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VAIL RESORTS INC - Quarter Report: 2009 April (Form 10-Q)

form10q.htm




UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2009

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from       to

Commission File Number:  001-09614


Vail Resorts, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


Delaware
 
51-0291762
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
390 Interlocken Crescent
Broomfield, Colorado
 
80021
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(303) 404-1800
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
x Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 
¨ Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x                                                                                       Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
¨ Yes x No

As of May 29, 2009, 36,434,853 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.



 
 

 

Table of Contents
     
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
F-1
Item 2.
1
Item 3.
13
Item 4.
13
     
     
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
14
Item 1A.
14
Item 2.
14
Item 3.
14
Item 4.
14
Item 5.
14
Item 6.
14




 
 

 


PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
 
     
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
 

 
 

 

Vail Resorts, Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

     
April 30,
     
July 31,
     
April 30,
 
     
2009
     
2008
     
2008
 
     
(Unaudited)
             
(Unaudited)
 
Assets
                       
Current assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
170,537
   
$
162,345
   
$
304,133
 
Restricted cash
   
10,129
     
58,437
     
60,562
 
Trade receivables, net
   
47,729
     
50,185
     
39,054
 
Inventories, net
   
45,667
     
49,708
     
45,084
 
Other current assets
   
34,761
     
38,220
     
41,846
 
Total current assets
   
308,823
     
358,895
     
490,679
 
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 5)
   
1,066,165
     
1,056,837
     
979,511
 
Real estate held for sale and investment
   
276,952
     
249,305
     
394,008
 
Goodwill, net
   
167,950
     
142,282
     
142,011
 
Intangible assets, net
   
79,607
     
72,530
     
72,597
 
Other assets
   
41,154
     
46,105
     
42,620
 
Total assets
 
$
1,940,651
   
$
1,925,954
   
$
2,121,426
 
                         
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                       
Current liabilities:
                       
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 5)
 
$
220,927
   
$
294,182
   
$
315,373
 
Income taxes payable
   
32,156
     
57,474
     
25,418
 
Long-term debt due within one year (Note 4)
   
350
     
15,355
     
74,192
 
Total current liabilities
   
253,433
     
367,011
     
414,983
 
Long-term debt (Note 4)
   
491,668
     
541,350
     
575,275
 
Other long-term liabilities (Note 5)
   
221,462
     
183,643
     
172,380
 
Deferred income taxes
   
131,970
     
75,279
     
129,487
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
                       
Minority interest in net assets of consolidated subsidiaries
   
33,578
     
29,915
     
33,133
 
Stockholders’ equity:
                       
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
   
--
     
--
     
--
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 40,034,958 (unaudited), 39,926,496 and 39,914,385 (unaudited) shares issued, respectively
   
400
     
399
     
399
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
552,748
     
545,773
     
543,318
 
Retained earnings
   
395,725
     
308,045
     
319,165
 
Treasury stock, at cost; 3,600,235 (unaudited), 3,004,108 and 1,506,233 (unaudited) shares, respectively (Note 10)
   
(140,333
)
   
(125,461
)
   
(66,714
)
Total stockholders’ equity
   
808,540
     
728,756
     
796,168
 
  Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
1,940,651
   
$
1,925,954
   
$
2,121,426
 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.
 

Vail Resorts, Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
April 30,
 
     
2009
     
2008
 
Net revenue:
               
Mountain
 
$
279,180
   
$
325,726
 
Lodging
   
44,896
     
43,590
 
Real estate
   
9,407
     
54,474
 
Total net revenue
   
333,483
     
423,790
 
Segment operating expense (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below):
               
Mountain
   
144,998
     
157,807
 
Lodging
   
38,988
     
35,513
 
Real estate
   
14,129
     
53,562
 
Total segment operating expense
   
198,115
     
246,882
 
Other operating (expense) income:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
(27,582
)
   
(25,471
)
(Loss) gain on disposal of fixed assets, net
   
(206
)
   
24
 
Income from operations
   
107,580
     
151,461
 
Mountain equity investment (loss) income, net
   
(410
)
   
698
 
Investment income
   
449
     
2,459
 
Interest expense, net
   
(6,490
)
   
(8,441
)
Minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries, net
   
(2,753
)
   
(4,621
)
Income before provision for income taxes
   
98,376
     
141,556
 
Provision for income taxes
   
(36,737
)
   
(54,215
)
Net income
 
$
61,639
   
$
87,341
 
                 
Per share amounts (Note 3):
               
Basic net income per share
 
$
1.69
   
$
2.26
 
Diluted net income per share
 
$
1.68
   
$
2.24
 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.
 

Vail Resorts, Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
April 30,
 
     
2009
     
2008
 
Net revenue:
               
Mountain
 
$
578,447
   
$
647,984
 
Lodging
   
131,299
     
121,734
 
Real estate
   
165,314
     
111,978
 
Total net revenue
   
875,060
     
881,696
 
Segment operating expense (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below):
               
Mountain
   
382,409
     
401,942
 
Lodging
   
122,583
     
113,530
 
Real estate
   
125,014
     
104,885
 
Total segment operating expense
   
630,006
     
620,357
 
Other operating (expense) income:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
(80,098
)
   
(69,854
)
Gain on sale of real property
   
--
     
709
 
Loss on disposal of fixed assets, net
   
(808
)
   
(367
)
Income from operations
   
164,148
     
191,827
 
Mountain equity investment income, net
   
1,766
     
3,592
 
Investment income
   
1,428
     
7,697
 
Interest expense, net
   
(21,732
)
   
(23,620
)
Contract dispute credit, net (Note 8)
   
--
     
11,920
 
Minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries, net
   
(4,190
)
   
(7,468
)
Income before provision for income taxes
   
141,420
     
183,948
 
Provision for income taxes
   
(53,740
)
   
(69,901
)
Net income
 
$
87,680
   
$
114,047
 
                 
Per share amounts (Note 3):
               
Basic net income per share
 
$
2.39
   
$
2.94
 
Diluted net income per share
 
$
2.39
   
$
2.91
 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.

 
 

 

Vail Resorts, Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended
   
April 30,
   
2009
 
2008
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income
 
$
87,680
   
$
114,047
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
80,098
     
69,854
 
Cost of real estate sales
   
94,330
     
79,244
 
Stock-based compensation expense
   
7,794
     
6,194
 
Deferred income taxes, net
   
53,549
     
54,935
 
Minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries, net
   
4,190
     
7,468
 
Other non-cash income, net
   
(4,286
)
   
(5,913
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Restricted cash
   
48,308
     
(5,813
)
Accounts receivable, net
   
2,999
     
(1,222
)
Inventories, net
   
4,041
     
2,980
 
Investments in real estate
   
(117,895
)
   
(168,964
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
(42,715
)
   
(5,437
)
Deferred real estate deposits
   
(36,078
)
   
18,869
 
Private club deferred initiation fees and deposits
   
40,960
     
14,670
 
Other assets and liabilities, net
   
(14,964
)
   
(12,768
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
208,011
     
168,144
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Capital expenditures
   
(87,089
)
   
(112,602
)
Acquisition of business
   
(38,170
)
   
--
 
Other investing activities, net
   
(355
)
   
2,943
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(125,614
)
   
(109,659
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Repurchases of common stock
   
(14,872
)
   
(40,868
)
Proceeds from borrowings under non-recourse real estate financings
   
9,013
     
125,418
 
    Payments of non-recourse real estate financings
   
(58,407
)
   
(70,226
)
Proceeds from borrowings under other long-term debt
   
63,396
     
70,837
 
Payments of other long-term debt
   
(78,689
)
   
(71,236
)
Other financing activities, net
   
5,354
     
904
 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
   
(74,205
)
   
14,829
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
8,192
     
73,314
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
               
Beginning of period
   
162,345
     
230,819
 
End of period
 
$
170,537
   
$
304,133
 
                 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.

 
 

 

Vail Resorts, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

1.           Organization and Business
 
Vail Resorts, Inc. (“Vail Resorts” or the “Parent Company”) is organized as a holding company and operates through various subsidiaries.  Vail Resorts and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) currently operate in three business segments: Mountain, Lodging and Real Estate.  In the Mountain segment, the Company owns and operates five world-class ski resort properties at the Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone and Beaver Creek mountain resorts in Colorado and the Heavenly Mountain Resort in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada, as well as ancillary businesses, primarily including ski school, dining and retail/rental operations.  These resorts operate primarily on Federal land under the terms of Special Use Permits granted by the USDA Forest Service (the “Forest Service”).  The Company holds a 69.3% interest in SSI Venture, LLC (“SSV”), a retail/rental company.  The Company’s mountain business is seasonal in nature with its peak operating season from mid-November through mid-April.  In the Lodging segment, the Company owns and/or manages a collection of luxury hotels under its RockResorts brand, as well as other strategic lodging properties and a large number of condominiums located in proximity to the Company’s ski resorts, the Grand Teton Lodge Company (“GTLC”), which operates three destination resorts at Grand Teton National Park (under a National Park Service concessionaire contract), Colorado Mountain Express (“CME”), a resort ground transportation company, and golf courses. The Company’s lodging properties at or around the Company’s ski resorts are seasonal in nature with peak operating seasons from mid-November through mid-April.  The Company’s operations at GTLC and its golf courses generally only operate from mid-May through mid-October.  Vail Resorts Development Company (“VRDC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, conducts the operations of the Company’s Real Estate segment, which owns and develops real estate in and around the Company’s resort communities.  The Company also has non-majority owned investments in various other entities, some of which are consolidated (see Note 6, Variable Interest Entities).
 
In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements reflect all adjustments necessary to state fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  Results for interim periods are not indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year.  The accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2008.  Certain information and footnote disclosures, including significant accounting policies, normally included in fiscal year financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted.  The July 31, 2008 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet was derived from audited financial statements.

2.           Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates-- The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassification of Book Overdrafts-- Book overdrafts represent checks issued that had not been presented for payment to the banks and are classified as accounts payable in the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.  The Company typically funds these overdrafts through normal collections of funds or transfers from other bank balances.  For the nine months ended April 30, 2008, the Company revised its presentation of changes in book overdrafts from a financing activity to an operating activity in its Consolidated Condensed Statement of Cash Flows to conform to its current year presentation.  In the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2008, the Company also presented changes in book overdrafts as an operating activity.  The effect of this change increased cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended April 30, 2008 from $147.1 million (as previously disclosed in the April 30, 2008 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) to $168.1 million with a corresponding decrease in the cash flows provided by financing activities for the nine months ended April 30, 2008 from $35.9 million (as previously disclosed in the April 30, 2008 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) to $14.8 million.

New Accounting Pronouncements-- In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements, but rather provides guidance on how to measure fair value by providing a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The Company adopted SFAS 157 beginning August 1, 2008 (see Note 7, Fair Value Measurements, for more information on the adoption of SFAS 157).

In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP 157-2”).  This FSP delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually), to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 (the Company's fiscal year ending July 31, 2010) and interim periods within the fiscal year of adoption.  The Company has deferred the application of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities as prescribed by FSP 157-2.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of the provisions of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”).  SFAS 159 provides the Company the irrevocable option to carry many financial assets and liabilities at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings.  The requirements of SFAS 159 became effective for the Company beginning August 1, 2008; however, the Company did not elect the fair value measurement option for any of its financial assets or liabilities.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”), which establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in an acquiree, including the recognition and measurement of goodwill acquired in a business combination.  SFAS 141R also requires acquisition-related transaction expenses and restructuring costs be expensed as incurred rather than capitalized as a component of the business combination.  The Company will apply SFAS 141R prospectively to business combinations consummated after July 31, 2009 (the Company’s fiscal year ending July 31, 2010).

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”), which will change the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity within the balance sheet.  Currently, noncontrolling interests (minority interests) are reported as a liability in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and the related income (loss) attributable to minority interests is reflected as an expense (credit) in arriving at net income.  Upon adoption of SFAS 160, the Company will be required to report its minority interests as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and present net income allocable to the minority interests along with net income attributable to the stockholders of the Company separately in its consolidated statement of operations.  SFAS 160 requires retroactive adoption of the presentation and disclosure requirements for existing minority interests.  All other requirements of SFAS 160 shall be applied prospectively.  The requirements of SFAS 160 are effective for the Company beginning August 1, 2009 (the Company’s fiscal year ending July 31, 2010).

3.           Net Income Per Common Share

SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share” (“SFAS 128”), establishes standards for computing and presenting earnings per share (“EPS”).  SFAS 128 requires the dual presentation of basic and diluted EPS on the face of the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations and requires a reconciliation of numerators (net income) and denominators (weighted-average shares outstanding) for both basic and diluted EPS in the footnotes.  Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to holders of common stock by the weighted-average shares outstanding.  Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised, resulting in the issuance of shares of common stock that would then share in the earnings of the Company.  Presented below is basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

   
Three Months Ended April 30,
   
2009
 
2008
   
Basic
 
Diluted
 
Basic
 
Diluted
Net income per share:
                               
Net income
 
$
61,639
   
$
61,639
   
$
87,341
   
$
87,341
 
                                 
Weighted-average shares outstanding
   
36,574
     
36,574
     
38,655
     
38,655
 
Effect of dilutive securities
   
--
     
99
     
--
     
274
 
Total shares
   
36,574
     
36,673
     
38,655
     
38,929
 
                                 
Net income per share
 
$
1.69
   
$
1.68
   
$
2.26
   
$
2.24
 

The number of shares issuable on the exercise of share based awards that were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because the effect of their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive totaled 696,000 and 78,000 for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Presented below is basic and diluted EPS for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

   
Nine Months Ended April 30,
   
2009
 
2008
   
Basic
 
Diluted
 
Basic
Diluted
Net income per share:
                             
Net income
 
$
87,680
   
$
87,680
   
$
114,047
 
$
114,047
 
                               
Weighted-average shares outstanding
   
36,624
     
36,624
     
38,809
   
38,809
 
Effect of dilutive securities
   
--
     
128
     
--
   
327
 
Total shares
   
36,624
     
36,752
     
38,809
   
39,136
 
                               
Net income per share
 
$
2.39
   
$
2.39
   
$
2.94
 
$
2.91
 

The number of shares issuable on the exercise of share based awards that were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because the effect of their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive totaled 816,000 and 81,000 for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

4.           Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt as of April 30, 2009, July 31, 2008 and April 30, 2008 is summarized as follows (in thousands):

   
April 30,
July 31,
April 30,
 
Maturity (a)
2009
2008
2008
Credit Facility Revolver
2012
$
--
$
--
$
--
SSV Facility
2011
 
--
 
--
 
--
Industrial Development Bonds (b)
2011-2020
 
42,700
 
57,700
 
57,700
Employee Housing Bonds
2027-2039
 
52,575
 
52,575
 
52,575
Non-Recourse Real Estate Financings (c)
--
 
--
 
49,394
 
142,075
6.75% Senior Subordinated Notes ("6.75% Notes")
2014
 
390,000
 
390,000
 
390,000
Other
2009-2029
 
6,743
 
7,036
 
7,117
Total debt
   
492,018
 
556,705
 
649,467
Less:  Current maturities (d)
   
350
 
15,355
 
74,192
Long-term debt
 
$
491,668
$
541,350
$
575,275

(a)  
Maturities are based on the Company's July 31 fiscal year end.

(b)  
The Company has outstanding $42.7 million of industrial development bonds (collectively, the “Industrial Development Bonds”), of which $41.2 million were issued by Eagle County, Colorado and mature, subject to prior redemption, on August 1, 2019.  The Series 1991 Sports Facilities Refunding Revenue Bonds, issued by Summit County, Colorado, have an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $1.5 million and mature, subject to prior redemption, on September 1, 2010.  On August 29, 2008, $15.0 million of borrowings under the Series 1990 Sports Facilities Refunding Revenue Bonds, issued by Summit County, Colorado were paid in full at maturity.

(c)  
The non-recourse real estate financing for The Chalets at The Lodge at Vail, LLC (“Chalets”) was paid in full during the nine months ended April 30, 2009.  As of July 31, 2008 non-recourse real estate financings consisted of borrowings under the construction agreement for the Chalets of $49.4 million.  As of April 30, 2008 non-recourse real estate financings consisted of borrowings of $58.8 million under the construction agreement for Arrabelle at Vail Square, LLC (“Arrabelle”) and borrowings of $83.3 million under the construction agreement for the Chalets.

(d)  
Current maturities represent principal payments due in the next 12 months.


Aggregate maturities for debt outstanding as of April 30, 2009 reflected by fiscal year are as follows (in thousands):


2009
$
59
2010
 
349
2011
 
1,830
2012
 
305
2013
 
318
Thereafter
 
489,157
Total debt
$
492,018


The Company incurred gross interest expense of $8.4 million and $11.1 million for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, of which $0.4 million and $0.6 million was amortization of deferred financing costs.  The Company capitalized $1.9 million and $2.7 million of interest during the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The Company incurred gross interest expense of $26.7 million and $33.9 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, of which $1.6 million and $1.8 million was amortization of deferred financing costs.  The Company capitalized $5.0 million and $10.3 million of interest during the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

5.           Supplementary Balance Sheet Information

The composition of property, plant and equipment follows (in thousands):

     
April 30,
 
July 31,
 
April 30,
     
2009
 
2008
 
2008
Land and land improvements
 
$
262,974
   
$
265,123
   
$
254,475
 
Buildings and building improvements
   
747,775
     
685,393
     
653,964
 
Machinery and equipment
   
498,771
     
457,825
     
462,966
 
Furniture and fixtures
   
169,465
     
149,251
     
131,021
 
Software
   
44,114
     
39,605
     
35,811
 
Vehicles
   
34,300
     
28,829
     
28,260
 
Construction in progress
   
32,063
     
80,601
     
54,799
 
 
Gross property, plant and equipment
   
1,789,462
     
1,706,627
     
1,621,296
 
Accumulated depreciation
   
(723,297
)
   
(649,790
)
   
(641,785
)
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
 
$
1,066,165
   
$
1,056,837
   
$
979,511
 

The composition of accounts payable and accrued liabilities follows (in thousands):

     
April 30,
 
July 31,
 
April 30,
     
2009
 
2008
 
2008
Trade payables
 
$
49,657
   
$
53,187
   
$
65,269
 
Real estate development payables
   
34,925
     
52,574
     
52,131
 
Deferred revenue
   
42,516
     
45,805
     
29,924
 
Deferred real estate and other deposits
   
18,737
     
58,421
     
89,740
 
Accrued salaries, wages and deferred compensation
   
17,167
     
22,397
     
23,467
 
Accrued benefits
   
27,251
     
22,777
     
27,058
 
Accrued interest
   
6,591
     
14,552
     
6,844
 
Liabilities to complete real estate projects, short term
   
5,639
     
4,199
     
7,327
 
Other accruals
   
18,444
     
20,270
     
13,613
 
 
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
220,927
   
$
294,182
   
$
315,373
 

The composition of other long-term liabilities follows (in thousands):

     
April 30,
 
July 31,
 
April 30,
     
2009
 
2008
 
2008
Private club deferred initiation fee revenue and deposits
 
$
154,950
   
$
121,947
   
$
122,952
 
Deferred real estate deposits
   
46,151
     
45,775
     
34,997
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
20,361
     
15,921
     
14,431
 
 
Total other long-term liabilities
 
$
221,462
   
$
183,643
   
$
172,380
 

On November 1, 2008, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of CME, a resort ground transportation business, for a total consideration of $38.2 million, as well as $0.9 million to reimburse the seller for certain new capital expenditures as provided for in the purchase agreement.  The acquisition was accounted for as a business purchase combination using the purchase method of accounting under the provisions of SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.”  The purchase price was allocated to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date.  The Company has completed its preliminary purchase price allocation and has recorded $25.7 million in goodwill and $7.5 million in intangible assets on the date of acquisition.  The operating results of CME are reported within the Lodging segment.


6.           Variable Interest Entities

The Company is the primary beneficiary of four employee housing entities (collectively, the “Employee Housing Entities”), Breckenridge Terrace, LLC, The Tarnes at BC, LLC, BC Housing, LLC and Tenderfoot Seasonal Housing, LLC, which are Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”), and has consolidated them in its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.  As a group, as of April 30, 2009, the Employee Housing Entities had total assets of $37.9 million (primarily recorded in property, plant and equipment, net) and total liabilities of $70.5 million (primarily recorded in long-term debt as “Employee Housing Bonds”).  The Company has issued under its senior credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) $53.4 million letters of credit related to Employee Housing Bonds.  The letters of credit would be triggered in the event that one of the entities defaults on required payments.  The letters of credit have no default provisions.

The Company is the primary beneficiary of Avon Partners II, LLC (“APII”), which is a VIE.  APII owns commercial space and the Company currently leases substantially all of that space.  APII had total assets of $5.5 million (primarily recorded in property, plant and equipment, net) and no debt as of April 30, 2009.

The Company, through various lodging subsidiaries, manages hotels in which the Company has no ownership interest in the entities that own such hotels.  These entities were formed by unrelated third parties to acquire, own, operate and realize the value in resort hotel properties.  The Company managed the day-to-day operations of six hotel properties as of April 30, 2009.  The Company has determined that the entities that own the hotel properties are VIEs, and the management contracts are significant variable interests in these VIEs.  The Company has also determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of these entities and, accordingly, is not required to consolidate any of these entities.  Based upon the latest information provided by these third party entities, these VIEs had estimated total assets of approximately $229 million and total liabilities of approximately $151 million.  The Company's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with these VIEs is limited to a $2.3 million note receivable including accrued interest from one of the third parties and the net book value of the intangible asset associated with a management agreement in the amount of $0.6 million as of April 30, 2009.

7.           Fair Value Measurements

SFAS 157 establishes how reporting entities should measure fair value for measurement and disclosure purposes.  The Standard does not require any new fair value measurements but rather establishes a common definition of fair value applicable to all assets and liabilities measured at fair value.  SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The fair value hierarchy established by SFAS 157 prioritizes the inputs into valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  Accordingly, the Company uses valuation techniques which maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value.  The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1: Inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible to the Company for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2: Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active and inactive markets or that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3: Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

The table below summarizes the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in accordance with SFAS 157 as of April 30, 2009 (all other financial assets and liabilities applicable to SFAS 157 are immaterial) (in thousands):

     
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
   
Balance at
           
   
April 30,
           
Description
 
2009
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Cash equivalents
 
$
156,742
 
$
121,742
 
$
35,000
 
$
--

The Company’s cash equivalents include money market funds and time deposits which are measured using Level 1 and Level 2 inputs utilizing quoted market prices or pricing models whereby all significant inputs are either observable or corroborated by observable market data.

8.           Commitments and Contingencies

Metropolitan Districts

The Company credit-enhances $8.5 million of bonds issued by Holland Creek Metropolitan District (“HCMD”) through an $8.6 million letter of credit issued against the Company's Credit Facility.  HCMD's bonds were issued and used to build infrastructure associated with the Company's Red Sky Ranch residential development.  The Company has agreed to pay capital improvement fees to Red Sky Ranch Metropolitan District (“RSRMD”) until RSRMD's revenue streams from property taxes are sufficient to meet debt service requirements under HCMD's bonds, and the Company has recorded a liability of $1.4 million, $1.6 million and $1.7 million, primarily within “other long-term liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, as of April 30, 2009, July 31, 2008 and April 30, 2008, respectively, with respect to the estimated present value of future RSRMD capital improvement fees.  The Company estimates that it will make capital improvement fee payments under this arrangement through the year ending July 31, 2018.

Guarantees

As of April 30, 2009, the Company had various other guarantees, primarily in the form of letters of credit in the amount of $88.9 million, consisting primarily of $53.4 million in support of the Employee Housing Bonds, $29.0 million of construction and development related guarantees and $6.1 million for workers’ compensation and general liability deductibles related to construction and development activities.

In addition to the guarantees noted above, the Company has entered into contracts in the normal course of business which include certain indemnifications within the scope of FASB Financial Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (“FIN 45”) under which it could be required to make payments to third parties upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of certain future events.  These indemnities include indemnities to licensees in connection with the licensees’ use of the Company’s trademarks and logos, indemnities for liabilities associated with the infringement of other parties’ technology and software products, indemnities related to liabilities associated with the use of easements, indemnities related to employment of contract workers, the Company’s use of trustees, indemnities related to the Company’s use of public lands and environmental indemnifications.  The duration of these indemnities generally is indefinite and generally do not limit the future payments the Company could be obligated to make.

As permitted under applicable law, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries indemnify their directors and officers over their lifetimes for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving the Company or its subsidiaries in such a capacity.  The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company has a director and officer insurance policy that should enable the Company to recover a portion of any future amounts paid.

Unless otherwise noted, the Company has not recorded any significant liabilities for the letters of credit, indemnities and other guarantees noted above in the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, either because the Company has recorded on its Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets the underlying liability associated with the guarantee, the guarantee or indemnification existed prior to January 1, 2003, the guarantee is with respect to the Company’s own performance and is therefore not subject to the measurement requirements of FIN 45, or because the Company has calculated the fair value of the indemnification or guarantee to be immaterial based upon the current facts and circumstances that would trigger a payment under the indemnification clause.  In addition, with respect to certain indemnifications it is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount of liability under these guarantees due to the unique set of facts and circumstances that are likely to be involved in each particular claim and indemnification provision.  Historically, payments made by the Company under these obligations have not been material.

As noted above, the Company makes certain indemnifications to licensees in connection with their use of the Company’s trademarks and logos.  The Company does not record any liabilities with respect to these indemnifications.

Self Insurance

The Company is self-insured for claims under its health benefit plans and for workers’ compensation claims, subject to a stop loss policy.  The self-insurance liability related to workers' compensation is determined actuarially based on claims filed.  The self-insurance liability related to claims under the Company’s health benefit plans is determined based on analysis of actual claims.  The amounts related to these claims are included as a component of accrued benefits in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (see Note 5, Supplementary Balance Sheet Information).

Legal

The Company is a party to various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, including Resort (Mountain and Lodging) related cases and contractual and commercial litigation that arises from time to time in connection with the Company's real estate operations.  Management believes the Company has adequate insurance coverage or has accrued for loss contingencies for all known matters that are deemed to be probable losses and estimable.  As of April 30, 2009, July 31, 2008 and April 30, 2008 the accrual for the above loss contingencies was not material individually and in the aggregate.

Cheeca Lodge & Spa Contract Dispute

On October 19, 2007, RockResorts received payment of the final settlement from Cheeca Holdings, LLC, related to the disputed contract termination of the formerly managed RockResorts Cheeca Lodge & Spa property, in the amount of $13.5 million, of which $11.9 million (net of final attorney’s fees) is recorded in “Contract dispute credit, net” in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Operations for the nine months ended April 30, 2008.

9.           Segment Information

The Company has three reportable segments: Mountain, Lodging and Real Estate.  The Mountain segment includes the operations of the Company’s ski resorts and related ancillary activities.  The Lodging segment includes the operations of all of the Company’s owned hotels, RockResorts, GTLC, CME, condominium management and golf operations.  Resort is the combination of the Mountain and Lodging segments.  The Real Estate segment owns and develops real estate in and around the Company’s resort communities.  The Company’s reportable segments, although integral to the success of the others, offer distinctly different products and services and require different types of management focus.  As such, these segments are managed separately.
 
The Company reports its segment results using Reported EBITDA (defined as segment net revenue less segment operating expense, plus or minus segment equity investment income or loss and for the Real Estate segment plus gain on sale of real property), which is a non-GAAP financial measure.  SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” requires the Company to report segment results in a manner consistent with management’s internal reporting of operating results to the chief operating decision maker (Chief Executive Officer) for purposes of evaluating segment performance.

Reported EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP.  Items excluded from Reported EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance.  Reported EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to, or substitute for, net income, net change in cash and cash equivalents or other financial statement data presented in the consolidated condensed financial statements as indicators of financial performance or liquidity.  Because Reported EBITDA is not a measurement determined in accordance with GAAP and thus is susceptible to varying calculations, Reported EBITDA as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

The Company utilizes Reported EBITDA in evaluating performance of the Company and in allocating resources to its segments.  Mountain Reported EBITDA consists of Mountain net revenue less Mountain operating expense plus or minus Mountain equity investment income or loss.  Lodging Reported EBITDA consists of Lodging net revenue less Lodging operating expense.  Real Estate Reported EBITDA consists of Real Estate net revenue less Real Estate operating expense plus gain on sale of real property.  All segment expenses include an allocation of corporate administrative expense.  Assets are not allocated between segments, or used to evaluate performance, except as shown in the table below.

Following is key financial information by reportable segment which is used by management in evaluating performance and allocating resources (in thousands):
 


       
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
       
April 30,
 
April 30,
       
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
Net revenue:
                             
Lift tickets
$
149,384
   
$
167,793
   
$
276,542
   
$
301,791
 
Ski school
 
36,374
     
46,229
     
65,336
     
81,384
 
Dining
 
24,246
     
30,344
     
48,456
     
58,002
 
Retail/rental
 
48,214
     
59,533
     
129,878
     
149,844
 
Other
 
20,962
     
21,827
     
58,235
     
56,963
 
Total Mountain net revenue
 
279,180
     
325,726
     
578,447
     
647,984
 
Lodging
 
44,896
     
43,590
     
131,299
     
121,734
 
Total Resort net revenue
 
324,076
     
369,316
     
709,746
     
769,718
 
Real Estate
 
9,407
     
54,474
     
165,314
     
111,978
 
Total net revenue
$
333,483
   
$
423,790
   
$
875,060
   
$
881,696
 
Operating expense:
                             
Mountain
$
144,998
   
$
157,807
   
$
382,409
   
$
401,942
 
Lodging
 
38,988
     
35,513
     
122,583
     
113,530
 
Total Resort operating expense
 
183,986
     
193,320
     
504,992
     
515,472
 
Real estate
 
14,129
     
53,562
     
125,014
     
104,885
 
Total segment operating expense
$
198,115
   
$
246,882
   
$
630,006
   
$
620,357
 
Gain on sale of real property
$
--
   
$
--
   
$
--
   
$
709
 
Mountain equity investment (loss) income, net
$
(410
)
 
$
698
   
$
1,766
   
$
3,592
 
                               
Reported EBITDA:
                             
Mountain
$
133,772
   
$
168,617
   
$
197,804
   
$
249,634
 
Lodging
 
5,908
     
8,077
     
8,716
     
8,204
 
Resort
 
139,680
     
176,694
     
206,520
     
257,838
 
Real Estate
 
(4,722
)
   
912
     
40,300
     
7,802
 
Total Reported EBITDA
$
134,958
   
$
177,606
   
$
246,820
   
$
265,640
 
                               
Real estate held for sale and investment
$
276,952
   
$
394,008
   
$
276,952
   
$
394,008
 
                               
Reconciliation to net income:
                             
Total Reported EBITDA
$
134,958
   
$
177,606
   
$
246,820
   
$
265,640
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
(27,582
)
   
(25,471
)
   
(80,098
)
   
(69,854
)
(Loss) gain on disposal of fixed assets, net
 
(206
)
   
24
     
(808
)
   
(367
)
Investment income
 
449
     
2,459
     
1,428
     
7,697
 
Interest expense, net
 
(6,490
)
   
(8,441
)
   
(21,732
)
   
(23,620
)
Contract dispute credit, net
 
--
     
--
     
--
     
11,920
 
Minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries, net
 
(2,753
)
   
(4,621
)
   
(4,190
)
   
(7,468
)
Income before provision for income taxes
 
98,376
     
141,556
     
141,420
     
183,948
 
 
Provision for income taxes
 
(36,737
)
   
(54,215
)
   
(53,740
)
   
(69,901
)
Net income
$
61,639
   
$
87,341
   
$
87,680
   
$
114,047
 

10.           Stock Repurchase Plan

On March 9, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 3,000,000 shares of common stock and on July 16, 2008 approved an increase of the Company’s common stock repurchase authorization by an additional 3,000,000 shares.  The Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock during the three months ended April 30, 2009.  During the nine months ended April 30, 2009, the Company repurchased 596,127 shares of common stock at a cost of $14.9 million.  Since inception of this stock repurchase plan through April 30, 2009, the Company has repurchased 3,600,235 shares at a cost of approximately $140.3 million.  As of April 30, 2009, 2,399,765 shares remained available to repurchase under the existing repurchase authorization.  Shares of common stock purchased pursuant to the repurchase program will be held as treasury shares and may be used for the issuance of shares under the Company's employee share award plans.

11.           Guarantor Subsidiaries and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

The Company’s payment obligations under the 6.75% Notes (see Note 4, Long-Term Debt) are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several, senior subordinated basis by substantially all of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, and excluding Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (as defined below), the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) except for Eagle Park Reservoir Company, Gros Ventre Utility Company, Mountain Thunder, Inc., SSV, Larkspur Restaurant & Bar, LLC, Gore Creek Place, LLC and certain other insignificant entities (together, the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”).  APII and the Employee Housing Entities are included with the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries for purposes of the consolidated financial information, but are not considered subsidiaries under the indenture governing the 6.75% Notes.

Presented below is the consolidated financial information of the Parent Company, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.  Financial information for the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries is presented in the column titled “Other Subsidiaries.”  Balance sheets are presented as of April 30, 2009, July 31, 2008 and April 30, 2008.  Statements of operations are presented for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008.  Statements of cash flows are presented for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008.

Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for by the Parent Company and Guarantor Subsidiaries using the equity method of accounting.  Net income (loss) of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries is, therefore, reflected in the Parent Company's and Guarantor Subsidiaries' investments in and advances to (from) subsidiaries.  Net income (loss) of the Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries is reflected in Parent Company and Guarantor Subsidiaries as equity in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries.  The elimination entries eliminate investments in Other Subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions for consolidated reporting purposes.


 
 

 
 
 
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of April 30, 2009
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
                                 
             
100% Owned
                 
       
Parent
   
Guarantor
   
Other
   
Eliminating
   
       
Company
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
 
Entries
   
Consolidated
Current assets:
                           
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
--
 
$
161,853
 
$
8,684
 
$
--
 
$
170,537
 
Restricted cash
 
--
   
9,881
   
248
   
--
   
10,129
 
Trade receivables, net
 
--
   
45,990
   
1,739
   
--
   
47,729
 
Inventories, net
 
--
   
10,321
   
35,346
   
--
   
45,667
 
Other current assets
 
18,102
   
14,770
   
1,889
   
--
   
34,761
   
Total current assets
 
18,102
   
242,815
   
47,906
   
--
   
308,823
Property, plant and equipment, net
 
--
   
999,086
   
67,079
   
--
   
1,066,165
Real estate held for sale and investment
 
--
   
276,952
   
--
   
--
   
276,952
Goodwill, net
 
--
   
148,702
   
19,248
   
--
   
167,950
Intangible assets, net
 
--
   
63,757
   
15,850
   
--
   
79,607
Other assets
 
3,403
   
32,700
   
5,051
   
--
   
41,154
Investments in subsidiaries and advances to (from) parent
 
1,350,254
   
307,604
   
(13,220
)
 
(1,644,638
)
 
--
 
Total assets
$
1,371,759
 
$
2,071,616
 
$
141,914
 
$
(1,644,638
)
$
1,940,651
                                 
Current liabilities:
                           
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
5,951
 
$
198,486
 
$
16,490
 
$
--
 
$
220,927
 
Income taxes payable
 
32,156
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
32,156
 
Long-term debt due within one year
 
--
   
9
   
341
   
--
   
350
   
Total current liabilities
 
38,107
   
198,495
   
16,831
   
--
   
253,433
Long-term debt
 
390,000
   
42,717
   
58,951
   
--
   
491,668
Other long-term liabilities
 
3,142
   
216,118
   
2,202
   
--
   
221,462
Deferred income taxes
 
131,970
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
131,970
Minority interest in net assets of consolidated subsidiaries
 
--
   
--
   
--
   
33,578
   
33,578
Total stockholders' equity
 
808,540
   
1,614,286
   
63,930
   
(1,678,216
)
 
808,540
   
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,371,759
 
$
2,071,616
 
$
141,914
 
$
(1,644,638
)
$
1,940,651
 
 

 
 
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of July 31, 2008
(in thousands)
 
                                 
             
100% Owned
                 
       
Parent
   
Guarantor
   
Other
   
Eliminating
   
       
Company
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
 
Entries
   
Consolidated
Current assets:
                           
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
--
 
$
156,782
 
$
5,563
 
$
--
 
$
162,345
 
Restricted cash
 
--
   
10,526
   
47,911
   
--
   
58,437
 
Trade receivables, net
 
--
   
47,953
   
2,232
   
--
   
50,185
 
Inventories, net
 
--
   
11,786
   
37,922
   
--
   
49,708
 
Other current assets
 
15,142
   
19,205
   
3,873
   
--
   
38,220
   
Total current assets
 
15,142
   
246,252
   
97,501
   
--
   
358,895
Property, plant and equipment, net
 
--
   
806,696
   
250,141
   
--
   
1,056,837
Real estate held for sale and investment
 
--
   
204,260
   
45,045
   
--
   
249,305
Goodwill, net
 
--
   
123,034
   
19,248
   
--
   
142,282
Intangible assets, net
 
--
   
56,650
   
15,880
   
--
   
72,530
Other assets
 
3,936
   
34,922
   
7,247
   
--
   
46,105
Investments in subsidiaries and advances to (from) parent
 
1,248,019
   
599,199
   
(61,968
)
 
(1,785,250
)
 
--
 
Total assets
$
1,267,097
 
$
2,071,013
 
$
373,094
 
$
(1,785,250
)
$
1,925,954
                                 
Current liabilities:
                           
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
12,446
 
$
196,360
 
$
85,376
 
$
--
 
$
294,182
 
Income taxes payable
 
57,474
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
57,474
 
Long-term debt due within one year
 
--
   
15,022
   
333
   
--
   
15,355
   
Total current liabilities
 
69,920
   
211,382
   
85,709
   
--
   
367,011
Long-term debt
 
390,000
   
42,722
   
108,628
   
--
   
541,350
Other long-term liabilities
 
3,142
   
149,557
   
30,944
   
--
   
183,643
Deferred income taxes
 
75,279
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
75,279
Minority interest in net assets of consolidated subsidiaries
 
--
   
--
   
--
   
29,915
   
29,915
Total stockholders' equity
 
728,756
   
1,667,352
   
147,813
   
(1,815,165
)
 
728,756
   
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,267,097
 
$
2,071,013
 
$
373,094
 
$
(1,785,250
)
$
1,925,954
 
 

 
 
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of April 30, 2008
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
                                 
             
100% Owned
                 
       
Parent
   
Guarantor
   
Other
   
Eliminating
   
       
Company
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
 
Entries
   
Consolidated
Current assets:
                           
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
--
 
$
288,205
 
$
15,928
 
$
--
 
$
304,133
 
Restricted cash
 
--
   
10,212
   
50,350
   
--
   
60,562
 
Trade receivables, net
 
--
   
36,711
   
2,343
   
--
   
39,054
 
Inventories, net
 
--
   
9,611
   
35,473
   
--
   
45,084
 
Other current assets
 
17,395
   
15,406
   
9,045
   
--
   
41,846
   
Total current assets
 
17,395
   
360,145
   
113,139
   
--
   
490,679
Property, plant and equipment, net
 
--
   
798,732
   
180,779
   
--
   
979,511
Real estate held for sale and investment
 
--
   
98,314
   
295,694
   
--
   
394,008
Goodwill, net
 
--
   
123,034
   
18,977
   
--
   
142,011
Intangible assets, net
 
--
   
56,715
   
15,882
   
--
   
72,597
Other assets
 
4,114
   
27,991
   
10,515
   
--
   
42,620
Investments in subsidiaries and advances to (from) parent
 
1,327,512
   
527,762
   
(104,346
)
 
(1,750,928
)
 
--
 
Total assets
$
1,349,021
 
$
1,992,693
 
$
530,640
 
$
(1,750,928
)
$
2,121,426
                                 
Current liabilities:
                           
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
5,859
 
$
186,889
 
$
122,625
 
$
--
 
$
315,373
 
Income taxes payable
 
25,418
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
25,418
 
Long-term debt due within one year
 
--
   
15,028
   
59,164
   
--
   
74,192
   
Total current liabilities
 
31,277
   
201,917
   
181,789
   
--
   
414,983
Long-term debt
 
390,000
   
42,728
   
142,547
   
--
   
575,275
Other long-term liabilities
 
2,089
   
104,422
   
65,869
   
--
   
172,380
Deferred income taxes
 
129,487
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
129,487
Minority interest in net assets of consolidated subsidiaries
 
--
   
--
   
--
   
33,133
   
33,133
Total stockholders' equity
 
796,168
   
1,643,626
   
140,435
   
(1,784,061
)
 
796,168
   
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,349,021
 
$
1,992,693
 
$
530,640
 
$
(1,750,928
)
$
2,121,426
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
 
For the three months ended April 30, 2009
 
(in thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
                                     
             
100% Owned
                     
       
Parent
   
Guarantor
   
Other
   
Eliminating
         
       
Company
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Entries
   
Consolidated
   
Total net revenue
$
--
 
$
284,871
 
$
51,677
 
$
(3,065
)
$
333,483
   
Total operating expense
 
111
   
186,169
   
42,650
   
(3,027
)
 
225,903
   
 
(Loss) income from operations
 
(111
)
 
98,702
   
9,027
   
(38
)
 
107,580
   
Other (expense) income, net
 
(6,758
)
 
1,207
   
(528
)
 
38
   
(6,041
)
 
Equity investment (loss), net
 
--
   
(410
)
 
--
   
--
   
(410
)
 
Minority interest in income of
consolidated subsidiaries, net
 
--
   
--
   
--
   
(2,753
)
 
(2,753
)
 
 
(Loss) income before income taxes
 
(6,869
)
 
99,499
   
8,499
   
(2,753
)
 
98,376
   
 
Benefit (provision) for income taxes
 
2,403
   
(39,137
)
 
(3
)
 
--
   
(36,737
)
 
 
Net (loss) income before equity in income
                               
 
(loss) of consolidated subsidiaries
 
(4,466
)
 
60,362
   
8,496
   
(2,753
)
 
61,639
   
Equity in income (loss) of
consolidated subsidiaries
 
66,105
   
5,743
   
--
   
(71,848
)
 
--
   
Net income (loss)
$
61,639
 
$
66,105
 
$
8,496
 
$
(74,601
)
$
61,639
   
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
 
For the three months ended April 30, 2008
 
(in thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
                                     
             
100% Owned
                     
       
Parent
   
Guarantor
   
Other
   
Eliminating
         
       
Company
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Entries
   
Consolidated
   
Total net revenue
$
--
 
$
311,082
 
$
115,593
 
$
(2,885
)
$
423,790
   
Total operating expense
 
27
   
181,592
   
93,557
   
(2,847
)
 
272,329
   
 
(Loss) income from operations
 
(27
)
 
129,490
   
22,036
   
(38
)
 
151,461
   
Other (expense) income, net
 
(6,733
)
 
1,525
   
(812
)
 
38
   
(5,982
)
 
Equity investment income, net
 
--
   
698
   
--
   
--
   
698
   
Minority interest in income of
consolidated subsidiaries, net
 
--
   
--
   
--
   
(4,621
)
 
(4,621
)
 
 
(Loss) income before income taxes
 
(6,760
)
 
131,713
   
21,224
   
(4,621
)
 
141,556
   
 
Benefit (provision) for income taxes
 
2,672
   
(56,887
)
 
--
   
--
   
(54,215
)
 
 
Net (loss) income before equity in income
                               
 
(loss) of consolidated subsidiaries
 
(4,088
)
 
74,826
   
21,224
   
(4,621
)
 
87,341
   
Equity in income (loss) of
consolidated subsidiaries
 
91,429
   
--
   
--
   
(91,429
)
 
--
   
Net income (loss)
$
87,341
 
$
74,826
 
$
21,224
 
$
(96,050
)
$
87,341
   
 
 

 
 
   
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
   
For the nine months ended April 30, 2009
   
(in thousands)
   
(Unaudited)
                                     
             
100% Owned
                     
       
Parent
   
Guarantor
   
Other
   
Eliminating
         
       
Company
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Entries
   
Consolidated
   
Total net revenue
$
   
$
745,316
 
$
138,901
 
$
(9,157
)
$
875,060
   
Total operating expense
 
378
   
593,682
   
125,895
   
(9,043
)
 
710,912
   
 
(Loss) income from operations
 
(378
)
 
151,634
   
13,006
   
(114
)
 
164,148
   
Other (expense) income, net
 
(20,276
)
 
2,001
   
(2,143
)
 
114
   
(20,304
)
 
Equity investment income, net
 
--
   
1,766
   
--
   
--
   
1,766
   
Minority interest in income of
consolidated subsidiaries, net
 
--
   
--
   
--
   
(4,190
)
 
(4,190
)
 
 
(Loss) income before income taxes
 
(20,654
)
 
155,401
   
10,863
   
(4,190
)
 
141,420
   
 
Benefit (provision) for income taxes
 
7,848
   
(61,579
)
 
(9
)
 
--
   
(53,740
)
 
 
Net (loss) income before equity in income
                               
 
(loss) of consolidated subsidiaries
 
(12,806
)
 
93,822
   
10,854
   
(4,190
)
 
87,680
   
Equity in income (loss) of consolidated
subsidiaries
 
100,486
   
6,664
   
--
   
(107,150
)
 
--
   
Net income (loss)
$
87,680
 
$
100,486
 
$
10,854
 
$
(111,340
)
$
87,680
   
 
 

 
 
     
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
     
For the nine months ended April 30, 2008
     
(in thousands)
     
(Unaudited)
                                     
             
100% Owned
                     
       
Parent
   
Guarantor
   
Other
   
Eliminating
         
       
Company
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Entries
   
Consolidated
   
Total net revenue
$
--
 
$
641,345
 
$
248,494
 
$
(8,143
)
$
881,696
   
Total operating expense
 
(41
)
 
482,023
   
215,916
   
(8,029
)
 
689,869
   
 
Income (loss) from operations
 
41
   
159,322
   
32,578
   
(114
)
 
191,827
   
Other (expense) income, net
 
(20,251
)
 
19,112
   
(2,978
)
 
114
   
(4,003
)
 
Equity investment income, net
 
--
   
3,592
   
--
   
--
   
3,592
   
Minority interest in income of
consolidated subsidiaries, net
 
--
   
--
   
--
   
(7,468
)
 
(7,468
)
 
 
(Loss) income before income taxes
 
(20,210
)
 
182,026
   
29,600
   
(7,468
)
 
183,948
   
 
Benefit (provision) for income taxes
 
7,985
   
(77,886
)
 
--
   
--
   
(69,901
)
 
 
Net (loss) income before equity in income
                               
 
(loss) of consolidated subsidiaries
 
(12,225
)
 
104,140
   
29,600
   
(7,468
)
 
114,047
   
Equity in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries
 
126,272
   
--
   
--
   
(126,272
)
 
--
   
Net income (loss)
$
114,047
 
$
104,140
 
$
29,600
 
$
(133,740
)
$
114,047
   
 

 
 

 
 
 
       
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
       
For the nine months ended April 30, 2009
       
(in thousands)
       
(Unaudited)
         
                                 
               
100% Owned
               
         
Parent
   
Guarantor
   
Other
         
         
Company
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Consolidated
   
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
8,154
 
$
188,502
 
$
11,355
 
$
208,011
   
Cash flows from investing activities:
                         
 
Capital expenditures
 
--
   
(80,174
)
 
(6,915
)
 
(87,089
)
 
 
Acquisition of business
 
--
   
(38,170
)
 
--
   
(38,170
)
 
 
Other investing activities, net
 
--
   
(538
)
 
183
   
(355
)
 
   
Net cash used in investing activities
 
--
   
(118,882
)
 
(6,732
)
 
(125,614
)
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                         
 
Repurchases of common stock
 
(14,872
)
 
--
   
--
   
(14,872
)
 
 
Proceeds from borrowings under non-recourse real estate financings
 
--
   
9,013
   
--
   
9,013
   
 
Payments of non-recourse real estate financings
 
--
   
(58,407
)
 
--
   
(58,407
)
 
 
Proceeds from borrowings under other long-term debt
 
--
   
--
   
63,396
   
63,396
   
 
Payments of other long-term debt
 
--
   
(15,017
)
 
(63,672
)
 
(78,689
)
 
 
Other financing activities, net
 
671
   
4,351
   
332
   
5,354
   
 
Advances from (to) affiliates
 
6,047
   
(4,489
)
 
(1,558
)
 
--
   
   
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(8,154
)
 
(64,549
)
 
(1,502
)
 
(74,205
)
 
     
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
--
   
5,071
   
3,121
   
8,192
   
Cash and cash equivalents:
                         
 
Beginning of period
 
--
   
156,782
   
5,563
   
162,345
   
 
End of period
$
--
 
$
161,853
 
$
8,684
 
$
170,537
   
 
 

 
 
       
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
       
For the nine months ended April 30, 2008
       
(in thousands)
       
(Unaudited)
         
                                 
               
100% Owned
               
         
Parent
   
Guarantor
   
Other
         
         
Company
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Consolidated
   
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
26,447
 
$
131,058
 
$
10,639
 
$
168,144
   
Cash flows from investing activities:
                         
 
Capital expenditures
 
--
   
(68,992
)
 
(43,610
)
 
(112,602
)
 
 
Other investing activities, net
 
--
   
3,300
   
(357
)
 
2,943
   
   
Net cash used in investing activities
 
--
   
(65,692
)
 
(43,967
)
 
(109,659
)
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                         
 
Repurchases of common stock
 
(40,868
)
 
--
   
--
   
(40,868
)
 
 
Proceeds from borrowings under non-recourse real estate financings
 
--
   
--
   
125,418
   
125,418
   
 
Payments of non-recourse real estate financings
 
--
   
--
   
(70,226
)
 
(70,226
)
 
 
Proceeds from borrowings under other long-term debt
 
--
   
--
   
70,837
   
70,837
   
 
Payments of other long-term debt
 
--
   
(53
)
 
(71,183
)
 
(71,236
)
 
 
Other financing activities, net
 
3,574
   
3,393
   
(6,063
)
 
904
   
 
Advances from (to) affiliates
 
10,847
   
(6,453
)
 
(4,394
)
 
--
   
   
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(26,447
)
 
(3,113
)
 
44,389
   
14,829
   
     
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
--
   
62,253
   
11,061
   
73,314
   
Cash and cash equivalents:
                         
 
Beginning of period
 
--
   
225,952
   
4,867
   
230,819
   
 
End of period
$
--
 
$
288,205
 
$
15,928
 
$
304,133
   
 

 
 

 

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2008 (“Form 10-K”) and the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements as of April 30, 2009 and 2008 for the three and nine months then ended, included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, which provide additional information regarding the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company.  To the extent that the following Management's Discussion and Analysis contains statements which are not of a historical nature, such statements are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties.  These risks include, but are not limited to those discussed in this Form 10-Q and in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the risks described in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of Part I of the Form 10-K.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis includes discussion of financial performance within each of the Company’s segments.  The Company has chosen to specifically include, Reported EBITDA (defined as segment net revenue less segment operating expense, plus or minus segment equity investment income or loss and for the Real Estate segment, plus gain on sale of real property) and Net Debt (defined as long-term debt plus long-term debt due within one year less cash and cash equivalents), in the following discussion because management considers these measurements to be significant indications of the Company's financial performance and available capital resources.  Reported EBITDA and Net Debt are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  The Company utilizes Reported EBITDA in evaluating performance of the Company and in allocating resources to its segments.   Refer to the end of the Results of Operations section for a reconciliation of Reported EBITDA to net income.  Management also believes that Net Debt is an important measurement as it is an indicator of the Company’s ability to obtain additional capital resources for its future cash needs.  Refer to the end of the Results of Operations section for a reconciliation of Net Debt.

Items excluded from Reported EBITDA and Net Debt are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance or liquidity.  Reported EBITDA and Net Debt should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to, or substitute for, net income, net change in cash and cash equivalents or other financial statement data presented in the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements as indicators of financial performance or liquidity.  Because Reported EBITDA and Net Debt are not measurements determined in accordance with GAAP and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, Reported EBITDA and Net Debt as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

OVERVIEW

The Company's operations are grouped into three integrated and interdependent segments: Mountain, Lodging and Real Estate.  Resort is the combination of the Mountain and Lodging segments.
 
Mountain Segment

The Mountain segment is comprised of the operations of five ski resort properties as well as ancillary businesses, primarily including ski school, dining and retail/rental operations.  The Company's five ski resorts were open for business for the 2008/2009 ski season from mid-November through mid-April, which is the peak operating season for the Mountain segment.  The Company’s single largest source of Mountain segment revenue is the sale of lift tickets (including season passes), which represented approximately 54% and 52% of Mountain segment net revenue for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and approximately 48% and 47% of Mountain segment net revenue for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Lift ticket revenue is driven by volume and pricing.  Pricing is impacted by both absolute pricing as well as the demographic mix of guests, which impacts the price points at which various products are purchased.  The demographic mix of guests is divided into two primary categories:  1) out-of-state and international guests ("Destination") and 2) in-state and local visitors ("In-State").  For the 2008/2009 ski season, Destination guests comprised approximately 57% of the Company's skier visits, while In-State guests comprised approximately 43% of the Company's skier visits, which compares to approximately 63% and 37%, respectively, for the 2007/2008 ski season.

Destination guests generally purchase the Company's higher-priced lift ticket products and utilize more ancillary services such as ski school, dining and retail/rental.  The Company has historically marketed season passes to In-State guests.  Given the success of In-State pass products in providing stabilization to lift revenue, the Company introduced a new season pass product (the “Epic Season Pass”) for the 2008/2009 ski season, primarily marketed to its Destination guests (and also available to In-State guests) allowing pass holders unlimited and unrestricted access to all five ski resorts during the 2008/2009 ski season.  The Company’s season pass products are sold generally prior to the start of the ski season.  Season pass revenue, although primarily collected prior to the ski season, is recognized in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Operations ratably over the ski season.  For the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 approximately 34% and 26%, respectively, of total lift revenue recognized was comprised of season pass revenue.

The cost structure of ski resort operations is primarily fixed, with variable expenses including, but not limited to, USDA Forest Service (“Forest Service”) fees, credit card fees, retail/rental operations, ski school labor and dining operations; as such, profit margins can fluctuate mostly based on the level of revenues.

Lodging Segment

Operations within the Lodging segment include (i) ownership/management of a group of nine luxury hotels through the RockResorts brand, including five proximate to the Company's ski resorts; (ii) ownership/management of non-RockResorts branded hotels and condominiums proximate to the Company's ski resorts; (iii) Grand Teton Lodge Company (“GTLC”); (iv) Colorado Mountain Express (“CME”), a resort ground transportation company acquired in November 2008; and (v) golf courses.

Lodging properties (including managed condominium rooms) at or around the Company’s ski resorts, and CME, are closely aligned with the performance of the Mountain segment, particularly with respect to visitation by Destination guests and represented approximately 94% and 91% of Lodging segment revenue for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and 76% and 72% of Lodging segment revenue for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Revenue of the Lodging segment during the Company's first and fourth fiscal quarters is generated primarily by the operations of GTLC (as GTLC's operating season occurs generally mid-May to mid-October), golf operations and seasonally low operations from the Company's other owned and managed properties.

Real Estate Segment

The Real Estate segment owns and develops real estate in and around the Company's resort communities and primarily engages in the vertical development of projects, as well as, the sale of land to third-party developers which often includes a contingent revenue structure based on the ultimate sale of the developed units.  Revenue from vertical development projects is not recognized until closing of individual units within a project which generally occurs after substantial completion of the project.  Contingent future profits from land sales, if any, are recognized only when received.  The Company attempts to mitigate the risk of vertical development by often utilizing guaranteed maximum price construction contracts (although certain construction costs may not be covered by contractual limitations), pre-selling all or a portion of the project, requiring significant non-refundable deposits, and potentially obtaining non-recourse financing for certain projects.  The Company's real estate development projects also may result in the creation of certain resort assets that provide additional benefit to the Mountain and Lodging segments.  The Company’s Real Estate revenue and associated expense fluctuate based upon the timing of closings and the type of real estate being sold, causing volatility in Real Estate operating results from period to period.

Recent Trends, Risks and Uncertainties

Together with those risk factors identified in the Company’s Form 10-K, the Company’s management has identified the following important factors (as well as risks and uncertainties associated with such factors) that could impact the Company’s future financial performance or condition:

·  
The economic recession currently affecting the U.S. and the global economy, the significant tightening of the credit markets and eroded consumer confidence have continued to have a negative impact on overall trends in the travel and leisure industries.  In this environment, the Company realized a 5.3% decrease in overall skier visitation and a 4.3 percentage point decrease in occupancy for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 (which includes the entire 2008/2009 ski season).  Additionally, the Company experienced a significant decline in overall guest spending primarily resulting from a decline in Destination guest visitation, especially in ancillary areas such as ski school, dining and retail/rental operations.  While the Company anticipates these trends to continue for the remainder of the fiscal year (which primarily includes lodging operations), the Company cannot predict the extent to which these negative trends will continue and the timing and nature of any improvements to the macroeconomic environment and the impact it may have on its future results of operations, in particular on the 2009/2010 ski season.
·  
In the Spring of 2008, the Company introduced the Epic Season Pass, which contributed to season pass revenue as a percent of total lift revenue increasing from 26% for the 2007/2008 ski season to 34% for the 2008/2009 ski season.  In March 2009, the Company began its pass sales campaign for the 2009/2010 ski season, including the Epic Season Pass.  As of April 30, 2009, the Company has experienced a significant increase in advance sales of season pass products for the 2009/2010 ski season compared to sales through April 30, 2008 for the 2008/2009 ski season.  However, the Company cannot predict if this trend will continue through the Fall 2009 pass sales campaign or the overall impact that season pass sales will have on lift revenue for the 2009/2010 ski season.
·  
Real Estate Reported EBITDA is highly dependent on, among other things, the timing of closings on real estate under contract, which determines when revenue and associated cost of sales is recognized.  Changes to the anticipated timing or mix of closing on one or more real estate projects, or unit closings within a real estate project, could materially impact Real Estate Reported EBITDA for a particular quarter or fiscal year. During the nine months ended April 30, 2009 the Company closed on 42 units at Crystal Peak Lodge at Breckenridge (“Crystal Peak Lodge”), seven Lodge at Vail Chalets (“Chalets”) and two units at The Arrabelle at Vail Square (“Arrabelle”).  As of April 30, 2009, the Company had available for sale three units at Crystal Peak Lodge and had one Lodge at Vail Chalet unit which closed in May 2009.
·  
The Company has increased risk associated with selling and closing real estate as a result of the continued instability in the capital and credit markets and a slowdown in the overall real estate market. The Company has two real estate projects currently under construction which are scheduled to be completed in the Spring of 2010 (One Ski Hill Place) and the Fall of 2010 (The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Vail).  In April 2009, in response to current market conditions, the Company announced a reduction of approximately 20% to the listed selling prices of its Ritz-Carlton Residences, Vail, as well as price reductions of approximately 15% for purchasers currently under contract.  The Company cannot predict the ultimate number of units that will close or the ultimate price for which the units will sell.
·  
The Company had $170.5 million in cash and cash equivalents as of April 30, 2009 with no borrowings under the revolver component of its senior credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) and has less than $3.0 million in principal maturities due through the year ending July 31, 2013.  However, the potential impact of a sustained economic recession combined with the Company’s plan to self-fund its current real estate under development (the Company estimates to incur between $220 million and $240 million subsequent to April 30, 2009 for projects under construction) could cause a decline in future cash being generated from operating activities potentially requiring the Company to borrow under the revolver component of its Credit Facility from time to time. The Company believes it has more than adequate availability under its revolver to support any such potential borrowing needs.  Additionally, the Company does have the ability to manage its cash outflows to some extent by adjusting its discretionary capital expenditures and the timing of new real estate development projects.
·  
The U.S. stock and credit markets have experienced significant volatility over the past several months which has led to a significant decline in market value of many companies in the travel and leisure industry, including the Company.  The Company’s market capitalization has generally been higher than its shareholders’ equity or book value during this period.  Under GAAP, the Company is required to test goodwill for impairment annually and the Company does so during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, as well as on an interim basis to the extent factors or indicators become apparent that could reduce the fair value of the Company’s goodwill or indefinite lived intangible assets below book value.  The Company does not believe there have been any events or circumstances that would require it to perform an interim goodwill and/or indefinite lived intangible asset impairment analysis.  However, if market and economic conditions or individual reporting units’ business performance deteriorates significantly for a prolonged period, this could necessitate an impairment charge.  The Company evaluates the recoverability of goodwill by estimating the future discounted cash flows of the reporting units and terminal values of the businesses to which the goodwill relates. In determining the estimated future cash flows, the Company considers current and projected future levels of income as well as business trends, prospects and market and economic conditions.  The Company evaluates the recoverability of indefinite lived intangible assets primarily using the income approach based upon estimated future revenue streams.  There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying them to the analysis of goodwill or indefinite lived intangibles impairment.  If a more severely prolonged economic downturn were anticipated it could cause less than expected growth and/or reduction in terminal values in the Company’s lodging and retail/rental reporting units, and an impairment charge could be reasonably possible in fiscal year 2009 or thereafter.  As of April 30, 2009, the Company had a goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets balance of $247.6 million, of which $35.4 and $30.5 million is related to its lodging properties (excluding CME) and retail/rental operations, respectively.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summary
 
Shown below is a summary of operating results for both the three and nine months ended April 30, 2009, compared to the three and nine months ended April 30, 2008 (in thousands):

       
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
       
April 30,
 
April 30,
       
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
Mountain Reported EBITDA
$
133,772
   
$
168,617
   
$
197,804
   
$
249,634
 
 
Lodging Reported EBITDA
 
5,908
     
8,077
     
8,716
     
8,204
 
 
Resort Reported EBITDA
 
139,680
     
176,694
     
206,520
     
257,838
 
 
Real Estate Reported EBITDA
 
(4,722
)
   
912
     
40,300
     
7,802
 
                                 
 
Income from operations
$
107,580
   
$
151,461
   
$
164,148
   
$
191,827
 
 
Income before provision for income taxes
 
98,376
     
141,556
     
141,420
     
183,948
 
 
Net income
$
61,639
   
$
87,341
   
$
87,680
   
$
114,047
 

A discussion of segment results and other items can be found below.
 
Mountain Segment

Three months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended April 30, 2008

Mountain segment operating results for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 are presented by category as follows (in thousands, except effective ticket price ("ETP")):

   
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
   
April 30,
 
Increase
   
2009
 
2008
 
(Decrease)
Lift tickets
 
$
149,384
 
$
167,793
 
(11.0
) %
Ski school
   
36,374
   
46,229
 
(21.3
) %
Dining
   
24,246
   
30,344
 
(20.1
) %
Retail/rental
   
48,214
   
59,533
 
(19.0
) %
Other
   
20,962
   
21,827
 
(4.0
) %
Total Mountain net revenue
   
279,180
   
325,726
 
(14.3
) %
Total Mountain operating expense
   
144,998
   
157,807
 
(8.1
) %
Mountain equity investment (loss) income, net
   
(410
)
 
698
 
(158.7
) %
Total Mountain Reported EBITDA
 
$
133,772
 
$
168,617
 
(20.7
) %
                   
Total skier visits
   
3,086
   
3,391
 
(9.0
) %
ETP
 
$
48.41
 
$
49.48
 
(2.2
) %

Total Mountain Reported EBITDA includes $1.1 million and $1.0 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Lift revenue decreased $18.4 million, or 11.0%, for the three months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended April 30, 2008, primarily as a result of a significant decline in lift revenue excluding season pass revenue which was down $27.7 million, or 21.0%, partially offset by an increase in season pass revenue of $9.3 million, or 26.0%.  The increase in season pass revenue was driven by higher season pass sales resulting primarily from the introduction of the Epic Season Pass in the 2008/2009 ski season.  Additionally, a portion of the decline in lift revenue excluding season pass revenue was caused by a shift in Destination guests purchasing the Epic Season Pass instead of other lift ticket products.  Lift revenue (and to a larger degree visitation as discussed below) was also unfavorably impacted by the timing of the beginning of the current year quarter compared to the prior year (the current year quarter began on a Sunday versus the prior year quarter which began on a Friday).  Adjusting for the timing of the quarter, lift revenue (and visitation) declines would have been more consistent with the declines experienced for the entire 2008/2009 ski season compared to the prior year discussed below in the nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended April 30, 2008.

Total skier visitation was down 9.0% in the three months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily as a result of decreased visitation from Destination guests as well as the timing of the quarter start as described above.  This decline was partially offset by strong season pass holder visitation, especially from the new Epic Season Pass holders, who on average skied more in the current year per pass than holders of our other pass products.  ETP decreased 2.2%, driven by an increase in average season pass holder visitation per pass sold, partially offset by a 1.6% increase in ETP excluding season pass products.

Revenues for the Company's ski school, dining and retail/rental operations, were all negatively impacted by the severe downturn in the economic environment and a decrease in Destination guest visitation and overall spending per guest.  Ski school revenue decreased $9.9 million, or 21.3%, in the three months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year, as ski school revenue is primarily driven by Destination guests.  Dining revenue decreased $6.1 million, or 20.1%, in the three months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year, due to an approximately 15% decrease in the number of total on-mountain food and beverage transactions, coupled with an even greater decline in fine dining.  Revenue from retail/rental operations decreased $11.3 million, or 19.0%, in the three months ended April 30, 2009 primarily due to lower sales and rental volumes at the Company’s mountain resort stores.  Other revenues were favorably impacted by club operations (which increased $1.2 million) due to the opening of the Vail Mountain Club, in November 2008, which partially offset other revenue declines.

Segment operating expenses decreased $12.8 million, or 8.1%, for the three months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year.  Excluding retail/rental expense (which has a high variable cost component and therefore decreased in relation to the retail/rental revenue, with retail/rental revenue down 19.0% and retail/rental expense down 13.1%), operating expense decreased $7.4 million, or 6.4%, for the three months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended April 30, 2008, which was primarily attributable to lower variable costs related to lower revenue, including Forest Service fees, other resort related fees and credit card fees (which decreased $2.0 million or 11.2%); lower labor and labor-related benefit costs including lower ski school labor expense due to lower ski school revenue (which decreased $5.1 million or 10.5%) and other operating expenses including SG&A (which decreased $0.3 million or 0.7%).  Additionally, expenses were also favorably impacted by a cost savings plan implemented in the second quarter ended January 31, 2009, and a company-wide wage reduction plan implemented in April of the third quarter ended April 30, 2009.  The decreases in operating expenses were not enough to offset the declines in segment revenues resulting in lower flow through of revenue to Mountain Reported EBITDA of approximately 4 percentage points for the three months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year.

Nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended April 30, 2008

Mountain segment operating results for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 are presented by category as follows (in thousands, except ETP):

   
Nine Months Ended
 
Percentage
   
April 30,
 
Increase
   
2009
 
2008
 
(Decrease)
Lift tickets
 
$
276,542
 
$
301,791
 
(8.4
) %
Ski school
   
65,336
   
81,384
 
(19.7
) %
Dining
   
48,456
   
58,002
 
(16.5
) %
Retail/rental
   
129,878
   
149,844
 
(13.3
) %
Other
   
58,235
   
56,963
 
2.2
  %
Total Mountain net revenue
   
578,447
   
647,984
 
(10.7
) %
Total Mountain operating expense
   
382,409
   
401,942
 
(4.9
) %
Mountain equity investment income, net
   
1,766
   
3,592
 
(50.8
) %
Total Mountain Reported EBITDA
 
$
197,804
 
$
249,634
 
(20.8
) %
                   
Total skier visits
   
5,864
   
6,190
 
(5.3
) %
ETP
 
$
47.16
 
$
48.75
 
(3.3
) %

Total Mountain Reported EBITDA includes $3.4 million and $2.8 million of stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Lift revenue decreased $25.2 million, or 8.4%, for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended April 30, 2008, primarily as a result of a significant decline in lift revenue excluding season pass revenue which was down $42.1 million, or 18.8%, partially offset by an increase in season pass revenue of $16.9 million, or 21.8%.  The increase in season pass revenue was driven by higher season pass sales resulting primarily from the introduction of the Epic Season Pass in the 2008/2009 ski season.  Additionally, a portion of the decline in lift revenue excluding season pass revenue was caused by a shift in Destination guests purchasing the Epic Season Pass instead of other lift ticket products.

Total skier visitation was down 5.3% in the nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily as a result of decreased visitation from Destination guests.  This decline was partially offset by strong season pass holder visitation, especially from the new Epic Season Pass holders, who on average skied more in the current year per pass than holders of our other pass products.  ETP decreased 3.3%, driven by an increase in average season pass holder visitation per pass sold, partially offset by a 2.8% increase in ETP excluding season pass products.

Revenues for the Company's ski school, dining and retail/rental operations, were all negatively impacted by the severe downturn in the economic environment and a decrease in Destination guest visitation and overall spending per guest.  Ski school revenue decreased $16.1 million, or 19.7%, in the nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year, as ski school revenue is primarily driven by Destination guests.  Dining revenue decreased $9.6 million, or 16.5%, in the nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year, due to an approximately 11% decrease in the number of total on-mountain food and beverage transactions, coupled with an even greater decline in fine dining.  Revenue from retail/rental operations decreased $20.0 million, or 13.3%, in the nine months ended April 30, 2009 primarily due to lower sales and rental volumes at the Company’s mountain resort stores. For the nine months ended April 30, 2009 other revenues increased $1.3 million, or 2.2%, primarily due to club operations (which increased $2.8 million) resulting from the opening of the Vail Mountain Club in November 2008.

Segment operating expenses decreased $19.5 million, or 4.9%, for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year.  Excluding retail/rental expense (which has a high variable cost component and therefore decreased in relation to the retail/rental revenue, with retail/rental revenue down 13.3% and retail/rental expense down 8.3%), operating expense decreased $9.9 million, or 3.5%, for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended April 30, 2008, which was primarily attributable to lower variable costs related to lower revenue, including Forest Service fees, other resort related fees and credit card fees (which decreased $2.8 million or 8.8%); lower labor and labor-related benefit costs including lower ski school labor expense due to lower ski school revenue (which decreased $6.3 million or 6.1%) and other operating expenses including SG&A (which decreased $0.7 million or 0.5%). Additionally, expenses were also favorably impacted by a cost savings plan implemented in the second quarter ended January 31, 2009, and a company-wide wage reduction plan in April of the third quarter ended April 30, 2009.  The decreases in operating expenses were not enough to offset the declines in segment revenues resulting in lower flow through of revenue to Mountain Reported EBITDA of approximately 4 percentage points for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year.

Lodging Segment

Three months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended April 30, 2008

Lodging segment operating results for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 are presented by category as follows (in thousands, except average daily rates (“ADR”) and revenue per available room (“RevPAR”):

   
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
   
April 30,
 
Increase
   
2009
 
2008
 
(Decrease)
Total Lodging net revenue
 
$
44,896
 
$
43,590
 
3.0
 
%
Total Lodging operating expense
   
38,988
   
35,513
 
9.8
 
%
Total Lodging Reported EBITDA
 
$
5,908
 
$
8,077
 
(26.9
)
%
Owned hotel (including managed condominium rooms) statistics:
ADR
 
$
275.25
 
$
296.29
 
(7.1
)
%
RevPAR
 
$
137.25
 
$
168.58
 
(18.6
)
%

Total Lodging Reported EBITDA includes $0.5 million and $0.3 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Total Lodging net revenue increased $1.3 million, or 3.0%, for the three months ended April 30, 2009, compared to the three months ended April 30, 2008, primarily due to the acquisition of CME on November 1, 2008.  CME generated revenues of $8.2 million in the three months ended April 30, 2009.  Excluding the impact of CME, revenue would have decreased $6.9 million, or 15.9%, for the three months ended April 30, 2009, compared to the three months ended April 30, 2008.  This decline was driven by a decrease in occupancy of 7.0 percentage points and overall decreases in RevPAR resulting in room revenue decreases of $4.4 million, which primarily occurred at the lodging properties proximate to the Company’s ski resorts due to a decline in Destination visitation as discussed in the Company’s Mountain segment.

Operating expense increased $3.5 million, or 9.8%, for the three months ended April 30, 2009, compared to the three months ended April 30, 2008, primarily due to operating expenses associated with CME of $4.9 million.  Excluding the impact of CME, operating expenses would have decreased $1.5 million, or 4.1%, for the three months ended April 30, 2009, compared to the three months ended April 30, 2008, which was attributable to the decline in revenue (excluding CME), other variable expenses associated with occupancy and a reduced cost structure from savings plan initiatives.

Nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended April 30, 2008

Lodging segment operating results for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 are presented by category as follows (in thousands, except ADR and RevPAR):

   
Nine Months Ended
 
Percentage
   
April 30,
 
Increase
   
2009
 
2008
 
(Decrease)
Total Lodging net revenue
 
$
131,299
 
$
121,734
 
7.9
 
 %
Total Lodging operating expense
   
122,583
   
113,530
 
8.0
 
 %
Total Lodging Reported EBITDA
 
$
8,716
 
$
8,204
 
6.2
 
 %
Owned hotel (including managed condominium rooms) statistics:
ADR
 
$
244.26
 
$
250.84
 
(2.6
)
 %
RevPAR
 
$
106.07
 
$
119.81
 
(11.5
)
 %

Total Lodging Reported EBITDA includes $1.4 million and $0.9 million of stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Total Lodging net revenue increased $9.6 million, or 7.9%, for the nine months ended April 30, 2009, compared to the nine months ended April 30, 2008, primarily due to the opening of the Arrabelle in January 2008 and the acquisition of CME on November 1, 2008.  Year to date operations of the Arrabelle contributed $9.4 million in revenue for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to $4.0 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2008.  CME operations generated revenues of $16.1 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2009.  Excluding the impact of the Arrabelle and CME, revenue would have decreased $11.9 million, or 10.1%, for the nine months ended April 30, 2009, compared to the nine months ended April 30, 2008.   This decline was driven by a decrease in occupancy of 4.3 percentage points and overall decreases in RevPAR resulting in room revenue decreases of $9.7 million, primarily occurring at the lodging properties proximate to the Company’s ski resorts (excluding the Arrabelle) due to a decline in Destination visitation as discussed in the Company’s Mountain segment and a decline in group room nights.  Excluding the Arrabelle, ADR and RevPAR declined 6.2% and 14.8%, respectively, for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the same period last year.  Additionally, group room nights were down approximately 15% in the same period.

Operating expense increased $9.0 million, or 8.0%, for the nine months ended April 30, 2009, compared to the nine months ended April 30, 2008, due to operating expenses associated with the Arrabelle of $10.1 million and CME of $10.3 million, partially offset by start-up and pre-opening expenses associated with the opening of the Arrabelle recorded in the prior year of approximately $3.1 million.  Excluding the impact of the Arrabelle and CME, operating expenses would have decreased $4.6 million, or 4.3%, for the nine months ended April 30, 2009, compared to the nine months ended April 30, 2008, which was attributable to the decline in revenue (excluding the Arrabelle and CME), other variable expenses associated with occupancy and a reduced cost structure from savings plan initiatives.
.

Real Estate Segment

Three months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended April 30, 2008

Real Estate segment operating results for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 are presented by category as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
   
April 30,
 
Increase
   
2009
2008
(Decrease)
Total Real Estate net revenue
 
$
9,407
 
$
54,474
 
(82.7
)
%
Total Real Estate operating expense
   
14,129
   
53,562
 
(73.6
)
%
Total Real Estate Reported EBITDA
 
$
(4,722
)
$
912
 
(617.8
)
%

Real Estate Reported EBITDA includes $1.0 million and $0.8 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Real Estate segment net revenue for the three months ended April 30, 2009 was primarily comprised of the closing of one condominium unit at The Arrabelle ($9.0 million of revenue with an average price per square foot of $1,708).  Operating expense for the three months ended April 30, 2009 included cost of sales (including sales commissions) of $7.4 million, as well as general and administrative expenses of $6.7 million.  General and administrative costs are primarily comprised of marketing expenses for the real estate projects under development (including those that have not yet closed), overhead costs such as labor and labor-related benefits and allocated corporate costs.

Real Estate segment net revenue for the three months ended April 30, 2008 was driven primarily by the closings of 17 condominium units at The Arrabelle ($54.1 million of revenue with an average selling price per unit of $3.2 million and an average price per square foot of $1,138).  Operating expense for the three months ended April 30, 2008 included cost of sales (including sales commissions) of $46.9 million, as a result of higher revenue recognized, as well as general and administrative expenses of $6.6 million.  

Nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the Nine months ended April 30, 2008

Real Estate segment operating results for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 are presented by category as follows (in thousands):

   
Nine Months Ended
 
Percentage
   
April 30,
 
Increase
   
2009
2008
(Decrease)
Total Real Estate net revenue
 
$
165,314
 
$
111,978
 
47.6
 
%
Total Real Estate operating expense
   
125,014
   
104,885
 
19.2
 
%
Gain on sale of real property
   
--
   
709
 
(100
)
%
Total Real Estate Reported EBITDA
 
$
40,300
 
$
7,802
 
416.5
 
%

Real Estate Reported EBITDA includes $3.0 million and $2.3 million of stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Real Estate segment net revenue for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 was driven primarily by the closings of seven Chalets units ($91.3 million of revenue with an average selling price per unit of $13.1 million and an average price per square foot of $2,721), 42 residences at Crystal Peak Lodge ($54.9 million of revenue with an average selling price per unit of $1.3 million and an average price per square foot of $1,028) and two condominium units at The Arrabelle ($16.7 million of revenue with an average selling price per unit of $8.4 million and an average price per square foot of $1,623).  Operating expense for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 included cost of sales (including sales commissions) of $103.8 million, which increased commensurate with higher revenue recognized, as well as general and administrative expenses of $21.2 million.  General and administrative costs are primarily comprised of marketing expenses for the real estate projects under development (including those that have not yet closed), overhead costs such as labor and labor-related benefits and allocated corporate costs.  In addition, included in segment operating expense in the nine months ended April 30, 2009, the Company recorded $3.0 million of costs in excess of anticipated sales proceeds for an affordable housing commitment resulting from the cancellation of a contract by a third party developer related to its Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club (“JHG&TC”) development.

Real Estate segment net revenue for the nine months ended April 30, 2008 was driven primarily by the closings of 29 condominium units at The Arrabelle ($88.6 million of revenue with an average selling price per unit of $3.1 million and an average price per square foot of $1,106), the closings of the remaining JHG&TC cabins ($9.0 million of revenue with an average selling price per unit of $0.8 million and an average price per square foot of $360) and contingent gains on development parcels sales that closed in previous periods of $13.0 million.  Operating expense for the nine months ended April 30, 2008 included cost of sales (including sales commissions) of $85.6 million, as well as general and administrative expenses of $19.2 million.  

Other Items

In addition to segment operating results, the following material items contributed to the Company's overall financial position.

Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization expense for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2009 increased $2.1 million and $10.2 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily due to a higher level of capital expenditures associated with the timing of placing in service significant resort assets, which included the Arrabelle, a new skier services building, a private club (the Vail Mountain Club) and multiple gondolas and lifts within the last two years.

Investment income.  The decrease in investment income for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended April 30, 2008 is primarily due to a reduction in the average interest earned on investments (the average annualized interest rate earned has decreased by approximately 2.0 and 2.5 percentage points in the three and nine months ended April 30, 2009, respectively, versus the prior year), as well as a decrease in average invested cash during the period.

Interest expense, net.  The reduction in interest expense, net for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year, is attributable to the payoff of a scheduled debt maturity in the current year and capitalized interest on self-funded real estate projects.

Contract dispute credit, net.  On October 19, 2007, RockResorts received payment of the final settlement from Cheeca Holdings, LLC (the “Cheeca settlement”), related to the disputed contract termination of the formerly managed RockResorts Cheeca Lodge & Spa property, in the amount of $13.5 million, of which $11.9 million (net of final attorney fees) is recorded in “Contract dispute credit, net” in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Operations for the nine months ended April 30, 2008.

Income taxes.  The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2009 was 37.3% and 38.0%, respectively, as compared to the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2008 of 38.3% and 38.0%, respectively.  The interim period effective tax rate is primarily driven by the amount of anticipated pre-tax book income for the full fiscal year adjusted for items that are deductible/non-deductible for tax purposes only (i.e. permanent items).  The income tax provision recorded for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2009 was favorably impacted by an increase in permanent items deductible for tax purposes offset by a favorable tax settlement with state tax authorities of $1.0 million recorded in the nine months ended April 30, 2008.

In 2005, the Company amended previously filed tax returns (for the tax years 1997-2002) in an effort to remove restrictions under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code on approximately $73.8 million of net operating losses (“NOLs”) relating to fresh start accounting from the Company’s reorganization in 1992.  As a result, the Company requested a refund related to the amended returns in the amount of $6.2 million and has reduced its Federal tax liability in the amount of $18.5 million in subsequent tax returns.  In 2006, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed its examination of the Company’s filing position in its amended returns and disallowed the Company’s position to remove the restriction on the NOLs and the Company’s request for a refund.  The Company appealed the examiner’s disallowance of the NOLs to the Office of Appeals.  In December 2008, the Office of Appeals denied the Company’s appeal, as well as a request for mediation.  The Company disagrees with the IRS interpretation disallowing the utilization of the NOLs and intends to pursue available legal remedies.  Due to the uncertainty surrounding the utilization of the NOLs, the Company has not reflected any of the benefits of the utilization of the NOLs within its financial statements; thus if the Company is unsuccessful in any future action regarding this matter it will not negatively impact the Company’s results of operations.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

The following table reconciles from segment Reported EBITDA to net income (in thousands):

       
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
       
April 30,
 
April 30,
       
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
Mountain Reported EBITDA
$
133,772
   
$
168,617
   
$
197,804
   
$
249,634
 
Lodging Reported EBITDA
 
5,908
     
8,077
     
8,716
     
8,204
 
 
Resort Reported EBITDA
 
139,680
     
176,694
     
206,520
     
257,838
 
Real Estate Reported EBITDA
 
(4,722
)
   
912
     
40,300
     
7,802
 
 
Total Reported EBITDA
 
134,958
     
177,606
     
246,820
     
265,640
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
(27,582
)
   
(25,471
)
   
(80,098
)
   
(69,854
)
(Loss) gain on disposal of fixed assets, net
 
(206
)
   
24
     
(808
)
   
(367
)
Investment income
 
449
     
2,459
     
1,428
     
7,697
 
Interest expense, net
 
(6,490
)
   
(8,441
)
   
(21,732
)
   
(23,620
)
Contract dispute credit, net
 
--
     
--
     
--
     
11,920
 
Minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries, net
 
(2,753
)
   
(4,621
)
   
(4,190
)
   
(7,468
)
Income before provision for income taxes
 
98,376
     
141,556
     
141,420
     
183,948
 
 
Provision for income taxes
 
(36,737
)
   
(54,215
)
   
(53,740
)
   
(69,901
)
Net income
$
61,639
   
$
87,341
   
$
87,680
   
$
114,047
 
 
 
The following table reconciles Net Debt (in thousands):

   
April 30,
   
2009
 
2008
Long-term debt
 
$
491,668
 
$
575,275
Long-term debt due within one year
   
350
   
74,192
Total debt
   
492,018
   
649,467
Less: cash and cash equivalents
   
170,537
   
304,133
Net debt
 
$
321,481
 
$
345,334

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Significant Sources of Cash

The Company's second and third fiscal quarters historically result in seasonally high cash on hand as the Company's ski resorts are generally open for ski operations from mid-November to mid-April, from which the Company has historically generated a significant portion of its operating cash flows for the year.  Additionally, cash provided by operating activities can be impacted by the timing or mix of closings on and investment in real estate development projects.

The Company generated $208.0 million of cash from operating activities in the nine months ended April 30, 2009, an increase of $39.9 million when compared to the $168.1 million of cash generated in the nine months ended April 30, 2008.  Cash flows generated from operations for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 was positively impacted by real estate activity as proceeds from Real Estate sales increased by $26.6 million combined with a reduction in investments in real estate of $51.1 million partially offset by a reduction of $31.6 million in deposits received on projects under development.  Additionally, the Company received $41.8 million in proceeds for the final installment related to private club initiation fees to the Vail Mountain Club that opened in November 2008 and a reduction in restricted cash of $54.1 million which became available for general purpose use due to the payoff of the Company’s non-recourse real estate financings.  Partially offsetting the above sources of cash from operations was a decrease in cash generated by resort operations as Resort Reported EBITDA decreased by $51.3 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year and a decline in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities of $37.3 million primarily as a result of a decline in real estate investment activity and lower trade payables associated with lower operating volume.  Additionally, the Company received $11.9 million in cash (net of legal costs) for the Cheeca settlement in the nine months ended April 30, 2008.

Cash used in investing activities increased by $16.0 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 due to the acquisition of CME of $38.2 million, offset by a decrease in resort capital expenditures of $25.5 million.

Cash used in financing activities increased $89.0 million primarily due to final pay off of the Company’s non-recourse real estate financings partially offset by a decrease in repurchased common stock of $26.0 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2009.  Additionally, the Company paid $15.0 million for a scheduled debt maturity during the nine months ended April 30, 2009 leaving the Company with less than $3.0 million of scheduled debt repayments due through the year ending July 31, 2013.

In addition to the Company’s $170.5 million of cash and cash equivalents at April 30, 2009, the Company has available $304.4 million under its Credit Facility (which represents the total commitment of $400.0 million less certain letters of credit outstanding of $95.6 million).  As of April 30, 2009 and 2008, total long-term debt (including long-term debt due within one year) was $492.0 million and $649.5 million, respectively, with the decrease at April 30, 2009 being primarily due to the pay off of the non-recourse real estate financings related to the Company’s vertical development projects.  Net Debt (defined as long-term debt plus long-term debt due within one year less cash and cash equivalents) decreased from $345.3 million as of April 30, 2008 to $321.5 million as of April 30, 2009 due primarily to the pay off of the Company’s non-recourse real estate financings partially offset by the decrease in cash and cash equivalents.

The Company expects that its liquidity needs in the near term will be met by continued utilization of operating cash flows and borrowings, if necessary, under the Credit Facility. The Company believes the Credit Facility, which matures in 2012, provides adequate flexibility and is priced favorably with any new borrowings currently being priced at LIBOR plus 0.50%.


Significant Uses of Cash

The Company’s cash uses currently include providing for operating expenditures and capital expenditures for both assets to be used in operations and real estate projects under construction.

The Company expects to spend approximately $180 million to $200 million in calendar year 2009 for current real estate projects under construction, including the construction of associated resort-related depreciable assets, of which approximately $40 million was spent as of April 30, 2009, leaving approximately $140 million to $160 million to spend in the remainder of the calendar year 2009.  The Company has entered into contracts with third parties to provide construction-related services to the Company throughout the course of construction for real estate projects under development; commitments for future services to be performed over the next few years under such current contracts total approximately $181 million.

The Company has historically invested significant cash in capital expenditures for its resort operations, and expects to continue to invest in the future; however, such investment in the near term will be reduced in light of the current economic recession, but will primarily include investments that allow the Company to maintain its high quality standards, as well as certain incremental discretionary improvements at the Company’s five ski resorts and throughout its owned hotels.  The Company evaluates additional capital improvements based on expected strategic impacts and/or expected return on investment.  The Company currently anticipates it will spend approximately $50 million to $60 million of resort capital expenditures for calendar year 2009, excluding resort depreciable assets arising from real estate activities noted above, of which approximately $7 million was spent as of April 30, 2009, leaving approximately $43 million to $53 million to spend the remainder of the calendar year 2009.  Included in these capital expenditures are approximately $32 million to $37 million which are necessary to maintain appearance and level of service appropriate to the Company’s resort operations, including routine replacement of snow grooming equipment and rental fleet equipment.  The Company currently plans to utilize cash flow from operations and cash on hand to provide the cash necessary to execute its capital plan.

Principal payments on the vast majority of the Company’s long-term debt ($489.2 million of the total $492.0 million debt outstanding as of April 30, 2009) are not due until fiscal 2014 and beyond.

The Company’s debt service requirements can be impacted by changing interest rates as the Company had $52.6 million of variable-rate debt outstanding as of April 30, 2009.  A 100-basis point change in LIBOR would cause the Company’s annual interest payments to change by approximately $0.5 million.  The fluctuation in the Company’s debt service requirements, in addition to interest rate changes, may be impacted by future borrowings under its Credit Facility or other alternative financing arrangements, including non-recourse real estate financings, it may enter into.  The Company’s long term liquidity needs are dependent upon operating results that impact the borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility, which can be mitigated by adjustments to capital expenditures, flexibility of investment activities and the ability to obtain favorable future financing.  The Company can respond to liquidity impacts of changes in the business and economic environment by managing its capital expenditures and the timing of new real estate development activity.

On March 9, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 3,000,000 shares of common stock and on July 16, 2008 approved an increase of the Company’s common stock repurchase authorization by an additional 3,000,000 shares.  The Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock during the three months ended April 30, 2009.  During the nine months ended April 30, 2009 the Company repurchased 596,127 shares of common stock at a cost of $14.9 million.  Since inception of this stock repurchase plan, the Company has repurchased 3,600,235 shares at a cost of approximately $140.3 million, through April 30, 2009.  As of April 30, 2009, 2,399,765 shares remained available to repurchase under the existing repurchase authorization.  Shares of common stock purchased pursuant to the repurchase program will be held as treasury shares and may be used for the issuance of shares under the Company’s employee share award plans.  Acquisitions under the stock repurchase program may be made from time to time at prevailing prices as permitted by applicable laws, and subject to market conditions and other factors.  The timing as well as the number of shares that may be repurchased under the program will depend on a number of factors, including the Company’s future financial performance, the Company’s available cash resources and competing uses for cash that may arise in the future, the restrictions in the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2005, as amended, between The Vail Corporation (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company), Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent and the Lenders party thereto (the “Credit Agreement”) governing the Company’s Credit Facility and the Indenture, dated as of January 29, 2004 among the Company, the guarantors therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as Trustee (“Indenture”), governing the 6.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 (“6.75% Notes”), prevailing prices of the Company’s common stock and the number of shares that become available for sale at prices that the Company believes are attractive.  The stock repurchase program may be discontinued at any time and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s capitalization.

Covenants and Limitations

The Company must abide by certain restrictive financial covenants under its Credit Facility and the Indenture.  The most restrictive of those covenants include the following Credit Facility covenants: Net Funded Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio, Minimum Net Worth and the Interest Coverage ratio (each as defined in the Credit Agreement).  In addition, the Company’s financing arrangements, including the Indenture, limit its ability to incur certain indebtedness, make certain restricted payments, enter into certain investments, make certain affiliate transfers and may limit its ability to enter into certain mergers, consolidations or sales of assets.  The Company’s borrowing availability under the Credit Facility is primarily determined by the Net Funded Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio as defined in the Credit Agreement.

The Company was in compliance with all restrictive financial covenants in its debt instruments as of April 30, 2009.  The Company expects it will meet all applicable financial maintenance covenants in its Credit Agreement, including the Net Funded Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio throughout the year ending July 31, 2009.  However, there can be no assurance that the Company will continue to meet such financial covenants.  If such covenants are not met, the Company would be required to seek a waiver or amendment from the banks participating in the Credit Facility.  While the Company anticipates that it would obtain such waiver or amendment, if any were necessary, there can be no assurance that such waiver or amendment would be granted, which could have a material adverse impact on the liquidity of the Company.

OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company does not have off balance sheet transactions that are expected to have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, revenue, expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

1. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for any historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this Form 10-Q contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements relate to analyses and other information available as of the date hereof, which are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable.  These statements also relate to our contemplated future prospects, developments and business strategies.

These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.  Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

·  
sustained downturn in general economic conditions, including adverse effects on the overall travel and leisure related  industries;
·  
terrorist acts upon the United States;
·  
threat of or actual war;
·  
unfavorable weather conditions;
·  
our ability to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us to finance our real estate investments, capital expenditures and growth strategy;
·  
our ability to continue to grow our resort and real estate operations;
·  
competition in our mountain and lodging businesses;
·  
our ability to hire and retain a sufficient seasonal workforce;
·  
our ability to successfully initiate and/or complete real estate development projects and achieve the anticipated financial benefits from such projects;
·  
adverse changes in real estate markets;
·  
implications arising from new Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)/governmental legislation, rulings or interpretations;
·  
our reliance on government permits or approvals for our use of Federal land or to make operational improvements;
·  
our ability to integrate and successfully operate future acquisitions; and
·  
adverse consequences of current or future legal claims.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us or any persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected.  Given these uncertainties, users of the information included in this Form 10-Q, including investors and prospective investors, are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.  Actual results may differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements that the Company makes for a number of reasons including those described in this Form 10-Q and in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Form 10-K.  All forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof. Except as may be required by law, the Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information, future events or other circumstances have made them incorrect or misleading.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Interest Rate Risk.  The Company's exposure to market risk is limited primarily to the fluctuating interest rates associated with variable rate indebtedness.  At April 30, 2009, the Company had $52.6 million of variable rate indebtedness, representing 10.7% of the Company's total debt outstanding, at an average annualized interest rate during the three and nine months ended April 30, 2009 of 1.8% and 3.0%, respectively.  Based on variable-rate borrowings outstanding as of April 30, 2009, a 100-basis point (or 1.0%) change in LIBOR would have caused the Company's annual interest payments to change by $0.5 million.  The Company's market risk exposure fluctuates based on changes in underlying interest rates.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management of the Company, under the supervision and with participation of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-Q.

Based upon their evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures, the CEO and the CFO concluded that the disclosure controls are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC's rules and forms.

The Company, including its CEO and CFO, does not expect that the Company's internal controls and procedures will prevent or detect all error and all fraud.  A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

The Canyons Ski Resort Litigation

During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with Peninsula Advisors, LLC (“Peninsula”) for the negotiation and mutual acquisition of The Canyons and the land underlying The Canyons.  On July 15, 2007, American Skiing Company (“ASC”) entered into an agreement to sell The Canyons to Talisker Corporation and Talisker Canyons Finance Company, LLC (together “Talisker”).  On July 27, 2007, the Company filed a complaint in the District Court in Colorado against Peninsula and Talisker claiming, among other things, breach of contract by Peninsula and intentional interference with contractual relations and prospective business relations by Talisker and seeking damages, specific performance and injunctive relief.  On October 19, 2007, the Company’s request for a preliminary injunction to prevent the closing of the acquisition by Talisker of The Canyons from ASC was denied.  On November 8, 2007, Talisker filed an answer to the Company’s complaint along with three counterclaims.  On November 12, 2007, Peninsula filed a motion to dismiss and for partial summary judgment, which was heard on March 21, 2009 and denied.  The Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of the above described actions.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

There have been no material changes from risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A to Part I of the Company’s Form 10-K.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

None.

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

None.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

None.

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS.

The following exhibits are either filed herewith or, if so indicated, incorporated by reference to the documents indicated in parentheses, which have previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Exhibit Number
Description
Sequentially Numbered Page
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Vail Resorts, Inc., dated January 5, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 on Form 10-Q of Vail Resorts, Inc. for the quarter ended January 31, 2005.)
 
3.2
Amended and Restated By-Laws. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 on Form 8-K of Vail Resorts, Inc. filed February 6, 2009.)
 
4.1(a)
Indenture, dated as of January 29, 2004, among Vail Resorts, Inc., the guarantors therein and the Bank of New York as Trustee (Including Exhibit A, Form of Global Note).  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 on Form 8-K of Vail Resorts, Inc. filed on February 2, 2004.)
 
4.1(b)
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 10, 2006 to Indenture dated as of January 29, 2004 among Vail Resorts, Inc., as Issuer, the Guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 on Form 10-Q of Vail Resorts, Inc. for the quarter ended January 31, 2006.)
 
4.1(c)
Form of Global Note.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 on Form 8-K of Vail Resorts, Inc. filed February 2, 2004.)
 
4.1(d)
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 26, 2007 to Indenture dated as of January 29, 2004 among Vail Resorts, Inc., as Issuer, the Guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1(d) on Form 10-K of Vail Resorts, Inc. for the year ended July 31, 2008.)
 
4.1(e)
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 11, 2008 to Indenture dated as of January 29, 2004 among Vail Resorts, Inc., as Issuer, the Guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1(e) on Form 10-K of Vail Resorts, Inc. for the year ended July 31, 2008.)
 
4.1(f)
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 29, 2009 to Indenture dated as of January 29, 2004 among Vail Resorts, Inc., as Issuer, the Guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1(f) on Form 10-Q of Vail Resorts, Inc. for the quarter ended January 31, 2009.)
 
31.1
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
17
31.2
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
18
32
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
19













SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  June 4, 2009
Vail Resorts, Inc.
   
 
By:
/s/ Jeffrey W. Jones
 
Jeffrey W. Jones
 
Senior Executive Vice President and
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
(Duly Authorized Officer)
 
 
 
Date:  June 4, 2009
Vail Resorts, Inc.
   
 
By:
/s/ Mark L. Schoppet
 
Mark L. Schoppet
 
Vice President, Controller and
 
Chief Accounting Officer