Owner of Whistler Blackcomb ski resort sued in U.S. class action over ski pass prices

A class-action lawsuit has been filed in a Denver court against Vail Resorts and Alterra, the owners of Whistler Blackcomb and other major North American ski resorts. The suit alleges that the companies are unfairly inflating single-day lift ticket prices to incentivize skiers to purchase their more expensive multi-day “mega” passes, like the Epic and Ikon passes. Plaintiffs claim this practice violates U.S. antitrust laws and has led to lift ticket prices exceeding US$300 per day.

The lawsuit argues that the introduction of these mega-passes has driven up lift ticket costs significantly since the mid-2000s, effectively coercing customers into buying season passes. This also negatively impacts smaller, independent ski hills that struggle to compete with the bundle pricing offered by Vail and Alterra. The companies control a vast majority of the North American ski market, owning or contracting with 160 ski areas.

Vail Resorts has responded, stating the claims are without merit and that the Epic pass was created to make skiing more accessible by lowering season pass costs. The lawsuit seeks to address the alleged anti-competitive practices and the resulting financial burden on skiers and snowboarders.

(Source：Toronto Sun)