VALUE REALIZED ($) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ------------ ------------------ -------------- ----------------
George N. Gillett, Jr. ....... -- $-- 786,486/ -- $ /$
Andrew P. Daly................ -- -- 97,746/65,164 /
J. Kent Myers................. -- -- 53,988/35,992 /
James S. Mandel............... -- -- 35,992/53,988 /
Christopher P. Ryman.......... -- -- 53,988/35,992 /
- --------
(1) In-the-money option values are calculated using an assumed offering price
of $ per share.
PENSION PLANS
The Company has no pension plans.
EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has entered into an employment agreement with Adam Aron (the
"Employment Agreement"). Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Aron serves
as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The initial term of his employment
is for the period from August 1, 1996 through September 30, 1999, with a two-
year automatic renewal thereafter, subject to notice of termination by either
Mr. Aron or the Company. Mr. Aron's base salary is $560,000 per year, and a
bonus is guaranteed at an annualized rate of $250,000 through fiscal 1997,
after which Mr. Aron will participate in the Company's bonus plan.
Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Aron will be granted 18,750
restricted shares of Common Stock and options to purchase 130,000 shares of
Common Stock, which restricted stock and options vest over five years. The
Company will provide Mr. Aron a life insurance policy of $5 million and
$500,000 of annual disability income protection. The Company will purchase a
home of Mr. Aron's choice in the Vail Valley (up to a maximum purchase price
of $1.5 million) for his use while employed by the Company. Mr. Aron is
subject to a 12 month non-compete clause upon termination.
Vail Associates is currently negotiating employment contracts with Messrs.
Daly, Ryman, Myers, Flynn and Thompson, which will provide for annual
salaries, as well as participation in bonus, stock option and other employee
benefit plans. Each agreement will be for a three-year term expiring May 31,
1999, subject to automatic renewal for successive one-year terms in the
absence of notice of non-renewal by either party. Each agreement will provide
that, in the event of (i) termination of the officer's employment by Vail
Associates without "cause" as defined in the agreement, (ii) termination of
employment by the officer for "good reason" as defined in the agreement, or
(iii) non-renewal of the agreement by Vail Associates, the officer is entitled
to continue to receive his then-current annual salary for a period of 12
months following such termination or non-renewal (18 months if such
termination or non-renewal occurs following a "change in control"). Each
agreement will further provide that the officer may resign without good reason
upon not less than 120 days' notice. Following termination of the officer's
employment for any reason, the officer will be subject to a non-competition
covenant for a period of one year. For purposes of the agreements, a "change
in control" means the acquisition by any person or group of affiliated persons
(other than Apollo Ski Partners and its affiliates) of equity securities of
Vail Associates or the Company representing either a majority of the combined
ordinary voting power of all outstanding voting securities of Vail Associates
or the Company or a majority of the common equity interest in Vail Associates
or the Company.
70
The Company and Vail Associates have separate employment agreements with Mr.
Mandel pursuant to which Mr. Mandel receives a current aggregate salary of
$280,000 per year, as well as participation in bonus, stock option and other
employee benefit plans. Mr. Mandel's employment agreements are effective until
March 31, 1997, unless earlier terminated according to their terms. In the
event the Company or Vail Associates terminates Mr. Mandel's employment
agreements without cause, Mr. Mandel will be paid his aggregate salary and
fringe benefits for a period of 12 months following the date of termination or
through March 31, 1997, whichever period is longer. Payment of the severance
benefits is conditioned upon Mr. Mandel's compliance with certain non-
competition, confidentiality and loyalty provisions which survive the
employment agreement.
Mr. Gillett has resigned as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,
President and Director of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of his employment
agreement, Mr. Gillett will be entitled to receive his base salary (currently
$1.6 million per annum) through October 7, 1997 (or, at the Company's option,
a lump-sum payment equal to the discounted present value thereof).
In connection with his employment with the Company, Mr. Gillett was granted
incentive options, expiring in 1997, to purchase 204,082 shares of Common
Stock at an exercise price of $13.70 per share and long-term incentive stock
options, expiring in 1999, to purchase 582,404 shares of Common Stock at an
exercise price of $23.67 per share, such price to be increased 20% per annum
on a compounded basis from October 8, 1995. All of such options have vested
and will remain exercisable until expiration.
STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Company has adopted a stock option plan pursuant to which options
covering an aggregate of 1,022,755 shares of Common Stock may be issued to key
employees, directors, consultants, and advisors of the Company or its
subsidiaries. Options covering 916,650 shares of Common Stock have been issued
to various key executives and managers of the Company. All of the options vest
in equal installments over five years, with exercise prices ranging from
$13.70 per share to $21.50 per share. As of June 30, 1996, 403,614 of these
options were exercisable. Under certain circumstances the option plan would
provide for loans by the Company to employees collateralized by such
employees' vested options in the event of need. The Board has approved the
reservation of 750,000 shares of Common Stock for a new option plan to be
implemented by the Compensation Committee.
The Company intends to amend certain option agreements held by management of
the Company to eliminate the right of option holders to receive any portion of
the payments made under the Rights. In connection with such payment, the
Company will accrue the Option Payment. See "Business--Real Estate" and
"Certain Transactions."
71
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding ownership of
the Common Stock as of [ ], 1996 and immediately following the Offerings
by (i) each person or entity who owns of record or beneficially five percent
or more of the Company's Common Stock, (ii) each director and named executive
officer of the Company, (iii) all directors and executive officers of the
Company as a group and (iv) each stockholder selling shares of Common Stock in
the Offering (collectively, the "Selling Stockholders"). To the knowledge of
the Company, each of such stockholders has sole voting and investment power as
to the shares shown unless otherwise noted.
CLASS A
COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED BENEFICIALLY OWNED TO BE SOLD BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BEFORE OFFERINGS BEFORE OFFERINGS IN OFFERINGS AFTER OFFERING
----------------------- ----------------------- ------------ -----------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERCENT OF PERCENT OF PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES CLASS SHARES CLASS SHARES CLASS
------------------- --------- ----------- --------- ----------- --------- -----------
Apollo Ski Partners,
L.P.(1).
2 Manhattanville Road
Purchase, NY 10577
Tortoise Corp. .........
One Wall Street Court
New York, NY 10005
George N. Gillett,
Jr.(2) ................
Gillett Group
Management, Inc.
Post Office Box 7
Vail, CO 81658
Ralston Foods Inc. ....
800 Market Street
Suite 2900
St. Louis, Missouri
63101
All directors and
officers as a group,
15 persons(3)(2).......
CLASS A
COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
AFTER OFFERING
-------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES CLASS
------------------- ----------- -------------
Apollo Ski Partners,
L.P.(1).
2 Manhattanville Road
Purchase, NY 10577
Tortoise Corp. .........
One Wall Street Court
New York, NY 10005
George N. Gillett,
Jr.(2) ................
Gillett Group
Management, Inc.
Post Office Box 7
Vail, CO 81658
Ralston Foods Inc. ....
800 Market Street
Suite 2900
St. Louis, Missouri
63101
All directors and
officers as a group,
15 persons(3)(2).......
- --------
(1) Apollo Ski Partners was organized principally for the purpose of holding
Common Stock and Class A Common Stock of the Company. The general partner
of Apollo Ski Partners is Apollo Investment Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership ("Apollo Fund") and a private securities investment fund. The
managing general partner of Apollo Fund is Apollo Advisors, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership, the general partner of which is Apollo
Capital Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Apollo Capital"). Mr.
Black, a director of the Company, and John Hannan are the directors of
Apollo Capital. All officers, directors and shareholders of Apollo
Capital, including Messrs. Black, Katz, Mack, Rowan and Spector (directors
of the Company) disclaim any beneficial ownership of the common stock of
the Company.
(2) During a three-year period after October 8, 1992, Mr. Gillett, a former
director and executive officer of the Company and certain of its
subsidiaries, had the ability to earn, as performance-based compensation
under his employment agreement, 357,488 incentive shares of Common Stock
and warrants for an additional 204,082 shares of Common Stock. In
addition, on the third anniversary of October 8, 1992, Mr. Gillett earned,
as performance-based compensation under his employment agreement, long-
term stock options for 582,404 shares of Common Stock. As of December 20,
1995, Mr. Gillett owned 238,326 of the incentive shares of Common Stock
discussed above and an additional 119,162 shares of Common Stock, which
vested on October 8, 1995. In addition, as of December 20, 1995, Mr.
Gillett owned all of the 204,082 options for shares of Common Stock and
all of the 582,404 long-term stock options for shares of Common Stock as
discussed above. The table above includes the 238,326 shares of Common
Stock owned by Mr. Gillett, the 119,162 shares of Common Stock which
vested on October 8, 1995, the 204,082 options for shares of Common Stock
owned by Mr. Gillett and the 582,404 long-term stock options for shares of
Common Stock owned by Mr. Gillett.
(3) With the exception of 13,000 shares of Common Stock owned by Mr. Ressler,
no directors or officers of the Company directly own shares of Common
Stock.
72
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
The Company intends to distribute the Rights to all stockholders of record
on September [ ], 1996 provided that the maximum aggregate amount payable
under the Rights will be $50 million. The purpose of the Rights is to provide
cash to the existing stockholders of the Company as a partial return on their
investment in the Company. The Company will make payments under the Rights
only to the extent it receives gross proceeds under the Real Estate Contracts
to make such payments. The Company currently estimates payments under the
Rights will be made in December 1996 and in June 1997. In addition, the
Company intends to amend certain option agreements held by management of the
Company, to eliminate the right of option holders to receive any portion of
payments made under the Rights. In connection with such amendment, the Company
will accrue the Option Payment. Stockholders who purchase shares in the
Offerings will not be entitled to any payments with respect to the Rights. The
Company believes that the payment of the Distribution will not have any
adverse consequences to the Company. See "Business--Real Estate."
During the year ended September 30, 1991, the Company loaned Mr. Daly
$300,000, $150,000 of which bears interest at 9% and the remainder of which is
non-interest bearing. The principal sum plus accrued interest is due no later
than one year following the termination, for any reason, of Mr. Daly's
employment with the Company. The proceeds of the loan were used to finance the
purchase and improvement of real property, and the loan is secured by a deed
of trust on such property.
The Company pays a fee of $500,000 per year to Apollo Advisors, L.P. for
management services and expenses related thereto. This fee has been paid each
year since 1993 and is paid partly in cash and partly in services rendered by
the Company to Apollo Advisors, L.P. and its affiliates. This arrangement was
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company in March 1993.
In 1995, Mr. Daly's spouse and Mr. Thompson and his spouse received
financial terms more favorable than those available to the general public in
connection with their purchase of homesites at Bachelor Gulch Village. Rather
than payment of an earnest money deposit with the entire balance due in cash
at closing, these contracts provide for no earnest money deposit with the
entire purchase price (which was below fair market value) paid under
promissory notes of $438,750 and $350,000 for Mr. Daly's spouse and Mr. and
Mrs. Thompson, respectively, each secured by a first deed of trust and
amortized over 25 years at 8% per annum interest, with a balloon payment due
on the earlier of five years from the date of closing or one year from the
date employment with the Company is terminated.
73
THE ACQUISITION
The summary of the following agreements does not purport to be complete and
is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Stock
Purchase Agreement and the other agreements summarized below, including the
definitions therein of certain terms.
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
On July 22, 1996, the Company, Foods and Ralston Resorts entered into a
Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"), setting forth the
terms of the Acquisition. The date and time when the Acquisition is
consummated is referred to herein as the "Closing Date."
On the Closing Date, Foods will receive a minimum of 3,777,203 shares of
Common Stock, and the Company will assume $165,000,000 of the outstanding
indebtedness of Resorts. The Stock Purchase Agreement provides for certain
adjustments after the Closing Date. Such adjustments, if any, will be made
following the delivery of audited financial statements of Resorts to the
Company and Foods, and may include payment by the Company or Foods, as the
case may be, with respect to the indebtedness of Resorts, and the delivery of
additional shares of Common Stock to Foods, based upon investments by Foods in
Ralston Resorts from August 1, 1996 to the Closing Date.
The Stock Purchase Agreement contains customary provisions for such
agreements, including representations and warranties with respect to the
condition and operations of the businesses of the Company and Resorts,
covenants with respect to the conduct of such businesses prior to the Closing
Date and various closing conditions, including the obtaining of financing, the
continued accuracy of representations and warranties and the receipt of
necessary government approvals including those required under the Hart-Scott-
Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended.
The Stock Purchase Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the
Closing Date: (i) if the Acquisition has not been consummated by December 31,
1996, (ii) by mutual consent of Foods and the Company, and (iii) by either
party if certain conditions to such party's obligations to effect the
Acquisition have not been satisfied, provided that the terminating party is
not in material breach of its obligations and under the Agreement.
SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT
Foods, Apollo, and the Company are parties to a Shareholder Agreement
pursuant to which they have agreed to cause the Board of Directors of the
Company to consist of no more than twenty directors, with Foods having the
ability to nominate two directors for so long as it owns at least 10% of the
Company's outstanding securities.
The Shareholder Agreement subjects Foods to a voting agreement with respect
to actions taken by the Company's Board of Directors. Among other things,
Foods agrees to vote (i) "for" all the nominees recommended by the Board; (ii)
with the Board on all shareholder proposals, and (iii) in the same proportion
as all other shareholders (i.e., "for," "against" and "abstain") on all other
matters, except that Foods has full discretion on extraordinary events such as
mergers or consolidations, sales of assets, creation of new stock with voting
rights and changes in the Company's Charter or Bylaws. In addition, pursuant
to the Shareholder Agreement, Apollo has agreed to vote in favor of the
election of two directors nominated by Foods.
Under the terms of the Shareholder Agreement, Foods has agreed to certain
restrictions on the resale of its Common Stock. Foods has agreed not to
transfer or sell its shares of Common Stock, without the prior approval of a
majority of the Board of Directors, other than (i) to affiliates or Foods'
stockholders; (ii) pursuant to a
74
demand or piggy-back registration as allowed under the Shareholder Agreement;
(iii) if an Initial Public Offering has not been consummated by December 31,
1998, a transfer pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933 or a
transfer where such transferee agrees to be bound by the Shareholder
Agreement; or (iv) a transfer eighteen months after the Closing Date, provided
the transferee will not own more than 10% of then outstanding securities of
the Company and agrees to be bound by the Shareholder Agreement. In addition,
if Foods does transfer its shares under (iii) or (iv) above, it agrees to
provide the Company with a right of first refusal, affording the Company the
right to purchase such shares under the same terms and conditions, and to
provide Apollo the right of second refusal.
The Shareholder Agreement will terminate (i) upon agreement of each of
Apollo and Foods; (ii) upon the dissolution of the Company or a sale of
substantially all of its assets; or (iii) when either Apollo or Foods owns
less than 10% of the Company's outstanding securities.
Pursuant to the Shareholder Agreement the Company has granted to each of
Apollo and Foods certain demand and piggyback registration rights with respect
to the Common Stock issued to them. Upon consummation of the Offerings, Apollo
and Foods will each have the right to effect one demand registration per
twelve month period. In addition, first the Company and then Apollo will each
have the right to purchase Foods' shares in lieu of registration.
75
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
CREDIT FACILITIES
The Company intends to replace its two existing credit facilities ("Existing
Credit Facilities") prior to the Acquisition. The Existing Credit Facilities
provide for up to $135 million of revolving loans and/or letters of credit.
The Company has received a commitment from NationsBank of Texas, N.A., to
provide financing for the Acquisition and the working capital needs of the
Company upon the closing of the Acquisition. The New Credit Facilities will
provide for debt financing up to an aggregate principal amount of $340
million. The New Credit Facilities are comprised of the Revolving Credit
Facility and the Term Loan Facilities. The Term Loan Facilities will be used
to refinance a portion of the $165 million of debt assumed from Ralston
Resorts, and will be available in a single borrowing upon closing of the
Acquisition. The proceeds of the loans made under the Revolving Credit
Facility may be used to fund the Company's working capital needs, capital
expenditures and other general corporate purposes, including the issuance of
letters of credit.
The Revolving Credit Facility matures on April 15, 2003. The minimum
amortization under the Term Loan Facilities will be $11.5 million, $14.0
million, $19.0 million, $21.5 million, $26.5 million, $31.5 million, and $41
million during fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004,
respectively. The Company will also be required to make mandatory amortization
payments under the Term Loan Facilities with excess cash flow, proceeds from
asset sales, and proceeds from equity and debt offerings.
The New Credit Facilities require that no more than $125.0 million in the
aggregate be outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility for a period of
30 consecutive days during each fiscal year, which includes April 15.
Borrowings under the New Credit Facilities bear interest annually at the
Company's option at the rate of (i) LIBOR (which rate is based on a formula
relating to the London interbank offered rate for a given interest period)
plus a margin (ranging from .50% to 1.75% in the case of Tranche A and the
Revolving Credit Facility and 2.25% in the case of Tranche B) or (ii) the Base
Rate (defined as, generally, the higher of the Federal Funds Rate, as
published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, plus 0.5%, or the Agent's
prime lending rate) plus a margin up to .375%. In addition, the Company must
pay a fee on the face amount of each letter of credit outstanding at a rate
ranging from .625% to 1.875%. The Company must also pay a quarterly unused
commitment fee ranging from .20% to .50%. The interest margins and fees
described in this paragraph fluctuate based upon the ratio of Funded Debt (as
defined) to the Company's Resort EBITDA (as defined).
The obligations under the New Credit Facilities will be secured by (i) a
pledge of all of the capital stock of the subsidiaries of Vail (the "Vail
Pledged Shares") and Ralston Resorts and its subsidiaries (the "Ralston
Pledged Shares") and (ii) an assignment of the permits granted by the Forest
Service to the Company (the "Vail Forest Service Permits") and Ralston Resorts
(the "Ralston Forest Service Permits"). The liens in favor of the Agent on the
Vail Pledged Shares and the Vail Forest Service Permits are shared on a pro
rata basis with the holders of the IRBs, up to a maximum of $105 million.
The New Credit Facilities contain various covenants that limit, among other
things, subject to certain exceptions, indebtedness, liens, transactions with
affiliates, restricted payments and investments, mergers, consolidations and
dissolutions, sales of assets, dividends and distributions and certain other
business activities. The New Credit Facilities also contain certain financial
covenants, including a Maximum Funded Debt to Resort Cash Flow Ratio, Minimum
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio (each as
described in the New Credit Facilities).
76
INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS
Pursuant to an indenture (as amended, the "Vail Indenture") dated as of
September 1, 1992 and amended as of November 23, 1993, between Eagle County,
Colorado, as issuer (the "Vail Issuer"), and Colorado National Bank, as
trustee (the "Vail Trustee"), $21.6 million aggregate principal amount of
industrial revenue bonds (the "Vail IRBs") were issued for the purpose of
providing funds to Vail Associates Inc. ("VAI") to refund certain Sports and
Housing Facilities Revenue Bonds (Vail Associates Project). Pursuant to a
financing agreement (as amended, the "Vail IRB Agreement") dated as of
September 1, 1992 and amended as of November 23, 1993, among the Vail Issuer,
VAI and VHI, the Vail Issuer loaned to VAI the proceeds of the issuance of the
Vail IRBs and VAI agreed to make payments in the aggregate amount, bearing
interest at rates and payable at times, corresponding to the principal amount
of, interest rates on and due dates under the Vail IRBs.
Pursuant to an indenture (as amended, the "Beaver Creek Indenture"; together
with the Vail Indenture, the "Indentures") dated as of September 1, 1992 and
amended as of November 23, 1993, between Eagle County, Colorado, as issuer
(the "Beaver Creek Issuer"; together with the Vail Issuer, the "Issuer"), and
Colorado National Bank, as trustee (the "Beaver Creek Trustee"; together with
the Vail Trustee, the "Trustee"), $19.6 million aggregate principal amount of
industrial revenue bonds (the "Beaver Creek IRBs"; together with the Vail
IRBs, the "IRBs") were issued for the purpose of providing funds to the
Company's subsidiary, Beaver Creek Associates, Inc. ("Beaver Creek"), to
refund certain Sports and Housing Facilities Revenue Bonds (Beaver Creek
Project). Pursuant to a financing agreement (as amended, the "Beaver Creek IRB
Agreement"; together with the Vail IRB Agreement, the "IRB Agreements") dated
as of September 1, 1992 and amended as of November 23, 1993, among the Beaver
Creek Issuer and Beaver Creek, the Beaver Creek Issuer loaned to Beaver Creek
the proceeds of the issuance of the Beaver Creek IRBs and Beaver Creek agreed
to make payments in the aggregate amount, bearing interest at rates and
payable at times, corresponding to the principal amount of, interest rates on
and due dates under the Beaver Creek IRBs. The obligations of Beaver Creek in
respect of the Beaver Creek IRBs have been guaranteed by VAI and VHI.
The obligations of VAI, VHI and Beaver Creek under the Indentures, the IRB
Agreements and the IRBs are secured (equally and ratably with the first $105
million of obligations of the Company under the New Credit Facilities) by a
pledge of all of the Vail Pledged Shares and assignments of the Vail Forest
Service Permits.
The IRBs mature, subject to prior redemption, on August 1, 2009. The IRBs
bear interest at the rate of 8% per annum. The IRBs are subject to redemption
at the option of VAI or Beaver Creek, as the case may be, at any time and from
time to time, and are subject to mandatory redemption (i) in connection with
the release of any Forest Service permits from the lien of the security
documents executed in connection with the Existing Credit Facilities and the
IRBs, which release is not consented to by the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the IRBs and (ii) if interest payments on the
IRBs lose their tax exempt status.
In connection with the Acquisition, the Company has agreed to assume $165
million of outstanding indebtedness of Ralston Resorts. Of this amount,
approximately $135 million will be refinanced from the proceeds of the New
Credit Facilities. The remaining indebtedness assumed ("Assumed Debt")
consists of (i) $23.36 million of Industrial Revenue Bonds ("Ralston IRBs"),
(ii) a $4.5 million term loan payable to National Australia Bank Limited
("National Australia"), and (ii) a loan from the Colorado Water Conservation
Board to Clinton Ditch and Reservoir Company ("Clinton Ditch"), of which
Ralston Resorts is the largest owner, with a remaining principal balance of
approximately $1.95 million.
The Ralston IRBs consist of two series of refunding bonds which were
originally issued to finance the cost of sports facilities at Keystone
Mountain. The first IRB, the Series 1990 Sports Facilities Refunding Revenue
Bonds in the aggregate principal amount of $20.36 million bears interest at
rates ranging from 7.2% to 7.875% and mature in installments in 1998, 2006,
and 2008. The second IRB, the Series 1991 Sports Facilities Refunding Revenue
Bonds in the aggregate principal amount of $3 million bears interest at 7.125%
for bonds maturing in 2002 and 7.375% for bonds maturing in 2010.
77
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following summarizes the material terms of the capital stock of the
Company.
GENERAL
Upon the closing of the Offerings, the authorized capital stock of the
Company will consist of 20,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, of
which will be issued and outstanding, 40,000,000 shares of Common Stock,
of which will be issued and outstanding, and 25,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, par value $.01 per share, none of which will be outstanding.
PREFERRED STOCK
The Company's Board of Directors may, without further action by the
Company's stockholders, from time to time, direct the issuance of shares of
Preferred Stock in series and may, at the time of issuance, determine the
rights, preferences and limitations of each series. Satisfaction of any
dividend preferences of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock would reduce the
amount of funds available for the payment of dividends on shares of Common
Stock and Class A Common Stock. Holders of shares of Preferred Stock may be
entitled to receive a preference payment in the event of any liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of the Company before any payment is made to the
holders of shares of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock. Under certain
circumstances, the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock may render more
difficult or tend to discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, the
assumption of control by a holder of a large block of the Company's securities
or the removal of incumbent management. The Board of Directors of the Company,
without stockholder approval, may issue shares of Preferred Stock with voting
and conversion rights which could adversely affect the holders of shares of
Common Stock and Class A Common Stock. Upon consummation of the Offerings,
there will be no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding, and the Company has no
present intention to issue any shares of Preferred Stock.
COMMON STOCK
The issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock
are, and the shares of Common Stock being offered will be upon payment
therefor, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The rights of holders
of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock are substantially identical, except
that, while any Class A Common Stock is outstanding, holders of Class A Common
Stock elect a class of directors that constitutes two-thirds of the Board and
holders of Common Stock elect another class of directors constituting one-
third of the Board. The Class A Common Stock is convertible into Common Stock
(i) at the option of the holder, (ii) automatically, upon transfer to a non-
affiliate and (iii) automatically if less than 2,500,000 shares (as such
number shall be adjusted by reason of any stock split, reclassification or
other similar transaction) of Class A Common Stock are outstanding. The Common
Stock is not convertible. Subject to the prior rights of the holders of any
Preferred Stock, the holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock and Class A
Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available
therefor at such times and in such amounts as the Board of Directors may from
time to time determine. See "Dividend Policy." The shares of Common Stock and
Class A Common Stock will have no preemptive or subscription rights to
purchase any securities of the Company. Upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, the holders of Common Stock and Class A Common
Stock are entitled to receive pro rata the assets of the Company which are
legally available for distribution, after payment of all debts and other
liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any holders of Preferred Stock
then outstanding. Each outstanding share of Common Stock and Class A Common
Stock is entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.
DELAWARE LAW AND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE
COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS
Statutory Provisions. The Company is a Delaware corporation and, after the
Offerings, will be subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law ("Delaware Law"). In general, Section 203 prevents an
78
"interested stockholder" (defined generally as a person owning 15% or more of
a corporation's outstanding voting stock) from engaging in a "business
combination" (as defined) with a Delaware corporation for three years
following the date such person became an interested stockholder unless (i)
before such person became an interested stockholder, the board of directors of
the corporation approved the transaction in which the interested stockholder
became an interested stockholder or approved the business combination; (ii)
upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the interested
stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder
owns at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the
time the transaction commenced (excluding shares owned by persons who are both
officers and directors of the corporation, and held by certain employee stock
ownership plans); or (iii) following the transaction in which such person
became an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by the
board of directors of the corporation and authorized at a meeting of
stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of
the outstanding voting stock of the corporation not owned by the interested
stockholder.
Directors Liability and Indemnification. The Company's Restated Certificate
of Incorporation (the "Certificate") provides that to the fullest extent
permitted by Delaware Law or other applicable law, a director of the Company
shall not be liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages
for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Under current Delaware Law,
liability of a director may not be limited (i) for any breach of the
director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts
or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, (iii) in respect of certain unlawful dividend
payments or stock redemptions or repurchases and (iv) for any transaction from
which the director derives an improper personal benefit. The effect of the
provision of the Certificate is to eliminate the rights of the Company and its
stockholders (through stockholders' derivative suits on behalf of the Company)
to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of the fiduciary
duty of care as a director (including breaches resulting from negligent or
grossly negligent behavior) except in the situations described in clauses (i)
through (iv) above. This provision does not limit or eliminate the rights of
the Company or any stockholder to seek nonmonetary relief such as an
injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director's duty of
care. In addition, the Company's Bylaws provide that the Company shall
indemnify its directors, officers and employees to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law.
Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder
Proposals. The Company's Bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for
stockholders to make nominations of candidates for election as director, or to
bring other business before an annual meeting of stockholders of the Company
(the "Stockholder Notice Procedure").
The Stockholder Notice Procedure provides that only persons who are
nominated by, or at the direction of, the Board, or by a stockholder who has
given timely written notice to the principal executive offices of the Company
prior to the meeting at which directors are to be elected, will be eligible
for election as directors of the Company. The Stockholder Notice Procedure
provides that at an annual meeting only such business may be conducted as has
been brought before the meeting by, or at the direction of, the Board or by a
stockholder who has given timely written notice to the principal executive
offices of the Company of such stockholder's intention to bring such business
before such meeting. Under the Stockholder Notice Procedure, to be timely,
notice of stockholder nominations or proposals to be made at an annual or
special meeting must be received by the Company not less than 30 days prior to
the scheduled date of the meeting (or, if less than 60 days' notice of the
date of the meeting is given, the 9th day following the day such notice was
made).
Under the Stockholder Notice Procedure, a stockholder's notice to the
Company proposing to nominate a person for election as a director must contain
certain information about the nominating stockholder and the proposed nominee.
Under the Stockholder Notice Procedure, a stockholder's notice relating to the
conduct of business other than the nomination of directors must contain
certain information about such business and about the proposing stockholder.
If the officer presiding at a meeting determines that a person was not
nominated, or other business was not brought before the meeting, in accordance
with the Stockholder Notice Procedure, such person will not be eligible for
election as a director, or such business will not be conducted at such
meeting, as the case may be.
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By requiring advance notice of nominations by stockholders, the Stockholder
Notice Procedure affords the Board an opportunity to consider the
qualifications of the proposed nominees and, to the extent deemed necessary or
desirable by the Board, to inform stockholders about such qualifications. By
requiring advance notice of other proposed business, the Stockholder Notice
Procedure also provides a more orderly procedure for conducting annual
meetings of stockholders and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by
the Board, provides the Board with an opportunity to inform stockholders,
prior to such meetings, of any business proposed to be conducted at such
meetings, together with any recommendations as to the Board's position
regarding action to be taken with respect to such business, so that
stockholders can better decide whether to attend such a meeting or to grant a
proxy regarding the disposition of any such business.
Although the Bylaws does not give the Board any power to approve or
disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals
for action, the foregoing provisions may have the effect of precluding a
contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder
proposals if the proper procedures are not followed, and of discouraging or
deferring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its
own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal, without regard to
whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or
beneficial to the Company and its stockholders.
Certain Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock. Under the Certificate,
upon consummation of the Offerings there will be shares of Class A Common
Stock authorized but unissued, shares of Common Stock authorized but
unissued (and not reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Class A Common
Stock or exercise of options), and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock
authorized but unissued, for future issuance without additional stockholder
approval. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate
purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital or to
facilitate corporate acquisitions.
The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying or
preventing a change in control of the Company. The issuance of preferred stock
could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to
the holders of Common Stock or could adversely affect the rights and powers,
including voting rights, of the holders of the Common Stock. In certain
circumstances, such issuance could have the effect of decreasing the market
price of the Common Stock.
One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved Common Stock
or preferred stock may be to enable the Board to issue shares to persons
friendly to current management, which could render more difficult or
discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a merger,
tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby protect the continuity
of management. Such additional shares also could be used to dilute the stock
ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of the Company.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Common Stock is Wilmington Trust
Company.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Upon completion of the Offerings, the Company will have outstanding
shares of common stock, consisting of shares of Class A Common Stock and
shares of Common Stock, assuming no exercise of the Underwriters' over-
allotment option and no exercise of outstanding options. Of these shares, the
shares of Common Stock sold in the Offerings and shares of Common
Stock not sold in the Offerings will be freely tradeable without restriction
under the Securities Act, unless subsequently acquired by "affiliates" of the
Company as that term is defined in Rule 144. Substantially all the remaining
shares of Common Stock outstanding upon completion of the Offerings will
be owned by "affiliates" within the meaning of Rule 144.
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, an "affiliate" is
entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does
not exceed the greater of one percent of the then outstanding shares of Common
Stock ( shares immediately after completion of the Offerings) or the
average weekly reported trading volume of the Common Stock during the four
calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of such sale is given,
provided certain manner of sale and notice requirements as to the availability
of current public information are satisfied (which requirements as to the
availability of current public information is currently satisfied). Under Rule
144(k), a person who is not deemed an "affiliate" of the Company at any time
during the three months preceding a sale by such person, and who has
beneficially owned shares of Common Stock that were not acquired from the
Company or an "affiliate" of the Company within the previous three years,
would be entitled to sell such shares without regard to volume limitations,
manner of sale provisions, notification requirements or the availability of
current public information concerning the Company. As defined in Rule 144, an
"affiliate" of an issuer is a person that directly or indirectly through one
or more intermediaries controls, or is controlled by, or is under common
control with, such issuer.
In connection with the Acquisition, Foods will receive a minimum of
3,777,203 Shares of Common Stock. Upon consummation of the Offerings, Apollo
will own [ ] shares of Common Stock and [ ] of Class A Common Stock. Pursuant
to the Shareholder Agreement, each of Foods and Apollo will have certain
demand and piggyback registration rights. See "Acquisition--Shareholder
Agreement."
The Company, its officers and directors and the Selling Stockholders have
agreed that, for a period of days after the date of this Prospectus, they
will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of,
directly or indirectly, or file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a
registration statement under the Securities Act relating to any additional
shares of its Common Stock or Class A Common Stock, or securities convertible
into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of its Common Stock, or
disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge, disposal or
filing, without the prior written consent of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. The
foregoing does not prohibit the Selling Stockholders from selling shares
subject to the Underwriters' over-allotment option or prohibit the Company
from issuing shares pursuant to its stock option plans.
Prior to the Offerings there has been no public market for the Common Stock
of the Company and no prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that
market sales of shares or the availability of such shares for sale will have
on the market price of the Common Stock prevailing from time to time.
Nevertheless, sales of substantial numbers of shares in the public market
could adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock and could impair
the Company's ability to raise capital through a sale of its equity
securities.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS OF
COMMON STOCK
The following is a general discussion of certain United States federal
income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Common
Stock by a holder that, for United States federal tax purposes, is not a
"United States person" (a "Non-United States Holder"). For purposes of this
discussion, a "Non-United States Holder" is any holder that is, as to the
United States, a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual, a
foreign partnership, or a non-resident fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust
as such terms are defined in the Internal Revenue Code. This discussion does
not address all United States federal income and estate tax considerations
that may be relevant to a Non-United States Holder in light of its particular
circumstances or to certain Non-United States Holders that may be subject to
special treatment under United States federal tax laws. Furthermore, this
section does not discuss any aspects of foreign, state or local taxation. This
discussion is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code,
existing Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and
judicial interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly
with retroactive effect. Each prospective Non-United States Holder is advised
to consult its tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of owning and
disposing of Common Stock.
DIVIDENDS
Dividends paid with respect to the Common Stock to a Non-United States
Holder generally will be subject to withholding of United States federal
income tax at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be specified by an
applicable income tax treaty) unless the dividend is effectively connected
with the conduct of a trade or business of the Non-United States Holder within
the United States, in which case the dividend will be taxed at ordinary
federal income tax rates. In the case of a Non-United States Holder which is a
corporation, such effectively connected income may also be subject to a branch
profits tax (which is generally imposed on a foreign corporation on the
repatriation from the United States, or deemed repatriation, of effectively
connected earnings and profits). Non-United States Holders should consult any
applicable tax treaties which may provide for a lower rate of withholding or
other rules different than those described herein. Under current United States
Treasury regulations, dividends paid to an address in a foreign country are
presumed to be paid to a resident of such country (absent actual knowledge to
the contrary) for purposes of the withholding discussed above and, under the
current interpretation of the United States Treasury regulations, for purposes
of determining the applicability of a tax treaty. However, under proposed
United States Treasury regulations, a non-United States Holder of Common Stock
who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate would be required
to satisfy certain certification and other requirements; these regulations are
proposed to be effective for dividends paid after December 31, 1997.
SALE OR DISPOSITION OF COMMON STOCK
A Non-United States Holder generally will not be subject to United States
federal income tax on any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of
Common Stock unless (i) the gain is effectively connected with a trade or
business of the Non-United States Holder in the United States; (ii) in the
case of a Non-United States Holder who is an individual and holds the Common
Stock as a capital asset, such holder is present in the United States for 183
or more days in the taxable year of the disposition and either (a) has a "tax
home" for United States federal income tax purposes in the United States or
(b) has an office or other fixed place of business in the United States to
which the gain is attributable; (iii) the Non-United States Holder is subject
to tax pursuant to the provisions of United States federal income tax laws
applicable to certain United States expatriates; or (iv) the Company is or has
been during certain periods a "United States real property holding
corporation" (a "USRPHC") for United States federal income tax purposes and,
assuming that the Common Stock is regularly traded on an established
securities market, the Non-United States Holder owned, actually or
constructively, in excess of 5% of the fair market value of the Common Stock
during the preceding five-year period.
A corporation is generally a USRPHC if the fair market value of its United
States real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair
market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other
82
assets used or held for use in a trade or business at any time during the
five-year period ending on the date of disposition, or the period in which the
holder has owned the stock, whichever is shorter (the "Required Holding
Period"). A non-United States Holder would generally not be subject to tax on
gain from a sale or other disposition of Common Stock by reason of the Company
being deemed to have USRPHC status if the Common Stock is regularly traded on
an established securities market ("regularly traded") during the calendar year
in which such sale or disposition occurs, provided that such holder does not
own, actually or constructively, Common Stock with a fair market value in
excess of 5% of the fair market value of all Common Stock outstanding at any
time during the Required Holding Period (a "5% holder"). While not free from
doubt, the Company believes that the Common Stock should be treated as
regularly traded.
If the Company is or has been a USRPHC within the Required Holding Period,
and if a Non-United States Holder is a 5% holder (as described in the
preceding paragraph), such non-United States Holder of Common Stock will be
subject to United States federal income tax at regular graduated rates
("FIRPTA tax") on gain recognized on a sale or other disposition of such
Common Stock. In addition, if the Company is or has been a USRPHC within the
Required Holding Period and if the Common Stock is not treated as regularly
traded, a non-United States Holder (without regard to its ownership
percentage) is subject to withholding in respect of FIRPTA tax at a rate of
10% of the amount realized on sale or other disposition of Common Stock and
may be further subject to FIRPTA tax in excess of the amounts withheld. Any
amount withheld pursuant to such withholding tax is creditable against such
non-United States Holder's United States federal income tax liability.
The Company does not believe that it is a USRPHC as of the date of this
Prospectus. The Company has not received an appraisal with respect to the
Acquired Resorts and therefore cannot make such conclusion with certainty and
there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge such conclusion.
Non-United States Holders accordingly should consider the risk that the
Company is, or will become, a USRPHC, in which event gain on sale or
disposition of Common Stock will be subject to FIRPTA tax if (i) the Common
Stock is not treated as regularly traded (in which event the 10% withholding
tax also will be imposed) or (ii) even if the Common Stock is regularly
traded, a Non-United States Holder is a 5% holder.
Gain realized upon disposition of Common Stock that is effectively connected
with the conduct by the Non-United States Holder of a trade of business within
the United States is subject to United States federal income tax on the same
basis as United States persons generally (and, generally, with respect to
corporate holders, the branch profits tax) but will not be subject to
withholding.
Non-United States Holders should consult applicable tax treaties, which may
result in United States Federal income tax treatment on the sale or other
disposition of Common Stock different from that described above.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Generally, the Company must report annually to the IRS and to each Non-
United States Holder the amount of dividends paid to, and the tax withheld
with respect to, such holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually
withheld. This information may also be made available to the tax authorities
in the Non-United States Holder's country of residence.
United States backup withholding tax will generally not apply to dividends
paid on Common Stock to a Non-United States Holder at an address outside the
United States. Upon the sale of Common Stock by a Non-United States Holder to
or through a United States office of a broker, the broker must withhold tax at
a rate of 31% and report the sale to the IRS unless the holder certifies its
Non-United States Holder status under penalties of perjury or otherwise
establishes an exemption. Information reporting (but not backup withholding)
applies upon the sale of Common Stock by a Non-United States Holder to or
through the foreign office of a United States broker, or a foreign broker with
certain types of relationships to the United States, unless the broker has
documentary evidence in its files that the seller is a Non-United States
Holder and certain other conditions are met, or the holder otherwise
establishes an exemption.
83
Proposed Treasury Regulations would, if adopted, alter the foregoing rules
in certain respects. Among other things, the Proposed Regulations would
provide certain presumptions under which Non-United States Holders would be
subject to backup withholding in the absence of required certifications.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld under the
backup withholding rules are generally allowable as a refund or credit against
such Non-United States Holder's United States federal income tax liability, if
any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
FEDERAL ESTATE TAXES
Common Stock owned or treated is owned by an individual who is not a citizen
or resident of the United States (as defined for United States federal estate
tax purposes) at the time of death will be included in such individual's gross
estate for United States federal estate tax purposes unless an applicable
estate tax treaty provides otherwise.
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UNDERWRITING
The underwriters of the U.S. Offering named below (the "U.S. Underwriters"),
for whom Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., Schroder Wertheim & Co. Incorporated and
are acting as representatives, have severally agreed with the Company
and the Selling Stockholders, subject to the terms and conditions of the U.S.
Underwriting Agreement (the form of which has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form S-2 of which this Prospectus is a part), to
purchase from the Company and the Selling Stockholders the aggregate number of
U.S. Shares set forth opposite their respective names below.
NUMBER OF
NAME OF U.S. UNDERWRITER U.S. SHARES
------------------------ -----------
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. ...............................
Furman Selz LLC.........................................
Goldman, Sachs & Co. ...................................
Salomon Brothers Inc....................................
Schroder Wertheim & Co. Incorporated....................
Smith Barney Inc. ......................................
----
Total...............................................
====
The Managers of the concurrent International Offering named below (the
"Managers"), for whom Bear, Stearns International Limited, J. Henry Schroder &
Co. Limited and are acting as lead Managers, have severally agreed
with the Company and the Selling Stockholders, subject to the terms and
conditions of the International Underwriting Agreement (the form of which has
been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-2 of which
this Prospectus is a part), to subscribe and pay for the aggregate number of
International Shares set forth opposite their respective names below.
NUMBER OF
NAME OF MANAGER INTERNATIONAL SHARES
--------------- --------------------
Bear, Stearns International Limited.................
Furman Selz LLC.....................................
Goldman Sachs International.........................
J. Henry Schroder & Co. Limited.....................
Salomon Brothers International Limited..............
Smith Barney Inc. ..................................
----
Total...........................................
====
The nature of the respective obligations of the U.S. Underwriters and the
Managers is such that all of the U.S. Shares and all of the International
Shares must be purchased if any are purchased. Those obligations are subject,
however, to various conditions, including the approval of certain matters by
counsel. The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
U.S. Underwriters and the Managers against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act, and, where such indemnification is
unavailable, to contribute to payments that the U.S. Underwriters and the
Managers may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.
The Company and the Selling Stockholders have been advised that the U.S.
Underwriters propose to offer the U.S. Shares in the United States and Canada
and the Managers propose to offer the International Shares outside the United
States and Canada, initially at the public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus and to certain selected dealers at such price
less a concession not to exceed $ per share; that the U.S. Underwriters and
the Managers may allow, and such selected dealers may reallow, a concession to
certain other dealers not to exceed $ per share; and that after the
commencement of the Offerings, the public offering price and the concessions
may be changed.
85
The Selling Stockholders have granted the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers
options to purchase in the aggregate up to additional shares of Common
Stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any. The options may be exercised in
whole or in part at any time within 30 days after the date of this Prospectus.
To the extent options are exercised, the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers
will be severally committed, subject to certain conditions, to purchase the
additional shares of Common Stock in proportion to their respective
commitments as indicated in the preceding tables.
Pursuant to an agreement between the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers (the
"Agreement Between"), each U.S. Underwriter has agreed that, as part of the
distribution of the U.S. Shares and subject to certain exceptions, (a) it is
not purchasing any U.S. Shares for the account of anyone other than a U.S. or
Canadian Person (as defined below) and (b) it has not offered or sold, and
will not offer, sell, resell or deliver, directly or indirectly, any U.S.
Shares or distribute any prospectus relating to the U.S. Offering outside the
United States or Canada or to anyone other than a U.S. or Canadian Person or a
dealer who similarly agrees. Similarly, pursuant to the Agreement Between,
each Manager has agreed that, as part of the distribution of the International
Shares and subject to certain exceptions, (a) it is not purchasing any of the
International Shares for the account of any U.S. or Canadian Person and (b) it
has not offered or sold, and will not offer, sell, resell or deliver, directly
or indirectly, any of the International Shares or distribute any prospectus
relating to the International Offering in the United States or Canada or to
any U.S. or Canadian Person or to a dealer who does not similarly agree. As
used herein, "U.S. or Canadian Person" means any individual who is a resident
or citizen of the United States or Canada, any corporation, pension, profit
sharing or other trust or any other entity under or governed by the laws of
the United States or Canada or of any political subdivision thereof (other
than the foreign branch of any U.S. or Canadian Person), any estate or trust
the income of which is subject to United States or Canadian federal income
taxation regardless of the source of such income, and any United States or
Canadian branch of a person other than a U.S. or Canadian Person; "United
States" means the United States of America (including the District of
Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its
jurisdiction; "Canada" means the provinces of Canada, its territories, its
possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.
Pursuant to the Agreement Between, sales may be made between the U.S.
Underwriters and the Managers of such number of shares of Common Stock as may
be mutually agreed upon. The price of any shares so sold shall be the public
offering price as then in effect for the Common Stock being sold by the U.S.
Underwriters and the Managers, less an amount not greater than the selling
concession allocable to such Common Stock. To the extent that there are sales
between the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers pursuant to the Agreement
Between, the number of shares of Common Stock initially available for sale by
the U.S. Underwriters or by the Managers may be more or less than the amount
specified on the cover page of this Prospectus.
Each U.S. Underwriter and each Manager has represented and agreed that (a)
it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, in the United Kingdom
by means of any document, any shares of Common Stock other than to persons
whose ordinary business it is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as
principal or agent (except under circumstances which do not constitute an
offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Act 1985 of Great
Britain); (b) it has complied and will comply with applicable provisions of
the Financial Services Act 1996 with respect to anything done by it in
relation to the Common Stock in, from or otherwise involving the United
Kingdom; and (c) it has only issued or passed on, and will only issue or pass
on to any person in the United Kingdom, any documents received by it in
connection with the issue of Common Stock if that person is of a kind
described in Article 9(3) of the Financial Services Act 1986 (Investment
Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order 1988 (as amended) or in other circumstances
exempted from the restrictions on advertising in the Financial Services Act
1986.
Purchasers of the International Shares offered in the International Offering
may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges in accordance with the
laws and practices of the country of purchase in addition to the initial
public offering price set forth on the cover page hereof.
The Company, its officers and directors and the Selling Stockholders have
agreed, that, for a period of days after the date of this Prospectus, they
will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise
86
dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to any
additional shares of its Common Stock or Class A Common Stock, or securities
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of its Common
Stock, or disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge,
disposal or filing, without the prior written consent of Bear, Stearns & Co.
Inc. The foregoing does not prohibit the Selling Stockholders from selling
shares subject to the Underwriters' over-allotment option or prohibit the
Company from issuing shares pursuant to its stock option plans.
At the Company's request, the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers have
reserved up to shares of Common Stock (the "Directed Shares") for sale at
the public offering price to approximately persons who are directors,
officers or employees of, or otherwise associated with, the Company and who
have advised the Company of their desire to participate in its future growth.
Each purchaser of more than Directed Shares will be required to agree to
restrictions on resale similar to those described in the immediately preceding
paragraph. However, the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers are not obligated
to sell any shares to any persons. The number of shares of Common Stock
available for sale to the general public will be reduced to the extent of
sales of Directed Shares to any of the persons for whom they have been
reserved. Any shares not so purchased will be offered by the U.S. Underwriters
and the Managers on the same basis as all other shares offered hereby.
Prior to the Offerings, there has been no public market for the Company's
Common Stock. Consequently, the initial public offering price will be
determined through negotiations among the Company, the representatives of the
U.S. Underwriters and the Managers. Among the factors to be considered in
making such determination will be the Company's financial and operating
history and condition, its prospects and prospects for the industry in which
it does business in general, the management of the Company, prevailing equity
market conditions and the demand for securities considered comparable to those
of the Company.
NOTICE TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS
RESALE RESTRICTIONS
The distribution of the Common Stock in Canada is being made only on a
private placement basis exempt from the requirement that the Company or the
Selling Stockholders prepare and file a prospectus with the relevant Canadian
securities regulatory authorities. Accordingly, any resale of the Common Stock
in Canada must be made in accordance with applicable securities laws, which
will vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require
resales to be made in accordance with available statutory exemptions or
pursuant to a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian
securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice
prior to any resale of the Common Stock.
REPRESENTATIONS OF PURCHASERS
Confirmations of the acceptance of offers to purchase shares of Common Stock
will be sent to Canadian residents to whom this Prospectus has been sent and
who have not withdrawn their offers to purchase prior to the issuance of such
confirmations. Each purchaser of Common Stock in Canada who receives a
purchase confirmation will be deemed to represent to the Company, the Selling
Stockholders and the dealer from whom such purchase confirmation is received
that (i) such purchaser is entitled under applicable Canadian provincial
securities laws to purchase such Common Stock without the benefit of a
prospectus qualified under such securities laws, (ii) where required by law,
such purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent, (iii) such
purchaser has reviewed the text above under "Notice to Canadian Residents--
Resale Restrictions", (iv) if such purchaser is located in Manitoba, such
purchaser is not an individual and is purchasing for investment only and not
with a view to resale or distribution, (v) if such purchaser is located in
Ontario, a dealer registered as an international dealer in Ontario may sell
shares of Common Stock to such purchaser, and (vi) if such purchaser is
located in Quebec, such purchaser is a "sophisticated purchaser" within the
meaning of Section 43 of the Securities Act (Quebec).
87
TAXATION
Canadian purchasers should consult their own legal and tax advisers with
respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the Common Stock in their
particular circumstances and with respect to the eligibility of the Common
Stock for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.
ENFORCEMENT OF LEGAL RIGHTS
The Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. All or
substantially all of the directors and officers of the Company reside outside
Canada and all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are located
outside Canada. As a result, it may not be possible for Canadian investors to
effect service of process within Canada upon the Company or to enforce against
the Company in Canada judgements obtained in Canadian courts that are
predicated upon the contractual rights of action, if any, granted to certain
purchasers by the Company. It may also not be possible for investors to
enforce against the Company in the United States judgements obtained in
Canadian courts.
Furthermore, although the requirement for an issuer to provide to certain
purchasers the contractual right of action for damages and/or rescission
described below is consistent with contractual considerations associated with
a private placement which constitutes a primary distribution of the issuer's
securities by the issuer, an investor may not be able to enforce a contractual
right of action for rescission against the issuer whom the offer or sale of
the issue's securities is a secondary distribution being made by a third party
such as the sale of the Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders.
NOTICE TO ONTARIO RESIDENTS
The securities being offered hereby are those of a foreign issuer and
Ontario purchasers will not receive the contractual right of action prescribed
by Section 32 of the Regulation under the Securities Act (Ontario). As a
result, Ontario purchasers must rely on other remedies that may be available,
including common law rights of action for damages or rescission or rights of
action under the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities
laws.
All the Company's directors and officers as well as the experts named herein
may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for
Ontario purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon the Company
or such persons. All or a substantial portion of the assets of the Company and
such persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be
possible to satisfy a judgement against the Company or such persons in Canada
or to enforce a judgement obtained in Canadian courts against the Company or
persons outside of Canada.
NOTICE TO NOVA SCOTIA RESIDENTS
The Securities Act (Nova Scotia) provides that when a Canadian offering
document, together with any amendments thereto, contains an untrue statement
of material fact or omits to state a material fact that is required to be
stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in the light of
the circumstances in which it was made (such untrue statement or omission
herein called a "misrepresentation"), a purchaser who was delivered such
offering document and who purchases such securities shall be deemed to have
relied on such misrepresentation, if it was a misrepresentation at the time of
purchase, and has a right of action for damages against the seller of the
securities or he may elect to exercise the right of rescission against the
seller, in which case he shall have no right of action for damages against the
seller, provided that:
(a) the seller will not be liable if the seller proves that the purchaser
purchased the securities with knowledge of the misrepresentation;
(b) in an action for damages, the seller will not be liable for all or
any portion of such damages that the seller proves do not represent the
depreciation in value of the security as a result of the misrepresentation
relied upon;
88
(c) in no case shall the amount recoverable pursuant to the right of
action exceed the price at which the securities were offered; and
(d) the action for recision or damages conferred by the Securities Act
(Nova Scotia) is in addition to and without derogation from any other
rights the purchaser may have at law;
but no action to enforce these rights may be commenced more than 120 days
after the date on which payment is made for the securities or after the date
on which the initial payment for the securities is made where a payment
subsequent to the initial payment is made pursuant to a contractual commitment
assumed prior to, or concurrently with, the initial payment.
NOTICE TO SASKATCHEWAN RESIDENTS
The Securities Act (Saskatchewan) provides that in the event an offering
memorandum, together with any amendment thereto, or any advertising or sales
literature (as such terms are defined in the Securities Act (Saskatchewan))
used in connection with an offering contains a misrepresentation (as defined
in the Securities Act (Saskatchewan) that was a misrepresentation at the time
of purchase, purchasers of securities will be deemed to have relied upon such
misrepresentation and will have a statutory right of action pursuant to the
Securities Act (Saskatchewan) for damages against the issuer and the seller of
the securities, or alternatively may elect to exercise a right of rescission
against the issuer or the seller, provided that:
(a) no person or company is liable where the person or company proves
that the purchaser purchased the securities with knowledge of the
misrepresentation;
(b) no person or company, other than the issuer or selling security
holder, is liable unless that person or company: (i) failed to conduct a
reasonable investigation sufficient to provide reasonable grounds for a
belief that there had been no misrepresentation; or (ii) believed there had
been a misrepresentation; and
(c) in an action for damages, the defendant is not be liable for all or
any portion of such damages that it proves do not represent the
depreciation in value of the securities as a result of the
misrepresentation relied upon, but no action to enforce these rights may be
commenced:
(i) in the case of rescission, more than 180 days after the date of
the transaction that gave rise to the cause of action; and
(ii) in the case of any other action, other than an action for
rescission, more than the earlier of
(A) 180 days after the purchaser first had knowledge of the facts
giving rise to the cause of action, or
(B) three years after the date of the transaction that gave rise
to the cause of action.
LANGUAGE OF DOCUMENTS
All Canadian purchasers of shares of Common Stock acknowledge that all
documents evidencing or relating in any way to the sale of such shares will be
drawn in the English language only. Tous les acheteurs canadiens d'actions
ordinaires reconnaissent par les presentes que c'est a leur volonte expresse
que tous les documents faisant foi ou se rapportant de quelque maniere a la
vente des actions ordinaires soient rediges en anglais seulement.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters with respect to the shares of Common Stock offered
hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Cahill Gordon & Reindel (a
partnership including a professional corporation), New York, New York, and
Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Strickland, P.C., Denver, Colorado, and for the
Underwriters by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel, New York, New York.
89
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Vail Resorts, Inc. at September 30,
1995 and September 30, 1994 and for each of the three years in the period
ended September 30, 1995 included in this prospectus and registration
statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are
included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in
giving said report.
The consolidated statements of income, stockholder's equity, and cash flows
for the periods from October 4, 1993 through August 31, 1994, and October 9,
1992 through October 3, 1993 of Packerland Packing Company, Inc. have been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their
report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are referred to herein in
reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Ralston Resorts as of September 30,
1995 and 1994 and for each of the three years in the period ended September
30, 1995 included in this Prospectus have been so included in reliance on the
report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
90
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................................... F-2
Report of Ernst & Young LLP Independent Auditors ........................... F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets................................................. F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations....................................... F-5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity............................. F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows....................................... F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................. F-8
RALSTON RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Report of Independent Accountants.......................................... F-23
Consolidated Balance Sheet................................................. F-24
Consolidated Statement of Operations....................................... F-25
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholder's Equity.................. F-26
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows....................................... F-27
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................. F-28
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors of
Vail Resorts, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of VAIL
RESORTS, INC. formerly known as Gillett Holdings, Inc. (see Note 1) (a
Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1995 and 1994, and
the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and
cash flows for the years then ended and for the period from October 9, 1992
through September 30, 1993 as restated (see Note 2). These consolidated
financial statements and the other financial information referred to below are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and the other
financial information based on our audits. We did not audit the consolidated
financial statements of Packerland Packing Company, Inc. ("Packerland"), a
wholly owned subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. until 100% of the stock of
Packerland was sold on August 31, 1994. The net revenues of Packerland
included in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended
September 30, 1994 and 1993 were $630,928,000 and $704,705,000, respectively.
The accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended
September 30, 1994 and 1993 present the operations of Packerland as
discontinued (see Note 3). Those statements were audited by other auditors
whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates
to the amounts included for Packerland, is based solely on the report of the
other auditors.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits and the report of other
auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the
financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material
respects, the consolidated financial position of Vail Resorts, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of September 30, 1995 and 1994 and the consolidated results of
their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended and for the
period from October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993 in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
Arthur Andersen LLP
Denver, Colorado,
December 21, 1995.
F-2
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors
Packerland Packing Company, Inc.
We have audited the consolidated statements of income, stockholder's equity
and cash flows for the periods from October 4, 1993 through August 31, 1994,
and October 9, 1992 through October 3, 1993, of Packerland Packing Company,
Inc. (the Company). These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated results of the Company's operations
and its cash flows for the period from October 4, 1993 through August 31,
1994, and October 9, 1992 through October 3, 1993, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
October 7, 1994
F-3
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
1994 1995 1996
------------- ------------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents............ $ 83,015 $ 47,534 $ 531
Receivables.......................... 4,622 5,135 3,599
Inventories.......................... 2,985 4,221 4,687
Deferred income taxes (Note 8)....... 9,800 9,500 9,500
Other current assets................. 3,450 3,716 2,024
-------- -------- --------
Total current assets............... 103,872 70,106 20,341
Property, plant, and equipment, net
(Note 6).............................. 196,897 205,151 199,451
Real estate held for sale (Note 4)..... 42,637 54,858 66,247
Deferred charges and other assets...... 6,342 6,106 8,876
Intangible assets, as restated (Notes 2
and 6)................................ 100,270 93,407 87,544
-------- -------- --------
Total assets....................... $450,018 $429,628 $382,459
======== ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(Note 6)............................ $ 27,241 $ 37,419 $ 26,712
Income taxes payable (Note 8)........ 372 81 81
Long-term debt due within one year
(Notes 1 and 5)..................... 1,487 63 63
-------- -------- --------
Total current liabilities.......... 29,100 37,563 26,856
Long-term debt (Note 5)................ 224,167 191,250 121,703
Other long-term liabilities............ 7,557 3,821 9,259
Deferred income taxes (Note 8)......... 26,700 29,300 39,693
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 1,
3, 10, and 12)
Stockholders' equity (Notes 1, 12 and
13):
Preferred stock, $.01 par value
25,000,000 shares authorized, no
shares issued and outstanding....... -- -- --
Common stock--
Class A common stock, $.01 par
value, 20,000,000 shares
authorized, 7,124,707, 6,408,846
and 6,401,312 shares issued and
outstanding as of September 30,
1994 and 1995 and June 30, 1996,
respectively....................... 71 64 64
Common Stock, $.01 par value,
40,000,000 shares authorized,
2,636,968, 3,471,992 and 3,598,688
shares issued and outstanding as of
September 30, 1994 and 1995 and
April 30, 1996, respectively....... 27 35 36
Additional paid-in capital........... 133,743 135,660 137,650
Retained earnings, as restated (Note
2).................................. 28,653 31,935 47,198
-------- -------- --------
Total stockholders' equity......... 162,494 167,694 184,948
-------- -------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity............................ $450,018 $429,628 $382,459
======== ======== ========
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these balance sheets.
F-4
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
PERIOD FROM
OCTOBER 9,
1992 YEAR
THROUGH ENDED NINE MONTHS
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
1993 1994 ENDED 1995 NINE MONTHS
(AS RESTATED-- (AS RESTATED-- SEPTEMBER 30, (AS RESTATED-- ENDED
NOTE 2) NOTE 2) 1995 NOTE 2) JUNE 30, 1996
-------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
Net Revenues:
Resort................. 114,623 124,982 126,349 119,624 132,410
Real estate............ 4,610 22,203 16,526 11,223 35,714
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total net revenues..... 119,233 147,185 142,875 130,847 168,124
Operating expenses:
Resort................. 69,749 78,365 82,305 71,240 77,101
Real estate............ 5,165 20,341 14,983 11,594 31,251
Corporate expense...... 6,467 7,160 6,701 5,149 3,451
Depreciation and amor-
tization.............. 13,404 17,186 17,968 13,212 13,590
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total operating ex-
penses................ 947,285 123,052 121,957 101,195 125,393
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Operating income from
continuing operations.. 24,448 24,133 20,918 29,652 42,731
Other income (expense):
Investment income...... 2,358 1,523 3,295 2,552 944
Interest expense (Note
1).................... (26,314) (22,468) (19,498) (14,842) (13,678)
Gain (loss) on disposal
of fixed assets....... (761) 128 (849) 91 (2,629)
Other (Notes 9 and
10)................... (733) (598) 3,291 2,017 (879)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income (loss) from con-
tinuing operations be-
fore income taxes...... (1,002) 2,718 7,157 19,470 26,489
(Provision) credit for
income taxes (Note 8).. 856 (1,957) (3,875) (8,508) (11,226)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income (loss) from con-
tinuing operations..... (146) 761 3,282 10,962 15,263
Income from discontinued
operations, net of ap-
plicable income tax
provision of $1,134 and
$4,206 for the period
from October 9, 1992
through September 30,
1993, and the year
ended September 30,
1994, respectively
(Notes 3 and 9)........ 2,044 7,058 -- -- --
Gain (loss) on disposal
of subsidiaries operat-
ing in discontinued
segments, net of appli-
cable income tax provi-
sion (credit) of
($1,212) and $13,357
for the period from Oc-
tober 9, 1992 through
September 30, 1993, and
the year ended Septem-
ber 30, 1994, respec-
tively (Notes 3 and
9)..................... (2,027) 20,963 -- -- --
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net income (loss)....... $ (129) $28,782 $ 3,282 $10,962 $15,263
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these statements.
F-5
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (NOTES 1 AND 3)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
COMMON STOCK
--------------------------------------
SHARES ADDITIONAL RETAINED TOTAL
------------------------------- PAID-IN EARNINGS STOCKHOLDERS'
CLASS A COMMON TOTAL AMOUNT CAPITAL (DEFICIT) EQUITY
--------- --------- ---------- ------ ---------- --------- -------------
Balance, October 8,
1992................... 7,390,803 2,251,709 9,642,512 $ 96 $132,006 $ -- $132,102
Net loss for the period
from October 9, 1992
through September 30,
1993, as restated (Note
2)..................... -- -- -- -- -- (129) (129)
--------- --------- ---------- ---- -------- ------- --------
Balance, September 30,
1993................... 7,390,803 2,251,709 9,642,512 96 132,006 (129) 131,973
Net income for the year
ended September 30,
1994, as restated (Note
2)..................... -- -- -- -- -- 28,782 28,782
Shares issued pursuant
to stock grants (Note
12).................... -- 119,163 119,163 2 1,737 -- 1,739
Shares of Class A Common
Stock converted to
Common Stock (Note 2).. (266,096) 266,096 -- -- -- -- --
--------- --------- ---------- ---- -------- ------- --------
Balance, September 30,
1994................... 7,124,707 2,636,968 9,761,675 98 133,743 28,653 162,494
Net income for the year
ended September 30,
1995................... -- -- -- -- -- 3,282 3,282
Shares issued pursuant
to stock grants (Note
12).................... -- 119,163 119,163 1 1,917 -- 1,918
Shares of Class A Common
Stock converted to
Common Stock (Note 2).. (715,861) 715,861 -- -- -- -- --
--------- --------- ---------- ---- -------- ------- --------
Balance, September 30,
1995................... 6,408,846 3,471,992 9,880,838 $ 99 $135,660 $31,935 $167,694
UNAUDITED:
Net income for the
period ended June 30,
1996................... -- -- -- -- -- 15,263 15,263
Shares issued pursuant
to stock grants (Note
12).................... -- 119,162 119,162 1 1,990 -- 1,991
Shares of Class A Common
Stock converted to
Common Stock (Note 2).. (7,534) 7,534 -- -- -- -- --
--------- --------- ---------- ---- -------- ------- --------
Balance, June 30, 1996
(unaudited)............ 6,401,312 3,598,688 10,000,000 $100 $137,650 $47,198 $184,948
========= ========= ========== ==== ======== ======= ========
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these statements
F-6
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
PERIOD FROM
OCTOBER 9,
1992 YEAR YEAR NINE MONTHS NINE MONTHS
THROUGH ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
------------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -----------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
Cash flows from operat-
ing activities:
Net income (loss), as
restated (Note 2)..... $ (129) $28,782 $ 3,282 $ 10,962 $ 15,263
Adjustments to reconcile
net income (loss) to
net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amor-
tization, as restated
(Note 2).............. 14,378 18,223 17,968 13,212 13,590
Deferred compensation
payments in excess of
expense............... (7,420) (1,257) (1,325) (941) (610)
Noncash cost of real
estate sales.......... 2,723 13,817 9,208 7,184 24,123
Noncash compensation
related to stock
grants
(Note 12)............. 1,633 1,633 1,633 1,224 --
Gain (loss) on
disposal of
subsidiaries (Notes 3
and 9)................ 3,239 (34,320) -- -- --
Bond discount amor-
tized................. 9,344 548 -- -- --
Deferred financing
costs amortized....... 600 504 237 186 186
Loss (gain) on dis-
posal of fixed as-
sets.................. 761 (128) 849 (91) 2,629
Deferred real estate
revenue............... -- 1,535 1,500 -- --
Deferred income taxes
(Note 8).............. (1,100) 16,000 2,900 7,968 10,393
Cash received on
termination of
pension plan
(Note 7).............. 6,760 500 -- -- --
Changes in assets and
liabilities:
Accounts receivable,
net................... (6,561) 6,153 (349) 2,595 1,536
Inventories............ (3,973) (455) (1,236) (2,083) (466)
Accounts payable and
accrued expenses...... (13,577) 2,742 10,141 7,431 (10,097)
Other assets and lia-
bilities.............. (4,951) 1,830 (3,704) (1,268) (3,239)
-------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by
operating activi-
ties................ 1,727 56,107 41,104 46,379 53,308
Cash flows from invest-
ing activities:
Resort capital expendi-
tures................. (16,642) (17,414) (20,320) (23,490) (8,280)
Investments in real es-
tate.................. (3,792) (22,686) (22,477) (4,915) (22,284)
Cash payments from GHTV
(Note 1).............. 171,479 39,097 -- -- --
Cash balances of GHTV
acquired.............. -- 3,145 -- -- --
Net cash proceeds from
sale of Packerland
(Note 3).............. -- 56,260 -- -- --
Cash balances of
Packerland sold....... -- (7,853) -- -- --
Purchase of Arrowhead
(Note 4).............. -- (30,919) -- -- --
Investment in joint
venture............... -- (2,978) (400) -- --
Other.................. (5,901) (363) 953 688 (200)
-------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by
(used in) investing ac-
tivities............... 145,144 16,289 (42,244) (27,717) (30,764)
Cash flows from financ-
ing activities:
Proceeds from
borrowings under long-
term debt............. 27,834 69,360 253,400 178,000 61,000
Payments on long-term
debt.................. (161,681) (94,820) (287,741) (228,501) (130,547)
Payment of
reorganization items,
financing costs and
other................. (181,055) (1,422) -- -- --
-------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Net cash used in fi-
nancing activities.. (314,902) (26,882) (34,341) (50,501) (69,547)
-------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease)
in cash and cash equiv-
alents................. (168,031) 45,514 (35,481) (31,839) (47,003)
Cash and cash equiva-
lents:
Beginning of period.... 205,532 37,501 83,015 83,015 47,534
-------- ------- -------- -------- --------
End of period.......... $ 37,501 $83,015 $ 47,534 $ 51,176 $ 531
======== ======= ======== ======== ========
Cash paid for interest
included as a use of
cash in operating
activities............. $ 42,051 $27,182 $ 13,852 $ 11,574 $ 18,118
======== ======= ======== ======== ========
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statementsare an integral part
of these statements
F-7
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 1994 AND 1995
(INCLUDING NOTES RELATED TO THE UNAUDITED PERIOD ENDING JUNE 30, 1996)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Vail Resorts, Inc. ("VRI"), formerly known as Gillett Holdings, Inc., is
organized as a holding company and operates through various subsidiaries. VRI
and its subsidiaries (the "Company") are currently in a single business, the
ownership and operation of ski resorts. Vail Holdings, Inc. and its
subsidiaries (collectively, "Vail Associates") operate one of the world's
largest skiing facilities on Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek Mountain and
Arrowhead Mountain in Colorado and have related real estate operations. Until
August 31, 1994, the Company was also in the lean beef business through its
subsidiary, Packerland Packing Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries
("Packerland") which operated one of the largest "lean beef" slaughtering and
packing operations in the United States.
On October 8, 1992 (the "Effective Date"), VRI, its corporate subsidiaries,
Vail Associates and Packerland emerged from bankruptcy pursuant to a plan of
reorganization (the "Plan") filed in June 1992 under Chapter 11 of the
Bankruptcy Code. The Company's organizational structure was restructured
through the change in ownership of subsidiaries engaged in the communications
business and a change of ownership of certain other subsidiaries.
In connection with the restructuring transactions, the Company transferred
the stock of GHTV, Inc. ("GHTV"), the parent company of the Company's
subsidiaries engaged in the communications business, to the GHTV Trust. The
beneficial interest in the GHTV Trust was then purchased by Irving M. Pollack
for $100. The GHTV stock and the beneficial interest in the GHTV Trust were
subject to the terms of a repurchase agreement by and between the Company,
Irving M. Pollack, the GHTV Trust and GHTV (the "Repurchase Agreement"), which
contained provisions restricting the beneficiary's and the GHTV Trust's
ability to sell, assign, encumber, pledge or otherwise transfer the GHTV
stock, the assets of the GHTV Trust or the beneficial interest thereof. In
addition, under the terms of the Repurchase Agreement, the Company had the
right to repurchase either (a) the beneficial interest of the GHTV Trust or
(b) the GHTV stock from the GHTV Trust for $1,000. Subsequent to the Effective
Date, GHTV sold WTVT-TV on May 25, 1993 and KSBW-TV and KSBY-TV on September
23, 1994 (see Notes 3 and 5). Following these sales, GHTV no longer had an
ownership interest in subsidiaries engaged in the communications business. On
September 30, 1994, the Company purchased the stock of GHTV from the GHTV
Trust (see Note 3). At that time, GHTV became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company and accordingly, the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of
September 30, 1994 and 1995 include the remaining assets and liabilities of
GHTV.
Following the restructuring transactions, the Company had notes receivable
from GHTV (the "GHTV Subsidiary Notes"), which consisted of 1) the GHTV
Secured Term Note (the "GHTV Note") and the Gillett Broadcasting of Tennessee
Secured Term Note (the "GBT Note"), totalling $185,001,000 as of October 8,
1992 and 2) the GHTV Subordinated Non-Recourse Secured Term Note (the "GHTV
Subordinated Note") for $30,000,000. The GHTV Note and the GBT note each
accrued interest at 15%, compounded daily and added to principal, with
quarterly payments equal to 2.5% of the principal balance of the notes. The
GHTV Subordinated Note bore no interest. For financial reporting purposes, the
GHTV Subordinated Note was discounted to $8,978,000 as of the Effective Date
to reflect an effective interest rate of 18%. In addition to the quarterly
payments discussed above, in May 1993 and may 1994 the company received
principal payments from GHTV under the GHTV note and the GBT Note of
$160,167,000 and $2,000,000, respectively, in connection with the sale by GHTV
of WTVT-TV on May 35, 1993 (see Note 5) and the release on May 31, 1994 of
$2,000,000 of related sales proceeds held in escrow. In September 1994, the
Company also received a principal payment from GHTV under the GHTV Subsidiary
Notes of $35,372,000 in connection with the sale by GHTV of KSBW-TV and KSBY-
TV on September 23, 1994 (see Note 5).
F-8
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
In connection with the sale of KSBW-TV and KSBY-TV, on September 23, 1994
the remaining balance due to the Company by GHTV under the GHTV Subsidiary
notes was written off in the total principal amount of $28,910,000
($11,491,000 discounted amount for financial reporting purposes). This write-
off had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements since, as
discussed below, GHTV is included in the Company's consolidated financial
statements and, accordingly, the GHTV Subsidiary Notes receivable included in
the consolidated financial statements of the Company was eliminated against
the GHTV Subsidiary Notes payable included in the consolidated financial
statements of GHTV.
Although a sale of GHTV occurred on the Effective Date and GHTV was a
separate legal entity, the Company was to be the ultimate recipient of
substantially all gains and/or losses of GHTV through payments under the GHTV
Subsidiary Notes and because the Company had the ability to repurchase GHTV
under certain circumstances, which purchase occurred on September 30, 1994 as
discussed above. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated statements of
operations of the Company for the period from October 9, 1992 through
September 30, 1993, and for the year ended September 30, 1994, include VRI,
its wholly-owned subsidiaries and the operating results of GHTV. In connection
with including the operating results of GHTV in the Company's consolidated
statements of operations, the interest income recorded by the Company related
to the GHTV Subsidiary Notes was eliminated against the related interest
expense recorded by GHTV. Since GHTV had income following the elimination of
the interest expense on the GHTV Subsidiary Notes, this income was initially
deferred and then recognized as a component of the gain on disposal of
subsidiaries operating in discontinued segments when GHTV was purchased by the
Company as discussed below. As a result of the purchase by the Company of the
stock of GHTV on September 30, 1994 (see Note 3). GHTV became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company and, accordingly, the consolidated balance sheets of
the Company as of September 30, 1994 and 1995 include VRI and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries, including GHTV. In connection with the sale of KSBW-TV and KSBY-
TV and the purchase of GHTV, the Company recognized a net gain of $10,285,000
as a component of the gain on disposal of subsidiaries operating in
discontinued segments.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Cash and Cash Equivalents--The Company considers all highly liquid debt
instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash
equivalents.
Inventories--Inventories of beef products were primarily valued at the
current market price in accordance with general industry practice prior to the
sale of Packerland on August 31, 1994 (see Note 3). Other inventories are
valued at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO)
method, or market. The Company hedged a portion of its live cattle and
purchase commitments from market price fluctuations by entering into contracts
on commodity exchanges. The results of these hedging transactions became part
of the cost of the related inventory items.
Property, Plant and Equipment--Property, plant and equipment is carried at
cost net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated generally on
the straight-line method based on the following useful lives:
YEARS
-----
Buildings and terminals................................................ 3-40
Land improvements...................................................... 3-40
Ski lifts.............................................................. 15
Ski trails............................................................. 20
Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures........................... 3-12
Automobiles and trucks................................................. 3-5
F-9
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The Term Special Use Permits allow the Company to operate ski lifts, trails,
and related activities on United States Forest Service land and expire in 2031
for Vail and 2006 for Beaver Creek.
Deferred Financing Costs--Costs incurred with the issuance of debt
securities are included in deferred charges and other assets, net of
accumulated amortization. Amortization is charged to income over the
respective original lives of the applicable issues and is included as an other
expense.
Intangible Assets--Following the Effective Date, the amount allocated to
"Reorganization Value in Excess of Amounts Allocable to Identifiable Assets"
("Excess Reorganization Value") represents the excess of the Company's
reorganization value over the amounts allocated to the net tangible and other
intangible assets of the Company (see Note 6). During the period from October
9, 1992 through September 30, 1993 and the year ended September 30, 1994 in
previously issued financial statements, the Company amortized Excess
Reorganization Value on a straight line basis over 40 years. The Company
believes that it was justified in using a 40 year amortization period under
generally accepted accounting principles. The Securities and Exchange
Commission, however, believes that Excess Reorganization Value should be
amortized over a period of no more than 20 years. The Company has agreed to
restate the previously issued financial statements for these periods for the
effect of using a 20 year amortization period for Excess Reorganization Value
rather than a 40 year amortization period. The effect of this restatement was
to increase amortization of intangible assets in the consolidated statements
of operations of both periods by $1,047,000 and to reduce both income from
continuing operations and net income for both periods by $1,047,000. Income
per common share from continuing operations and net income per common share
were both reduced by $.10 in both periods as a result of this restatement.
The cost of other intangible assets with determinable lives is charged to
operations based on their respective economic lives, which range 7 to 40 years
using the straight line method. Accumulated amortization as of September 30,
1994 and 1995 was $13,140,000 and $19,695,000, respectively.
Long-lived assets--The Company evaluates potential impairment of long-lived
assets and long-lived assets to be disposed of in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-
Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of ("SFAS No. 121").
SFAS No. 121 establishes procedures for review of recoverability, and
measurement of impairment if necessary, of long-lived assets and certain
identifiable intangibles held and used by an entity. SFAS No. 121 requires
that those assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully
recoverable. SFAS No. 121 also requires that long-lived assets and certain
identifiable intangibles to be disposed of be reported at the lower of
carrying amount or fair value less estimated selling costs.
Revenue Recognition--Resort Revenue is recognized as services are performed.
Revenues from real estate sales are accounted for as follows:
A. Profit is not recognized until title has been transferred.
B. Profit is deferred if the receivable is subject to subordination until
such time as all costs have been recovered.
C. Until the initial down payment and subsequent collection of principal
and interest are by contract substantial, cash received from the buyer is
reported as a deposit on the contract.
The Company capitalizes as land held for sale the original acquisition cost
(or appraised value as of the Effective Date), direct construction and
development costs, property taxes, interest incurred on costs related to land
under development, and other related costs (engineering, surveying,
landscaping, etc.) until the property reaches its intended use. The cost of
sales for individual parcels of real estate or condominium units within a
F-10
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
project is determined using the relative sales value method. Selling expenses
are charged against income in the period incurred.
Income Taxes--The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income
taxes as prescribed by Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 109.
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return along with its
wholly owned subsidiaries. Subsequent to the Effective Date, GHTV and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries filed a separate consolidated income tax return (see
Note 1). As of September 30, 1994, in connection with the acquisition by the
Company of the stock of GHTV from the GHTV Trust pursuant to the Repurchase
Agreement (see Note 1), GHTV became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
Common Stock--The Company's certificate of incorporation requires that if
shares of Class A Common Stock are transferred by a holder to a person other
than an affiliate of the holder, the shares transferred will be converted to
an equal number of shares of Common Stock. The certificate of incorporation
also allows a holder of Class A Common Stock to voluntarily convert his shares
of Class A Common Stock to an equal number of shares of Common Stock. Through
September 30, 1995, 981,957 shares of Class A Common Stock have been converted
to shares of Common Stock. An additional 7,534 shares of Class A Common Stock
have been converted to shares of Common Stock during the period ended April
30, 1996.
Reporting Period--On October 14, 1993, by consent of the Company's board of
directors, the fiscal year end of VRI and its corporate subsidiaries was
changed to September 30 and the fiscal year end of Packerland and its
subsidiaries was changed to the Sunday nearest September 30 (October 3, 1993).
Prior to this change, the reporting period of these entities was the 52/53
week year ending on the Sunday nearest December 31. This change was made to
conform the fiscal year end of these entities with Vail Associates and its
subsidiaries, which operate on a September 30 fiscal year end. As a result of
these changes in year ends, the consolidated financial statements of the
Company for the period from October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993 and for
the years ended September 30, 1994 and 1995 include the operating results of
the Company and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries for these periods.
Use of Estimates--The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications--Certain reclassifications have been made to the
accompanying financial statements for the period from October 9, 1992 through
September 30, 1993 and for the years ended September 30, 1994 and 1995, to
conform to the current period presentation.
3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
On August 31, 1994, the Company sold 100% of the stock of Packerland to PPC
Acquisition Co. ("PPC"), an entity owned in part by the existing management
group of Packerland and the Company's chairman and chief executive officer for
net cash proceeds totalling approximately $56,260,000 (see Note 5). The net
gain resulting from this transaction of $10,678,000 is included in gain on
disposal of subsidiaries operating in discontinued segments in the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the year ended
September 30, 1994, and the operations of Packerland for the period from
October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993 and for the year ended September
30, 1994 are included in income from discontinued operations. The Packerland
portion of the gain on disposal of subsidiaries operating in discontinued
segments included in the accompanying
F-11
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended September 30, 1994
includes the net cash proceeds from the sale, reduced by the net assets of
Packerland as of August 31, 1994 and other costs associated with the
transaction. The net revenues of Packerland included in the consolidated
statements of operations were $704,705,000 and $630,928,000 for the period
from October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993 and for the year ended
September 30, 1994, respectively.
On September 23, 1994, GHTV sold substantially all of the assets of its
remaining operating subsidiaries, KSBW-TV and KSBY-TV, to an unaffiliated
party for net cash proceeds totalling approximately $35,372,000. Following
this sale, GHTV no longer had an ownership interest in subsidiaries engaged in
the communications business. On September 30, 1994, the Company purchased the
stock of GHTV from the GHTV Trust pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement (see
Note 1). As discussed in Note 1, the GHTV income following the elimination of
interest expense was deferred until the Company repurchased GHTV on September
30, 1994. Accordingly, the consolidated statements of operations for the year
ended September 30, 1994 and the period from October 9, 1992 through September
30, 1993 include no operating income for GHTV. The net gain resulting from
this transaction of $10,285,000 is included in gain on disposal of
subsidiaries operating in discontinued segments in the accompanying
consolidated statements of operations for the year ended September 30, 1994.
Corporate expense related to the communications segment has been classified
as income from discontinued operations for the year ended September 30, 1994
based upon the corporate expenses directly attributable to GHTV in excess of
the $250,000 expense reimbursement from GHTV during the year (see Note 9). No
corporate expense has been classified as income from discontinued operations
related to the communications segment for the period from October 9, 1992
through September 30, 1993 because the Company was fully reimbursed by GHTV
for corporate expenses during this period pursuant to the Reimbursement
Agreement between the Company and GHTV (see Note 9). Corporate expense related
to Packerland has been classified as income from discontinued operations based
upon the corporate expenses directly attributable to Packerland. Total
corporate expense classified as income from discontinued operations totalled
$654,000 and $762,000 for the period from October 9, 1992 through September
30, 1993 and for the year ended September 30, 1994, respectively. Corporate
interest expense has been allocated to income from discontinued operations
based upon the ratio of the net assets of Packerland and GHTV to the
consolidated net assets of the Company. Total corporate interest expense
allocated to income from discontinued operations totalled $13,235,000 and
$4,033,000 for the period from October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993 and
the year ended September 30, 1994, respectively.
In connection with the sales of Packerland, KSBW-TV and KSBY-TV, the Company
retained certain contingent liabilities that are customary for transactions of
this nature. The Company does not anticipate that these contingencies will
have a material effect on either future financial results or liquidity.
4. ACQUISITIONS
On November 30, 1993 Vail Associates purchased substantially all of the
assets of Arrowhead for approximately $31,000,000 in cash. These assets
include (i) approximately 1,200 acres of land on Arrowhead Mountain, including
180 acres of skiable terrain, (ii) approximately 1,000 acres of undeveloped
real estate on, at the base of and adjacent to Arrowhead Mountain and (iii)
the rights to designate, and receive the proceeds from, certain membership
privileges to the Country Club of the Rockies ("CCR") golf club. Arrowhead is
currently a year round resort which offers membership to CCR and skiing as
amenities to home owners to promote real estate sales. Arrowhead Mountain and
Beaver Creek Mountain are interconnected through certain ski trails, and it is
anticipated that they will be interconnected by ski lift access for the 1996-
1997 ski season. The majority of the $31,000,000 purchase price relates to
undeveloped real estate and is included in real estate held for sale in the
accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 1994 and 1995.
F-12
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
On April 5, 1994, Vail Associates purchased SaddleRidge for approximately
$10,400,000 in cash. SaddleRidge is a 12 unit townhouse project with an
adjoining clubhouse. Vail Associates has sold eleven of the townhouse units
and currently operates the clubhouse.
5. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt as of September 30, 1994, 1995 and June 30, 1996 is
summarized as follows (in thousands):
JUNE 30,
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
1994 1995 (UNAUDITED)
------------- ------------- -----------
Senior Subordinated Notes, due June
30, 2002 (a)......................... $142,000 $117,147 $ 62,647
Industrial Development Bonds (b)...... 38,727 37,903 37,903
Vail credit facility (c).............. 44,000 36,000 21,000
Other (d)............................. 927 263 216
-------- -------- --------
225,654 191,313 121,766
Less--current maturities............ 1,487 63 63
-------- -------- --------
$224,167 $191,250 $121,703
======== ======== ========
- --------
(a) The Senior Subordinated Notes are unsecured, bear interest at 12 1/4% and
mature on June 30, 2002. The Senior Secured Notes bore interest from June
30, 1992 through June 29, 1994 at LIBOR plus 1 1/2% and from June 30, 1994
through September 29, 1994, the date on which the Senior Secured Notes
were redeemed as discussed below, at prime plus 1 1/2%.
For financial reporting purposes, the $200,000,000 original face amount of
the Senior Secured Notes was discounted to $190,108,000 in order to bear a
projected effective interest rate of 9.25% based on market conditions as of
the Effective Date. The Senior Secured Notes include amortization of
original issue discount of $548,000 and $9,344,000, respectively, for the
period from October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993 and the year ended
September 30, 1994. These amounts are included in interest expense in the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations for these periods.
On May 25, 1993, GHTV sold WTVT-TV for $163,250,000 in cash to a subsidiary
of SCI. The net proceeds from this sale totalled $160,167,000 and were used
by GHTV to reduce the outstanding balance of the GHTV Note and the GBT Note
due to the Company (see Note 1.) The Company then redeemed $160,809,000 of
Senior Secured Notes effective as of July 9, 1993. The outstanding
principal amount of Senior Secured Notes following this redemption and as
of September 30, 1993 was $39,191,000. On August 31, 1994, the Company sold
100% of the stock of Packerland to PPC, an entity owned in part by the
existing management group of Packerland and the Company's chairman and
chief executive officer at such time (see Note 3). The net cash proceeds
from this sale totalled approximately $56,260,000. The Company paid
$40,086,000 of these net cash proceeds to the trustee of the Senior Secured
Notes, which was used to fully redeem the $39,191,000 of outstanding Senior
Secured Notes, plus accrued interest on September 29, 1994.
On September 23, 1994, GHTV sold substantially all of the assets of its
remaining operating subsidiaries, KSBW-TV and KSBY-TV, for net cash
proceeds totalling approximately $35,372,000 (see Note 3). These net cash
proceeds were used by GHTV to reduce the outstanding balance of the GHTV
Subsidiary Notes. The Senior Subordinated Note Indenture (the "Indenture")
required that substantially all of these net cash proceeds, plus
substantially all of the remaining net cash proceeds from the sale of
Packerland following the redemption of the Senior Secured Notes discussed
above, be used to offer to redeem Senior Subordinated Notes at 100% of the
principal amount of the notes being redeemed. On November 15, 1994, the
Company fulfilled its obligation to offer to redeem Senior Subordinated
Notes by offering to redeem $50,440,000 of Senior Subordinated Notes at
100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed,
F-13
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
plus accrued interest. This offer expired on December 14, 1994. Holders of
$24,853,000 of Senior Subordinated Notes accepted the Company's offer and
on December 15, 1994, the Company paid $25,488,000 to the trustee under the
Senior Subordinated Notes which was used to fully redeem the notes
tendered, plus accrued interest, through December 14, 1994. The Indenture
places no investment restrictions on the excess of the amount of the
redemption offer over the principal amount of the notes redeemed
($25,587,000).
The Company redeemed $30,000,000 and $24,500,000 principal amounts of
Senior Subordinated Notes on December 11, 1995 and February 2, 1996,
respectively, pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of the
Indenture. Under these provisions, the Company was required to pay a call
premium in the amount of 5% of the principal redeemed for each of these
redemptions.
The Company, pursuant to the covenants in the Indenture, may not incur
additional indebtedness unless expressly permitted in the Indenture; make
certain Restricted Payments (as defined in the Indenture); sell assets of
the Company or its subsidiaries unless within the guidelines set forth in
the Indenture; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; or make
certain acquisitions in excess of specific limitations.
(b) The Industrial Development Bonds mature in August 2009 with interest
payable semiannually at 8%.
(c) The Company refinanced its previous credit facility on March 31, 1995. The
new credit facilities (collectively the "Credit Facility") provides for
total availability of $135,000,000 which is comprised of a $105,000,000
Revolver ("Facility A") and a $30,000,000 Revolver ("Facility B").
Facility A requires that no more than $75,000,000 be outstanding for a 30
day period each year. However, because of the long term nature of Facility
A, all amounts outstanding are considered to be noncurrent liabilities.
Facility A also requires a principal reduction of $25,000,000 on March 31,
1999 with the remaining principal balance due on March 31, 2000. Facility
B requires principal reductions of $10,000,000 on March 31, 1997, 1998 and
1999. The Credit Facility is available for the seasonal working capital
needs of the Company and for capital expenditures and other general
corporate purposes, including the issuance of up to $50,000,000 of letters
of credit ("LOC"). Interest on outstanding advances under the Credit
Facility is payable monthly or quarterly at rates based upon either LIBOR
plus a margin (ranging from .75% to 2.0%) or prime plus a margin (up to
.25%). These rates fluctuate depending on the ratio of funded debt to
resort cash flow as defined in the Credit Facility. The Company is also
required to pay an unused commitment fee ranging from .25% to .375%. Of
the $50,000,000 of LOC availability, approximately $45,000,000 will
ultimately be used to credit enhance the Smith Creek Metropolitan District
revenue bonds (see Note 10). As of September 30, 1995 and June 30, 1996,
the Company had $27,600,000 and $27,581,000, respectively, of LOC's
outstanding related to this credit enhancement and is using approximately
$6,300,000 and $6,100,000, respectively, of LOC's for other Vail
Associates corporate purposes. Fees for LOC's outstanding are payable when
LOC's are issued at rates ranging from .875% to 2.125%. Vail Associates is
permitted under the Credit Facility to make 1) quarterly dividend payments
to the Company in the amount of net cash proceeds from real estate sales,
2) annual dividend payments based upon annual excess cash flow excluding
cash proceeds from real estate sales, and 3) management fee payments not
to exceed $3,000,000 per year. The Credit Facility and the Industrial
Development Bonds (see (b) above are secured by the stock of the
subsidiaries of Vail Associates and the permits granted by the United
States Forest Service (see Note 2).
(d) The other obligations provide for various interest rate and maturities
from 1996 to 1999.
F-14
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Aggregate maturities for debt outstanding based on the terms of Facility A
discussed above, are as follows (in thousands):
AS OF AS OF
SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
1995 1996
------------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
Due during year ending September 30:
1996................................................ $ 63 $ 16
1997................................................ 63 63
1998................................................ 63 63
1999................................................ 63 63
2000................................................ 11 11
Thereafter.......................................... 191,050 121,550
-------- --------
Total debt........................................ $191,313 $121,766
======== ========
6. SUPPLEMENTARY BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION (IN THOUSANDS)
The composition of property, plant and equipment follows:
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
1994 1995 1996
------------- ------------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
Land and land improvements............. $ 68,164 $ 70,172 $ 69,624
Buildings and terminals................ 62,266 65,812 64,522
Machinery and equipment................ 61,058 65,123 70,321
Automobiles and trucks................. 1,969 2,847 3,730
Furniture and fixtures................. 6,310 11,152 12,817
Construction in progress............... 13,683 17,421 13,013
-------- -------- --------
213,450 232,527 234,027
Accumulated depreciation and amortiza-
tion.................................. (16,553) ( 27,376) (34,576)
-------- -------- --------
$196,897 $205,151 $199,451
======== ======== ========
The composition of intangible assets follows:
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
1994 1995 1996
------------- ------------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
Trademarks............................. $ 39,041 $ 38,012 37,241
Other intangible assets................ 26,610 23,131 19,695
Reorganization Value in excess of
amounts allocable to identifiable
assets (Note 2)....................... 34,619 32,264 30,608
-------- -------- --------
$100,270 $ 93,407 $ 87,544
======== ======== ========
F-15
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The composition of accounts payable and accrued expenses follows:
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
1994 1995 1996
------------- ------------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
Trade payables.......................... $ 9,052 $13,948 $ 8,585
Accrued interest........................ 1,065 8,092 3,652
Accrued salaries and wages.............. 5,277 5,775 5,937
Other accruals.......................... 11,847 9,604 8,538
------- ------- -------
$27,241 $37,419 $26,712
======= ======= =======
7. PENSION AND PROFIT SHARING
The Company had a defined benefit pension plan covering certain employees.
The plan also included participants who were employees of certain companies
which have been sold. The accrued benefits for those plan participants became
vested as of the date of sale, with no additional benefits to be accrued.
Benefits were earned based on years of service and the employee's average
earnings. The Company funded minimum amounts required by ERISA.
During 1992, the plan was terminated. In connection with the termination of
the plan, a group annuity contract was purchased for $2,477,000 for settlement
of substantially all remaining plan obligations, leaving approximately
$7,260,000 in the plan. The Company received $6,760,000 of this amount from
the plan during the period from October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993 and
paid federal excise tax totaling $1,352,000 during that year. The remaining
$500,000 of this amount was received during the year ended September 30, 1994
and the Company paid federal excise tax totalling $93,000 during that year.
The Company also has certain defined contribution plans, the most
significant of which covers all permanent employees and a majority of the
full-time seasonal employees of Vail.
Total pension and profit sharing plan expense recognized by the Company for
the period from October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993 and the years ended
September 30, 1994 and 1995 was $693,000, $784,000 and $493,000 respectively.
8. INCOME TAXES
The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes as
required by Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes" (FASB 109).
At October 8, 1992, the Company had net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards
for federal income tax purposes of $575 million ("Effective Date NOLs"). Due
to discharge of indebtedness income relating to the restructuring, these NOLs
were reduced by $214 million. Pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue
Code (IRC), due to the change in control of the Company as described in Note
1, the Company will be limited in its use of these NOLs which exist on the
Effective Date. The Company will be able to use Effective Date NOLs to the
extent of approximately $8 million per year in each of the 15 years subsequent
to the Effective Date. In addition, the Company will be able to use Effective
Date NOLs to the extent that built-in gains (excess of fair market value over
tax basis at October 8, 1992) are recognized on asset sales which occur
through October 8, 1997. Accordingly, at October 8, 1992 the financial
statements reflect the benefit of the expected use of $120 million of
Effective Date NOLs. As the likelihood is low that the Company will be able to
recognize a significant portion of the remaining Effective Date NOLs, the
accompanying financial statements and tables of deferred tax items below do
not recognize any benefits related to the remaining Effective Date NOLs,
except to the extent
F-16
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
realized. To the extent any additional tax benefits from these Effective Date
NOLs are recognized, there will be a reduction to the reorganization value in
excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets recorded at October 8,
1992. During the years ended September 30, 1994 and 1995, the Company
recognized the benefit of Effective Date tax attributes which were recorded as
reductions to the reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to
identifiable assets of $2,764,000 and $278,000, respectively. At September 30,
1995. the Company has total federal NOL carryforwards of approximately $380
million for income tax purposes that expire in years 2002 through 2008, $65
million of which are not subject to any Section 382 limitation.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company's
deferred tax liabilities and assets as of September 30, 1994 and 1995 are as
follows (in thousands):
SEPTEMBER 30, 1994 SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
--------------------------- ---------------------------
CURRENT NON-CURRENT CURRENT NON-CURRENT
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
ASSETS ASSETS ASSETS ASSETS
(LIABILITIES) (LIABILITIES) (LIABILITIES) (LIABILITIES)
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Fixed assets........... $ -- $(41,116) $ -- $(41,578)
Interest on notes...... 227 2,416 216 1,822
Intangible assets...... -- (22,920) -- (21,516)
Deferred compensation.. 384 607 124 270
Bad debts.............. 470 -- 200 --
NOL carryover.......... 7,004 47,895 7,182 49,881
Valuation allowance.... (699) (16,226) -- (19,535)
Minimum tax credit..... -- 300 -- 595
All other.............. 2,414 2,344 1,778 761
------ -------- ------ --------
Net Total............ $9,800 $(26,700) $9,500 $(29,300)
====== ======== ====== ========
Significant components of the provision (credit) for income taxes from
continuing operations are as follows (in thousands):
PERIOD FROM
OCTOBER 9, 1992 YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1994 SEPTEMBER 30,
SEPTEMBER 30, 1993 1994 1995
------------------ ------------------ -------------
Current:
Federal................... $ -- $ 447 $ 621
State..................... 23 235 354
----- ------ ------
Total current........... 23 682 975
Deferred:
Federal................... 110 347 2,066
State..................... (989) 928 834
----- ------ ------
Total deferred.......... (879) 1,275 2,900
----- ------ ------
$(856) $1,957 $3,875
===== ====== ======
F-17
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
A reconciliation of the income tax provision (credit) from continuing
operations and the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory
income tax rate to income (loss) from continuing operations before income
taxes is as follows (in thousands):
PERIOD FROM
OCTOBER 9, 1992 YEAR ENDED
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1993 1994 SEPTEMBER 30,
(NOTE 2) (NOTE 2) 1995
------------------ ------------- -------------
At U.S. federal income tax
rate.......................... $ (351) $ 951 $2,505
State income tax, net of fed-
eral benefit.................. (763) 270 714
Net operating loss reduction--
restructuring................. 6,010 -- --
Unused net operating loss...... 2,794 -- --
Loss allocated to different pe-
riod for tax purposes......... (9,235) -- --
Officers life insurance........ -- 17 33
Excess reorganization value am-
ortization.................... 694 754 727
Other.......................... (5) (35) (104)
------ ------ ------
$ (856) $1,957 $3,875
====== ====== ======
9. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company provided administrative and other services to GHTV subsequent to
the Effective Date pursuant to a Reimbursement Agreement between the Company
and GHTV. Under the Reimbursement Agreement, GHTV reimbursed the Company for
all costs incurred directly by the Company on behalf of GHTV, and for its
allocated share of all Company corporate salaries and overhead expenses. In
connection with the sale of WTVT-TV on May 25, 1993, the Reimbursement
Agreement was amended to limit the GHTV reimbursement to the Company to
$250,000 per year. The Company received $250,000 and $1,401,000 of expense
reimbursements related to the Reimbursement Agreement during the year ended
September 30, 1994 and the period from October 9, 1992 through September 30,
1993, respectively. As a result of the purchase by the Company of the stock of
GHTV (see Note 1), the Reimbursement Agreement was no longer in effect
subsequent to September 30, 1994.
GHTV, along with the Company and some of its subsidiaries, were previously
covered by common group insurance and fringe benefit plans, some of which were
partially self-insured. GHTV's allocated share of costs related to these
benefit plans which were reimbursed to the Company totaled $482,000 and
$925,000 for the year ended September 30, 1994 and the period from October 9,
1992 through September 30, 1993, respectively. As a result of the sale of
KSBW-TV and KSBY-TV on September 23, 1994 (see Note 1), GHTV no longer
incurred costs for group insurance and fringe benefit plans.
GHTV also participated with the Company in sharing the cost of master
policies for business insurance coverage. Business insurance expense allocated
to GHTV totaled $278,000 and $500,000 for the year ended September 30, 1994
and the period from October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993, respectively.
As a result of the sale of KSBW-TV and KSBY-TV on September 23, 1994 (see Note
1), GHTV no longer incurred costs for business insurance.
The Company utilized related companies for repair, maintenance and leasing
of transportation equipment. Services totalling $881,000 and $1,134,300 were
purchased in the year ended September 30, 1994, and the period from October 9,
1992 through September 30, 1993, respectively. As a result of the sale of
Packerland on August 31, 1994 (see Note 3), these costs were no longer
incurred subsequent to that date.
F-18
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Receivables totaling $1,034,000 were due from George N. Gillett, Jr. ("GNG")
as of October 8, 1992. GNG filed a petition of voluntary bankruptcy under
Chapter 7 with the United States Bankruptcy Court on August 13, 1992, and,
accordingly, as of that date any ownership interest of GNG in the entities
discussed above was transferred to the trustee appointed in connection with
the GNG bankruptcy proceedings. The Company provided an allowance for doubtful
accounts of $1,034,000 prior to the Effective Date and wrote the majority of
this receivable off against the reserve for doubtful accounts during the
period from October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993, with the remaining
balance fully reserved. GNG was discharged from bankruptcy on July 27, 1993
and the Company received total distributions in the GNG bankruptcy case of
$370,000 which were recognized as a component of other income during the year
ended September 30, 1995.
In connection with the GNG bankruptcy case, the company, GNG and the trustee
appointed in the GNG bankruptcy case entered into an agreement to resolve
certain disputes between these parties related to the GNG bankruptcy case. The
agreement required the Company to pay to the trustee $1,575,000, $375,000 of
which was paid during the period from October 9, 1992 through September 30,
1993 and $1,200,000 of which was included in the accounts payable and accrued
expenses as of September 30, 1993 and paid during the year ended September 30,
1994. The $1,575,000 expense is included in other income (expense) during the
period from October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993. In connection with
this agreement, GNG's employment agreement was amended to 1) reduce the
initial term of the employment agreement from 7 years to 5 years and 2)
provide for up to $600,000 to be contributed by GNG to a medical research
foundation in Vail, Colorado (see Note 10).
Under the Company's debt instruments, the Company is permitted to pay up to
$500,000 per year for management services and related expenses to an affiliate
of the majority holder of the Company's common stock. This arrangement was
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company in 1993. The Company
recognized $500,000 of corporate expenses related to this arrangement during
both the years ended September 30, 1995 and 1994 and the period from October
9, 1992 through September 30, 1993.
In connection with the sale by GHTV of WTVT (see Note 5), GNG and certain
other employees received incentive payments totalling $3,239,000. These
payments are included in gain (loss) on disposal of subsidiaries operating in
discontinued segments in the accompanying consolidated statements of
operations for the period from October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993. In
connection with (1) the payment to GHTV in May 1994 of $2,000,000 of sales
proceeds related to the sale of WTVT-TV in May 1993 that were held in escrow,
(2) the sale by GHTV of KSBW-TV and KSBY-TV (see Note 3), and (3) the same by
the Company of Packerland (see Note 3), GNG and certain employees received
incentive payments totalling $1,341,000. These payments are included in gain
(loss) on disposal of subsidiaries operating in discontinued segments in the
accompanying statements of operations for the year ended September 30, 1994.
During the year ended September 30, 1991, the Company loaned Mr. Daly
$300,000, $150,000 of which bears interest at 9% and the remainder of which is
non-interest bearing. The principal sum plus accrued interest is due no later
than one year following the termination, for any reason, of Mr. Daly's
employment with the Company. The proceeds of the loan were used to finance the
purchase and improvement of real property, and the loan is secured by a deed
of trust on such property.
In 1995, Mr. Daly's spouse and Mr. Thompson and his spouse received
financial terms more favorable than those available to the general public in
connection with their purchase of lots at Bachelor Gulch. Rather than payment
of an earnest money deposit with the entire balance due in cash at closing,
these contracts provide for no earnest money deposit with the entire purchase
price (which was below fair market value) paid under promissory notes of
$438,750 and $350,000 for Mr. Daly's spouse and Mr. and Mrs. Thompson,
respectively, each secured by a first deed of trust and amortized over 25
years at 8% per annum interest, with a balloon
F-19
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
payment due on the earlier of five years from the date of closing or one year
from the date employment with the Company is terminated.
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Vail Associates has effective control of the Beaver Creek Resort Company
(Resort Company), a non-profit entity formed for the benefit of property
owners in Beaver Creek. Vail Associates has agreed to relinquish its right to
appoint certain directors effective December 31, 1995, and subsequent to that
date may no longer have effective control of the Resort Company. As of April
30, 1996, Vail Associates still controls the Board. Vail Associates has a
management agreement with the Resort Company, renewable for one-year periods,
to provide management services on a fixed fee basis without any profit. In
accordance with a cash flow agreement, Vail Associates will fund the operating
losses of the Resort Company, including debt service, until such time as the
Resort Company's assessments enable it to fully meet its operating
requirements and retire its debt. During fiscal years 1991 through 1995 and
the nine months ended June 30, 1996, the Resort Company was able to meet its
operating requirements through its own operations.
In March 1995, the Smith Creek Metropolitan District ("SCMD") and the
Bachelor Gulch Metropolitan District ("BGMD") were organized as quasi-
municipal corporations and political subdivisions of the State of Colorado. It
is contemplated that the two districts will cooperate in the financing,
construction and operation of basic public infrastructure serving the BGMD.
SCMD was organized primarily to own, operate and maintain water, street,
traffic and safety, transportation, fire protection, emergency medical, parks
and recreation, television relay and translation, sanitation and certain other
facilities and equipment of the BGMD. SCMD is comprised of approximately 150
acres of open space land owned by the Company and members of the Board of
Directors of the SCMD. The BGMD is located adjacent to the SCMD and covers an
area of approximately 1,250 acres of land in an unincorporated portion of
Eagle County, Colorado between the Beaver Creek and Arrowhead ski mountains.
All of the land in the BGMD has received final approval by Eagle County for
development as two planned unit developments including various single family,
two-family, cluster home and townhouse units and related uses. All of the land
in the BGMD is currently owned by the Company. The Company is currently
preparing to offer the land for sale to persons, including builders, who may
construct up to 600 units of various dwelling types over the next several
years.
Of the $50 million of letter of credit availability under the Company's
Credit Facility (see Note 5), approximately $45 million will ultimately be
used to credit enhance the SCMD revenue bonds in order to secure the timely
payment of principal and interest on the bonds. Currently, SCMD has issued
$26,000,000 of revenue bonds which have been credit enhanced with a
$27,600,000 letter of credit issued under the Credit Agreement. The SCMD bonds
are variable rate bonds which mature on October 1, 2035.
Vail Associates and GNG are parties to an agreement to raise or fund
$3,000,000 to be contributed to a medical research foundation in Vail,
Colorado. Because Company management previously believed that Vail Associates
might be required to contribute as much as $2,100,000 in 1995, the $2,100,000
was reflected as a long-term liability in the accompanying September 30, 1994
balance sheet. Other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated
statements of operations includes $600,000 and $300,000 of income during the
period from October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993 and the year ended
September 30, 1994, respectively, resulting from adjusting the estimated
potential obligation of $3,000,000 that was recorded as of the Effective Date.
During the year ended September 30, 1995, the Company paid $500,000 and was
informed by the medical research foundation that it had no future obligations
related to this agreement. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated
statement of operations for the year ended September 30, 1995 includes other
income of $1,600,000 related to the final resolution of this matter.
F-20
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
In June, 1995, Vail Associates entered into an agreement with Cordillera
Valley Club Investors Limited partnership and Stag Gulch Partners to purchase
100 Cordillera Club memberships for resale to purchasers of residential lots.
The obligation to purchase memberships is secured by a $3,300,000 Letter of
Credit. As of September 30, 1995, $850,000 had been paid in connection with
this agreement. As of June 30, 1996, Vail Associates has paid $1.7 million in
connection with this agreement and has resold memberships with a cost of
$977,500 to purchasers of residential lots.
On July 9, 1996, the Company entered into a Standby Bond Purchase Agreement
which could obligate the Company to purchase $10.1 million of Eagle Country
Air Terminal Corporation Revenue Bonds if certain events occur. The Company
entered into this agreement to facilitate construction of a new terminal to
allow expanded air service to the Eagle Country Airport.
11. BUSINESS SEGMENTS
As a result of the sale of Packerland on August 31, 1994 (see Note 3) and
the sale of KSBW-TV and KSBY-TV on September 23, 1994 (see Note 3), the
Comapny now operates only in the Resorts and Real Estate segments. The
accompanying statements of operations subsequent to the Effective Date present
the operations of the Communications and Beef Products segments as
discontinued. Data by segment is as follows:
PERIOD FROM
OCTOBER 9, 1992
THROUGH YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
1993 1994 1995
--------------- ------------- -------------
Net revenues:
Resorts......................... $114,623 $124,982 $126,349
Real Estate..................... 4,610 22,203 16,526
-------- -------- --------
$119,233 $147,185 $142,875
======== ======== ========
Income from operations:
Resorts......................... $ 31,470 $ 29,431 $ 26,076
Real Estate..................... (555) 1,862 1,543
Corporate....................... (6,467) (7,160) (6,701)
-------- -------- --------
$ 24,448 $ 24,133 $ 20,918
======== ======== ========
Depreciation and amortization:
Resorts......................... $ 13,404 $ 17,186 $ 17,968
Real Estate..................... -- -- --
-------- -------- --------
$ 13,404 $ 17,186 $ 17,968
======== ======== ========
Capital expenditures, exclusive of
acquisitions:
Resorts......................... $ 16,642 $ 17,414 $ 20,320
Real Estate..................... 3,792 22,686 22,477
-------- -------- --------
$ 20,434 $ 40,100 $ 42,797
======== ======== ========
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
1994 1995
------------- -------------
Identifiable assets:
Resorts......................... $196,897 $205,151
Real Estate..................... 42,637 54,858
-------- --------
$239,534 $260,009
======== ========
F-21
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
12. STOCK GRANTS, OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
Pursuant to an employment agreement, GNG had the right to earn, as
additional performance-based compensation over the three year period ending on
the third anniversary of the Effective Date, 357,488 shares of Class 2 Common
Stock. As of April 30, 1996, GNG has been issued all 357,488 shares pursuant
to this agreement. In addition GNG earned, as additional performance-based
compensation over the three year period ending on the third anniversary of the
Effective Date, warrants (with an exercise price of $13.70 per share) for an
additional 204,082 shares of Common Stock. In addition, on the third
anniversary of the Effective Date, GNG earned, as additional performance-based
compensation, long-term stock options (with an exercise price of $23.67 per
share, increasing 20% per year) for 582,404 shares of Common Stock. These
warrants and long-term stock options have all been issued to GNG.
The Company has adopted a stock option plan pursuant to which options
covering an aggregate of 822,750 shares of Common Stock may be issued to key
employees, directors, consultants, and advisors of the Company or its
subsidiaries. As of September 30, 1995, options covering 803,650 shares of
common stock have been issued to various key executives of the Company. All of
the options vest in equal installments over five years, with exercise prices
ranging from $13.70 per share to $21.50 per share. Effective October 1, 1995,
the Company increased the number of options available for grant under the
stock option plan by 200,005 and issued options to purchase 113,000 shares at
an exercise price of $21.50 to employees of the Company. The options vest in
equal increments at the end of each of the five one-year periods beginning on
the grant date. As of June 30, 1996, 403,614 of these options were
exercisable. None of the options issued under the stock option plan have been
exercised. Under certain circumstances, the option plan provides for loans by
the Company to employees, collateralized by such employees' vested options.
13. EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO DATE OF AUDITORS REPORT
On June 3, 1996, the Company's Board of Directors changed the name of the
Company to Vail Resorts, Inc. and the name of the Company's Common Stock from
Class 1 and Class 2 to Class A Common Stock and Common Stock, respectively. In
addition the common stock authorized increased to 20,000,000 shares of Class A
Common Stock and 40,000,000 shares of Common Stock. All of the above items
have been reflected in the Company's financial statements. The Company's Board
of Directors also authorized a Common Stock and Class A Common Stock split of
up to 3 for 1 prior to the date of a public stock offering.
On July 22, 1996, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement
("Purchase Agreement") with Ralston Foods, Inc. and its wholly-owned
subsidiary Ralston Resorts, Inc., pursuant to which the Company will acquire
the capital stock of Ralston Resorts, Inc., the operator of the Breckenridge,
Keystone and Arapahoe Basin ski resorts located in Summit County, Colorado.
Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company will assume and/or
refinance $165 million of indebtedness of Ralston Resorts, Inc. and will issue
approximately 3.8 million shares of Common Stock to Ralston Foods, Inc. The
closing of this transaction is dependent upon various conditions, including
obtaining financing for the indebtedness assumed, the continuing accuracy of
representations and warranties made by the parties to the Purchase Agreement,
and the receipt of necessary government approvals including those required
under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. On
July 23, 1996, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K describing this
transaction.
Effective July 29, 1996, the Company hired Adam Aron as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. Pursuant to the terms of an employment agreement,
approximately 25,000 shares of restricted stock and options for 130,000 shares
of Common Stock will be granted to Mr. Aron. The restricted shares and the
options vest in equal increments over five years. Upon vesting, the options
will be exercisable at a price equal to the price of shares of Common Stock
sold in the Offering.
F-22
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of
Ralston Resorts, Inc.
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and the related
consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholder's equity and
cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Ralston Resorts, Inc. and its subsidiaries at September 30, 1994 and 1995, and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended September 30, 1995, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our
audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management,
and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company
adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for
Income Taxes, effective October 1, 1992.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company
and its parent have entered into an agreement to sell the Company.
Price Waterhouse LLP
Denver, Colorado
September 4, 1996
F-23
RALSTON RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(IN THOUSANDS)
SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------- JUNE 30,
1994 1995 1996
-------- -------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equiva-
lents.................... $ 1,220 $ 813 $ 2,724
Accounts receivable, net.. 3,813 5,359 5,864
Inventories............... 2,684 2,685 2,940
Deferred income taxes..... 420 157 184
Prepaid expenses.......... 402 304 748
-------- -------- --------
Total current assets.... 8,539 9,318 12,460
Property and equipment,
net........................ 143,498 139,089 143,461
Goodwill and intangibles,
net........................ 39,695 37,929 36,745
Investments in joint ven-
tures...................... 19,909 22,325 22,750
Land held for resale........ 19,347 17,257 12,392
Other noncurrent assets... 374 322 284
-------- -------- --------
Total assets............ $231,362 $226,240 $228,092
======== ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable.......... $ 9,632 $ 8,454 $ 9,035
Accrued expenses.......... 5,734 5,950 6,469
Current portion of long-
term debt................ 242 1,757 1,757
-------- -------- --------
Total current liabili-
ties................... 15,608 16,161 17,261
Long-term debt.............. 130,053 128,296 129,202
Deferred income taxes....... 11,801 12,473 13,348
Other noncurrent liabili-
ties....................... 2,113 2,277 2,191
-------- -------- --------
Total liabilities....... 159,575 159,207 162,002
Commitments and contingen-
cies (Note 15)
Stockholder's Equity
Common stock, stated value
of $10,
100 shares authorized, is-
sued and outstanding....... 1 1 1
Additional paid-in capital.. 68,667 59,986 44,005
Retained earnings........... 3,119 7,046 22,084
-------- -------- --------
Total stockholder's eq-
uity................... 71,787 67,033 66,090
-------- -------- --------
Total liabilities and
stockholder's equity... $231,362 $226,240 $228,092
======== ======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-24
RALSTON RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS)
NINE MONTHS ENDED
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
---------------------------- ------------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(UNAUDITED)
REVENUES
Resort.................. $ 83,717 $127,676 $125,816 $112,708 $121,962
Real Estate............. 2,141 4,979 1,778 1,781 965
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
85,858 132,655 127,594 114,489 122,927
Resort operating ex-
penses.................. (58,779) (77,404) (77,600) (62,554) (63,889)
Real estate operating ex-
penses and cost of
sales................... (1,619) (3,837) (1,040) (1,040) --
Selling, general and ad-
ministrative expenses... (12,551) (16,978) (17,246) (14,006) (14,942)
Depreciation............. (9,475) (12,114) (12,824) (9,444) (10,546)
Amortization............. (1,279) (2,113) (2,124) (1,579) (1,668)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Earnings before interest
and taxes............... 2,155 20,209 16,760 25,866 31,882
Interest expense......... (2,622) (5,087) (9,686) (7,345) (6,876)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before in-
come taxes.............. (467) 15,122 7,074 18,521 25,006
Income taxes............. (123) (6,199) (3,147) (7,415) (9,968)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before cu-
mulative effect of ac-
counting change......... (590) 8,923 3,927 11,106 15,038
Cumulative effect of ac-
counting change......... (3,500)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)........ $ (4,090) $ 8,923 $ 3,927 $ 11,106 $ 15,038
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-25
RALSTON RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
ADDITIONAL
COMMON PAID-IN RETAINED
STOCK CAPITAL EARNINGS TOTAL
------ ---------- -------- --------
Balance at September 30, 1992............. $ 1 $54,351 $46,024 $100,376
Net loss.................................. (4,090) (4,090)
Net transactions with Parent.............. 82,191 82,191
--- ------- ------- --------
Balance at September 30, 1993............. 1 136,542 41,934 178,477
Net income................................ 8,923 8,923
Dividends to Parent....................... (47,738) (47,738)
Net transactions with Parent.............. (67,875) (67,875)
--- ------- ------- --------
Balance at September 30, 1994............. 1 68,667 3,119 71,787
Net income................................ 3,927 3,927
Net transactions with Parent.............. (8,681) (8,681)
--- ------- ------- --------
Balance at September 30, 1995............. 1 59,986 7,046 67,033
Net income for the nine months ended June
30, 1996
(unaudited).............................. 15,038 15,038
Net transactions with Parent (unaudited).. (15,981) (15,981)
--- ------- ------- --------
Balance at June 30, 1996 (unaudited)...... $ 1 $44,005 $22,084 $ 66,090
=== ======= ======= ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-26
RALSTON RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER NINE MONTHS
30, ENDED JUNE 30,
------------------------- ----------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(UNAUDITED)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)................ $(4,090) $ 8,923 $ 3,927 $11,106 $15,038
Adjustments to reconcile net
income (loss) to net
cash provided by operating
activities:
Depreciation.................... 9,475 12,114 12,824 9,444 10,546
Amortization.................... 1,279 2,113 2,124 1,579 1,668
Equity in earnings of joint
ventures....................... (36) (217) (220) (965)
Deferred income taxes........... 1,819 1,559 935 701 848
Cumulative effect of accounting
change......................... 3,500
Changes in assets and
liabilities used in
operations:
Decrease (increase) in
accounts receivable.......... 1,084 (846) (1,546) (214) (505)
Decrease (increase) in
inventories.................. (355) (280) (1) 83 (255)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid
expenses..................... (49) 918 98 (7) (444)
Decrease (increase) in land
held for resale.............. (1,522) (2,712) 2,090 2,108 144
Increase (decrease) in
accounts payable............. 3,909 1,296 (1,178) (1,879) 581
Increase (decrease) in accrued
liabilities.................. 712 (414) 216 (239) 519
Other, net.................... (104) 807 (1,730) 637 (49)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net cash provided by
operating activities....... 15,658 23,442 17,542 23,099 27,126
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES
Additions to property and
equipment....................... (9,322) (10,396) (11,011) (7,412) (10,623)
Investments in joint ventures,
net............................. (1,681) (550) (1,043) 540
Additions to goodwill and
intangibles..................... (83) (358) (357) (484)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net cash used by investing
activities................. (9,322) (12,160) (11,919) (8,812) (10,567)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term debt..... 2,662
Principal payments on long-term
debt............................ (227) (242)
Net transactions with Parent..... (7,184) (12,848) (5,788) (14,286) (14,648)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net cash used by financing
activities................. (4,522) (13,075) (6,030) (14,286) (14,648)
Net increase (decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents............ 1,814 (1,793) (407) 1 1,911
Cash and cash equivalents,
beginning of period............. 1,199 3,013 1,220 1,220 813
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
period.......................... $ 3,013 $ 1,220 $ 813 $ 1,221 $ 2,724
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH
FLOW INFORMATION
Interest paid.................... $ 173 $ 158
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS
Allocation of corporate debt from
Parent.......................... 100,000 $ 906
Land contributed to joint venture
with Intrawest.................. 17,509
Noncash investments in joint
ventures........................ 719 1,946
Financing of Breckenridge
acquisition by Parent........... 90,815
Transfer of land from Parent..... 1,065
Noncash dividend to Parent....... 47,738
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-27
RALSTON RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION
General
Ralston Resorts, Inc. (the "Company") is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Ralston Foods, Inc. ("Ralston Foods"). Ralston Foods is in turn a wholly owned
subsidiary of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. ("Ralcorp"), which is a publicly held
company that was spun-off from Ralston Purina Company on March 31, 1994.
Ralston Foods and Ralcorp are collectively referred to as "Parent".
The Company operates the Keystone Resort lodging and food and beverage
operations and the Keystone, Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin ski areas. All of
the Company's operations are located in Colorado. The Company's revenue is
earned primarily in December through March.
On July 22, 1996, the Company and Ralston Foods entered into a stock
purchase agreement with Vail Resorts, Inc. The agreement calls for Vail
Resorts, Inc. to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of the Company's
stock upon the closing date of the agreement in return for approximately
3,777,000 shares of Vail Resorts, Inc. common stock. Vail Resorts, Inc. will
also assume debt of up to $165,000,000.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Investments in joint ventures
are accounted for under the equity method. All significant intercompany
transactions have been eliminated.
Allocation of Common Costs
Certain common costs, such as the salaries for certain corporate officers,
accounting costs and legal fees are allocated to the Company based upon the
Parent's estimate of time incurred specifically related to the Company's
activities. Management believes that these allocations are reasonable.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues
and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of reporting cash flows, the Company considers all highly
liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be
cash equivalents.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost including certain internal costs
directly associated with the acquisition and construction of such property and
equipment. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over
estimated useful lives as follows:
Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures.................. 3-20 years
Ski lifts..................................................... 15 years
Ski trails.................................................... 15-30 years
Buildings..................................................... 30 years
Land improvements............................................. 10-30 years
F-28
RALSTON RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are expensed as incurred.
Inventories
Inventories include primarily ski shop items and rentals, food and beverage,
china and silver, and uniforms.
Goodwill and Intangibles
Goodwill and intangible assets are capitalized and amortized using the
straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:
Goodwill..................................................... 15-25 years
Forest service permits....................................... 37 years
Trademarks................................................... 25 years
Other intangibles............................................ 1-5 years
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable,
accounts payable, accrued expenses, allocated Ralcorp debt and Clinton Ditch
and Reservoir Company promissory notes approximate their fair value.
The estimated fair value of the refunding revenue bonds and the National
Australia Bank notes payable (Note 10) as of June 30, 1996 are presented below
(in thousands):
CARRYING FAIR
AMOUNT VALUE
-------- -------
Refunding revenue bonds................................. $23,360 $27,510
National Australia Bank notes payable................... $ 4,500 $ 4,711
The fair value of the refunding revenue bonds was estimated by an
independent third party. The fair value of the National Australia Bank notes
payable was estimated by National Australia Bank.
Impairment
The Company regularly evaluates whether events or circumstances have
occurred which might impair the recoverability of the carrying value of its
long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangibles. In making such
determination with respect to goodwill, the Company evaluates its historical
and anticipated operating results, including future undiscounted cash flows.
Management believes that there has been no impairment of the Company's
goodwill and other intangibles.
Income Taxes
The Company is included in the consolidated income tax returns of Ralcorp.
Taxes have been provided for in the accompanying financial statements as if
the Company filed its own tax return.
Income taxes have been provided in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("FAS") No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, which was
adopted effective October 1, 1992. The impact of this change in accounting was
a reduction in fiscal 1993 net income by $3,500,000. FAS No. 109 requires the
liability method of income tax accounting. Accordingly, a deferred tax
liability or asset is recognized for the effect of temporary differences
between financial reporting and tax reporting.
Revenue Recognition
Resort revenue primarily consists of revenue from ski operations, lodging,
food and beverage operations, conference center operations and other
recreational activities and is recognized as services are performed or as
goods are sold. Real estate revenues are recognized when consideration has
been received, title, possession and other attributes of ownership have been
transferred to the buyer and the Company is not obligated to perform
significant additional activities after the sale.
F-29
RALSTON RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed the first time the advertising takes place.
Advertising expense for the years ended September 30, 1993, 1994 and 1995 was
$4,147,000, $4,501,000, and $4,571,000, respectively.
Earnings Per Share
Due to the proposed acquisition of the Company by Vail Resorts, Inc., the
Company's historical capital structure is not indicative of its prospective
structure upon the closing of the anticipated purchase transaction.
Accordingly, historical net income (loss) per common share is not considered
meaningful and has not been presented herein.
Adoption of New Accounting Standard
The Company adopted FAS No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of, during fiscal year 1995.
The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's
financial statements.
Unaudited Financial Information
The consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 1996 and the related consolidated
statements of operations and cash flows for the nine months ended June 30,
1995 and 1996 and the statement of stockholder's equity for the nine months
ended June 30, 1996 have been derived from unaudited interim financial
statements. In management's opinion, all adjustments (consisting of only
normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial
position and results of operations for such periods have been included in the
financial statements. The operating results for the nine months ended June 30,
1996 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full
year or any future period.
3. BRECKENRIDGE ACQUISITION
On May 3, 1993, the Company purchased all of the material assets of
Breckenridge Ski Corporation, Victoria, U.S.A., Inc. and Breckenridge
Development Corporation (collectively, "Breckenridge") for approximately
$90,815,000. The Company did not assume any Breckenridge liabilities other
than liabilities associated with certain assigned contracts. Breckenridge was
engaged in the operation of the Breckenridge ski area and related facilities
and in real estate development in Breckenridge, Colorado.
The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method and,
accordingly, the results of operations of Breckenridge are included in the
Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. In
connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded approximately
$26,810,000 excess cost over fair value of the net assets acquired. This
excess is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 25 years. Amortization
expense related to Breckenridge was $445,000, $1,072,000 and $1,072,000 for
the years ended September 30, 1993, 1994 and 1995.
The following presents the unaudited pro forma results of operations of the
Company and Breckenridge as if combined throughout the entire year ended
September 30, 1993 (in thousands):
Revenue, net............................. $115,558
Net income............................... $ 3,610
The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of what actually would
have occurred if the acquisition had been in effect for the entire year ended
September 30, 1993, nor are they intended to be a projection of future
results.
F-30
RALSTON RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
4. RECEIVABLES
Receivables and the related allowance for doubtful accounts were as follows
(in thousands):
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------
JUNE 30,
1994 1995 1996
------ ------ -----------
(UNAUDITED)
Trade accounts receivable...................... $3,833 $4,353 $5,886
Miscellaneous receivables...................... 14 1,064 43
Allowance for doubtful accounts................ (34) (58) (65)
------ ------ -----------
$3,813 $5,359 $5,864
====== ====== ===========
5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------
JUNE 30,
1994 1995 1996
-------- -------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
Machinery and equipment..................... $109,618 $116,853 $120,467
Buildings................................... 55,865 56,101 55,256
Land used in operations..................... 20,199 20,089 25,957
Construction in progress.................... 5,764 5,371 9,956
-------- -------- -----------
191,446 198,414 211,636
Less accumulated depreciation............... (47,948) (59,325) (68,175)
-------- -------- -----------
$143,498 $139,089 $143,461
======== ======== ===========
6. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES
Goodwill and intangibles consist of the following (in thousands):
SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------
JUNE 30,
1994 1995 1996
------- ------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
Goodwill...................................... $36,951 $36,951 $36,951
Forest service permit......................... 5,010 5,010 5,010
Trademarks and other intangibles.............. 2,635 2,993 3,476
------- ------- -----------
44,596 44,954 45,437
Less accumulated amortization................. (4,901) (7,025) (8,692)
------- ------- -----------
$39,695 $37,929 $36,745
======= ======= ===========
7. LAND HELD FOR RESALE
Included in land held for resale at September 30, 1995, is approximately
$8,900,000 of land subject to an agreement with Keystone/Intrawest, L.L.C., a
joint venture of the Company. The agreement with Keystone/Intrawest, L.L.C.
calls for the Company to contribute the land to the joint venture (as a
capital contribution) at an agreed upon value of approximately $11,400,000
prior to June 1, 1999.
F-31
RALSTON RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
8. INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES
During 1994, the Company formed Keystone/Intrawest L.L.C., which is a joint
venture with Intrawest Resorts, Inc., to develop land at the base of the
Keystone ski area. The Company contributed land with a historical cost of
approximately $18,900,000 for the development as well as certain other funds
to the joint venture. The joint venture intends to build condominiums,
townhomes, single-family homes and commercial shop space throughout the base
of Keystone Mountain using a master development plan over approximately 20
years.
As real estate development projects are completed, the Company will receive
payments for the related land which it previously contributed to the joint
venture. Losses are allocated first to the partners to the extent of their
capital accounts. Income is first applied to offset prior cumulative allocated
losses with subsequent income shared 50/50. The investment in this joint
venture is accounted for under the equity method.
Condensed unaudited financial information for Keystone/Intrawest L.L.C.
follows (in thousands):
YEAR ENDED NINE MONTHS
SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED
--------------- JUNE 30,
1994 1995 1996
------- ------- -----------
Assets........................................ $26,840 $48,417 $54,834
Liabilities................................... 670 12,153 25,676
Partners' equity.............................. 26,170 36,264 29,158
Gross revenues................................ 381 1,570 24,460
Gross profit.................................. 204 599 2,354
Net income (loss)............................. 64 (147) 1,470
Starfire Mountain Homes is a joint venture (in the form of a general
partnership) with Focus Keystone I, Ltd. to construct certain condominiums
near the base of Keystone Mountain. The Company contributed approximately
$700,000 in land to the joint venture in fiscal 1993. The development was
completed during fiscal 1996, with management of the condominiums turned over
to the Company. The Company receives 20% of the income or loss of the joint
venture and accounts for the investment under the equity method.
9. ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):
SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------- JUNE 30,
1994 1995 1996
------- ------ -----------
(UNAUDITED)
Property and use taxes............................ $ 3,480 $3,919 $3,217
Payroll and payroll related liabilities........... 2,077 1,857 2,396
Interest payable.................................. 177 174 856
------- ------ ------
$ 5,734 $5,950 $6,469
======= ====== ======
F-32
RALSTON RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
10. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------- JUNE 30,
1994 1995 1996
--------- -------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
Allocated Ralcorp debt..................... $ 100,000 $100,000 $100,906
Bank of New York, trustee for refunding
revenue bonds, 7.125% to 7.875%, maturing
September 1998 to 2010, secured by certain
assets of the Company..................... 23,360 23,360 23,360
National Australia Bank, notes payable,
10.85% to 11.15%, maturing September 1996-
1998, secured by certain assets of the
Company................................... 4,500 4,500 4,500
Clinton Ditch and Reservoir Company, a
related party, promissory notes, 6.5%, due
in annual installments through August 13,
2002...................................... 2,435 2,193 2,193
--------- -------- --------
130,295 130,053 130,959
Less current portion....................... (242) (1,757) (1,757)
--------- -------- --------
$ 130,053 $128,296 $129,202
========= ======== ========
The Ralcorp debt represents a Ralcorp revolving credit facility, a portion
of which has been allocated by Ralcorp to the Company. The Ralcorp revolving
credit facility bears interest at a LIBOR related rate. The original maturity
of the debt was in 1999. In March 1996, the maturity date was extended to
March 12, 2001. Interest expense on the revolving credit facility has been
allocated to the Company in the amounts of $0, $2,700,000 and $7,100,000 for
fiscal 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively, based on Ralcorp's average interest
rate and the Company's allocated debt.
Future payments due on long-term debt as of September 30, 1995 are as
follows (in thousands):
FISCAL
YEARS
------
1996....................... $ 1,757
1997....................... 1,774
1998....................... 3,152
1999....................... 311
2000....................... 331
Thereafter................. 122,728
--------
$130,053
========
11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Net Transactions with Parent included in the Statement of Changes in
Stockholder's Equity represents the net transactions with the Parent related
to payroll, employee benefits, insurance premiums and claims, interest, taxes,
general corporate overhead and participation in Ralcorp's cash management
program. The Company and the Parent do not intend to settle these intercompany
amounts and, therefore, they are reflected as part of the permanent equity of
the Company.
F-33
RALSTON RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
12. SELF-INSURANCE PLANS
The Company has a self-insurance plan for employee health benefits. The
health insurance plan covers all employees who elect enrollment once
eligibility requirements have been met and contains a stop-loss provision to
limit the Company's liability to $75,000 per employee. The liability for
employee health benefits was $383,000 and $380,000 at September 30, 1994 and
1995, respectively.
The Company also has a self-insurance plan for workers' compensation
approved by the State of Colorado Department of Labor. The Company has a
$500,000 retention limit and a $1,600,000 bond to guarantee payment of
workers' compensation claims. The liability for workers' compensation was
$1,247,000 and $1,573,000 at September 30, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
The Company has a self-insurance retention limit of $500,000 per occurrence
and $2,000,000 in the aggregate for general liability insurance prior to an
outside insurance company's coverage. The accrual for general liability
insurance was $483,000 and $324,000 at September 30, 1994 and 1995,
respectively.
13. INCOME TAXES
The Company is included in the consolidated income tax return of Ralcorp.
Income taxes have been allocated to the Company as if it were filing a stand-
alone return. The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows
(in thousands):
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER
30,
----------------------
1993 1994 1995
------- ------ ------
Current tax provision (benefit)
Federal............................................... $(1,558) $3,962 $1,880
State................................................. (138) 678 332
------- ------ ------
(1,696) 4,640 2,212
------- ------ ------
Deferred tax provision
Federal............................................... 1,664 1,426 855
State................................................. 155 133 80
------- ------ ------
1,819 1,559 935
------- ------ ------
Total tax provision................................. $ 123 $6,199 $3,147
======= ====== ======
The following is a reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate
and the Company's effective income tax rate (in thousands):
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------
1993 1994 1995
-------- ----------------
Statutory federal income tax rate.................... (35.0%) 35.0% 35.0%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit....... (3.3%) 3.3% 3.3%
Nondeductible intangible amortization................ 60.5% 2.1% 4.5%
Nondeductible portion of meals and entertainment..... 4.1% .5% 1.3%
Other................................................ .1% .4%
-------- ------- -------
Effective income tax rate............................ 26.3% 41.0% 44.5%
======== ======= =======
F-34
RALSTON RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The components of gross deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows
(in thousands):
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------- -------------------------
1994 1995 1994 1995
--------- --------- ------------ ------------
Current:
Doubtful accounts.............. $ 15 $ 22 $ -- $ --
Start-up costs................. 88 85 -- --
Receivable..................... -- -- 18 50
Vacation accrual............... 205 80 -- --
Accrued expenses............... 130 20 -- --
--------- --------- ------------ ------------
438 207 18 50
--------- --------- ------------ ------------
Noncurrent:
Fixed assets basis differ-
ences......................... -- -- 12,641 13,099
Intangible assets.............. -- -- 230 576
Accrued pension................ 74 144 -- --
Insurance and other accruals... 996 1,058 -- --
--------- --------- ------------ ------------
1,070 1,202 12,871 13,675
--------- --------- ------------ ------------
Total deferred taxes......... $ 1,508 $ 1,409 $ 12,889 $ 13,725
========= ========= ============ ============
14. RETIREMENT PLANS
Ralcorp sponsors a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan which covers
certain Company employees. The plan provides retirement benefits based on
years of service and final-average or career-average earnings. It is the
practice of Ralcorp to fund pension liabilities in accordance with the minimum
and maximum limits imposed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974 and federal income tax laws. Plan assets consist primarily of investments
in a commingled employee benefit trust consisting of marketable equity
securities, corporate and government debt securities and real estate.
The Company's share of the components of net pension cost include the
following (in thousands):
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------------------
1993 1994 1995
-------- -------- --------
Service cost (benefits earned during the peri-
od)............................................ $ 389 $ 382 $ 412
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation... 221 228 232
Return on plan assets........................... (267) (280) (286)
Net amortization and deferral................... (9) (9) (13)
-------- -------- --------
Net pension cost.............................. $ 334 $ 321 $ 345
======== ======== ========
F-35
RALSTON RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The following table presents the Company's portion of the funded status of
the Ralcorp defined benefit plan and amounts recognized in the Company's
balance sheet at September 30, 1994 and 1995 (in thousands):
SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------
1994 1995
------- -------
Actuarial present value of:
Vested benefits....................................... $(1,268) $(1,530)
Nonvested benefits.................................... (472) (521)
------- -------
Accumulated benefit obligation........................ (1,740) (2,051)
Effect of projected future salary increases........... (1,212) (1,242)
------- -------
Projected benefit obligation.......................... (2,952) (3,293)
Plan assets at fair value............................... 3,059 3,519
------- -------
Plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligation... 107 226
Unrecognized net gain................................. (509) (888)
Unrecognized prior service cost....................... 15 12
Unrecognized net asset at transition.................. (93) (81)
------- -------
Accrued pension cost.................................... $ (480) $ (731)
======= =======
The key actuarial assumptions used in determining net pension cost and the
projected benefit obligation were as follows:
1993 1994 1995
----- ----- -----
Discount rate......................................... 7.875% 7.875% 7.875%
Rate of future compensation increases................. 5.500% 5.500% 5.500%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets............... 9.500% 9.500% 9.500%
The Company also has a 401(k) plan for its employees and certain employees
participate in the Ralcorp plan. Matching contributions totaled $470,000,
$577,000 and $604,000 for the years ended September 30, 1993, 1994 and 1995,
respectively.
15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company has aggregate future minimum lease payments under noncancelable
operating leases having an initial or remaining term of more than one year as
of September 30, 1995 as follows (in thousands):
FISCAL
YEARS
1996................................ $782
1997................................ 768
1998................................ 658
1999................................ 581
2000................................ 263
The Company is involved in various routine legal proceedings incidental to
the conduct of its normal business operations. The Company's management
believes that none of these legal proceedings will have a material adverse
impact on the financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity of the
Company.
F-36
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFOR-
MATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CON-
NECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED HEREIN AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER IN-
FORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY, ANY SELLING STOCKHOLDER, ANY UNDERWRITER OR ANY OTHER PERSON.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER TO BUY, ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE REGISTERED SECURITIES TO WHICH IT
RELATES, OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, TO ANYONE
IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR
IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO
SO, OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UN-
DER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN
THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CON-
TAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
----------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
Available Information.................................................... 2
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference........................ 2
Prospectus Summary....................................................... 3
Summary Consolidated Financial and Operating Data........................ 10
Summary Pro Forma Combined Financial and Operating Data.................. 12
Risk Factors............................................................. 14
Use of Proceeds.......................................................... 18
Dividend Policy.......................................................... 18
Dilution................................................................. 19
Capitalization........................................................... 20
Pro Forma Financial Data................................................. 21
Selected Consolidated Financial and
Operating Data.......................................................... 29
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations........................................................... 32
Business................................................................. 37
Management............................................................... 64
Summary Compensation Table............................................... 69
Principal and Selling Stockholders....................................... 72
Certain Transactions..................................................... 73
The Acquisition.......................................................... 74
Description of Certain Indebtedness...................................... 76
Description of Capital Stock............................................. 78
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.......................................... 81
Certain United States Federal Tax Consequences to Non-United States
Holders of Common Stock................................................. 82
Underwriting............................................................. 85
Notice to Canadian Residents............................................. 87
Legal Matters............................................................ 89
Experts.................................................................. 90
Index to Financial Statements............................................ F-1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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SHARES
[LOGO]
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
COMMON STOCK
----------------
PROSPECTUS
----------------
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
FURMAN SELZ LLC
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
SCHRODER WERTHEIM & CO.
SMITH BARNEY INC.
, 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS -- ALTERNATIVE PAGE]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF +
+ANY SUCH STATE. +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 19, 1996
PROSPECTUS
SHARES
[LOGO] VAIL RESORTS, INC.
COMMON STOCK
Of the shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common
Stock"), offered hereby, shares will be sold by Vail Resorts, Inc. (the
"Company") and shares will be sold by certain Selling Stockholders. The
Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the
Selling Stockholders. See "Principal and Selling Stockholders."
A total of shares (the "International Shares") are being offered outside
of the United States and Canada (the "U.S. Offering") by the U.S. Underwriters,
and shares (the "U.S. Shares") are being offered in the United States and
Canada (the "International Offering") by the Managers. The initial public
offering price and the underwriting discounts and commissions are identical for
both the International Offering and the U.S. Offering (collectively, the
"Offerings").
The outstanding capital stock of the Company consists of the Common Stock and
the Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Class A Common
Stock"). The Common Stock and Class A Common Stock are substantially identical,
except that holders of Class A Common Stock elect a class of directors that
constitutes two-thirds of the Board of Directors and holders of Common Stock
elect a class of directors that constitutes one-third of the Board of
Directors. See "Description of Capital Stock."
Prior to the Offerings, there has been no public market for the Common Stock.
It is currently anticipated that the initial public offering price will be
between $ and $ per share. See "Underwriting" for a discussion of the
factors considered in determining the initial public offering price. Up to
of the shares will be reserved for sale to approximately persons who are
directors, officers or employees of, or are otherwise associated with, the
Company. See "Underwriting."
The Common Stock has been approved for listing, subject to official notice of
issuance, on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MTN."
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 15 FOR CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT
TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK.
----------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO
DISCOUNTS AND PROCEEDS TO SELLING
PRICE TO PUBLIC COMMISSIONS(1) COMPANY(2) STOCKHOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Share.............. $ $ $ $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)............... $ $ $ $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) See "Underwriting" for indemnification arrangements with the Managers and
the U.S. Underwriters.
(2) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company, estimated at $ .
(3) The Selling Stockholders have granted to the Managers and the U.S.
Underwriters 30-day options to purchase in the aggregate up to additional
shares of Common Stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If the
options are exercised in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting
Discounts and Commissions, and Proceeds to Selling Stockholders will be
$ , $ and $ , respectively. See "Underwriting."
----------
The International Shares are offered by the several Managers, subject to
prior sale, when, as and if delivered to and accepted by them and subject to
certain conditions, including the approval of certain legal matters by counsel.
The Managers reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the International
Offering and to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery
of the International Shares will be made against payment therefor on or
about , 1996, at the offices of Bear, Stearns International Limited, 245 Park
Avenue, New York, New York 10167.
----------
BEAR, STEARNS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
FURMAN SELZ LLC
GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL
SALOMON BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
SCHRODERS
SMITH BARNEY INC.
, 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFOR-
MATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CON-
NECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED HEREIN AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER IN-
FORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY, ANY SELLING STOCKHOLDER, ANY UNDERWRITER, ANY MANAGER OR ANY
OTHER PERSON. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLIC-
ITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE REGISTERED SECURI-
TIES TO WHICH IT RELATES, OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY, TO ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
QUALIFIED TO DO SO, OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HERE-
UNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS
BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
----------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
Available Information.................................................... 2
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference........................ 2
Prospectus Summary....................................................... 3
Summary Consolidated Financial and Operating Data........................ 10
Summary Pro Forma Combined Financial and Operating Data.................. 12
Risk Factors............................................................. 14
Use of Proceeds.......................................................... 18
Dividend Policy.......................................................... 18
Dilution................................................................. 19
Capitalization........................................................... 20
Pro Forma Financial Data................................................. 21
Selected Consolidated Financial and
Operating Data.......................................................... 29
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations........................................................... 32
Business................................................................. 37
Management............................................................... 64
Summary Compensation Table............................................... 69
Principal and Selling Stockholders....................................... 72
Certain Transactions..................................................... 73
The Acquisition.......................................................... 74
Description of Certain Indebtedness...................................... 76
Description of Capital Stock............................................. 78
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.......................................... 81
Certain United States Federal Tax Consequences to Non-United States
Holders of Common Stock................................................. 82
Underwriting............................................................. 85
Notice to Canadian Residents............................................. 87
Legal Matters............................................................ 89
Experts.................................................................. 90
Index to Financial Statements............................................ F-1
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- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES
[LOGO] VAIL RESORTS, INC.
COMMON STOCK
----------------
PROSPECTUS
----------------
BEAR, STEARNS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
FURMAN SELZ LLC
GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL
SALOMON BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
SCHRODERS
SMITH BARNEY INC.
, 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, incurred in connection with the sale
of Common Stock being registered (all amounts are estimated except the SEC
registration fee, the NASD filing fee and the New York Stock Exchange listing
fee). The Company will bear all expenses incurred in connection with the sale
of the Common Stock being registered hereby.
SEC Registration Fee................................................ $68,966
NASD Filing Fee..................................................... 15,500
New York Stock Exchange Listing Fee................................. *
Printing............................................................ *
Legal Fees and Expenses............................................. *
Accounting Fees and Expenses........................................ *
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses.......................................... *
Stock Certificates and Transfer Agent Fees.......................... *
Miscellaneous....................................................... *
-------
Total............................................................. $ *
=======
- --------
* To be completed by amendment.
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") makes
provision for the indemnification of officers and directors of corporations in
terms sufficiently broad to indemnify the officers and directors of the
registrant under certain circumstances for liabilities (including
reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act").
The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate")
provides that to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Law or other
applicable law, a director of the Company shall not be liable to the Company
or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director. Under current Delaware Law, liability of a director may not be
limited (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or
its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) in respect of
certain unlawful dividend payments or stock redemptions or repurchases and
(iv) for any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal
benefit. The effect of the provision of the Certificate is to eliminate the
rights of the Company and its stockholders (through stockholders' derivative
suits on behalf of the Company) to recover monetary damages against a director
for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director (including breaches
resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior) except in the
situations described in clauses (i) through (iv) above. This provision does
not limit or eliminate the rights of the Company or any stockholder to seek
nonmonetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a
breach of a director's duty of care. In addition, the Company's Restated
Bylaws (the "Bylaws") provide that the Company shall indemnify its directors,
officers and employees to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
The Bylaws provide that the Company may indemnify any person who is or was
involved in any manner or is threatened to be made so involved in any
threatened, pending or completed investigation, claim, action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(including any action suit or proceeding by or in the right of the registrant
to procure a judgment in its town), by reason of the fact that he is or was or
had agreed to become a director, officer or employee of the registrant or is
or was or had agreed to become at the request of the board or an officer of
the registrant a director, officer or employee of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity against all expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such
Proceeding.
II-1
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
(a) Exhibits
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
*1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.**
3.2 Restated By-Laws of the Company.**
*5.1 Opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel as to the legality of the Common
Stock.
10.1 Management Agreement by and between Beaver Creek Resort Company of
Colorado and Vail Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854) including all amendments
thereto).
10.2 Forest Service Term Special Use Permit for Beaver Creek ski area.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 of Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-
52854) including all amendments thereto).
10.3 Forest Service Special Use Permit for Beaver Creek ski area.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-
52854) including all amendments thereto).
10.4 Forest Service unified Permit for Vail ski area. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registration Statement on Form S-4
of Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854) including all
amendments thereto).
*10.5 Employment Agreement dated [ ] between the Company and Andrew P.
Daly.
*10.6 Employment Agreement dated [ ] between the Company and James Kent
Myers.
10.7 Joint Liability Agreement by and among Gillett Holdings, Inc. and the
subsidiaries of Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.10 of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854) including all amendments
thereto).
10.8(a) Management Agreement between Gillett Holdings, Inc. and Gillett Group
Management, Inc. dated as of the Effective Date. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Registration Statement on Form S-4
of Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854) including all
amendments thereto).
10.8(b) Amendment to Management Agreement by and among the Company and its
subsidiaries dated as of November 23, 1993. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.12(b) of the report on Form 10-K of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. for the period from October 9, 1992 through September
30, 1993).
10.9(a) Tax Sharing Agreement between Gillett Holdings, Inc. dated as of the
Effective Date. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Gillett Holdings, Inc.
(Registration No. 33-52854) including all amendments thereto).
10.9(b) Amendment to Tax Sharing Agreement by and among the Company and its
subsidiaries dated as of November 23, 1993. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.13(b) of the report on Form 10-K of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. for the period from October 9, 1992 through September
30, 1993).
10.10 Form of Gillett Holdings, Inc. Deferred Compensation Agreement for
certain GHTV employees. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.13(b) of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-528540) including all amendments
thereto).
II-2
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
10.11(a) Credit Agreement dated as of March 31, 1995 among The Vail
Corporation, the Banks named therein and NationsBank of Texas, N.A.,
as issuing banks and agent. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.12(a) of the report on Form 10-Q of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the
quarterly period ended March 31, 1995).
10.11(b) Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 31,
1995 among The Vail Corporation, the banks named therein and
NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as issuing banks and agent. (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.12(b) of the report on Form 10-Q of
Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the quarterly period ended March 31,
1995).
10.11(c) Pledge Agreement dated as of March 31, 1995 among Gillett Holdings,
Inc. and NationsBank of Texas, N.A. as agent. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.12(c) of the report on Form 10-Q of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. for the quarterly period ended March 31,1995).
10.11(d) Guaranty dated as of November 23, 1993 by subsidiaries named therein
for the benefit of NationsBank of Texas, NA., as agent. (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.17(b) of the report on Form 10-K of
Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the period from October 9, 1992 through
September 30, 1993).
10.11(e) Collateral Agency Agreement dated as of November 23, 1993 among Vail
Associates, Inc., The Vail Corporation, Beaver Creek Associates, Inc.
NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Collateral agent and agent, Colorado
National Bank as Beaver Creek Indenture Trustee and Vail Indenture
Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17(c) of the report
of Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the period from October 9,
1992 through September 30, 1993).
10.11(f) Pledge Agreement dated as of November 23, 1993 among The Vail
Corporation, Vail Associates, Inc., Beaver Creek Associates, Inc.,
Vail Associates Real Estate Group, Inc., Vail Associates Real Estate
Inc., as obligors and NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as collateral
agent. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17(d) of the report
on Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the period from October 9,
1992 through September 30, 1993).
10.11(g) Trust Indenture dated as of September 1, 1992 between Eagle County,
Colorado and Colorado National Bank, as Trustee, securing Sports
Housing Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds. (Incorporated by
reference to exhibit 10.16(g) of the Registration Statement on Form
S-4 of Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854) including
all amendments thereto).
10.11(h) First Amendment to Trust Indenture dated as of November 23, 1993
between Eagle County, Colorado and Colorado National Bank, as
Trustee, securing Sports and Housing Facilities Revenue Refunding
Bonds. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17(f) of the report
on Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the period from October 9,
1992 through September 30, 1993).
10.11(i) Trust Indenture dated as of September 1, 1992 between Eagle County,
Colorado, and Colorado National Bank, as Trustee, securing Sports
Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.16(h) of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854) including all amendments
thereto).
10.11(j) First Amendment to Trust Indenture dated as of November 23, 1993
between Eagle County, Colorado and Colorado National Bank, as
Trustee, securing Sports Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17(h) of the report on Form
10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the period from October 9, 1992
through September 30, 1993).
10.11(k) Sports and Housing Facilities Financing Agreement dated as of
September 1, 1992 between Eagle County, Colorado and Vail Associates,
Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16(i) of the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Gillett Holdings, Inc.
(Registration No. 33-52854) including all amendments thereon).
II-3
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
10.11(l) First Amendment to Sports and Housing Facilities Financing Agreement
and Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated as of November 23, 1993
between Eagle County, Colorado, Vail Associates, Inc. and The Vail
Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17(j) of the
report on Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the period from
October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993).
10.11(m) Sports Facilities Financing Agreement dated as of September 1, 1992
between Eagle County Colorado and Beaver Creek Associates, Inc., with
Vail Associates, Inc., as Guarantor. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.16(j) of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854) including all amendments
thereto).
10.11(n) First Amendment to Sports Facilities Financing Agreement and
Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated as of November 23, 1993 by
and among Eagle County, Colorado, Beaver Creek Associates, Inc., Vail
Associates, Inc., and The Vail Corporation. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.17(l) of the report on Form 10-K of Gillett
Holdings., Inc. for the period from October 9, 1992 through September
30, 1993).
10.11(o) Guaranty dated as of September 1, 1992, by Vail Associates, Inc.
delivered to Colorado National Bank, as Trustee. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.16(k) of the Registration Statement on Form
S-4 of Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854) including
all amendments thereto).
10.12(a) Agreement for Purchase and Sale dated as of August 25, 1993 by and
among Arrowhead at Vail, Arrowhead Ski Corporation, Arrowhead at Vail
Properties Corporation, Arrowhead Property Management Company and
Vail Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19(a)
of the report on Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc., for the period
from October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993).
10.12(b) Amendment to Agreement for Purchase and Sale dated September 8, 1993
by and between Arrowhead at Vail, Arrowhead Ski Corporation,
Arrowhead at Vail Properties Corporation, Arrowhead Property
Management Company and Vail Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.19(b) of the report on Form 10-K of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. for the period from October 9, 1992 through September
30, 1993).
10.12(c) Second Amendment to Agreement for Purchase and Sale dated September
22, 1993 by and between Arrowhead at Vail, Arrowhead Ski Corporation,
Arrowhead at Vail Properties Corporation, Arrowhead Property
Management Company and Vail Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.19(c) of the report on Form 10-K of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. for the period from October 9, 1992 through September
30, 1993).
10.12(d) Third Amendment to Agreement for Purchase and Sale dated November 30,
1993 by and between Arrowhead at Vail, Arrowhead Ski Corporation,
Arrowhead at Vail Properties Corporation, Arrowhead Property
Management Company and Vail Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.19(d) of the report on Form 10-K of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. for the period from October 9, 1992 through September
30, 1993).
10.13 1992 Stock Option Plan of Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.20 of the report on form 10-K of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. for the period from October 9, 1992 through September
30, 1993).
10.14 Agreement to Settle Prospective Litigation and for Sale of Personal
Property dated May 10, 1993, between the Company, Clifford E. Eley,
as Chapter 7 Trustee of the Debtor's Bankruptcy Estate, and George N.
Gillett, Jr. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the
report on Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the period from
October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993).
II-4
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
10.15 Employment Agreement dated April 1, 1994 between Gillett Holdings,
Inc. and James S. Mandel (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22
of the report on Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the year
ended September 30, 1994).
10.16 Employment Agreement dated April 1, 1994 between Vail Associates, Inc.
and James S. Mandel (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of the
report on Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the year ended
September 30, 1994).
*10.17 Employment Agreement dated [ ] between Vail Associates, Inc. and
Gerald E. Flynn.
*10.18 Employment Agreement dated [ ] between Vail Associates, Inc. and
Christopher P. Ryman.
*10.19 Employment Agreement dated [ ] between Vail Associates, Inc. and
James P. Thompson.
Consulting Agreement dated [ ] between Vail Resorts, Inc. and George
*10.20 N. Gillett, Jr.
10.21 Employment Agreement dated [ ] between the Company and Adam M. Aron
10.22 Stock Purchase Agreement Among Vail Resorts, Inc., Ralston Foods,
Inc., and Ralston Resorts, Inc. dated July 22, 1996. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the report on Form 8-K of Vail Resorts,
Inc. dated July 23, 1996.)
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1995
13.1 (Incorporated by reference.)
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996
13.2 (Incorporated by reference.)
13.3 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995
(Incorporated by reference.)
16.1 Letter from Ernst & Young LLP regarding change in certifying
accountant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16 of the report on
Form 8-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the reportable event occurring
on October 25, 1994).
21.1 Subsidiaries of Vail Resorts Inc. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 21 of the report on Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for
the year ended September 30, 1995).
23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
23.2 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.3 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP
*23.4 Consent of Cahill Gordon & Reindel (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1 Powers of Attorney (set forth on the signature page of the
Registration Statement).
27.1 Financial Data Schedule.
- --------
*To be filed by amendment.
**Previously filed.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the
Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being
II-5
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes
to provide to the Underwriters at the closing specified in the Underwriting
Agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as
required by the Underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser. The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
(4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-6
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THE
REGISTRANT CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT MEETS
ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-2 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS
AMENDMENT TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN VAIL, COLORADO ON SEPTEMBER 18,
1996.
VAIL RESORTS, INC.
/s/ Adam M. Aron
By: _________________________________
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITY INDICATED ON SEPTEMBER 18, 1996.
SIGNATURE TITLE
/s/ Adam M. Aron* Chairman of the Board and Chief
- ------------------------------------- Executive Officer (Principal Chief
ADAM M. ARON Executive Officer)
/s/ Andrew P. Daly* Director
- -------------------------------------
ANDREW P. DALY
Director
/s/ Leon D. Black*
- -------------------------------------
LEON D. BLACK
Director
/s/ Craig M. Cogut*
- -------------------------------------
CRAIG M. COGUT
Director
/s/ Stephen C. Hilbert*
- -------------------------------------
STEPHEN C. HILBERT
Director
/s/ Robert A. Katz*
- -------------------------------------
ROBERT A. KATZ
II-7
SIGNATURE TITLE
Director
/s/ Thomas H. Lee*
- -------------------------------------
THOMAS H. LEE
Director
/s/ William L. Mack*
- -------------------------------------
WILLIAM L. MACK
Director
/s/ Antony P. Ressler*
- -------------------------------------
ANTONY P. RESSLER
Director
/s/ Marc J. Rowan*
- -------------------------------------
MARC J. ROWAN
Director
/s/ John J. Ryan III*
- -------------------------------------
JOHN J. RYAN III
Director
/s/ John F. Sorte*
- -------------------------------------
JOHN F. SORTE
Director
/s/ Bruce H. Spector*
- -------------------------------------
BRUCE H. SPECTOR
Director
/s/ James S. Tisch*
- -------------------------------------
JAMES S. TISCH
Senior Vice President, Chief
/s/ Gerald E. Flynn* Accounting Officer and Chief
- ------------------------------------- Financial Officer (Principal
GERALD E. FLYNN Financial Officer)
Attorney-in-Fact
/s/ Robert A. Katz
- -------------------------------------
ROBERT A. KATZ
* By Attorney-in-Fact
II-8
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT NUMBERED
NO. DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER
------- ----------- ------------
*1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement........................
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company..
3.2 Restated By-Laws of the Company.......................
Opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel as to the legality
*5.1 of the Common Stock...................................
10.1 Management Agreement by and between Beaver Creek
Resort Company of Colorado and Vail Associates, Inc.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854) including
all amendments thereto.)..............................
10.2 Forest Service Term Special Use Permit for Beaver
Creek ski area. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.2 of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of
Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854)
including all amendments thereto.)....................
10.3 Forest Service Special Use Permit for Beaver Creek ski
area. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of
the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854) including
all amendments thereto.)..............................
10.4 Forest Service Unified Permit for Vail ski area.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854) including
all amendments thereto.)..............................
*10.5 Employment Agreement dated [ ] between the Company
and Andrew P. Daly. ..................................
*10.6 Employment Agreement dated [ ] between the Company
and James Kent Myers..................................
10.7 Joint Liability Agreement by and among Gillett
Holdings, Inc. and the subsidiaries of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.10 of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of
Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854)
including all amendments thereto.)....................
10.8(a) Management Agreement between Gillett Holdings, Inc.
and Gillett Group Management, Inc. dated as of the
Effective Date. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.11 of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of
Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854)
including all amendments thereto.)....................
10.8(b) Amendment to Management Agreement by and among the
Company and its subsidiaries dated as of November 23,
1993. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12(b)
of the report on Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc.
for the period from October 9, 1992 through September
30, 1993.)............................................
10.9(a) Tax Sharing Agreement between Gillett Holdings, Inc.
dated as of the Effective Date. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 of Gillett Holdings, Inc.
(Registration No. 33-52854) including all amendments
thereto.).............................................
10.9(b) Amendment to Tax Sharing Agreement by and among the
Company and its subsidiaries dated as of November 23,
1993. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13(b)
of the report on Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc.
for the period from October 9, 1992 through September
30, 1993.)............................................
SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT NUMBERED
NO. DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER
------- ----------- ------------
10.10 Form of Gillett Holdings, Inc. Deferred Compensation
Agreement for certain GHTV employees. (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.13(b) of the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 of Gillett Holdings, Inc.
(Registration No. 33-52854) including all amendments
thereto.)............................................
10.11(a) Credit Agreement dated as of March 31, 1995 among The
Vail Corporation, the Banks named therein and
NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as issuing banks and
agent. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12(a)
of the report on Form 10-Q of Gillett Holdings, Inc.
for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1995.)......
10.11(b) Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as
of March 31, 1995 among The Vail Corporation, the
banks named therein and NationsBank of Texas, N.A.,
as issuing banks and agent. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.12(b) of the report on Form
10-Q of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the quarterly
period ended March 31, 1995.)........................
10.11(c) Pledge Agreement dated as of March 31, 1995 among
Gillett Holdings, Inc. and NationsBank of Texas, N.A.
as agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.12(c) of the report on Form 10-Q of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. for the quarterly period ended March
31, 1995.)...........................................
10.11(d) Guaranty dated as of November 23, 1993 by
subsidiaries named therein for the benefit of
NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as agent. (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.17(b) of the report on
Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the period
from October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993.)....
10.11(e) Collateral Agency Agreement dated as of November 23,
1993 among Vail Associates, Inc., The Vail
Corporation, Beaver Creek Associates, Inc.
NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Collateral agent and
agent, Colorado National Bank as Beaver Creek
Indenture Trustee and Vail Indenture Trustee.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17(c) of the
report of Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the
period from October 9, 1992 through September 30,
1993.)...............................................
10.11(f) Pledge Agreement dated as of November 23, 1993 among
The Vail Corporation, Vail Associates, Inc., Beaver
Creek Associates, Inc., Vail Associates Real Estate
Group, Inc., Vail Associates Real Estate, Inc., as
obligors and NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as
collateral agent (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.17(d) of the report on Form 10-K of
Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the period from October 9,
1992 through September 30, 1993.)....................
10.11(g) Trust Indenture dated as of September 1, 1992 between
Eagle County, Colorado and Colorado National Bank, as
Trustee, securing Sports Housing Facilities Revenue
Refunding Bonds. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.16(g) of the Registration Statement on
Form S-4 of Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Registration No.
33-52854) including all amendments thereto.).........
10.11(h) First Amendment to Trust Indenture dated as of
November 23, 1993 between Eagle County, Colorado and
Colorado National Bank, as Trustee, securing Sports
and Housing Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17(f) of the
report on Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the
period from October 9, 1992 through September 30,
1993.)...............................................
10.11(i) Trust Indenture dated as of September 1, 1992 between
Eagle County, Colorado, and Colorado National Bank,
as Trustee, securing Sports Facilities Revenue
Refunding Bonds. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.16(h) of the Registration Statement on
Form S-4 of Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Registration No.
33-52854) including all amendments thereto.).........
SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT NUMBERED
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10.11(j) First Amendment to Trust Indenture dated as of
November 23, 1993 between Eagle County, Colorado and
Colorado National Bank, as Trustee, securing Sports
Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibits 10.17(h) of the report on Form
10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the period from
October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993.).........
10.11(k) Sports and Housing Facilities Financing Agreement
dated as of September 1, 1992 between Eagle County,
Colorado and Vail Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.16(i) of the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 of Gillett Holdings, Inc.
(Registration No. 33-52854 )including all amendments
thereto.)............................................
10.11(l) First Amendment to Sports and Housing Facilities
Financing Agreement and Assignment and Assumption
Agreement dated as of November 23, 1993 between Eagle
County, Colorado, Vail Associates, Inc. and The Vail
Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.17(j) of the report on Form 10-K of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. for the period from October 9, 1992
through September 30, 1993.).........................
10.11(m) Sports Facilities Financing Agreement dated as of
September 1, 1992 between Eagle County, Colorado and
Beaver Creek Associates, Inc., with Vail Associates,
Inc., as Guarantor. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.16(j) of the Registration Statement on
Form S-4 of Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Registration No.
33-52854) including all amendments thereto.).........
10.11(n) First Amendment to Sports Facilities Financing
Agreement and Assignment and Assumption Agreement
dated as of November 23, 1993 by and among Eagle
County, Colorado, Beaver Creek Associates, Inc., Vail
Associates, Inc., and The Vail Corporation.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17(l) of the
report on Form 10-Q of Gillett Holdings., Inc. for
the period from October 9, 1992 through September 30,
1993.)...............................................
10.11(o) Guaranty dated as of September 1, 1992, by Vail
Associates, Inc. delivered to Colorado National Bank,
as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.16(k) of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of
Gillett Holdings, Inc. (Registration No. 33-52854)
including all amendments thereto.)...................
10.12(a) Agreement for Purchase and Sale dated as of August
25, 1993 by and among Arrowhead at Vail, Arrowhead
Ski Corporation, Arrowhead at Vail Properties
Corporation, Arrowhead Property Management Company
and Vail Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.19(a) of the report on Form 10-K of
Gillett Holdings, Inc., for the period from October
9, 1992 through September 30, 1993.).................
10.12(b) Amendment to Agreement for Purchase and Sale dated
September 8, 1993 by and between Arrowhead at Vail,
Arrowhead Ski Corporation, Arrowhead at Vail
Properties Corporation, Arrowhead Property Management
Company and Vail Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.19(b) of the report on Form
10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the period from
October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993.).........
10.12(c) Second Amendment to Agreement for Purchase and Sale
dated September 22, 1993 by and between Arrowhead at
Vail, Arrowhead Ski Corporation, Arrowhead at Vail
Properties Corporation, Arrowhead Property Management
Company and Vail Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.19(c) of the report on Form
10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the period from
October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993.).........
SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT NUMBERED
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10.12(d) Third Amendment to Agreement for Purchase and Sale
dated November 30, 1993 by and between Arrowhead at
Vail, Arrowhead Ski Corporation, Arrowhead at Vail
Properties Corporation, Arrowhead Property Management
Company and Vail/Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.19(d) of the report on Form
10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the period from
October 9, 1992 through September 30, 1993.).........
10.13 1992 Stock Option Plan of Gillett Holdings, Inc.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of the
report on Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the
period from October 9, 1992 through September 30,
1993.)...............................................
10.14 Agreement to Settle Prospective Litigation and for
Sale of Personal Property dated May 10, 1993, between
the Company, Clifford E. Eley, as Chapter 7 Trustee
of the Debtor's Bankruptcy Estate, and George N.
Gillett, Jr. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.21 of the report on Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings,
Inc. for the period from October 9, 1992 through
September 30, 1993.).................................
10.15 Employment Agreement dated April 1, 1994 between
Gillett Holdings, Inc. and James S. Mandel
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of the
report on Form 10-K of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the
year ended September 30, 1994.)......................
10.16 Employment Agreement dated April 1, 1994 between Vail
Associates, Inc. and James S. Mandel (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.23 of the report on Form 10-K
of Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the year ended
September 30, 1994.).................................
*10.17 Employment Agreement dated [ ] between Vail
Associates, Inc. and Gerald E. Flynn. ...............
*10.18 Employment Agreement dated [ ] between Vail
Associates, Inc. and Christopher P. Ryman............
*10.19 Employment Agreement dated [ ] between Vail
Associates, Inc. and James P. Thompson...............
*10.20 Consulting Agreement dated [ ] between Vail
Resorts, Inc. and George N. Gillett, Jr..............
*10.21 Employment Agreement dated [ ] between the
Company and Adam M. Aron.............................
10.22 Stock Purchase Agreement among Vail Resorts, Inc.,
Ralston Foods, Inc. and Ralston Resorts, Inc. dated
July 22, 1996 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit
21 of the report of Form 8-K of Vail Resorts, Inc.
dated July 23, 1996.)................................
13.1 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
September 30, 1995 (Incorporated by reference).......
13.2 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 1996 (Incorporated by reference)...........
13.3 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
December 31, 1995 (Incorporated by reference)........
16.1 Letter from Ernst & Young LLP regarding change in
certifying accountant. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 16 of the report on Form 8-K of Gillett
Holdings, Inc. for the reportable event occurring on
October 25, 1994.)...................................
21.1 Subsidiaries of Vail Resorts Inc. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 21 of the report on Form 10-K of
Gillett Holdings, Inc. for the year ended September
30, 1995.)...........................................
23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.......................
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* To be filed by amendment.
SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT NUMBERED
NO. DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER
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23.2 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP...........................
Consent of Cahill Gordon & Reindel (included in Exhibit
*23.3 5.1)...................................................
23.3 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP........................
Powers of Attorney (set forth on the signature page of
24.4 the Registration Statement) ...........................
27.1 Financial Data Schedule................................
- --------
* To be filed by amendment.
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
report (and to all references to our firm) included in or made a part of this
registration statement.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Denver, Colorado,
September 12, 1996.
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report dated October 7, 1994, (with respect to the financial
statements of Packerland Packing Company, Inc.) which is included in the
Registration Statement (Form S-2) and related Prospectus of Vail Resorts, Inc.
for the registration of shares of its Common Stock.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 12, 1996
Exhibit 23.3
CONSENT OF PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting part of this
Registration Statement on Form S-2 of our report dated September 4, 1996
relating to the financial statements of Ralston Resorts, Inc., which appears
in such Prospectus. We also consent to the reference to us under the headings
"Experts" in such Prospectus.
Price Waterhouse LLP
Denver, Colorado
September 13, 1996