Why locals aren’t happy about Whistler Blackcomb’s new owners

In late 2016, Vail Resorts Inc. acquired Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc. for $1.39 billion. Since then, visitor numbers are up thanks to the inclusion of Whistler Blackcomb in Vail’s Epic Pass, which gives holders unlimited access to the company’s 14 resorts in North America and Australia. At the same time, Vail cancelled Whistler’s one- and three-day prepaid lift tickets, which were discounted exclusively for Canadians and Washington State residents in a shift away from local, casual skiers to focus on international visitors. And that’s not the only move that irks locals.