Vail Resorts Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2026 and Season Pass Sales Results, Reaffirms Guidance and Announces 2026 Capital Plan

Core Insights - Vail Resorts, Inc. reported a net loss of $186.8 million for Q1 fiscal 2026, compared to a loss of $173.3 million in the same period last year, indicating a decline in profitability [6][29] - The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 guidance, projecting net income between $201 million and $276 million and Resort Reported EBITDA between $842 million and $898 million [6][14] - North American season pass sales for the 2025/2026 ski season showed a 2% decrease in units sold but a 3% increase in sales dollars, attributed to a 7% price increase [8][10] First Quarter Operating Results - Resort net revenue increased by $10.7 million, or 4%, driven by improved visitation at Australian ski resorts due to favorable weather [7] - Resort Reported EBITDA loss remained flat at $139.7 million compared to the prior year [6] - Mountain Reported EBITDA increased by $1.5 million, while Lodging Reported EBITDA decreased by $1.5 million due to decreased demand for summer group lodging [7] Season Pass Sales - North American pass product sales through December 5, 2025, decreased approximately 2% in units but increased approximately 3% in sales dollars compared to the previous year [8] - The decline in units was primarily driven by decreases in Colorado, Utah, and Tahoe local markets, while destination markets saw only slight declines [8] Fiscal Year 2026 Guidance - The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 guidance, assuming normal weather conditions and a continuation of the current economic environment [11] - The guidance reflects expectations for the North American ski season, which has just begun, with the primary earnings period still ahead [11] Liquidity and Return of Capital - As of October 31, 2025, the company's total liquidity was approximately $1.5 billion, with net debt at 3.0 times trailing twelve months Total Reported EBITDA [15][33] - The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $2.22 per share, payable on January 12, 2026 [15] Capital Investments - Vail Resorts plans to invest approximately $215 million to $220 million in core capital for calendar year 2026, with total capital spending expected to be between $234 million and $239 million [6][13] - Significant investments will focus on enhancing guest experiences, including upgrades to lift systems and dining facilities across various resorts [17][18]