By Ted Cohen
Vail Resorts, which owns three mountains in Vermont, is being sued in federal court for allegedly colluding with a ski-industry trade association and a research firm to fix prices for multi-mountain season passes and lift tickets.
The lawsuit was filed earlier this week by three skiers against Vail, Alterra, Boyne USA, Powdr Corp, data firm RRC Associates and the National Ski Areas Association, according to Reuters reporter Mike Scarcella.
The plaintiffs allege the four companies collectively own most of the 32 “destination” ski venues in the U.S., including Vail’s Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snowe in Vermont.
Peak daily lift tickets at flagship resorts climbed more than 55 percent in the past six years, according to the lawsuit.
The ski resorts allegedly violated antitrust law by sharing confidential revenue and cost information with the data firm, which prepared and circulated reports that helped to guide business strategy and decisions.
Vail and the other defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The plaintiffs said they are seeking to form a class action on behalf of thousands of customers.