We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Are Season-to-Date Metrics Showing Pressure for Vail Resorts?
Read MoreHide Full Article
Key Takeaways
Vail Resorts reports season-to-date declines across visits, revenues and spending metrics.
MTN cites record low snowfall and warm weather driving 25% visitation drop in the Rockies.
Vail Resorts expects fiscal 2026 EBITDA near the low end; early pass sales show declines.
Vail Resorts, Inc. (MTN - Free Report) reported an update on season-to-date ski performance, outlining select operating metrics from the start of the season through April 19, 2026. The results were compared with the prior-year period through April 20, 2025, providing a year-over-year view of how the current season is progressing. The data reflects North American destination mountain resorts and regional ski areas, excluding international operations and remains subject to quarter-end review and adjustments.
Management highlighted that the 2025/2026 winter season has been one of the most challenging on record across the western United States. Record-low snowfall and unusually warm temperatures affected visitation and guest spending. March conditions remained weak, with continued low snowfall and warmer temperatures, leading to softer late-season demand and earlier-than-planned resort closures. The Rockies saw the most significant impact, with visitation declining 25%, adding pressure on overall performance.
Following the news, shares of MTN declined 5.1% during the trading session yesterday.
Metrics Provided by Vail Resorts
The reported metrics showed broad-based declines across key segments. Season-to-date skier visits decreased 14.9% compared with the prior-year period. Total lift revenues, including an allocated portion of season pass revenues, declined 5.6%. Ski school revenues fell 12%, while dining revenues dropped 11.7%. Retail and rental revenues at North American resort and ski area store locations decreased 6.6% compared with the prior-year period.
Vail Resorts now expects fiscal 2026 Resort Reported EBITDA to be at or near the lower end of the guided range issued on March 9, 2026. Persistent weather challenges and lower visitation trends continue to weigh on earnings visibility.
Spring pass sales for the 2026/2027 season have started, with early trends indicating a moderate decline in units sold and a slight decrease in sales dollars through the April deadline. The selling season remains in the early phase, with further clarity expected in the fiscal third-quarter earnings update in June 2026.
MTN’s Share Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Shares of Vail Resorts have lost 19.1% in the past six months compared with the Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry’s 5% decline. The company’s near-term prospects have been weighed down by challenging weather conditions, with snowfall in the Rockies and Tahoe nearly 60% below last year, affecting early visitation and performance. However, strategic initiatives, redesigned lift ticket programs and accelerated digital transformation to boost guest engagement and efficiency offer potential upside.
MTN’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Vail Resorts currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 187.5%, on average. APEI stock has moved up 54.6% in the past six months. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for American Public Education’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates an increase of 6.4% and 75%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.
Flexsteel Industries (FLXS - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 59%, on average. Flexsteel stock has declined 33.7% in the past six months.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Flexsteel’s fiscal 2026 sales and EPS implies growth of 3.8% and 11.5%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.
Strategic Education (STRA - Free Report) currently has a Zacks Rank of 2. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11.2%, on average. Strategic Education stock has declined 14% in the past six months.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Strategic Education’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates an increase of 4.1% and 12.8%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.
Zacks' 7 Best Strong Buy Stocks (New Research Report)
Valued at $99, click below to receive our just-released report
predicting the 7 stocks that will soar highest in the coming month.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
Are Season-to-Date Metrics Showing Pressure for Vail Resorts?
Key Takeaways
Vail Resorts, Inc. (MTN - Free Report) reported an update on season-to-date ski performance, outlining select operating metrics from the start of the season through April 19, 2026. The results were compared with the prior-year period through April 20, 2025, providing a year-over-year view of how the current season is progressing. The data reflects North American destination mountain resorts and regional ski areas, excluding international operations and remains subject to quarter-end review and adjustments.
Management highlighted that the 2025/2026 winter season has been one of the most challenging on record across the western United States. Record-low snowfall and unusually warm temperatures affected visitation and guest spending. March conditions remained weak, with continued low snowfall and warmer temperatures, leading to softer late-season demand and earlier-than-planned resort closures. The Rockies saw the most significant impact, with visitation declining 25%, adding pressure on overall performance.
Following the news, shares of MTN declined 5.1% during the trading session yesterday.
Metrics Provided by Vail Resorts
The reported metrics showed broad-based declines across key segments. Season-to-date skier visits decreased 14.9% compared with the prior-year period. Total lift revenues, including an allocated portion of season pass revenues, declined 5.6%. Ski school revenues fell 12%, while dining revenues dropped 11.7%. Retail and rental revenues at North American resort and ski area store locations decreased 6.6% compared with the prior-year period.
Vail Resorts now expects fiscal 2026 Resort Reported EBITDA to be at or near the lower end of the guided range issued on March 9, 2026. Persistent weather challenges and lower visitation trends continue to weigh on earnings visibility.
Spring pass sales for the 2026/2027 season have started, with early trends indicating a moderate decline in units sold and a slight decrease in sales dollars through the April deadline. The selling season remains in the early phase, with further clarity expected in the fiscal third-quarter earnings update in June 2026.
MTN’s Share Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Shares of Vail Resorts have lost 19.1% in the past six months compared with the Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry’s 5% decline. The company’s near-term prospects have been weighed down by challenging weather conditions, with snowfall in the Rockies and Tahoe nearly 60% below last year, affecting early visitation and performance. However, strategic initiatives, redesigned lift ticket programs and accelerated digital transformation to boost guest engagement and efficiency offer potential upside.
MTN’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Vail Resorts currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Here are some better-ranked stocks from the Consumer Discretionary sector:
American Public Education, Inc. (APEI - Free Report) currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 187.5%, on average. APEI stock has moved up 54.6% in the past six months. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for American Public Education’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates an increase of 6.4% and 75%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.
Flexsteel Industries (FLXS - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 59%, on average. Flexsteel stock has declined 33.7% in the past six months.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Flexsteel’s fiscal 2026 sales and EPS implies growth of 3.8% and 11.5%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.
Strategic Education (STRA - Free Report) currently has a Zacks Rank of 2. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11.2%, on average. Strategic Education stock has declined 14% in the past six months.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Strategic Education’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates an increase of 4.1% and 12.8%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.