Vail Resorts Purchase Mount Hotham Skiing Company

Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board welcomes today's announcement by Vail Resorts of the purchase of the Mount Hotham Skiing Company and Falls Creek Ski Lifts.

Vail resorts today announced that the company will purchase Australian Alpine Enterprises Holdings Pty. Ltd and all related corporate entities that operate Falls Creek and Hotham resorts from Living and Leisure Australia Group (LLA), a subsidiary of Merlin Entertainments.

"This investment by Vail Resorts indicates great confidence in the Victorian Alpine Sector," said Maxine Morand, Chair of Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board.

"We are delighted that a company that is exclusively focussed on mountain resorts has made this investment.

"The company appears to have a strong focus on protecting the environment in which they operate so we look forward to working with them on our shared passion for the beautiful alpine environment we manage on behalf of the Victorian community," said Ms Morand.

The Victorian ski industry is a major contributor to the Victorian state economy, contributing an estimated $1 billion to gross state product in 2018, and is one of the largest providers of employment in the north-east of Victoria.

Hotham itself contributes over $218 million to the gross state product and provides over 2000 jobs. In 2018, the resort experienced a second bumper season in a row and increased visitation of 13% higher than the ten year average.

"Vail Resorts has significant expertise in running highly successful, customer-focussed, year-round resorts around the world, and we look forward to working with them here at Hotham," said Jon Hutchins, CEO Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board.

Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board regards new and planned investment as a vote of confidence in our industry, and the transaction by Vail Resorts will help to ensure a thriving, sustainable industry, year-round, with benefits to regional areas and Victoria as a whole.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Media enquiries regarding the Vail Resorts transaction should be directed to Rachel Anker, Head of PR and Communications, Merlin Entertainments Group, Ph: 0404 677 020, Rachel.Anker@merlineentertainments.com.au

Other media enquiries should be directed to Anita Coia, Media and Communications Officer, at media@mthotham.com.au or 0447 331 267.

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