A Colorado-based resort company acquired Wilmot Mountain and has plans to upgrade the park and expand dining and entertainment options.
Broomfield, Colo.-based Vail Resorts purchased the Kenosha County ski hill Tuesday for an undisclosed amount.
Vail Resorts plans to transform both the on-mountain and base area at Wilmot Mountain. These enhancements will include redesigned and updated terrain parks, best-in-class coaching and instruction for all levels of skiers and riders, expanded dining and entertainment options at the base area, dedicated racing programs and integrated technology and social media programs like EpicMix, according to the company’s website.
The company said it will invest in the ski area’s infrastructure to improve snowmaking, parking and access to provide a more consistent experience throughout the season. Vail will share additional details on the ski area’s transformation plan in March.
Wilmot Mountain, 11931 Fox River Road, Wilmot, was founded in 1938 by Walter Stopa, who opened the ski area with a single rope tow. Today, Wilmot Mountain offers 25 trails, four terrain parks, a ski and snowboard school, a ski racing program and a tubing hill with 23 lanes.
“We are thrilled to welcome Wilmot Mountain to the Vail Resorts family,” Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts said in a written statement. “Wilmot is steeped in skiing tradition and enjoys tremendous brand recognition among Chicago and Milwaukee skiers and snowboarders.”
Taylor Ogilvie will serve as general manager of Wilmot Mountain. Ogilvie has served as general manager of Mt. Brighton in Michigan since June 2013.
Vail Resorts owns eight mountain resorts in Colorado, Utah and Lake Tahoe. Located approximately 65 miles north of Chicago, this acquisition is now the third in Vail Resort’s portfolio of ski resorts to serve urban areas. The company also has resorts near Minneapolis and Detroit.
