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BROOMFIELD, Colo. (AP) — Vail Resorts Inc. says it's planning to buy its first international ski area — Perisher in New South Wales, Australia — for about $136 million.
Rob Katz, CEO of the Broomfield-based company, says the decision to buy the 3,000-acre resort is aimed at driving season pass sales and building loyalty with guests from around the world. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.
Katz acknowledged that not many people travel from the United States to Australia to ski, but he tells The Denver Post "there are huge amounts of Australians going to the U.S., and they tend to come for 10 to 14 days and travel in January, which is an off-peak time."
Perisher is the largest ski resort in the southern hemisphere and serves some of Australia's largest cities, including Sydney and Melbourne.
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