Vail Resorts Acquires Perisher — Freedom Pass is Now Epic
Perisher’s Freedom Pass is Now Epic
Pete Long, Perisher
The Perisher Freedom Pass is back on sale for the 2015 ski season, with Epic Benefits, now through Sunday, 31 May
• New Purchasers of the 2015 Perisher Freedom Pass will receive free access to 9 world-class resorts in the U.S., including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Park City.
• Previous purchasers of the Freedom Pass will receive the same Epic Benefits, at no additional cost, upon closing of Vail Resorts’ acquisition of Perisher
• 2015-2016 Epic Pass holders will receive unlimited, unrestricted skiing at Perisher, and Vail Resorts’ world-class mountains in Colorado, Utah, and Tahoe, upon closing of the Perisher Acquisition
BROOMFIELD, Colo. — March 31, 2015 — As part of the announced acquisition of Perisher by Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN), Perisher announced that it has re-opened sales of the Perisher Freedom Pass with Epic Benefits for the 2015 ski season. The 2015 Perisher Freedom Pass with Epic Benefits is on sale now through 31 May, for AU$749 for adults and AU$429 for students.
In addition to unlimited, unrestricted access at Perisher this season, new purchasers of the Freedom Pass with Epic Benefits will get access for the 2015-2016 ski season to unlimited skiing and riding at Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, Park City and Canyons in Utah and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Tahoe. Purchasers of the Freedom Pass with Epic Benefits will also get access to 10 free days of skiing and riding at Vail and Beaver Creek. All U.S. resort access will be subject to certain traditional holiday restrictions. Previous purchasers of the Freedom Pass for the 2015 Australian ski season will receive the same Epic benefits in the U.S. for the 2015-2016 ski season, once the acquisition of Perisher by Vail Resorts is closed. Upon the closing of the acquisition, Vail Resorts’ industry leading Epic Pass will include unlimited and unrestricted skiing at Perisher. To use the Epic Pass at Perisher during the 2015 ski season, guests must purchase their pass by Sunday, 31 May, 2015. All purchasers of the Epic Pass after 1 June, 2015, will have access to Perisher for the 2016 Australian ski season, subject to closing of the acquisition.
“The acquisition of Perisher creates an incredibly exciting connection between Australian skiers and riders and our mountain resorts in the United States”, said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts. “By giving purchasers of the Freedom Pass free access to our nine resorts, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Park City, it creates one of the most compelling and ground-breaking values found anywhere in the travel industry, allowing Australians to ski and ride world-class destinations, year-round. Australia is one of our Company’s most important markets and this season pass offering provides even more opportunity for skiers and riders to see the incredible experience we provide guests from around the world. This is a perfect alignment, as Perisher is the Australian leader in innovation and guest experience, which has always been the hallmark of Vail Resorts.”
FREEDOM PASS IS NOW EPIC
Located in the picturesque Kosciuszko National Park in South Eastern New South Wales, Perisher’s vast expanse makes it the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest and most popular alpine resort. The resort boasts over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, 47 lifts, 7 mountain peaks, 5 terrain parks, more than 100 groomed runs, night skiing and over 100 kilometres of cross-country skiing trails.
“Today is a very exciting day for Perisher guests and employees” said Peter Brulisauer, chief executive officer of Perisher. “We’re delighted to take the unprecedented step of re-opening sales of the Freedom Pass just ahead of our ski season. We are doing this to ensure that all Australians have the opportunity to share in the excitement of our new connection to Vail Resorts and enjoy the incredible value of skiing and riding at Perisher as well as the best resorts in the United States. Vail Resorts is the preeminent mountain resort company in the world, revered for their world-class mountain resorts, and being a leader in innovation and above all, exceptional guest service. With more than 35,000 acres of the world’s best skiing and riding available, year-round, this is a huge benefit for Australian skiers and riders, and the industry.”
The Freedom Pass with Epic Benefits is on sale now for the 2015 Australian season and the 2015-2016 U.S. season, through 31 May, 2015, at http://www.perisher.com.au.
The Freedom Pass with Epic Benefits: Unlimited skiing & snowboarding at Perisher, Australia, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, Park City and Canyons in Utah, and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Tahoe. At AU$749 for adults and AU$429 for students the Freedom Pass with Epic Benefits allows guests to ski and board Perisher as much as they want, all season long. New for 2015, Freedom Pass holders also get unlimited skiing and riding at Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, Park City and Canyons in Utah, and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Tahoe. It will also include 10 days at Vail and Beaver Creek. Resort access will be subject to certain holiday restrictions. Freedom Passes purchased by Sunday, 31 May, 2015, will receive ski access at Perisher this 2015 ski season and the upcoming U.S. 2015-2016 ski season at Vail Resorts’ U.S. resorts. Freedom Pass privileges also include access to Perisher night skiing, the Night Park, and First Tracks (pre-registration required) on the Ridge Chair in Blue Cow each Sunday from mid-July through September.
That’s huge news. I’m genuinely impressed at how much value a season pass now offers. All the more reason to get out there and shred in Aus. So, who’s going to the USA next season? 
As I posted in Social, this is amazingly good for Perisher, snow in Australia and Vail.
Epic pass mountains now become the primary North American snow holiday destination for Australians (NSW) as they can save a boatload of money. Most of the money will be made on accommodation or other things like food / drinks / souvenirs.
On our front it’s awesome because we now have a big company who is willing to try to push the limits of the national parks and actually improve the resort. Hopefully the Vail resorts corporation actually care about us and try to make it worth while people actually visiting the snow in Australia rather than travelling to NZ.
That’s brilliant. Make the trip easy with passes and be nice for the season rider for all year round slashing.
On our front it’s awesome because we now have a big company who is willing to try to push the limits of the national parks and actually improve the resort. Hopefully the Vail resorts corporation actually care about us and try to make it worth while people actually visiting the snow in Australia rather than travelling to NZ.
Might even open up the relationship further and help riders get the attention and skills across the globe. You may even score working in Australia for the season and get green cards for the US all season?
This is awesome news! If only we were going to America later this year/next year! But I would expect this would be the case for many years to come!
Might even open up the relationship further and help riders get the attention and skills across the globe. You may even score working in Australia for the season and get green cards for the US all season?
I’d say this is almost impossible unless the USA relaxes their working visa restrictions.
Might even open up the relationship further and help riders get the attention and skills across the globe. You may even score working in Australia for the season and get green cards for the US all season?
I’d say this is almost impossible unless the USA relaxes their working visa restrictions.
Thought that might be the case as they are super tight on that part of visa’s.
Sounds amazing for people able to use the US resorts! Might even push myself to make the trip.. 
Obviously its early days as the deal hasnt even closed but does anyone know what this means for Perisher? What changes we might see etc?
This is exciting!
Currently trying to figure out if the boy can use this years pass at Niseko next year!
Obviously its early days as the deal hasnt even closed but does anyone know what this means for Perisher? What changes we might see etc?
Thats what I was wondering about too
Really pumped by this news! Hoping it breeds the opportunity for employee exchange/easier access to US exchange visas for Perisher employees wanting to work in the US. I’ve ridden a day at Keystone when I was living in Colorado, stoked I have another excuse to return now! 
Ahhhh this is dead set epic amaze-balls wicked mad news.
HOWEVER im saving pennies and dollars for 2016 Japan trip with some of my homies and a possible Mentawais surf trip in Sept.. Haha!
Obviously its early days as the deal hasnt even closed but does anyone know what this means for Perisher? What changes we might see etc?
Thats what I was wondering about too
I reackon multi level car park with a redesigned ski village over the top
Its sad that itll be taking more money out of the Aussie ecnomy, which is bonned enough as it is.
But its a big step forward for Perisher, and will probably see soem big upgrades for them, and possibly drop future lift prices etc.
Also awsome that we who have season passes now have passes for their US resorts next season :D
Its sad that itll be taking more money out of the Aussie ecnomy, which is bonned enough as it is.
And Merlin already owns Hotham and Falls, so there’s more money leaving the country. I think this would be a real blow for these other mountains. Perisher have really upped the ante, hey. Hotham is once again looking for a marketing dude, the $ for resort entry is going through the roof, and there has been little improvement in snowmaking. Fairly major drainage works, granted… but the punters won’t appreciate that. A couple of extra snow guns won’t seem to make a difference either. My opinion is that Perisher news will be much bigger than it seems right now. Man I feel sorry for Thredbo.