Vail Resorts, Inc. total revenue increased $28.1 million, or 8.2%, in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to $369.5 million from $341.4 million for the comparable quarter last fiscal year. Income from operations for the quarter increased $12.9 million, or 10.5%, to $136.2 million. The Company reported third quarter fiscal 2007 net income of $78.5 million, or $1.99 per diluted share, compared to net income of $68.3 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, for the same quarter last fiscal year.
The Company recorded total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense of $1.7 million in the three months ended April 30, 2007, as compared to $1.1 million for the three months ended April 30, 2006. Excluding stock-based compensation expense, the Company's net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 would have been $79.6 million, or $2.02 per diluted share, compared to net income of $69.1 million excluding stock-based compensation, or $1.77 per diluted share, for the same quarter last fiscal year.
Mountain revenue increased $13.9 million, or 4.7%, in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to $308.7 million from $294.8 million for the comparable quarter last fiscal year. Mountain expense increased $3.6 million, or 2.4%, to $153.0 million. Mountain Reported EBITDA grew $11.3 million, or 7.7%, to $157.4 million compared to $146.1 million for the comparable quarter last fiscal year.
Lodging revenue increased $4.2 million, or 10.5%, in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to $43.6 million from $39.5 million for the comparable quarter last fiscal year. Lodging expense increased $0.6 million, or 2.0%, to $31.1 million. For the third quarter of fiscal 2007, the Lodging segment revenue included $2.6 million of revenue associated with the termination of the management agreement at The Equinox (pursuant to the terms of the management agreement) as a result of the sale of the hotel by the hotel owner. Lodging Reported EBITDA grew $3.5 million, or 39.4%, to $12.5 million compared to $9.0 million for the comparable quarter last fiscal year.
Resort revenue, the combination of Mountain and Lodging revenue, increased $18.1 million, or 5.4%, in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to $352.4 million from $334.3 million for the comparable quarter last fiscal year. Resort expense increased $4.2 million, or 2.3%, to $184.1 million. Third fiscal quarter Resort Reported EBITDA increased $14.8 million to $169.9 million, a 9.5% increase over the comparable quarter last fiscal year. Resort Reported EBITDA excluding stock-based compensation increased $15.2 million, or 9.8%, to $171.2 million.
Real Estate revenue increased $10.0 million, or 140.5%, in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to $17.1 million from $7.1 million for the comparable quarter last fiscal year. Real Estate expense increased 122.2% to $25.3 million. Real Estate Reported EBITDA for the quarter ended April 30, 2007, decreased $3.9 million, or 90.5%, to a loss of $8.1 million compared to a loss of $4.3 million in the comparable quarter last fiscal year.
Mountain revenue grew $45.6 million, or 7.8%, for the nine months ended April 30, 2007, to $626.9 million from $581.3 million for the comparable period last fiscal year. Mountain expense increased $20.0 million, or 5.4%, to $392.4 million. Mountain Reported EBITDA in the first nine months of fiscal 2007 grew $26.6 million, or 12.5%, to $238.5 million compared to $212.0 million for the comparable period last fiscal year.
Lodging revenue increased $3.5 million, or 3.1%, for the nine months ended April 30, 2007, to $116.8 million from $113.3 million for the comparable period last fiscal year. Lodging expense decreased $2.8 million, or 2.8%, to $98.2 million. For the first nine months of fiscal 2006, the Lodging segment included revenue of $5.2 million and operating expenses of $4.4 million related to Snake River Lodge & Spa (“SRL&S”), which was sold in January 2006. Excluding the impact of the sale of SRL&S, Lodging revenue increased $8.8 million, or 8.1%. Additionally, revenues for the nine months ended April 30, 2007, included $2.6 million of revenue associated with the termination of the management agreement at The Equinox (pursuant to the terms of the management agreement) as a result of the sale of the hotel by the hotel owner and $2.4 million of revenue associated with the termination (pursuant to the terms of the management agreement) at The Lodge at Rancho Mirage, in conjunction with the closing of the hotel as part of a redevelopment plan by the current hotel owner. Lodging Reported EBITDA in the first nine months of fiscal 2007 grew $6.3 million, or 51.7%, to $18.6 million compared to $12.3 million in the comparable period last fiscal year.
Resort revenue, the combination of Mountain and Lodging revenue, increased $49.2 million, or 7.1%, for the nine months ended April 30, 2007, to $743.8 million from $694.6 million for the comparable period last fiscal year. Resort expense increased $17.2 million, or 3.6%, to $490.6 million. Resort Reported EBITDA in the first nine months of fiscal 2007 increased $32.9 million to $257.2 million, a 14.7% increase over the comparable period last fiscal year. Resort Reported EBITDA excluding stock-based compensation increased $33.2 million, or 14.6%, to $261.1 million.
Real Estate revenue increased $80.0 million, or 395.8%, for the nine months ended April 30, 2007, to $100.3 million from $20.2 million for the comparable period last fiscal year. Real Estate expense increased 327.2% to $101.8 million. Real Estate Reported EBITDA in the first nine months of fiscal 2007 improved $2.0 million, or 57.4%, to a loss of $1.5 million compared to a loss of $3.5 million in the comparable period last fiscal year.
Total revenue increased $129.2 million, or 18.1%, for the nine months ended April 30, 2007, to $844.0 million from $714.8 million for the comparable period last fiscal year. Income from operations for the nine months increased $32.7 million, or 21.7%, to $183.1 million. The Company recorded total pre- tax stock-based compensation expense of $5.5 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2007, as compared to $4.7 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2006.
The Company reported net income of $95.7 million, or $2.44 per diluted share, for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 compared to net income of $77.0 million, or $2.01 per diluted share, for the same period last fiscal year. Excluding stock-based compensation expense, the Company's net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 would have been $99.1 million, or $2.52 per diluted share, compared to net income of $80.0 million excluding stock-based compensation, or $2.08 per diluted share, for the same period last fiscal year.
Robert Katz, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “I am very pleased with our results in the third quarter and for the entire 2006/2007 ski season. With the nine months ended April 30, 2007, incorporating our entire ski season, our Mountain segment revenue increased 7.8% with a lift ticket revenue increase of 9.1% compared to the prior year nine months. The lift revenue increase was attributable to a 10.3% increase in our effective ticket price as well as a 17.7% increase in season pass revenue, partially offset by a decrease in visitation for the nine months. The season pass revenue growth was due to the combination of more passes sold and higher pass prices. Our effective ticket price was positively impacted by an increase in absolute pricing of our individual lift ticket and pass products, as well as an increase in the mix of our destination guest visitation, who generally purchase higher priced tickets. We are pleased that our destination visitation increased on an absolute basis and constituted 64% of total visitation compared to 60% in the prior year. This also benefited our ancillary businesses including ski school where revenues grew 8.6% over the prior year ski season. In addition, the capacity for destination visitation growth will be further amplified when projects such as The Arrabelle in Vail open their doors starting in the 2007/2008 ski season.”
Katz continued, “While the 2006/2007 ski season presented some challenging weather, we were able to continue to drive significantly improved year-over- year Resort performance. This certainly is a testament to the success of our capital investments in improving the quality of our resorts, our commitment to expanding our destination visitation base, the benefit of our season pass programs, the passion of our employees and the outstanding experience we provide our guests. Total visitation at all five of our resorts for the 2006/2007 ski season decreased 1.1% compared to the prior season. While the Colorado resorts' visitation for the 2006/2007 ski season increased 1.0%, Heavenly's visitation experienced a 12.0% decline related to highly unfavorable weather conditions throughout the ski season. The increase in Colorado visitation was driven by a 7.0% increase in destination guests, offset by an 8.6% decline from in-state visitation. In-state Colorado visitation, including visitation by season pass holders, was negatively impacted by adverse weather conditions especially in the Denver metropolitan area. We are very excited with the performance of Keystone, which had an outstanding season. Keystone had very strong destination visitation and modest growth in in-state visitation, resulting in a 7.0% increase in skier visits over the 2006/2007 ski season. In addition, Breckenridge and Beaver Creek realized new skier visitation records this season for their respective resorts. The positive impact of the destination visitation at our resorts also carried over to our Lodging segment. The average daily rate and revenue per available room, excluding The Equinox and The Lodge at Rancho Mirage termination fee revenue and the impact of the Snake River Lodge & Spa sale, increased 8.3% and 10.7%, respectively, for the nine months at our owned lodging properties and condominiums that we manage around our mountain resorts.”
Katz added, “Looking ahead towards the next winter season, the Company's marketing activities are already showing positive results in our spring sales of season passes for the 2007/2008 season. Pass sales to date increased 39% in units and 54% in sales dollars over the same period last year. The increase in season pass sales is largely due to a higher number of renewals at this point in our selling process combined with an 11% increase in effective pass price for our spring sales. However, it clearly establishes early momentum going into the 2007/2008 ski season.”
Commenting on the Heavenly Master Plan Amendment Katz said, “We are excited about the recent unanimous approval of Heavenly Mountain Resort's 2006 Master Plan Amendment by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's Governing Board, effectively charting the course for Heavenly over the next ten years as a premiere mountain destination and putting Heavenly at the forefront of environmental stewardship within the snow sports industry. Phase I projects approved under the plan include the replacement of the existing Olympic fixed- grip chair lift with a high-speed, detachable lift, a 1,000-seat on-mountain restaurant, 152 acres of new ski trails and a zip line adventure ride. This plan creates a new opportunity for us to further enhance the guest experience at Heavenly.”
On our real estate business, Katz said, “Our real estate activity not only advances in Vail with The Arrabelle, The Front Door, The Ritz-Carlton Residences and Ever Vail projects, but also with significant opportunities in Breckenridge. We are in the process of designing Peak 8 in Breckenridge with initial plans calling for a new Peak 8 base area including a seven building multi-use development, anticipating 325,000 to 350,000 saleable residential square feet or approximately 280 units, 48,000 square feet of skier services and 14,000 square feet of commercial space. The first phase of this project, Building 801, is expected to include 89 studio to four-bedroom ski-in/ski-out residences with approximately 100,000 to 110,000 saleable residential square feet. At our Crystal Peak development on Peak 7, we have 45 of the 46 units under contract at an average sales price per square foot of $962, representing gross sales proceeds of $54.4 million.”
Katz added, “We are pleased with the progress on The Arrabelle at Vail Square project in LionsHead where we currently anticipate the hotel and commercial components to be open before the end of our second fiscal quarter in 2008 and the condominiums to all close within fiscal 2008. In addition, the marketing of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Vail project continues with 71 whole ownership two- to six-bedroom condominium units and 45 fractional ownership units. Of the 54 executed reservations announced in the second quarter earnings release, we have converted 74% of these reservations into executed contracts. We currently have a total of 40 whole ownership units and all 45 fractional units under contract, representing 62% of total expected revenue.”
As an update on the Vail Mountain Club Katz said, “The marketing of the Vail Mountain Club, an exclusive slope-side private club steps from the Vista Bahn Express lift, is on-going with 107 full memberships, which include parking privileges, and an additional 105 social memberships, which exclude parking, sold to date. We have been able to increase our pricing of the full memberships to a membership initiation fee deposit of $260,000 and the social memberships to a membership initiation fee deposit of $105,000. We currently have total sales commitments representing $37.3 million of total proceeds when paid in full.”
On our lodging business, Katz commented, “We are extremely excited about our recent announcement of adding the Hotel Jerome, a celebrated historic luxury property in Aspen, to our portfolio of RockResorts' properties. RockResorts also confirmed that it plans to operate The Chateau at Heavenly Village at the base of Heavenly. The Chateau at Heavenly Village will stand out as the jewel of South Lake Tahoe, connecting Heavenly's world-class slopes to the treasured shore of Lake Tahoe. Construction of the proposed LEED- certified redevelopment project has commenced and the $420 million, 11.53 acre redevelopment will include two luxury condo-hotels, a 16,000 square-foot RockResorts Spa, convention center and a collection of shops and restaurants, and is expected to be completed in early winter 2009.”
On the retail/rental business, Katz said, “Specialty Sports Ventures, a joint venture majority owned by Vail Resorts, has closed its acquisition of 18 Breeze Ski Rental shops at locations throughout Colorado, California and Utah. With this acquisition, Specialty Sports Ventures becomes one of the leading ski rental and retailers in the United States with a total of more than 145 shops in Colorado, California and Utah. The acquisition also included an agreement whereby Vail Resorts directly purchased two Starbucks retail stores adjacent to the Breeze locations at the base of Aspen Mountain and in Dumont along the I-70 corridor. The acquisition of the 18 strategically located Breeze ski and snowboard rental shops and the Starbucks locations further enhances our Company's ability to provide the highest levels of service to our skiing and snowboarding guests. The addition of stores along the I-70 corridor in Colorado, the gateway to the state's most visited mountain resorts, is particularly attractive because of both the day and destination skier traffic heading to the mountains.”
Katz concluded, “Based on the performance that we have delivered to date this fiscal year, we would like to take this opportunity to increase the guidance previously announced in our second quarter earnings release and call. Based on our current estimates, we expect full year Resort Reported EBITDA, the combination of our Mountain and Lodging segments, to range from $220 million to $225 million and Resort Reported EBITDA excluding stock-based compensation expense to range from $225 million to $230 million. The Resort guidance includes a range for Mountain Reported EBITDA of $201 million to $206 million and Mountain Reported EBITDA excluding stock-based compensation expense of $205 million to $210 million, while we expect Lodging Reported EBITDA to range from $18 million to $22 million and Lodging Reported EBITDA excluding stock-based compensation expense expected to range from $19 million to $23 million.
Real Estate Reported EBITDA is expected to range from negative $2 million to $1 million and Real Estate Reported EBITDA excluding stock-based compensation expense is expected to range from zero to $3 million. Based on our current estimates, we expect net income to range from $63 million to $68 million and net income excluding stock-based compensation expense to range from $67 million to $72 million. This includes an assumption that we will receive payment of the arbitration award relating to the termination of RockResorts' Cheeca Lodge & Spa management agreement in the fourth quarter. Finally, in the third quarter, the Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock under our previously announced share repurchase program. Since inception of this program in fiscal 2006, the Company has repurchased 673,500 shares at an average price of $38.38 for a total amount of approximately $25.8 million, with 2,326,500 shares remaining available under the existing repurchase authorization.”
Vail Resorts, Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
April 30,
2007 2006
Net revenue:
Mountain $ 308,712 $ 294,773
Lodging 43,643 39,492
Real estate 17,134 7,124
Total net revenue 369,489 341,389
Segment operating expense:
Mountain 152,997 149,431
Lodging 31,126 30,515
Real estate 25,261 11,370
Total segment operating expense 209,384 191,316
Other operating expense:
Depreciation and amortization (23,513) (22,942)
Relocation and separation charges (166) (3,778)
Loss on disposal of fixed assets, net (242) (108)
Income from operations 136,184 123,245
Mountain equity investment income, net 1,660 780
Real estate equity investment loss -- (20)
Investment income 4,334 3,156
Interest expense, net (8,039) (8,849)
Loss on sale of business (601) --
Contract dispute charges (184) (816)
Gain (loss) on put options, net 690 (113)
Minority interest in income of
consolidated subsidiaries, net (5,343) (5,355)
Income before provision for income taxes 128,701 112,028
Provision for income taxes (50,193) (43,691)
Net income $ 78,508 $ 68,337
Per share amounts:
Basic net income per share $ 2.02 $ 1.78
Diluted net income per share $ 1.99 $ 1.75
Other Data:
Mountain Reported EBITDA $ 157,375 $ 146,122
Mountain Reported EBITDA excluding
stock-based compensation $ 158,361 $ 146,820
Lodging Reported EBITDA $ 12,517 $ 8,977
Lodging Reported EBITDA excluding
stock-based compensation $ 12,823 $ 9,139
Resort Reported EBITDA $ 169,892 $ 155,099
Resort Reported EBITDA excluding
stock-based compensation $ 171,184 $ 155,959
Real Estate Reported EBITDA $ (8,127) $ (4,266)
Real Estate Reported EBITDA
excluding stock-based compensation $ (7,671) $ (3,983)
