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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

          (Mark One)

  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2015.

OR

   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 001-35363

Peak Resorts, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Missouri

 

43-1793922

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

17409 Hidden Valley Drive

 

63025

Wildwood, Missouri

 

(Zip Code)

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

 

(636) 938-7474
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                          Title of each class                                                           Name of each exchange on which registered

                      Common Stock, $0.01 par value                                                           NASDAQ Stock Exchange    

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes ☐   No  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes ☐   No  

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.

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 (§ 232.405 of this chapter) 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K

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 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   No

As of October 31, 2014, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, there was no established public market for the registrant’s common stock. The registrant’s common stock began trading on The NASDAQ Global Market on November 21, 2014.

 

As of June 30, 2015, 13,982,400 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

 

Documents incorporated by reference:

 

Portions of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, to be filed within 120 days of the registrant’s fiscal year ended April 30, 2015.

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I

 

 

 

Item 1.

Business.

Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

13 

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments.

24 

Item 2.

Properties.

24 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings.

26 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures.

26 

 

PART II

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

27 

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data.

29 

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

30 

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

43 

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

F - 1

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

44 

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures.

44 

Item 9B.

Other Information.

44 

 

PART III

 

 

 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

45 

Item 11.

Executive Compensation.

45 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

45 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

45 

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

46 

 

PART IV

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

                         46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 


 

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for any historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this Form 10-K contain certain “forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the federal securities laws. This includes statements regarding our future financial position, economic performance, results of operations, business strategy, budgets, projected costs, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and the information referred to under “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations''.

These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may,'' “will,'' “expect,'' “intend,'' “estimate,'' “anticipate,'' “believe,'' “continue'' or similar terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words, These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control, Accordingly, you are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, Unless otherwise required by law, we also disclaim any obligation to update our view of any such risks or uncertainties or to announce publicly the result of any revisions to the forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-K, Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, among others:

·

weather, including climate change;

·

seasonality;

·

competition with other indoor and outdoor winter leisure activities and ski resorts;

·

the leases and permits for property underlying certain of our ski resorts;

·

ability to integrate new acquisitions;

·

environmental laws and regulations;

·

our dependence on key personnel;

·

funds for capital expenditures, including funds raised under the EB-5 program;

·

the effect of declining revenues on margins;

·

the future development and continued success of our Mount Snow ski resort;

·

our reliance on information technology;

·

our current dependence on a single lender and the lender's option to purchase certain of our ski resorts;

·

our dependence on a seasonal workforce; and

·

the securities markets,

You should also refer to Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, of this Form 10-K for a discussion of factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K will prove to be accurate, Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may prove to be material, In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time-frame, or at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 


 

PART I

 

Item 1. Business.

 

General

Peak Resorts, Inc. was incorporated in Missouri on September 24, 1997 as a holding company to own or lease and operate day ski and overnight drive ski resorts through its wholly owned subsidiaries. Throughout the history of the Company, including the development of the Hidden Valley and Snow Creek ski resorts before the incorporation of Peak Resorts, Inc., the Company has acquired or developed a total of 13 ski resorts. In this annual report, Peak Resorts, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is referred to as “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company.”

On November 20, 2014, we completed our initial public offering of our common stock, selling 10 million shares at $9.00 per share. After deducting $6.3 million of underwriting discounts and commissions and $1.4 million of offering expenses payable by us, we received net proceeds of $82.3 million. Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “SKIS”.

We are a leading owner and operator of high-quality, individually branded ski resorts in the U.S.  We currently operate 13 ski resorts primarily located in the Northeast and Midwest, 12 of which we own. The majority of our resorts are located within 100 miles of major metropolitan markets, including New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland and St. Louis, enabling day and overnight drive accessibility. Our resorts are comprised of nearly 1,650 acres of skiable terrain that appeal to a wide range of ages and abilities. We offer a breadth of activities, services and amenities, including skiing, snowboarding, terrain parks, tubing, dining, lodging, equipment rentals and sales, ski and snowboard instruction and mountain biking and other summer activities. We believe that both the day and overnight drive segments of the ski industry are appealing given their stable revenue base, high margins and attractive risk-adjusted returns. We have successfully acquired and integrated ten ski resorts since our incorporation in 1997, and we expect to continue executing this strategy.

 

We have built an award-winning portfolio of individually branded entertainment properties, most of which are recognized as leading ski resorts in their respective markets. Our devotion to maintaining high quality standards across our portfolio through strategic investments and upgrades has created a loyal customer base that contributes to a significant number of repeat visits at each of our resorts. In particular, our investment over the last decade in the latest high-efficiency snowmaking equipment has earned us the reputation as an industry leader in snowmaking efficiency, capacity and quality, allowing us to consistently increase skier visits and revenue per skier. Since 2008, we have invested $57.6  million in capital expenditures and growth initiatives. Our strong branding reinforces customer loyalty and serves to attract new visitors through focused marketing campaigns and word of mouth.

 

Combined, our ski resorts generated approximately 1.6 million visits in the 2014/2015 ski season.  Revenue for fiscal 2015 was just 0.3 percent below the record level achieved in fiscal 2014, despite weather events that impacted two of the three major holiday periods of the 2014/2015 ski season and adversely affected the ski industry in general.  As the U.S. economy continues to improve, our resorts are well-positioned to benefit from increased consumer spending on leisure activities, and we expect to continue to increase our lift ticket prices and drive more skier visits to our resorts. We believe we are better positioned to handle downturns in the economy than larger, overnight fly ski resorts because of our greater accessibility and lower overall costs to consumers.

The U.S. ski industry is highly fragmented, with less than 13% of the 470 ski resorts being owned by companies with four or more ski resorts. We believe that our proven ability to efficiently operate multiple resorts as well as our track record of successful acquisitions has created our reputation in the marketplace as a preferred buyer. We believe that our extensive experience in acquiring ski resorts and investing in snowmaking, lifts and other skier services, as well as the synergies we create by operating multiple resorts, drives increased revenues and profitability. Our capabilities serve as a competitive advantage in sourcing and executing investment opportunities as sellers will often provide us a "first look" at opportunities outside of a broader marketing process, allowing us to expand both within our existing markets and into new markets.

We and our subsidiaries operate in a single business segment—resort operations. We are not dependent on any single customer, the loss of which would have a material impact on our financial statements, and we derive no revenue from foreign sources.

 

 

5

 


 

Our Resorts

Our 13 ski resorts consist of five overnight drive ski resorts and eight day ski resorts located across six states, ranging from Missouri to New Hampshire, and appeal to a wide range of visitors. All of our ski resorts employ high-capacity snowmaking capabilities on over 90% of their terrain as well as food and beverage, equipment rental and retail outlets. All of our properties offer alternative snow activities, such as terrain parks and tubing, in addition to skiing and snowboarding. The diversity of our services and amenities allows us to capture a larger proportion of customer spending as well as ensure product and service quality at our resorts.

The following table summarizes key statistics relating to each of our resorts as of April 30, 2015:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property

State

Developed/ Acquired

Nearest Metro MSA

Population Base (millions)

Skiable Acres

Total Lifts

Vertical Drop

(ft.)

Hidden Valley

MO

1982 

St Louis

3.9 
60 
310 

Snow Creek

MO

1985 

Kansas City

2.9 
40 
300 

Paoli Peaks

IN

1997 

Louisville, Nashville

3.0 
65 
300 

Mad River*

OH

2001 

Columbus, Dayton

2.8 
60 
12 
300 

Boston Mills

OH

2002 

Cleveland, Akron, Canton

7.1 
40 
264 

Brandywine

OH

2002 

**

**

48 
10 
264 

Crotched Mountain

NH

2003 

Boston

13.9 
105 
1,000 

Jack Frost

PA

2005 

Philadelphia, New York City

27.3 
80 
12 
600 

Big Boulder

PA

2005 

***

***

65 
11 
475 

Attitash

NH

2007 

Boston

13.9 
307 
11 
1,750 

Mount Snow

VT

2007 

New York City, Boston, Albany

27.4 
490 
20 
1,700 

Wildcat Mountain

NH

2010 

Boston

13.9 
225 
2,112 

Alpine Valley

OH

2012 

Cleveland, Akron, Canton

7.1 
54 
260 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Leased property
** Marketed with Boston Mills
*** Marketed with Jack Frost

 

We operate some or all of certain of our resorts pursuant to lease agreements with third parties or pursuant to Forest Service Special Use Permits with the federal government.  We own the remaining land underlying our resorts. For a description of our ownership and use of the land underlying our resorts, see Item 2, “Properties” of this annual report.

Effective October 2010, we acquired Wildcat Mountain ski area through the purchase of the assets of Wildcat Mountain Ski Area, Inc., Meadow Green-Wildcat Skilift Corp. and Meadow Green-Wildcat Corp. for a total of approximately $5 million. Wildcat Mountain is located in northern New Hampshire and serves the New Hampshire, Boston, Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets. Wildcat Mountain is located within 10 miles of the Attitash ski area and gives our skiers the opportunity to use the same lift tickets and season passes for both Wildcat Mountain and Attitash, thus providing our visitors with more ski choices and opportunities.

In December 2011, we acquired the Jack Frost ski resort through the purchase of the assets of Blue Ridge Real Estate Company for $5.65 million. Also in December 2011, we purchased the assets of Big Boulder Corporation to acquire the Big Boulder ski resort, for total consideration of $3.35 million. Prior to that time, we had operated these resorts pursuant to leases since 2005.

In October 2012, we purchased the outstanding common stock of Sycamore Lake, Inc. (doing business as Alpine Valley Ski Area in Cleveland, Ohio) for $2.6 million. This acquisition enables us to employ pricing strategies and cost synergies with Boston Mills and Brandywine, our other two Cleveland resorts.

Debt Restructure

On November 10, 2014, in connection with our initial public offering, we entered into a Restructure Agreement (the “Restructure Agreement”) with certain affiliates of EPR Properties (“EPR”), our primary lender, providing for the (i) prepayment of approximately $75.8 million of formerly non-prepayable debt secured by the Crotched Mountain, Attitash, Paoli Peaks, Hidden Valley and Snow Creek resorts and (ii) retirement of one of the notes associated with the future development of Mount Snow (the “Debt Restructure”). On December 1, 2014, we entered into various agreements in order to effectuate the Debt Restructure, as more fully described in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on December 5, 2014.  Pursuant to the Debt Restructure, we paid a defeasance fee of $5 million to EPR in addition to the consideration described below.

6

 


 

In exchange for the prepayment right, we granted EPR a purchase option on the Boston Mills, Brandywine, Jack Frost, Big Boulder and Alpine Valley properties, subject to certain conditions.  If EPR exercises a purchase option, EPR will enter into an agreement with the Company for the lease of each such acquired property for an initial term of 20 years, plus options to extend the lease for two additional periods of ten years each. All previously existing option agreements between the Company and EPR were terminated.

Additionally, we agreed to extend the maturity dates on all non-prepayable notes and mortgages secured by the Mount Snow, Boston Mills, Brandywine, Jack Frost, Big Boulder and Alpine Valley properties remaining after the Debt Restructure by seven years to December 1, 2034, and to extend the lease for the Mad River property, previously terminating in 2026, until December 31, 2034.

We also granted EPR a right of first refusal to provide all or a portion of the financing associated with any purchase, ground lease, sale/leaseback, management or financing transaction contemplated by the Company with respect to any new or existing ski resort property for a period of seven years or until financing provided by EPR for such transactions equals or exceeds $250 million in the aggregate. Proposed financings from certain types of institutional lenders providing a loan to value ratio of less than 60% (as relates to the applicable property being financed) are excluded from the right of first refusal. We granted EPR a separate right of first refusal in the event that the Company wishes to sell, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of any or all of the Attitash ski resort for seven years.  The Attitash right excludes the financing or mortgaging of Attitash.

In connection with the Debt Restructure, we entered into a Master Credit and Security Agreement with EPR containing additional terms and conditions governing our restructure debt with EPR, including restrictions on certain transactions and the payment of dividends and required financial covenants.

Ski Industry

        The U.S. ski industry was estimated to total approximately 53.6 million skier visits in the 2014/2015 ski season. The National Ski Areas Association Kottke National End of Season Survey (Preliminary Report) reported that there were 470 ski resorts operating during the 2014/2015 ski season in the U.S. Given the consistency and strength of annual skier visits over the last 30 years as well as the state of the recovering economy, we believe that skier participation will remain strong in the coming years.

        The ski industry divides ski resorts into three distinct categories: overnight fly, overnight drive and day ski resorts. Overnight fly ski resorts are defined as ski resorts which primarily serve skiers who fly or drive considerable distances and stay for multiple nights. These resorts depend, in large part, on long-distance travel by their visitors and on the development of adjacent real estate for housing, hospitality and retail uses. Overnight drive ski resorts are ski resorts which primarily serve skiers from the regional drive market who stay overnight. Day ski resorts are typically located within 50 miles of a major metropolitan statistical area (“MSA”) and do not generally offer dedicated lodging.

        Day and overnight drive ski resorts tend to be smaller in size and are usually located near metropolitan areas. As an owner and operator of primarily day and overnight drive ski resorts, we focus on selling lift tickets, renting ski equipment, selling ski lessons, offering food and beverage services and catering to the targeted local market. We target skiers of all levels from beginners who are skiing for the first time to intermediate and advanced skiers who are honing their skills.

        An important statistic used to gauge the performance of companies operating within the ski industry is revenue per skier visit. The revenue per skier visit of our resorts for the 2007/2008 ski season (the first season subsequent to the Mount Snow and Attitash acquisitions) to the 2013/2014 ski season increased at a compounded annual growth rate of 3.9% compared to an increase of 2.6% for the U.S. ski industry for the same period. Revenue per skier visit is calculated as total resort revenue divided by skier visits.

        The ski industry statistics stated in the foregoing sections have been derived from data published by the Kottke National End of Season Survey 2013/2014 and other industry publications, including those of the National Ski Areas Association.

 

 

 

7

 


 

 

 

Revenue Components

We, like other day ski resorts and overnight drive ski resorts operators, earn our revenues in six principal categories. In order of their contribution, they are: (i) lift tickets; (ii) food and beverage sales; (iii) equipment rentals; (iv) hotel/lodging; (v) ski instruction; and (vi) retail. Each revenue center is discussed in more detail below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended April 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Lift and tubing tickets

 

$

50,821 

 

$

51,672 

 

$

50,085 

  Food and beverage

 

 

18,927 

 

 

18,638 

 

 

17,339 

  Equipment rental

 

 

8,017 

 

 

8,584 

 

 

7,601 

  Ski instruction

 

 

7,242 

 

 

7,130 

 

 

6,775 

  Hotel/lodging

 

 

7,623 

 

 

7,479 

 

 

7,156 

  Retail

 

 

5,261 

 

 

4,811 

 

 

4,536 

  Other

 

 

6,967 

 

 

6,891 

 

 

6,196 

 

 

$

104,858 

 

$

105,205 

 

$

99,688 

 

 

 

·

Lift tickets— Lift tickets are our most important source of operating revenues. We place heavy emphasis on sales of season passes and advance group ticket sales to schools, religious organizations and other social groups at a discount. We market our season passes and advance group ticket sales to our ski visitors and the communities we serve. The cost of lift tickets at each of our resorts varies according to geographic region, session time and day of the week.

·

Food and Beverage Sales—Our facilities generally employ cafeteria-style and self-service options to provide a limited menu of simple foods, liquor, beer and wine. We try to maximize revenues and simplify operations by focusing on a limited menu that requires minimal special preparation and related personnel costs.

·

Equipment Rentals— Day ski resorts generally attain a higher percentage of rental revenue than overnight fly destination ski resorts and overnight drive ski resorts because a large majority of day ski resort skiers are novices, who typically do not own ski equipment. Equipment rental rates generally range between $29 and $39 per person per session. We have focused on improving our equipment rental facilities to provide quick access to new and high quality equipment, self-service options with expert advice and fitting available, and immediate access to the lifts and ski instruction areas from the rental facility. By eliminating the equipment rental bottleneck, we believe that we have significantly enhanced the skiers' resort experience, which corresponds to increased rental revenues.

·

Hotel/Lodging— Because we primarily operate day ski resorts, not all of our resorts offer hotel or other lodging services. Our hotel/lodging revenue is comprised of the revenue generated by the lodging facilities at our Attitash and Mount Snow ski resorts. Attitash and Mount Snow each have a Grand Summit Hotel on their properties, in which individuals have purchased 100% of all available quartershare interval interests, while we retain ownership of common areas of the hotel and commercial properties. We derive a revenue stream from operating the Grand Summit Hotels' retail, restaurant and conference facilities, fees for spa and health club services at the Grand Summit Hotels and fees for housekeeping and other related services, and from renting quartershare interval interests when not in use by their owners. We also manage certain condominiums located near the Mount Snow ski resort and receive a portion of the rental fees and property management fees relating to these condominiums. Finally, we own 100% of the Snow Lake Lodge at Mount Snow, which we operate as a traditional hotel.

·

Ski Instruction— Ski instruction is considered important to operations because of the large numbers of novice or early intermediate skiers who typically visit day ski resorts. We offer low group lesson prices to encourage participation, which range from $15 and $48 per person per lesson. Individual instructions and private lessons may range from $45 to $105 or more per lesson.

8

 


 

·

Retail— Like ski instruction services, retail also represents a relatively small percentage of our total revenues. Some of our resorts offer a selection of more substantial ski-related equipment, such as boots, skis and snowsuits, while others maintain only a minimal selection of smaller items, such as gloves and goggles. Merchandise selection and pricing decisions must be made in light of the local demographic conditions. To facilitate this level of detailed management, local ski resort employees oversee their merchandise operations as they see fit for their markets. We also lease merchandise operations to third-party merchants at Boston Mills, Brandywine and Paoli Peaks.

Seasonality

 

The Company's revenues are highly seasonal in nature. The vast majority of reported revenues are generated during the ski season, which occurs during the third and fourth fiscal quarters.  In an effort to partially counterbalance the concentration of revenue during the winter months, some of our properties offer non-ski attractions, such as golf, roller coasters, swimming and zip rides, but these activities do not comprise a substantial portion of our annual revenues.   Our resorts typically experience operating losses and negative cash flows during the first and second quarters of each fiscal year, as a result of the seasonality of our business.

Additionally, operations on certain holidays contribute significantly to the Company's revenues, most notably Christmas, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Presidents Day. The seasonality of the Company's revenues amplifies the effect on the Company's revenues, operating earnings and cash flows of events that are outside the Company's control. While the Company's geographically diverse operating locations help mitigate its effects, adverse weather conditions could limit customer access to the Company's resorts, render snowmaking wholly or partially ineffective in maintaining ski conditions, cause increased energy use and other operating costs related to snowmaking efforts and, in general, can result in decreased skier visits regardless of ski conditions.

The opening and closing dates of our ski resorts are dependent upon weather conditions, but our peak ski season generally runs from early December to mid-April. The following tables illustrate the opening and closing dates for the 2010/2011 through 2014/2015 ski seasons for our 13 ski resorts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ski Resort

 

2010/2011 Open Dates

 

2011/2012 Open Dates

 

2012/2013 Open Dates

 

2013/2014 Open Dates

 

2014/2015 Open Dates

Attitash

 

Dec 11 - Apr 3

 

Nov 25 - Mar 25

 

Dec 7 - Apr 11

 

Dec 7 - Apr 6

 

Dec 6 - Apr 5

Alpine Valley(1)

 

 

 

Dec 30 - Mar 3

 

Dec 28 - Mar 16

 

Dec 30 - Mar 22

Big Boulder

 

Nov 29 - Apr 10

 

Dec 11 - Mar 24

 

Nov 28 - Apr 20

 

Nov 14 - Apr 6

 

Nov 20 - Apr 19

Boston Mills

 

Dec 10 - Mar 14

 

Dec 17 - Mar 10

 

Dec 28 - Mar 10

 

Nov 29 - Mar 16

 

Jan 1 - Mar 22

Brandywine

 

Dec 11 - Mar 13

 

Dec 30 - Mar 4

 

Dec 29 - Mar 30

 

Dec 14 - Mar 16

 

Jan 2 - Apr 1

Crotched Mountain

 

Dec 4 - Apr 3

 

Dec 17 - Mar 18

 

Dec 1 - Apr 7

 

Nov 30 - Mar 30

 

Nov 28 – Apr 5

Hidden Valley

 

Dec 18 - Feb 27

 

Jan 4 - Feb 26

 

Dec 23 - Mar 17

 

Dec 14 - Mar 15

 

Jan 2 - Mar 8

Jack Frost

 

Dec 11 - Mar 13

 

Dec 17 - Mar 11

 

Dec 22 - Mar 31

 

Dec 7 - Mar 23

 

Dec 12 - Mar 29

Mad River

 

Dec 10 - Mar 6

 

Dec 17 - Mar 11

 

Dec 23 - Mar 17

 

Nov 30 - Mar 16

 

Dec 20 - Mar 22

Mount Snow

 

Nov 25 - Apr 16

 

Dec 10 - Mar 25

 

Nov 22 - Apr 21

 

Nov 15 - Apr 13

 

Nov 21 - Apr 19

Paoli Peaks

 

Dec 17 - Feb 27

 

Jan 3 - Mar 4

 

Dec 23 - Mar 10

 

Dec 14 - Mar 9

 

Dec 31 - Mar 8

Snow Creek

 

Dec 11 - Mar 6

 

Dec 17 - Mar 4

 

Dec 22 - Mar 17

 

Dec 14 - Mar 9

 

Dec 31 - Mar 8

Wildcat Mountain

 

Dec 11 - Apr 24

 

Dec 18 - Apr 15

 

Nov 22 - Apr 21

 

Nov 28 - Apr 27

 

Nov 9 - Apr 30

 


(1)

Data for Alpine Valley is included for the 2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 ski seasons only, as we acquired the ski resort in November 2012.

 

Marketing

We promote our resorts through both on-site marketing and external marketing. We encourage visitors to return to our resorts by offering complimentary skier orientations at our resorts. We also have marketing programs in place directed at attracting groups, such as religious organizations, social clubs, corporate entities, schools and civic organizations, and we offer discounts to active military personnel. We believe that these group discounts encourage new participants to try snow

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sports. Student passes are also sold through schools, and season passes are promoted through targeted direct mail marketing, the internet and local sporting goods stores.

Each of our resorts also maximizes community awareness through radio, special events and promotions and “free media” advertising, when possible. We host charity events and tournaments, issue media passes and encourage live radio and television broadcasts for segments such as weather or sports. For example, events we have hosted include the following: Dew Tour, X-Games, Tough Mudder, SAM Cutters Camp, Transworld Trans-am Snowboard Event, Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge, NCAA National Downhill Championships, Special Olympics Games, Military Salutes, and U.S. National Mountain Biking Championships.

Competition 

        We believe that there are high barriers to entry for new ski resorts due to the limited private lands on which ski resorts can be developed, the difficulty in getting the necessary government approvals and permits to build on public land and the substantial capital resources needed to construct the required ski infrastructure. As such, we believe that the risk that our market will become saturated with new industry participants is relatively low. We believe that our resorts do not directly compete with overnight fly destination ski resorts, such as the larger ski resorts in Colorado, California, Nevada, Utah and other destination ski resorts worldwide. Rather, we believe that we compete primarily with other existing day ski resorts, overnight drive ski resorts and non-ski related day vacations. 

        Our competition varies by geographical area. While we believe that our Midwestern ski resorts face only limited competition within their relative metropolitan markets, we are not the only day ski resorts or overnight drive ski resorts in our Northeastern and Southeastern markets (as defined by the NSAA). We compete with approximately 135 resorts in the Northeastern market and 47 resorts in the Southeastern market.

Competitive Strengths

        We believe our strengths are as follows:

We own a high-quality branded portfolio.  We own 12 and operate 13 high-quality ski resorts, each of which is individually branded and recognized to be a leading ski resort in its respective regional market. Our devotion to maintaining high quality standards through strategic investments and upgrades has created a loyal customer base at each of our resorts. Our strong branding reinforces customer loyalty and serves to attract new guests through focused marketing campaigns and word of mouth.

 

We have a history of investing in targeted capital projects to increase profitability.  We are continuously evaluating our property-level performance and are committed to increasing our profitability. Many ski resort operators are unwilling to invest in improvements due to capital constraints and the perceived risk of such investments. Since 2008, we have invested $57.6 million throughout our portfolio in an effort to improve the profitability of our ski resorts through energy-efficient snowmaking machinery, high-speed/high-capacity lifts and additional features such as terrain parks and various other infrastructure investments. The costs of these improvements are significantly outweighed by the benefits realized, which include higher quality and less costly snow, shorter lift lines, terrain expansion and customer appreciation. We have found that the ability to transport customers up the mountain on high-speed chairlifts and to reduce lift lines not only attracts skiers and promotes a better skiing experience but also leads to higher restaurant and retail sales and increased customer satisfaction.

 

We are an experienced and successful acquirer and integrator.  We have grown our Company significantly since inception by acquiring strategically located ski resorts with the potential for increased revenue growth and margin expansion. We have successfully acquired and integrated ten ski resorts since 1997. We adhere to a disciplined acquisition strategy by pursuing opportunities at attractive acquisition prices that can create additional value through operational improvements and efficiencies. After acquiring a ski resort, we implement a strategic repositioning program designed during the underwriting process and integrate the resort into our portfolio. We believe that our track record for acquiring and integrating ski resorts makes us an industry leader and gives us a competitive advantage over other buyers. Our ski resorts have, on average, achieved compound annual Reported EBITDA growth of 34.4% within two years of our ownership or operation (EBITDA is defined as net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, gain on sale/leaseback, investment income, other income or expense and other non-recurring items - see Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and

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Results of Operations – Non GAAP Financial Measures” for a definition of Reported EBITDA and reconciliation to net income (loss)).

 

Our experienced senior management team is dedicated to providing a reliable and enjoyable ski experience.  Our three senior executives have almost 60 years of combined experience owning, operating and acquiring ski resorts in the U.S. Since 1982, it has been our vision to offer a reliable and enjoyable skiing experience to our customers. As a result of this vision, our management team constantly strives to enhance and improve our snowmaking capabilities to ensure our ski resorts maintain high-quality snow throughout the season. In addition, our management team strives to provide our ski resorts with a full range of amenities to augment our customers' overall skiing experience.

 

Overnight drive and day ski resorts experience lower sensitivity to the economy.  We believe our portfolio provides more attractive risk-adjusted returns than overnight fly resorts due to the stability in our visits. Furthermore, we believe that customers are more likely to visit overnight drive and day ski resorts during an economic downturn as compared to other higher cost overnight fly ski resorts, resulting in less sensitivity to downturns in the economy. The revenue per skier visit of our resorts from the 2007/2008 ski season (the first season subsequent to the Mount Snow and Attitash acquisitions) to the 2013/2014 ski season increased at a compounded annual growth rate of 3.9% compared to an increase of 2.6% for the U.S. ski industry for the same period.

 

The ski industry possesses high barriers to entry.  A limited number of ski resorts have been developed in the past 30 years. Skiable land is scarce and demanding to develop due to the difficulty in aggregating suitable terrain, obtaining government permitting, resolving accessibility issues and addressing heightened environmental concerns. Operating a ski resort requires a high level of expertise and strict regulatory and environmental compliance. Additionally, many resorts have built significant customer loyalty and brand awareness over multiple generations, which can be difficult for a new entrant to overcome. These factors have contributed to the number of ski resorts decreasing 36%, from 735 in 1984 to 470 in 2015 as smaller, poorly capitalized resorts have been unable to compete effectively. With our large existing portfolio, proven capital investment strategy and strong customer loyalty, we believe our Company is competitively well-positioned.

 

Our ski resort portfolio is diverse.  Our portfolio of 13 ski resorts consists of five overnight drive ski resorts and eight day ski resorts located across six states ranging from Missouri to New Hampshire. We believe that our portfolio mix enables us to reach a large customer base seeking high-quality ski resorts within driving distance of major metropolitan areas. Each of our ski resorts is located within reasonable drive times from major metropolitan areas such as New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland and St. Louis, which we believe provides us with a consistent repeat customer base and increases our new customer outreach potential. We believe that the size and geographic diversity of our portfolio helps insulate the Company's financial performance against adverse economic and weather conditions.

 

We are a proven operator of ski resorts.  We have operated numerous ski resorts since our incorporation in 1997. Due to our extensive operating expertise, we believe we have a profitable and efficient platform that positions us to take advantage of growth initiatives and cost controls.

 

Alignment of interests between management and new stockholders.  Our management team owns approximately 16.1% of our outstanding shares. We believe that this substantial ownership position aligns the interest of our operating team with that of our new stockholders.

Intellectual Property

        We understand the importance to the sales and marketing of our resorts that a strong brand can maintain. Wildcat Mountain Ski AreaSM,  Mount Snow®, Boston Mills Ski ResortSM,  Hidden ValleySM,  Crotched Mountain Ski AreaSM and Alpine Valley are trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by certain subsidiaries of Peak Resorts, Inc.   

Regulation and Legislation

       The 1986 Ski Area Permit Act and Master Development Plans

        The 1986 Ski Area Permit Act (the "1986 Act") allows the Forest Service to grant Term Special Use Permits for the operation of ski resorts and construction of related facilities on National Forest lands. In addition, the permits granted to our

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ski resorts under the 1986 Act require a Master Development Plan for each ski resort that is granted a Special Use Permit. Of our 13 resorts, only portions of Attitash and Mount Snow and all of Wildcat Mountain operate under Special Use Permits. The ski-able terrain at our other resorts is located on land that we own or lease from non-government third parties.

        Each area of National Forest land is required by the National Forest Management Plan to develop and maintain a Land and Resource Management Plan, which establishes standards and guidelines for the Forest Service to follow and consider in reviewing and approving our proposed actions. Under the 1986 Act, the Forest Service has the right to review and approve the locations, design and construction of improvements in the permit area and many operational matters.

        The Special Use Permits expire as follows: Attitash ski resort—April 4, 2047; Mount Snow ski resort—April 4, 2047; and Wildcat Mountain ski resort—November 18, 2050. We intend to request a new Special Use Permit for each resort as provided by the Forest Service regulations and terms of each existing Special Use Permit. To our knowledge, the Forest Service has never refused to issue a new Special Use Permit to replace an existing Special Use Permit for a ski resort in operation at the time of expiration.

        Each Special Use Permit contains requirements and obligations on our part, including that we indemnify the Forest Service from third-party claims arising out of our operation under the Special Use Permit and that we comply with all applicable laws. We pay a fee to the Forest Service for the Special Use Permit which, pursuant to the terms of each Special Use Permit, could range from 1.5% to 4.0% of sales for services on Forest Service land. Historically we have paid fees ranging from 1.5% to 2.5% of sales for services on Forest Service land and do not expect that this will change in the near future. Included in the calculation are sales from lift tickets, season passes, ski instructions, food and beverages, equipment rental, merchandise, and other ancillary services.

        The Special Use Permits may be amended by mutual agreement between us and the Forest Service to change the applicable ski resort or permitted uses. The Forest Service may also modify the Special Use Permit to accommodate changes in plans or operations. Permit amendments must be consistent with the Forest Plan and are subject to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA").

        The Forest Service may also terminate a Special Use Permit if it determines that termination is required for specific compelling reasons. However, to our knowledge, no Special Use Permit has ever been terminated by the Forest Service without the consent of the operator.

        We must propose a Master Development Plan for all improvements that we intend to make on National Forest lands and submit such plans to the Forest Service for review and acceptance. Once the Forest Service accepts a Master Development Plan, individual projects contemplated by the Master Development Plan will only be approved by the Forest Service upon separate applications that meet the requirements set forth by the Forest Service, including the requirements contained in the Special Use Permit.

       National Environmental Policy Act

        Under NEPA, our major proposed actions on all National Forest land, such as the expansion of a ski resort or installation of new snowmaking equipment, must be assessed to determine the environmental impacts of such actions. Upon our application to the Forest Service to undertake major projects, the Forest Service must conduct an environmental study, which can impact the time it takes to complete a project. During these studies, the Forest Service is required to consider alternatives to proposed actions and the impacts that may be unavoidable. We may not get the Forest Service's approval to undertake a project or may be required to take alternative action, depending on the results of the environmental studies.

       Underground Storage Tank Regulations

        We have underground storage tanks ("USTs") on our ski resort properties in Ohio, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Vermont for the purpose of storing gasoline, fuel oil and propane that we use in the operation of our resorts, lodges and skier service buildings. The federal Solid Waste Disposal Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") the authority to regulate USTs. State UST programs that are at least as strict as the federal regulations and that have been approved by the EPA govern the USTs in lieu of the federal regulations. The objectives of the state UST programs are to ensure that:

•USTs are properly constructed and designed in accordance with recognized industry standards;

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•installations, repairs and removals are conducted and inspected by qualified and trained individuals;

•active USTs are properly operated and monitored for the release of substances; and

•upon closure, USTs are properly decommissioned and sites are assessed for contamination.

        We believe that the USTs at our facilities meet all state and federal construction and operation standards. Compliance with these UST regulations has not had a material impact on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position, and we do not expect it to have a material impact in the future.

Employees 

        We, together with our operating subsidiaries, currently employ approximately 450 year-round employees. During the height of our ski season, we employ approximately 7,200 seasonal employees. 

Availability of Information

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 17409 Hidden Valley Drive, Wildwood, Missouri 63025, telephone (636) 938-7474. We maintain a website at www.peakresorts.com. We make available on our website, free of charge, the Company's annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K as soon as practicable after we file these reports with the SEC. Reports filed with the SEC can be read or copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549.  The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC (http://www.sec.gov).

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS.

You should carefully read and consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information set forth in this annual report on Form 10-K. Our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and the trading price of our common stock could be materially and adversely harmed by any of the following risks. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations.

Risks Related to the Company

         Our industry is sensitive to weakness in the economy, and we are subject to risks associated with the overall leisure industry.

        Weak economic conditions in the U.S. could have a material adverse effect on our industry. An economic downturn could reduce consumer spending on recreational activities such as those our resorts offer, resulting in decreased skier visits and consumer spending at our ski resorts. Such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, we may be unable to increase the price of our lift tickets, season passes or other offerings during an economic downturn despite our history of being successful in raising such prices under a variety of economic conditions.

         Our business is vulnerable to the risk of unseasonably warm weather conditions and skier perceptions of weather conditions.

        The ability to attract visitors to our resorts is influenced by weather conditions and by the number of cold weather days during the ski season. Unseasonably warm weather can adversely affect skier visits and our revenue and profits. For example, warm weather may result in inadequate natural snowfall and render snowmaking wholly or partially ineffective in maintaining quality skiing conditions. Also, the early season snow conditions and skier perceptions of early season snow conditions influence the momentum and success of the overall season. There is no way for us to predict future weather patterns or the impact that weather patterns may have on our results of operations or visitation.

         Our business is highly seasonal and the occurrence of certain events during our peak times could have a negative effect on our revenues.

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        Our resort operations are highly seasonal. Although the air temperatures and timing and amount of snowfall can influence the number and type of skier visits, the majority of the skier visits are from mid-December to early April. Accordingly, during the past two fiscal years, we generated, on average, 89.0% of our revenues during the third and fourth fiscal quarters. In addition, throughout our peak quarters, we generate the highest revenues on weekends and during three major holiday periods: Christmas, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Presidents Day. During the 2014/2015  ski season, we generated 37.6% of our revenues on weekends and 18.4% of our revenues during these three major holiday periods. Our resorts typically experience operating losses and negative cash flows during the first and second quarters of each fiscal year, as a result of the seasonality of our business. Operating results for any three-month period are not indicative of the results that may be achieved for any subsequent quarter or for a full fiscal year.

        A high degree of seasonality in our revenues and our dependence on weekends and the three major ski holidays increases the impact of certain events on our operating results. Adverse weather conditions, equipment failures, and other developments of even moderate or limited duration occurring during these peak business periods could significantly reduce our revenues.

         We may not be able to fully utilize our net operating loss carryforwards.

        We believe that uncertainty exists with respect to the future realization of the loss carryforwards as well as with respect to the amount of the loss carryforwards that will be available in future periods. To the extent available, we intend to use these net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income associated with our operations. There can be no assurance that we will generate sufficient taxable income in the carryforward period to utilize any remaining loss carryforwards before they expire.

        In addition, Section 382 and related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), contains rules that limit for U.S. federal income tax purposes the ability of a company that undergoes an "ownership change" to utilize its net operating losses and certain other tax attributes existing as of the date of such ownership change. Under these rules, such an ownership change is generally an increase in ownership by one or more "five percent shareholders," within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code, of more than 50% of a company's stock, directly or indirectly, within a rolling three-year period. In connection with our initial public offering in November 2014, a change of ownership in the Company occurred pursuant to the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. As a result, usage of our net operating loss carryforwards will be limited each year; however, we believe the full benefit of those carryforwards will be realized prior to their respective expiration dates.

         Variations in the timing of peak periods, holidays and weekends may affect the comparability of our results of operations.

        Depending on how peak periods, holidays and weekends fall on the calendar, in any given year we may have more or fewer peak periods, holidays and weekends in our third fiscal quarter compared to prior years, with a corresponding difference in our fourth fiscal quarter. These differences can result in material differences in our quarterly results of operations and affect the comparability of our results of operations.

         We compete with other leisure activities and ski resorts, which makes maintaining our customer base difficult.

        The skiing industry is highly competitive and capital intensive. Our ski resorts located in the Northeastern U.S., such as Mount Snow, Attitash and Wildcat Mountain, and those located in the Southeastern U.S. (which includes Pennsylvania for purposes of ski industry statistics), such as Jack Frost and Big Boulder, compete against other ski resorts in their markets for both day and overnight drive skiers. Our competitive position depends on a number of factors, such as the quality and coverage of snowmaking operations, resort size, the attractiveness of terrain, lift ticket prices, prevailing weather conditions, the appeal of related services and resort reputation. Some of our competitors have stronger competitive positions in respect of one or more of these factors, which may adversely affect our ability to maintain or grow our customer base.

        We believe that while our Midwestern U.S. ski resorts face only limited competition from other ski resorts in the area, our competitors in the Midwest primarily include other recreation resorts, including warm weather resorts and various alternative leisure activities. Our resorts in the Northeastern and Southeastern U.S. face similar competition, in addition to the competition outlined above. Our ability to maintain our levels of skier visits depends on, among other things, weather conditions, costs of lift tickets and related skier services relative to the costs of other leisure activities and our ability to attract people interested in recreational sports.

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         Changes in consumer tastes and preferences may affect skier visits at our ski resorts.

        Our success depends on our ability to attract visitors to our ski resorts. Changes in consumer tastes and preferences, particularly those affecting the popularity of skiing, snowboarding and tubing, and other social and demographic trends could adversely affect the number of skier visits during a ski season. Furthermore, a reduction in average household income in some of the areas near our resorts, compared to historic levels, combined with the increasing cost of skiing, snowboarding and tubing, may make these activities unaffordable for a large percentage of that population. A significant decline in skier visits compared to historical levels would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

         We may not be able to pay dividends on our common stock.

        We intend to pay quarterly cash dividends on our common stock at an initial quarterly rate of $0.1375 per share. We cannot assure you that this initial dividend rate will be sustained or that we will continue to pay dividends in the future. The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend on many factors, including our actual results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, restrictions in our debt agreements, economic conditions and other factors that could differ materially from our current expectations. For example, the Master Credit Agreement includes financial covenants consisting of a maximum Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Master Credit Agreement) of 65%, above which the Company and certain of its subsidiaries are prohibited from incurring additional indebtedness, and a Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Master Credit Agreement) covenant, which (a) requires the Company to increase the balance of its debt service reserve account if the Company's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio falls below 1.50:1.00, and (b) prohibits the Company from paying dividends if the ratio is below 1.25:1.00. The payment of dividends is also prohibited during default situations under the terms of the Master Credit Agreement. Furthermore, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected by the factors described in this "Risk Factors" section, which could limit our ability to pay dividends in the future.

         Our ability to declare and pay dividends is dependent on cash flow generated by our subsidiaries because we are a holding company.

        We are a holding company with no operations. Our subsidiaries own most of the assets that will generate income. Therefore, our ability to declare and pay dividends is dependent on the generation of cash flow by our subsidiaries and their ability to make such cash available to us, by dividend, distribution or otherwise. Our subsidiaries may not be able or permitted to make distributions to enable us to make dividend payments in respect of our common stock. Each of our subsidiaries is a distinct legal entity, and, under certain circumstances, legal and contractual restrictions may limit our ability to obtain cash from them. In addition, any future financing or other arrangements that our subsidiaries enter into could limit their ability to make distributions to us. In addition, the Master Credit Agreement limits certain of our subsidiaries' ability to make distributions to us in the event of a default, or if the Company's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio falls below 1.25:1.00. In the event that we do not receive distributions from our subsidiaries, we may be unable to make dividend payments on our common stock.

         We may engage in acquisitions that could harm our business, operating results or financial condition.

        A key component of our business strategy is to identify and acquire properties that are complementary to our core business. We frequently evaluate potential acquisitions and intend to actively pursue acquisition opportunities, some of which could be significant. For example, our acquisition of Mount Snow in 2007 involved the addition of property and operations that made up 26% of our revenues during the 2007 ski season. Our failure to merge the Mount Snow operations with our existing operations and effectively manage the additional large-scale property would have had a material negative effect on our results of operations.

        We cannot make assurances that we will be able to successfully integrate and manage acquired properties and businesses and increase our profits from these operations. The integration of acquired businesses may not be successful and could result in disruption to other parts of our business. In addition, the integration may require that we incur significant restructuring charges. To integrate acquired businesses, we must implement our management information systems, operating systems and internal controls, and assimilate and manage the personnel of the acquired operations. The difficulties of the integrations may be further complicated by such factors as geographic distances, lack of experience operating in the geographic market or industry sector of the acquired business, delays and challenges associated with integrating the business with our existing

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businesses, diversion of management's attention from daily operations of the business, potential loss of key employees and customers of the acquired business, the potential for deficiencies in internal controls at the acquired business, performance problems with the acquired business' technology, exposure to unanticipated liabilities of the acquired business, insufficient revenues to offset increased expenses associated with the acquisition, and our ability to achieve the growth prospects and synergies expected from any such acquisition. Even when an acquired business has already developed and marketed products and services, there can be no assurance that product or service enhancements will be made in a timely fashion or that all pre-acquisition due diligence will have identified all possible issues that might arise with respect to such acquired assets.

        Future acquisitions may also cause us to assume liabilities, record goodwill and intangible assets that will be subject to impairment testing and potential impairment charges, incur amortization expense related to certain intangible assets and increase our expenses and working capital requirements, which would reduce our return on invested capital. Failure to manage and successfully integrate the acquisitions we make could materially harm our business and operating results.

         We may be unsuccessful in identifying suitable acquisition candidates which may negatively impact our growth strategy.

        There can be no assurance given that we will be able to identify additional suitable acquisition candidates or consummate future acquisitions or strategic transactions on acceptable terms. Our failure to successfully identify additional suitable acquisition candidates or consummate future acquisitions or strategic transactions on acceptable terms could have an adverse effect on our prospects, business activities, cash flow, financial condition, results of operations and stock price.

         We are subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations in the ordinary course of business.

        Our operations are subject to a variety of federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to emissions to the air; discharges to water; storage, treatment and disposal of wastes; land use; remediation of contaminated sites; and protection of natural resources such as wetlands. For example, future expansions of certain of our ski facilities must comply with applicable forest plans approved under the National Forest Management Act or local zoning requirements. In addition, most projects to improve, upgrade or expand our ski resorts are subject to environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act. Both acts require that the U.S. Forest Service study any proposal for potential environmental impacts and include in its analysis various alternatives. Our ski resort improvement proposals may not be approved or may be approved with modifications that substantially increase the cost or decrease the desirability of implementing the project.

        Our facilities are subject to risks associated with mold and other indoor building contaminants. From time to time our operations are subject to inspections by environmental regulators or other regulatory agencies. We are also subject to worker health and safety requirements.

        We believe our operations are in substantial compliance with applicable material environmental, health and safety requirements. However, our efforts to comply do not eliminate the risk that we may be held liable, incur fines or be subject to claims for damages, and that the amount of any liability, fines, damages or remediation costs may be material for, among other things, the presence or release of regulated materials at, on or emanating from properties we now own or lease and operate, or formerly owned, leased or operated, newly discovered environmental impacts or contamination at or from any of our properties, or changes in environmental laws and regulations or their enforcement.

         The loss of our key executive officers could harm our business.

        Our success depends to a significant extent upon the performance and continued service of our key management team which includes Timothy Boyd, our President and principal executive officer, Stephen Mueller, our Vice President and principal financial and accounting officer, and Richard Deutsch, our Vice President in charge of business and real estate development. The loss of the services of this management team and the failure to develop and maintain an adequate succession plan could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations because of Messrs. Boyd's, Mueller's and Deutsch's specific and unique knowledge of acquiring and operating multiple ski resorts, including day ski resorts and overnight drive ski resorts.

         Failure to maintain the integrity of guest data could result in damage to our reputation and/or subject us to costs, fines or lawsuits.

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        We collect personally identifiable information relating to our guests for various business purposes, including marketing and promotional purposes. The integrity and privacy of our guests’ information is important to us, and our guests have a high expectation that we will adequately protect their personal information. The regulatory environment governing privacy laws is increasingly demanding, and privacy laws continue to evolve and, on occasion, may be inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another. Maintaining compliance with applicable privacy regulations may increase our operating costs and/or adversely impact our ability to market our products, properties and services to our guests. Furthermore, non-compliance with applicable privacy regulations by us (or in some circumstances non-compliance by third parties engaged by us), a breach of security on systems storing our guest data, a loss of guest data or fraudulent use of guest data could adversely impact our reputation or result in fines or other damages and litigation.

         We are subject to risks related to certain payment methods.

        We accept payments using a variety of methods, including credit cards, debit cards and gift cards. As we offer new payment options to consumers, we may be subject to additional regulations, compliance requirements and fraud. For certain payment methods, including credit and debit cards, we pay interchange and other fees, which may increase over time and raise our operating costs and lower profitability. We are also subject to payment card association operating rules and certification requirements, including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard and rules governing electronic funds transfers, which could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult for us to comply. As our business changes, we may also be subject to different rules under existing standards, which may require new assessments that involve costs above what we currently pay for compliance. While we are currently in compliance with all applicable rules and certification requirements, we may be subject to fines, higher transaction fees or loss of or restrictions on our ability to accept credit and debit card payments from customers if we are not in compliance with new rules and regulations or if the volume of fraud in our transactions rises to certain levels. If any of these events were to occur, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.

         Our business requires significant capital expenditures to both maintain and improve our ski resorts and expand our business through acquisitions. The lack of available funds for these capital expenditures could have a material adverse effect on our operating strategy.

        Sustaining our successful financial performance depends, in part, on our ability to maintain and improve the quality of our facilities, products, and management resources (either directly or through third parties), which requires significant capital expenditures. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2015 were approximately $14.1 million. To the extent that we are unable to obtain the funds necessary to maintain and grow our business with cash generated from operating activities, or from borrowed funds or additional equity investments, our financial condition and results of operations could be affected. Although we believe that capital expenditures above maintenance levels can be deferred to address cash flow or other constraints, these expenditures cannot be deferred for extended periods without adversely affecting our competitive position and financial performance.

        Historically, a key element of our strategy has been attracting additional skiers through investment in on-mountain capital improvements. These improvements are capital intensive, and a lack of available funds for capital expenditures could have a material adverse effect on our ability to implement our operating strategy. We intend to finance resort capital improvements through internally generated funds and proceeds from the offering of debt and equity. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available to fund these capital improvements or that these capital improvements will sustain our customer base, attract additional skiers or generate additional revenues.

        Future acquisitions may require additional debt or equity financing, which in the case of debt financing, will increase our leverage and, in the case of equity financing, would be dilutive to our existing stockholders. Any decline in our perceived credit-worthiness associated with an acquisition could adversely affect our ability to borrow and result in more restrictive borrowing terms. As a result of the foregoing, we also may not be able to complete acquisitions or strategic transactions in the future to the same extent as in the past, or at all. These and other factors could harm our ability to achieve anticipated levels of profitability at acquired operations or realize other anticipated benefits of an acquisition, and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

         We are dependent on significant infrastructure and equipment.

        Our infrastructure and equipment, including snowmaking equipment and ski lifts, are costly to maintain, repair and replace and are susceptible to unscheduled maintenance. Much of our infrastructure and equipment will eventually need to be

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replaced or significantly repaired or modernized, which could result in interruptions to our business, particularly during our peak periods. In certain cases, the cost of infrastructure or equipment repair or replacement may not be justified by the revenues at the applicable resort.

         The high fixed cost structure of ski resort operations can result in significantly lower margins if revenues decline.

        The cost structure of ski resort operations has a significant fixed component with variable expenses including, but not limited to, resort related fees, credit card fees, retail/rental cost of sales and labor, ski school labor and dining operations. Any material declines in the economy, elevated geopolitical uncertainties and/or significant changes in historical snowfall patterns, as well as other risk factors discussed herein, could adversely affect revenue. As such, our margins, profits and cash flows may be materially reduced due to declines in revenue given our relatively high fixed cost structure. In addition, increases in wages and other labor costs, energy, healthcare, insurance, transportation, fuel, and other expenses included in our fixed cost structure may also reduce our margins, profits and cash flows.

         We generate a significant portion of our annual revenues from Mount Snow. Conditions or events that could negatively impact Mount Snow could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

        Revenue generated from Mount Snow in fiscal 2015 represented approximately 42.5% of our total fiscal 2015 revenues. Mount Snow, like our other resorts, is subject to various risks such as those described in this “Risk Factors” section, including natural disasters, changes in consumer leisure tastes, competition from other area ski resorts, decreased water supply and regional weather. The occurrence of such events or conditions that negatively impact Mount Snow would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

         Cancellation of the Immigrant Investor Program or our failure to successfully raise capital under the program's guidelines could adversely affect our ability to execute our growth strategy and improve our resorts.

        Developing our resort at Mount Snow and continuing to improve our resorts overall are significant elements of our growth strategy. In addition, we have been advised by the State of Vermont that we must relocate our water reservoir to help sustain the natural habitat of certain species of fish. We intend to finance these developments—the Carinthia Ski Lodge Project and the West Lake Project—with funds raised under the U.S. government's Immigrant Investor Program, commonly known as the "EB-5 program." The EB-5 program was first enacted in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through the creation of jobs and capital investments in U.S. companies by foreign investors. In turn, these foreign investors are, pending petition approval, granted visas for lawful residence in the U.S. Under the EB-5 program, a limited number of visas are reserved for such foreign investors each year.

        The Carinthia Ski Lodge Project includes the construction of Carinthia Ski Lodge, and the West Lake Project includes the construction of a new water storage reservoir for snowmaking with capacity of up to 120 million gallons. We are currently conducting an offering to raise $52.0 million to fund the Carinthia Ski Lodge Project and the West Lake Project, $36.5 million of which has been committed as of June 30, 2015. To the extent that the offering is not fully-subscribed and less than the $52.0 million is raised, we will allocate up to the first $30.0 million to the development of the West Lake Project.

        The current EB-5 program as it relates to the Regional Center Pilot Program term expires on September 30, 2015. Though the program has been regularly reinstated since its inception in 1990, there is no guarantee that it will be reauthorized upon the expiration in 2015. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee that we will successfully raise sufficient funds under the EB-5 program in order to complete the Carinthia Ski Lodge Project or West Lake Project, or implement future plans to improve our resorts. In either of those cases, conventional financing options, such as loans, may prove too costly or may not be available, which could result in cancellation of our development and improvement plans and have a material adverse effect on our business. Please see Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Significant Uses of Cash" for further details about the EB-5 program and Mount Snow development projects.

         We lease all or some of the land underlying certain of our resorts from third parties.

        We lease some or all of our property at Paoli Peaks and Mad River from third parties. Our lease at Paoli Peaks terminates in 2078 and our lease at Mad River terminates in 2034. Combined, these resorts contributed 9.3% of our total

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revenues for the year ended April 30, 2015. A termination of any of these leases could negatively impact our results of operations.

         A substantial portion of the skiable terrain at certain of our resorts is used under the terms of Forest Service permits.

        A substantial portion of the skiable terrain at our Attitash and Mount Snow resorts and all of the land underlying the Wildcat Mountain resort is federal land that is used under the terms of permits with the U.S. Forest Service. The permits give the U.S. Forest Service the right to review and comment on the location, design, and construction of improvements in the permit area and on certain other operational matters. The permits can also be terminated or modified by the U.S. Forest Service for specific compelling reasons or in the event we fail to perform any of our obligations under the permits. Otherwise, the permits may be renewed. A termination or modification of any of our permits could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Currently, our permits expire as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ski Resort

 

Special Use Permit Expiration Date

Attitash

 

April 4, 2047

Mount Snow

 

April 4, 2047

Wildcat Mountain

 

November 18, 2050

 

         We rely on information technology to operate our businesses and maintain our competitiveness, and any failure to adapt to technological developments or industry trends could harm our business.

        We depend on the use of information technology and systems, including technology and systems used for central reservations, point of sale, procurement and administration. We must continuously improve and upgrade our systems and infrastructure to offer enhanced products, services, features and functionality, while maintaining the reliability and integrity of our systems and infrastructure. Our future success also depends on our ability to adapt our infrastructure to meet rapidly evolving consumer trends and demands and to respond to competitive service and product offerings.

        In addition, we may not be able to maintain our existing systems or replace or introduce new technologies and systems as quickly as we would like or in a cost-effective manner. Delays or difficulties in implementing new or enhanced systems may keep us from achieving the desired results in a timely manner, to the extent anticipated, or at all. Any interruptions, outages or delays in our systems, or deterioration in their performance, could impair our ability to process transactions and could decrease our quality of service that we offer to our guests. Also, we may be unable to devote financial resources to new technologies and systems in the future. If any of these events occur, our business and financial performance could suffer.

         We currently rely on one lender and its affiliates as a source for financing and credit.

        We have historically relied on one lender and its affiliates, EPR, for substantially all of our financing and credit needs, including financing relating to our resort acquisitions. EPR is an entertainment, entertainment-related, recreation and specialty real estate company with its common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EPR". In the event EPR is not available to extend us credit, we may not be able to obtain financing on terms as favorable to us as those under our arrangements with EPR. As a result, we may be subject to more stringent financial covenants and higher interest rates.

         We depend on a seasonal workforce.

        Our mountain and lodging operations are highly dependent on a large seasonal workforce. We recruit year-round to fill thousands of seasonal staffing needs each season and work to manage seasonal wages and the timing of the hiring process to ensure the appropriate workforce is in place. We cannot guarantee that material increases in the cost of securing our seasonal workforce will not be necessary in the future. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to recruit and hire adequate seasonal personnel as the business requires. Increased seasonal wages or an inadequate workforce could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.

         We are subject to litigation in the ordinary course of business because of the nature of our business.

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        The safety of guests and employees is a major concern and focus for all managers and employees of the Company. By the nature of our activities, we are exposed to the risk that guests or employees may be involved in accidents during the use, operation or maintenance of ski lifts, rides and other resort facilities. As a result, we are, from time to time, subject to various asserted or unasserted legal proceedings and claims. Any such claims, regardless of merit, could be time-consuming and expensive to defend and could divert management's attention and resources. While we believe we have adequate insurance coverage and/or accrue for loss contingencies for all known matters that are probable and can be reasonably estimated, we cannot assure that the outcome of all current or future litigation will not have a material adverse effect on us and our results of operations.

         If we fail to manage future growth effectively, our business could be harmed.

        We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, rapid growth. This growth has placed significant demands on our management, operational and financial infrastructure. To manage growth effectively, we must continue to improve and enhance our managerial, operational and financial controls, train and manage our employees, and expand our employee base. We must also manage new and existing relationships with vendors, business partners and other third parties. These activities will require significant expenditures and allocation of valuable management resources. If we fail to maintain the efficiency of our organization as we grow, our profit margins may decrease, and we may be unable to achieve our business objectives.

         A disruption in our water supply would impact our snowmaking capabilities and impact our operations.

        Our operations are heavily dependent upon our access to adequate supplies of water with which to make snow and otherwise conduct our operations. Our resorts in New Hampshire and Vermont are subject to state laws and regulations regarding our use of water. There can be no assurance that applicable laws and regulations will not change in a manner that could have an adverse effect on our operations, or that important permits, licenses, or agreements will not be canceled or will be renewed on terms as favorable as the current terms. Any failure to have access to adequate water supplies to support our current operations and anticipated expansion would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

         Our lender has an option to purchase, or assume our leases relating to, certain of our ski resorts. If our lender exercises this option, we would incur significant tax obligations.

        On December 1, 2014, in connection with the Debt Restructure, we entered into an Option Agreement with EPT Ski Properties, Inc. providing EPR a purchase option on the Boston Mills, Brandywine, Jack Frost, Big Boulder and Alpine Valley ski resorts. The Option Agreement provides that the purchase option will be exercisable as to any one or more of such properties on the maturity date of the applicable promissory notes for such properties upon (i) proper notice by EPR and (ii) payment of a purchase price for each such property calculated in accordance with the Option Agreement. Upon the closing of any sale under the option, EPR will enter into an agreement with the Company or one of its subsidiaries for the lease of each such acquired property for an initial term of 20 years, plus options to extend the lease for two additional periods of 10 years each.

Over the years, we have depreciated the value of these properties pursuant to applicable accounting rules, and as such, we have a low adjusted tax basis in the properties. As a result, we will realize significant taxable gains on the sale of the properties to EPT Ski Properties, Inc. if the option is exercised. We may be required to pay income taxes on the taxable gains from such sale, which we expect to be a substantial cost.

         Under certain circumstances, our insurance coverage may not cover all possible losses, and we may not be able to renew our insurance policies on favorable terms, or at all.

        Although we maintain various property and casualty insurance policies, our insurance policies do not cover all types of losses and liabilities and in some cases may not be sufficient to cover the ultimate cost of claims which exceed policy limits. If we are held liable for amounts exceeding the limits of our insurance coverage or for claims outside the scope of our coverage, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

20

 


 

        In addition, we may not be able to renew our current insurance policies on favorable terms, or at all. Our ability to obtain future insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates could be materially adversely affected if we or other companies within or outside our industry sustain significant losses or make significant insurance claims.

         We are subject to risks associated with our workforce.

        We are subject to various federal and state laws governing matters such as minimum wage requirements, overtime compensation and other working conditions, discrimination and family and medical leave. In addition, we are continuing to assess the impact of U.S. federal healthcare reform law and regulations on our healthcare benefit costs, which will likely increase the amount of healthcare expenses paid by us. Immigration law reform could also impact our workforce because we recruit and hire foreign nationals as part of our seasonal workforce. If our labor-related expenses increase, our operating expenses could increase and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed.

         We are structured as a holding company and have no assets other than the common stock of our subsidiaries.

        We are a holding company and we do not currently have any material assets other than the common stock we own in our direct and indirect subsidiaries. Our working capital needs are dependent, in part, upon the receipt of dividends and other distributions from our subsidiaries. Certain laws may restrict or limit such payments to us by our subsidiaries, in which case we may need to seek other sources of funding.

         A natural disaster could damage our property and reduce the number of guests who visit our resorts.

        A severe natural disaster, such as a forest fire, flood or landslide, may interrupt our operations, damage our properties and reduce the number of guests who visit our resorts in affected areas. Damage to our properties could take a long time to repair and there is no guarantee that we would have adequate insurance to cover the costs of repair or the expense of the interruption to our business. Furthermore, such a disaster may interrupt or impede access to our affected properties or require evacuations and may cause visits to our affected properties to decrease for an indefinite period. The ability to attract visitors to our resorts is also influenced by the aesthetics and natural beauty of the outdoor environment where our resorts are located. A severe forest fire or other severe impacts from naturally occurring events could negatively impact the natural beauty of our resorts and have a long-term negative impact on our overall guest visitation as it would take several years for the environment to recover.

         We will not be required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal controls until the year following our first annual report, which will be fiscal 2016, and our independent registered public accounting firm is not required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls while we qualify as an "emerging growth company." If we are unable to establish and maintain effective internal controls, our financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.

        We are not currently required to comply with the SEC rules that implement Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and are therefore not required to make a formal assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting for that purpose. Though we will be required to disclose changes made in our internal control and procedures on a quarterly basis, we will not be required to make our first annual assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 until the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC, which will be fiscal 2016. Additionally, our independent registered public accounting firm is not required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until we are no longer an "emerging growth company" as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startup Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). At such time, our independent registered public accounting firm may issue a report that is adverse in the event it is not satisfied with the level at which our controls are documented, designed or operating. Further, we may take advantage of other accounting and disclosure related exemptions afforded to "emerging growth companies" from time to time. If we are unable to establish and maintain effective internal controls, our financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.

         Climate change and greenhouse effects may adversely impact our results of operations.

        There is a growing political and scientific consensus that emissions of greenhouse gases continue to alter the composition of the global atmosphere in ways that are affecting and are expected to continue affecting the global climate.

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The effects of climate change, including any impact of global warming, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

        Warmer overall temperatures would likely adversely affect skier visits and our revenue and profits. As noted above, warm weather may result in inadequate natural snowfall and render snowmaking wholly or partially ineffective in maintaining quality skiing conditions. In addition, a steady increase in global temperatures could shorten the ski season in the future.

        Physical risks from climate change may also include an increase in changes to precipitation and extreme weather events in ways we cannot currently predict. Such changes to the amount of natural snowfall and extreme differences in weather patterns may increase our snowmaking expense, inhibit our snowmaking capabilities and negatively impact skier perceptions of the ski season.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

The market price of our common stock has been and will likely continue to be volatile, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Prior to our initial public offering, there had been no public market for shares of our common stock. The market price of our common stock has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. In addition to the factors discussed in this “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this annual  report on Form 10-K, factors that could cause fluctuations in the market price of our common stock include the following:

• quarterly variations in our results of operations;

 

• results of operations that vary from those of our competitors;

 

• changes in expectations as to our future financial performance, including financial estimates by securities analysts and investors;

 

• announcements by us, our competitors or our vendors of significant contracts, acquisitions, joint marketing relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

• announcements by third parties of significant claims or proceedings against us;

 

• future sales of our common stock; and

 

• changes in investor sentiment toward the stock of ski resort and recreational services companies in general.

        Furthermore, the stock market has experienced extreme volatility that in some cases has been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance.

        In the past, following periods of market volatility, stockholders have instituted securities class action litigation. If we were involved in securities litigation, it could be a substantial cost and divert resources and the attention of executive management from our business regardless of the outcome of such litigation.

         Requirements associated with being a public company will increase our costs, as well as divert Company resources and management's attention, particularly after we are no longer an "emerging growth company," and may affect our ability to attract and retain qualified board members and executive officers.

        As a public company, we are required to comply with the SEC's rules implementing Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which requires our management to certify financial and other information in our quarterly and annual reports and provide an annual management report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. We will not be required to make our first assessment of our internal control over financial reporting until the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC, which will be fiscal 2016. Our independent registered public accounting firm will

22

 


 

not be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting so long as we qualify as an emerging growth company.

        We are working with our legal, independent accounting, and financial advisors to identify those areas in which changes or enhancements should be made to our financial and management control systems to manage our growth and obligations as a public company. Some such areas include corporate governance, corporate control, internal audit, disclosure controls and procedures, and financial reporting and accounting systems. We have made, and will continue to make, changes in these and other areas. However, the expenses that will be required in order to function adequately as a public company could be material.

        Compliance with the various reporting and other requirements applicable to public companies will also require considerable time and attention of management. We cannot predict or estimate the amount of the additional costs we may incur, the timing of such costs or the impact that our management's attention to these matters will have on our business. In addition, the changes we make may not be sufficient to satisfy our obligations as a public company on a timely basis or at all.

        In addition, being a public company could make it more difficult or more costly for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including directors' and officers' liability insurance, and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. The impact of these events could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, our board committees and our executive team.

         Our principal stockholders may exert substantial influence over us and may exercise their control in a manner adverse to your interests.

        Timothy D. Boyd, Stephen J. Mueller and Richard K. Deutsch, our three named executive officers, own approximately 16.1% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these stockholders will be able to exercise a significant level of control over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendment of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and approval of significant corporate transactions. This ability could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of the Company or changes in management and will make the approval of certain transactions difficult or impossible without the support of these stockholders. It is possible that these persons will exercise control over us in a manner adverse to your interests.

         We are an "emerging growth company" with reduced reporting requirements that may make our common stock less attractive to investors.

        We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in the JOBS Act, and may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to public companies generally. As discussed above, for so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we may elect not to have our independent registered public accounting firm provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as would otherwise be required by Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This may increase the risk that we fail to detect and remedy any weaknesses or deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting.

        In general, these reduced reporting requirements may allow us to refrain from disclosing information that you may find important. It is also possible that investors may generally find our common stock less attractive because of our status as an emerging growth company and our more limited disclosure. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect the price and liquidity of our common stock.

        We may take advantage of these disclosure exemptions until we are no longer an "emerging growth company." We could be an emerging growth company until the last day of the first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of our first common equity offering, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier if our annual revenues exceed $1.0 billion, if we issue more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt in any three-year period or if we become a "large accelerated filer" as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.

         Future sales of our common stock may cause our stock price to decline.

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        If our existing stockholders sell, or indicate an intention to sell, substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, the market price of our common stock could decline. These sales might also make it more difficult for us to sell additional equity securities at a time and price that we deem appropriate. All of the shares of our common stock sold in our initial public offering are freely tradable in the public market, except for any shares held by our affiliates as defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act.

        We also registered all 559,296 shares of common stock that we may issue under the Peak Resorts, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan that has been adopted by the board of directors and stockholders.  These shares can be freely sold in the public market upon issuance, subject to vesting conditions.

         If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our common stock, or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

        The trading market for our common stock may be influenced by the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. Securities analysts may elect not to provide research coverage of our common stock. This lack of research coverage could adversely affect the price of our common stock. We do not have any control over these reports or analysts. If any of the analysts who cover our Company downgrades our stock, or if our operating results do not meet the analysts' expectations, our stock price could decline. Moreover, if any of these analysts ceases coverage of our Company or fails to publish regular reports on our business, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.

         We have anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents that may discourage a change of control.

        Certain provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by our stockholders.

        These provisions provide for, among other things:

 advance notice for nominations of directors by stockholders and for stockholders to include matters to be considered at our annual meetings;

 

 certain limitations on convening special stockholder meetings;

 

 the removal of directors only for cause by our board of directors or upon the affirmative vote of holders of at least 662/3% of the shares of common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; and

 

 that the amended and restated by-laws may only be amended by our board of directors.

        These anti-takeover provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire our Company, even if the third party's offer may be considered beneficial by many of our stockholders. As a result, our stockholders may be limited in their ability to obtain a premium for their shares.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

 

              None

 

 

Item 2. Properties.

 

The following table sets forth the principal properties that we own or lease for use in our operations at fiscal year end:

 

 

 

 

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Ski Resort/Location

Ownership

Usage

Hidden Valley (250 total acres; 60 skiable acres)

Wildwood, MO

Owned

Ski resort operations, including ski lifts, ski trails, terrain park, tubing, rental/retail facilities and food/beverage facilities; headquarters offices

Snow Creek (460 total acres; 40 skiable acres)

Weston, MO

Owned

Ski resort operations, including ski lifts, ski trails, terrain park, tubing, rental/retail facilities and food/beverage facilities

Paoli Peaks (65 total and skiable acres)

Paoli, IN

 Partially leased/partially owned (1) 

Ski resort operations, including ski lifts, ski trails, terrain park, tubing, rental/retail facilities and food/beverage facilities

Mad River (324 total acres; 60 skiable acres)

Zanesfield, OH

Leased (2)

Ski resort operations, including ski lifts, ski trails, terrain park, tubing, rental/retail facilities and food/beverage facilities

Boston Mills (100 total acres; 40 skiable acres)

Sagamore Hills, OH

Owned

Ski resort operations, including ski lifts, ski trails, terrain park, rental/retail facilities and food/beverage facilities

Brandywine (102 total acres; 48 skiable acres)

Sagamore Hills, OH

Owned

Ski resort operations, including ski lifts, ski trails, terrain park, tubing, rental/retail facilities and food/beverage facilities

Crotched Mountain (251 total acres; 105 skiable acres)

Bennington, NH

Owned

Ski resort operations, including ski lifts, ski trails, terrain park, rental/retail facilities and food/beverage facilities

Jack Frost (201 total acres; 80 skiable acres)

Blakeslee, PA

Owned

Ski resort operations, including ski lifts, ski trails, terrain park, tubing, rental/retail facilities and food/beverage facilities

Big Boulder (107 total acres; 65 skiable acres)

Blakeslee, PA

Owned

Ski resort operations, including ski lifts, ski trails, terrain park, tubing, rental/retail facilities and food/beverage facilities

Attitash (1,134 total acres; 307 skiable acres)

Bartlett, NH

Partially owned/partially used per terms of a Special Use Permit (3)

Ski resort operations, including ski lifts, ski trails, terrain park, tubing, rental/retail facilities, food/beverage facilities, hotel/lodging facilities and conference/meeting rooms

Mount Snow (588 total acres; 490 skiable acres)

West Dover, VT

Partially owned/partially used per terms of a Special Use Permit (3)

Ski resort operations, including ski lifts, ski trails, terrain park, tubing, rental/retail facilities, food/beverage facilities, hotel/lodging facilities, conference/meeting rooms and developable land

Wildcat Mountain (225 total and skiable acres)

Jackson, NH

Used per terms of a Special Use Permit(4)

Ski resort operations, including ski lifts, ski trails, terrain park, rental/retail facilities and food/beverage facilities

Alpine Valley (135 total acres; 54 skiable acres)

Chesterland, OH

Owned

Ski resort operations, including ski lifts, ski trails, terrain park, tubing, rental/retail facilities and food/beverage facilities

 

(1) The Paoli Peaks lease terminates in 2078.

(2) The Mad River lease terminates in 2034. The Company has the right of first refusal should the Mad River lessor put the property up for sale. In addition, the Company has the right to acquire the Mad River property at specified prices in December 2019 and December 2026.

(3)  A substantial portion of the skiable terrain at Attitash and Mount Snow is federal land that we use pursuant to the terms of renewable permits with the U.S. Forest Service. The Attitash and Mount Snow Special Use Permits expire on April 4, 2047.

(4) All of the land underlying Wildcat Mountain is federal land that we use pursuant to the terms of a renewable permit with the U.S. Forest Service. The Wildcat Mountain Special Use Permit expires on November 18, 2050.

 

 

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

On March 14, 2014, current Company stockholders and former employees Robin and Kent Graham, the sister and brother-in-law of Mr. Boyd, instituted litigation against the Company in the Circuit Court of the County of St. Louis, alleging breach of an oral contract relating to certain severance benefits, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing relating to the Company's offer to purchase shares of common stock owned or controlled by the plaintiffs, and requesting access to certain corporate records in order to determine the fair value of such shares of common stock. We do not believe that these claims have merit and have responded accordingly. The amount of severance benefits at issue is less than $200,000 and no claim has been made by the plaintiffs that the Company has an obligation to purchase the common stock owned by the plaintiffs. After consultation with legal counsel, we do not anticipate that liabilities arising out of these claims would, if plaintiffs are successful, have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. 

       We are not aware of any pending or threatened legal proceedings against us that could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial conditions. The ski industry is characterized by periodic litigation and as a result, we may be involved in various additional legal proceedings from time to time.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

       None.

 

 

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PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Our common stock has been listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “SKIS” since November 21, 2014 following the completion of our initial public offering. Prior to that time, there was no public market for our common stock. As of June 30, 2015, 13,982,400 shares of our common stock were outstanding, held by approximately 18 holders of record. 

The following table sets forth information on the high and low sales prices of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market and the quarterly cash dividends declared per share of common stock for each quarterly period since our initial public offering:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market price per share

 

 

 

 

Quarter ended

 

 

High

 

 

Low

 

Cash dividends declared per share

 

 

April 30, 2015

 

$

7.82 

 

$

5.76 

 

$

0.1375

 

January 31,2015

 

$

9.19 

 

$

6.89 

 

$

0.1091

*

 

 

*The first cash dividend declared was pro rated for a 73-day period from the effective date of the Company’s       initial public offering through the end of the Company’s third fiscal quarter. 

 

In fiscal 2015, the Company’s board of directors approved the commencement of a regular quarterly cash dividend on our common stock at an annual rate of $0.55 per share, subject to quarterly declarations.  This dividend is anticipated to be funded through cash flow from operations and available cash on hand. Subject to the discretion of our board of directors, applicable law and contractual restrictions, we anticipate paying regular quarterly dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future.

 

We cannot assure you that this initial dividend rate will be sustained or that we will continue to pay dividends in the future. The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend on many factors, including our actual results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, restrictions in our debt agreements, economic conditions and other factors that could differ materially from our current expectations. For example, the Master Credit Agreement includes financial covenants consisting of a maximum Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Master Credit Agreement) of 65%, above which the Company and certain of its subsidiaries are prohibited from incurring additional indebtedness, and a Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Master Credit Agreement) covenant, which (i) requires the Company to increase the balance of its debt service reserve account if the Company's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio falls below 1.50:1.00, and (ii) prohibits the Company from paying dividends if the ratio is below 1.25:1.00. The payment of dividends is also prohibited during default situations under the terms of the Master Credit Agreement.  For a more complete description of the Master Credit Agreement and applicable restrictions, see Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Significant Sources of Cash” and Note 4, “Long-term Debt” to our consolidated financial statements.

Use of Proceeds

On November 26, 2014 we completed our initial public offering of 10,000,000 shares of our common stock at $9.00 per share.  The shares sold in the offering were registered under the Securities Act pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, which was declared effective by the SEC on November 20, 2014 (File No. 333-199488).  The common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “SKIS”.  We generated net proceeds of approximately $82.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of approximately $6.3 million and offering expenses of approximately $1.4 million.  We deposited the offering proceeds into a demand deposit account with a U.S. financial institution.  There was no material change in the planned use of proceeds as discussed in our final prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, dated November 20, 2014.

27

 


 

With the proceeds from the offering, we (i) repaid approximately $75.8 million of our outstanding debt; (ii) paid approximately $0.4 million to acquire the portion of the land underlying Crotched Mountain that we previously leased; and (iii) paid a defeasance fee to our lender of $5.0 million in connection with the prepayment of a portion of our debt. We intend to use the remaining proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes, including future acquisitions.

FBR Capital Markets & Co. and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated served as active joint book-runners for the offering. Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated also served as a book-runner. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. acted as co-managers for the offering.

 

Stock Performance Graph

 

Set forth below is a line graph comparing the percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock with the cumulative total return of the Russell 200 Index and the S&P Small Cap 600 Consumer Discretionary Index from November 21, 2014, the first day of trading following the commencement of our initial public offering, through April 30, 2015, our fiscal year end.  The following is based on an investment of $100 in our common stock, the Russell 2000 Index and the S&P Small Cap 600 Consumer Discretionary Index, with dividends reinvested where applicable.

 

Picture 1

 

Source: Bloomberg

 

 

 

 

Period Ending

Index

11/21/2014

4/30/2015

Peak Resorts

$
100.00 
$
77.00 

Russell 2000 Index

$
100.00 
$
104.66 

S&P Small Cap 600 Consumer Discretionary Index

$
100.00 
$
106.45 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28

 


 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

 

The table below summarizes our selected consolidated financial information as of and for the periods indicated. You should read the following selected consolidated financial data together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes filed as part of this annual report.  Our historical results for any prior period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in any future period. The data presented in the table and footnotes below are in thousands, except for diluted net income (loss) per share attributed to Peak Resorts, Inc. and the revenue per skier visit amounts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended April 30,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Statement Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

104,858 

 

$

105,205 

 

$

99,688 

 

$

82,044 

 

$

97,586 

Operating expense (1)

 

 

78,586 

 

 

78,833 

 

 

72,437 

 

 

67,285 

 

 

70,815 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 

9,450 

 

 

9,155 

 

 

8,850 

 

 

9,510 

 

 

8,003 

Land and building rent

 

 

1,440 

 

 

1,464 

 

 

1,428 

 

 

1,679 

 

 

1,948 

Settlement of lawsuits

 

 

(2,100)

 

 

700 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Interest expense, net

 

 

15,458 

 

 

17,359 

 

 

12,785 

 

 

11,516 

 

 

11,389 

Defeasance fee paid with debt restructure

 

 

5,000 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Gain on sale/leaseback

 

 

333 

 

 

333 

 

 

333 

 

 

333 

 

 

333 

Gain on acquisition

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

400 

Write off of incremental stock issuance cost

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

1,168 

 

 

 -

Investment income

 

 

11 

 

 

11 

 

 

 

 

23 

 

 

241 

Income (loss) before income tax (2)

 

 

(2,632)

 

 

(1,962)

 

 

4,530 

 

 

(8,757)

 

 

6,404 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,854)

 

$

(1,501)

 

$

2,707 

 

$

(5,295)

 

$

(4,006)

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.22)

 

$

(0.38)

 

$

0.68 

 

$

(1.33)

 

$

(1.02)

Pro Forma Tax Adjustment (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

3,858 

Basic and diluted earnings per share

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

0.97 

Other Financial Information (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported EBITDA (3)

 

$

25,400 

 

$

25,365 

 

$

25,939 

 

$

13,031 

 

$

24,822 

Capital expenditures

 

$

14,144 

 

$

10,028 

 

$

14,900 

 

$

21,817 

 

$

19,116 

Other Data (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skier visits (4)

 

 

1,554 

 

 

1,570 

 

 

1,520 

 

 

1,221 

 

 

1,572 

Revenue per skier visit (5)

 

$

67.45 

 

$

67.02 

 

$

65.53 

 

$

67.22 

 

$

62.06 

Revenue per visit (6)

 

$

61.34 

 

$

60.06 

 

$

59.14 

 

$

60.94 

 

$

55.69 

Tube visits

 

 

155 

 

 

182 

 

 

166 

 

 

125 

 

 

180 

Total visits

 

 

1,709 

 

 

1,752 

 

 

1,686 

 

 

1,346 

 

 

1,752 

Other Balance Sheet Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

16,849 

 

$

13,186 

 

$

11,971 

 

$

6,179 

 

$

16,463 

Restricted cash (7)

 

$

37,519 

 

$

13,063 

 

$

12,141 

 

$

11,036 

 

$

11,271 

Total assets

 

$

241,540 

 

$

206,537 

 

$

201,749 

 

$

185,043 

 

$

179,701 

Long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations (including current portions) (8)

 

$

100,062 

 

$

175,148 

 

$

171,525 

 

$

160,729 

 

$

143,238 

Net debt (9)

 

$

83,213 

 

$

161,962 

 

$

159,554 

 

$

154,550 

 

$

126,775 

Dividends declared

 

$

3,449 

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

Total stockholders' equity

 

$

80,438 

 

$

3,488 

 

$

4,990 

 

$

2,282 

 

$

7,578 

________________________

(1)

Operating expenses before depreciation and amortization and land and building rent.

29

 


 

(2)

The Company was an S-corporation for federal and state income tax purposes until April 30, 2011 when it terminated its S-corporation election. As a result, we did not have a provision for income taxes for fiscal 2011. The Company revoked its S-corporation election effective April 30, 2011. In connection with the revocation, deferred income taxes were reinstated for the tax effect of temporary differences.  Net income and basic and diluted earnings per share assuming a pro forma tax adjustment for the year ended April 30, 2011 were $3.9 million and $0.97, respectively, after giving effect to the 100 for 1 common stock split.

(3)

See Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a definition of Reported EBITDA and reconciliation to net income (loss).

(4)

A skier visit represents a person utilizing a ticket or pass to access a mountain resort for any part of one day and includes both paid and complimentary access and excludes tube visits.

(5)

Revenue per skier visit is calculated by dividing total revenue by total skier visits during the respective periods.

(6)

Revenue per visit is calculated by dividing total revenue by total visits (ski and tube) during the respective periods.

(7)

As of April 30 of each year, the end of our fiscal year, we are required to include in restricted cash interest due on our outstanding debt with EPR, our primary lender, and rent under the lease for the Mad River resort for the 10 months following April 30.    In addition, the Company is holding funds in escrow in connection with its efforts to raise funds under the EB-5 investor program for the development of Mount Snow. See Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Significant Uses of Cash” for a discussion of the EB-5 program.

(8)

The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, “Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs,” which requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, and no longer permits recording these costs as assets. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. As early adoption is permitted, we have elected to incorporate the early adoption of this guidance into our financial statement presented herein, including applying the guidance retrospectively to all prior periods presented.   

(9)

Net debt is defined as long-term debt and capital lease obligations plus long-term debt and capital lease obligations due within one year, less cash and cash equivalents.

 

 

Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.  In addition to historical condensed consolidated financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. See “Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.

 

Overview

We own or lease and operate 13 ski resorts throughout the Midwestern, Northeastern and Southeastern U.S. Our ski resorts, which include both day ski resorts and overnight drive ski resorts, offer snow skiing, snowboarding and other snow sports. During the last two ski seasons, we had an average of 1.6 million skier visits each year.

We and our subsidiaries operate in a single business segment—resort operations. The consolidated financial data for our fiscal years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 presented in this annual report is comprised of the data of our 13 ski resorts. Also included in the financial information presented are ancillary services, primarily consisting of food and beverage services, equipment rental, ski instruction, hotel/lodging and retail.

The opening and closing dates of our ski resorts are dependent upon weather conditions, but our peak ski season generally runs from early December to mid-April. See Item 1, “Business—Seasonality” for an illustration of the opening and closing dates for the 2010/2011 through 2014/2015 ski seasons for our 13 ski resorts.

We, like other day ski resort and overnight drive ski resort operators, earn our revenues in six principal categories. In order of their contribution, they are: lift tickets, food and beverage sales, equipment rentals, ski instruction, hotel/lodging, and retail. For more detailed information about each revenue category, see "Business—Revenue Components."

Our single largest source of revenue is the sale of lift tickets (including season passes) which represented approximately 48.5%, 49.1% and 50.2% of net revenue for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Lift ticket revenue is driven by the volume of lift tickets and season passes sold and the pricing of these items. Most of our season pass products are sold before the start of the ski season. Season pass revenue, although collected prior to the ski season, is recognized in the

30

 


 

consolidated statement of earnings (loss) over the ski season based upon the estimated length of the season. For the 2014/2015, 2013/2014 and 2012/2013 ski seasons, approximately 29.9%, 28.2% and 26.4%, respectively, of total lift revenue recognized was comprised of season pass revenue. There can be no assurance that future season pass sales will be similar to historical trends.

The cost structure of our operations has a significant fixed component with variable expenses including, but not limited to, retail and food and beverage cost of sales, labor, power and utilities. As such, profit margins can fluctuate based on the level of revenues.

Seasonality and Quarterly Results

Our resort operations are seasonal in nature. In particular, revenue and profits for our operations are substantially lower and historically result in losses from late spring to late fall, which occur during our first and second fiscal quarters. Revenue and profits generated by our summer operations are not sufficient to fully offset our off-season expenses from our operations. During each of fiscal 2015 and 2014, approximately 89.0% of resort revenues were recognized in the third and fourth fiscal quarters. Therefore, the operating results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for any subsequent quarter or for a full year.

Recent Trends

The timing and duration of favorable weather conditions impact our revenues in regard to the timing and number of skier visits. Though the amount of snowfall early in the ski season does encourage skier visits, all of our ski resorts have snowmaking capabilities in the event that the natural snowfall is insufficient. Cold weather, however, is essential to a successful ski season. There is no way to predict favorable weather conditions in the future. We sell season passes prior to the start of the ski season to help mitigate any negative effects that unfavorable weather may have on our revenues.

In contrast to the 2013/2014 ski season, we faced weather challenges during the 2014/2015 ski season due to unseasonably warm weather in the Midwest early season, including during the Christmas holidays, and extremely cold weather during Presidents Day weekend at all of our resorts. We typically generate a significant amount of revenue during these holiday periods.  Despite the adverse weather, fiscal 2015 Reported EBITDA was $25.4 million, level with the prior year, and revenue for fiscal 2015 was down just 0.3 percent below the record level achieved in fiscal 2014. These results were driven by relatively stable skier visits and lift ticket increases implemented during fiscal 2015. Though we have increased the prices of most of our lift tickets, passes and other products and services in each of the last two ski seasons, there can be no assurance that we will be able to increase prices in the future or predict the impact that pricing increases may have on visitation or revenue.

Our skier visits of 1.6 million in fiscal 2015 were down just 1.0 percent from fiscal 2014, which was a record-breaking year. This compares to a 5.0% decrease in total U.S. skier visits reported by the NSAA’s Kottke National End Season Survey 2014/2015 Preliminary Report. Our total resort visits, which include tube visits, were down 2.5% from fiscal 2014. Total visits to our Northeast resorts, however, were up from 1.04 million in fiscal 2014 to 1.07 million in fiscal 2015. Total visits to our Midwest resorts decreased from 0.72 million in fiscal 2014 to 0.64 million in fiscal 2015 primarily because our Midwest resorts were closed during most of the Christmas holidays as a result of the warm weather leading into the holidays. Total visits during the holiday period were down from 1.14 million in fiscal 2014 to 1.01 million in fiscal 2015, due to the adverse weather impacting the Christmas holiday period at our Midwest resorts and Presidents Day weekend experienced at all of our resorts. Total visits other than during the holiday were up from 0.62 million in fiscal 2014 to 0.70 million in fiscal 2015.  In addition, season pass holder visits increased from 0.59 million in fiscal 2014 to 0.60 in fiscal 2015, while pay-per-visit total visits decreased from 0.98 million in 2014 to 0.95 million in fiscal 2015.  Early season visits (before Christmas) were up 19.6% at our Northeast resorts because of good snow conditions. Late season (after Presidents Day weekend) were up at our Northeast resorts because of good snow conditions that allowed us to extend the ski season. In fiscal 2015, higher sales of food, beverages and retail products helped drive the growth in revenue per skier visit, which in turn helped offset the slight decline in the number of skier visits. 

Recent Events

During fiscal 2015, we completed the initial public offering of our common stock, selling 10,000,000 shares at $9.00 per share. After deducting $6.3 million of underwriting discounts and commissions and $1.4 million of offering expenses payable by us, we received net proceeds of $82.3 million.  With the proceeds from the offering, we (i) repaid approximately $75.8 million of our outstanding debt; (ii) paid approximately $0.4 million to acquire the portion of the land underlying Crotched Mountain that we previously leased; and (iii) paid a defeasance fee to our lender of $5.0 million in connection with the prepayment of a portion of our debt. We intend to use the remaining proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes, including future acquisitions.

31

 


 

On November 10, 2014, in connection with our initial public offering, we entered into a Restructure Agreement EPR, our primary lender, providing for the Debt Restructure as follows: (i) prepayment of approximately $75.8 million of formerly non-prepayable debt secured by the Crotched Mountain, Attitash, Paoli Peaks, Hidden Valley and Snow Creek resorts with proceeds from our in initial public offering; and (ii) retirement of one of the notes associated with the future development of Mount Snow. On December 1, 2014, we entered into various agreements in order to effectuate the Debt Restructure.  See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Significant Sources of Cash” for a more detailed description of the Debt Restructure and related documents.

In exchange for the prepayment right, we granted EPR a purchase option on the Boston Mills, Brandywine, Jack Frost, Big Boulder and Alpine Valley properties, subject to certain conditions.  If EPR exercises a purchase option, EPR will enter into an agreement with the Company for the lease of each such acquired property for an initial term of 20 years, plus options to extend the lease for two additional periods of ten years each. All previously existing option agreements between the Company and EPR were terminated.

Additionally, we agreed to extend the maturity dates on all non-prepayable notes and mortgages secured by the Mount Snow, Boston Mills, Brandywine, Jack Frost, Big Boulder and Alpine Valley properties remaining after the Debt Restructure by seven years to December 1, 2034, and to extend the lease for the Mad River property, previously terminating in 2026, until December 31, 2034.

We also granted EPR a right of first refusal to provide all or a portion of the financing associated with any purchase, ground lease, sale/leaseback, management or financing transaction contemplated by the Company with respect to any new or existing ski resort property for a period of seven years or until financing provided by EPR for such transactions equals or exceeds $250 million in the aggregate. Proposed financings from certain types of institutional lenders providing a loan to value ratio of less than 60% (as relates to the applicable property being financed) are excluded from the right of first refusal. We granted EPR a separate right of first refusal in the event that the Company wishes to sell, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of any or all of the Attitash ski resort for seven years.  The Attitash right excludes the financing or mortgaging of Attitash.

In connection with the Debt Restructure, we entered into a Master Credit and Security Agreement with EPR containing additional terms and conditions governing our restructure debt with EPR, including restrictions on certain transactions and the payment of dividends and required financial covenants.

We had one major capital project in fiscal 2014. At Alpine Valley in Ohio, we replaced the pump house and maintenance buildings, significantly improved our snowmaking capacity and improved our uphill capacity with the addition of two ski lifts.

We had three major capital projects in fiscal 2013. At Crotched Mountain in New Hampshire, we replaced a fixed grip quad with a high speed detachable lift. In conjunction with the new lift, we added 25% more skiable terrain. At Brandywine in Ohio, we replaced the three-skier services buildings with a new 48,000 square foot lodge. At Hidden Valley in Missouri, we opened approximately 40% more skiable terrain, added a fixed grip quad chair lift and remodeled the interior of the main ski lodge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32

 


 

Results of Operations

 

 

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our results of operations (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended April 30,

 

Percent increase (decrease)

 

Percent increase (decrease)

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

2015/2014

 

2014/2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Lift and tubing tickets

 

$

50,821 

 

$

51,672 

 

$

50,085 

 

-1.6%

 

3.2% 

  Food and beverage

 

 

18,927 

 

 

18,638 

 

 

17,339 

 

1.6% 

 

7.5% 

  Equipment rental

 

 

8,017 

 

 

8,584 

 

 

7,601 

 

-6.6%

 

12.9% 

  Ski instruction

 

 

7,242 

 

 

7,130 

 

 

6,775 

 

1.6% 

 

5.2% 

  Hotel/lodging

 

 

7,623 

 

 

7,479 

 

 

7,156 

 

1.9% 

 

4.5% 

  Retail

 

 

5,261 

 

 

4,811 

 

 

4,536 

 

9.4% 

 

6.1% 

  Other

 

 

6,967 

 

 

6,891 

 

 

6,196 

 

1.1% 

 

11.2% 

 

 

 

104,858 

 

 

105,205 

 

 

99,688 

 

-0.3%

 

5.5% 

Costs and Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resort operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Labor and labor related expenses

 

 

38,744 

 

 

38,950 

 

 

36,029 

 

-0.5%

 

8.1% 

 Retail and food and beverage cost of sales

 

 

9,571 

 

 

9,122 

 

 

8,638 

 

4.9% 

 

5.6% 

 Power and utilities

 

 

6,950 

 

 

8,500 

 

 

7,593 

 

-18.2%

 

11.9% 

 Other

 

 

17,405 

 

 

17,370 

 

 

15,831 

 

0.2% 

 

9.7% 

 

 

 

72,670 

 

 

73,942 

 

 

68,091 

 

-1.7%

 

8.6% 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

9,450 

 

 

9,155 

 

 

8,850 

 

3.2% 

 

3.4% 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

4,088 

 

 

3,240 

 

 

2,529 

 

26.2% 

 

28.1% 

Land and building rent

 

 

1,440 

 

 

1,464 

 

 

1,428 

 

-1.6%

 

2.5% 

Real estate and other taxes

 

 

1,828 

 

 

1,651 

 

 

1,817 

 

10.7% 

 

-9.1%

Settlement of lawsuit

 

 

 -

 

 

700 

 

 

 -

 

-100.0%

 

100.0% 

 

 

 

89,476 

 

 

90,152 

 

 

82,715 

 

-0.7%

 

9.0% 

Other operating income-gain on settlement of lawsuit

 

 

2,100 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

100.0% 

 

0.0% 

Income from Operations

 

 

17,482 

 

 

15,053 

 

 

16,973 

 

16.1% 

 

-11.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net of interest capitalized of $488 and $344 in 2015 and 2014, respectively

 

 

(15,458)

 

 

(17,359)

 

 

(12,785)

 

-11.0%

 

35.8% 

Defeasance fee paid with debt restructure

 

 

(5,000)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

100.0% 

 

0.0% 

Gain on sale/leaseback

 

 

333 

 

 

333 

 

 

333 

 

0.0% 

 

0.0% 

Investment income

 

 

11 

 

 

11 

 

 

 

0.0% 

 

22.2% 

 

 

 

(20,114)

 

 

(17,015)

 

 

(12,443)

 

18.2% 

 

36.7% 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income tax benefit

 

 

(2,632)

 

 

(1,962)

 

 

4,530 

 

34.1% 

 

-143.3%

Income tax benefit

 

 

(778)

 

 

(461)

 

 

1,823 

 

68.8% 

 

-125.3%

Net Loss

 

$

(1,854)

 

$

(1,501)

 

$

2,707 

 

23.5% 

 

-155.4%

Total reported EBITDA

 

$

25,400 

 

$

25,365 

 

$

25,939 

 

0.1% 

 

-2.2%

 

 

33

 


 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Reported EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under U.S. GAAP.  The following table includes a reconciliation of Reported EBITDA to net income (loss) (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended April 30

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,854)

 

$

(1,501)

 

$

2,707 

Income tax benefit

 

 

(778)

 

 

(461)

 

 

1,823 

Interest expense, net

 

 

15,458 

 

 

17,359 

 

 

12,733 

Defeasance fee paid with debt restructure

 

 

5,000 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

9,450 

 

 

9,155 

 

 

8,902 

Investment income

 

 

(11)

 

 

(11)

 

 

(10)

Gain on sale/leaseback

 

 

(333)

 

 

(333)

 

 

(333)

Non-routine legal and settlement of lawsuit, net

 

 

(1,532)

 

 

1,157 

 

 

117 

 

 

$

25,400 

 

$

25,365 

 

$

25,939 

 

We have chosen to specifically include Reported EBITDA (defined as net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, gain on sale leaseback, investment income, other income or expense and other non‑recurring items) as a measurement of our results of operations because we consider this measurement to be a significant indication of our financial performance and available capital resources.  Because of large depreciation and other charges relating to our ski resorts, it is difficult for management to fully and accurately evaluate our financial results and available capital resources using net income. Management believes that by providing investors with Reported EBITDA, investors will have a clearer understanding of our financial performance and cash flow because Reported EBITDA: (i) is widely used in the ski industry to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to items excluded from the calculation of such measure, which can vary by company primarily based upon the structure or existence of their financing; (ii) helps investors to more meaningfully evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period by removing the effect of our capital structure and asset base from our operating structure; and (iii) is used by our management for various purposes, including as a measure of performance of our operating entities and as a basis for planning.

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

Comparison of Operating Results for the Years ended April 30, 2015 and 2014

Lift and tubing revenue decreased $0.9 million, or 1.6%, for fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014.  Season pass sales and seasonal program sales increased $0.8 million, or 4.5%, from fiscal 2014 to fiscal 2015. The increase in revenue from season pass and seasonal program sales was offset by a decrease of $0.2 million in yield per skier visit and decreased revenue because of reduced visits of $1.5 million. Yield is determined by dividing lift revenue by skier visits.

Food and beverage revenue increased $0.3 million, or 1.6%, for fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, which is attributable to an increase in yield per skier visit of $0.5 million, offset by decreased skier visits of $0.1 million.

Rental revenue decreased $0.6 million, or 6.6%, for fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, which is attributable to the decrease in Midwest resort skier visits versus the increase in visits to our Northeast resorts. A higher percent of visitors to our Midwest resorts rent ski equipment compared to guests at our Northeast resorts.

Ski instruction revenue increased $0.1 million, or 1.6%, for fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, which is attributable to an increase in yield per skier visit of $0.2 million.

34

 


 

Hotel and lodging revenue increased $0.1 million, or 1.9%, for fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, which is attributable to increased skier visits in the Northeast resorts and increased summer occupancy.

Retail revenue increased $0.5 million, or 9.4%, for fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, which is attributable to an increase in yield per skier visit of $0.5 million.

Labor and labor related expenses decreased $0.2 million, or 0.5%, for fiscal 2015 versus fiscal 2014. Labor efficiencies contributed $0.1 million in labor and labor related expense savings. Benefits and taxes contributed another $0.4 million in savings offset by $0.3 million in workman’s compensation expense as a result of increased rates.

Retail and food and beverage cost of sales increased $0.4 million, or 4.9%, for fiscal 2015 versus fiscal 2014 as a result of increased retail and food and beverage revenue.

Power and utility expense decreased $1.6 million, or 18.2%, for fiscal 2015 versus fiscal 2014 primarily as a result of a reduction in kilowatt hours used at our Attitash, Wildcat and Mount Snow resorts. This reduction in kilowatt hour usage is a result of the installation of energy saving snow gun technology in the current fiscal year. In addition, we were able to control peak energy usage resulting in lower per kilowatt hour rates.

Depreciation and amortization increased $0.3 million, or 3.2%, for fiscal 2015 versus fiscal 2014 as a result of assets put in service in the current fiscal year.

General and administrative expenses increased $0.8  million, or 26.2%, for fiscal 2015 versus fiscal 2014 primarily due to an increase in professional fees of $0.4 million primarily related to incremental public company expenses, $0.2 million related to an increase in salaries and related benefits and $0.2 million increase in advertising and other corporate expenses. 

The Company settled a lawsuit during fiscal 2015 which resulted in $2.1 million of income.

The decrease in interest expense net, of $1.9 million, was a result of reduced interest resulting from the pay down of debt for fiscal 2015 versus fiscal 2014, offset by an increase in interest rates. In addition, the Company paid $0.8 million in disputed interest related to the Attitash/Mount Snow Debt discussed herein.

In connection with the Debt Restructure, the Company paid a $5.0 million defeasance fee to EPR in fiscal 2015.

Income tax benefit increased $0.3 million as a result of an increase in the loss before income tax expense of $0.7 million for fiscal 2015 versus fiscal 2014.  

 

 

Comparison of Operating Results for the Years ended April 30, 2014 and 2013

Lift and tubing revenue increased $1.6 million, or 3.2%, for fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. Total visits for fiscal 2014 increased 3.9% compared to fiscal 2013, which was primarily due to favorable weather conditions. Season pass sales increased $1.3 million, or 10.1%, from fiscal 2013 to fiscal 2014. The increase in revenue from increased skier visits and the increase in season pass sales was offset by a decrease of $0.6 million in yield per skier visit. Yield is determined by dividing lift revenue by skier visits.

Food and beverage revenue increased $1.3 million, or 7.5%, for fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013, which is attributable to increased skier visits and an increase in yield per skier visit of $0.6 million.

Rental revenue increased $1.0 million, or 12.9%, for fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013, which is attributable to increased skier visits and an increase in yield per skier visit of $0.7 million.

Ski instruction revenue increased $0.4 million, or 5.2%, for fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013, which is attributable to increased skier visits and an increase in yield per skier visit of $0.1 million.

35

 


 

Hotel and lodging revenue increased $0.3 million, or 4.5%, for fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013, which is attributable to increased skier visits and increased summer occupancy.

Retail revenue increased $0.3 million, or 6.1%, for fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013, which is attributable to increased skier visits and by an increase in yield per skier visit of $0.1 million.

Labor and related benefit expense increased by $2.9 million, or 8.1%, for fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. Fiscal 2014 was a good weather year, and several of our resorts opened earlier than normal. On average, our resorts were open 106.2 days in fiscal 2014 as compared to 98.5 days in fiscal 2013.

Retail and food and beverage cost of sales increased by $0.5 million, or 5.6%, for fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013, as a result of increased skier visits, which was offset by a decrease in cost of sales as related to related revenues of 0.6%.

Power and utility expense for fiscal 2014 increased by $0.9 million, or 11.9%, as compared to fiscal 2013 due to a longer season at our ski resorts in fiscal 2014 and increased power rates.

Other expense increased by $1.5 million, or 9.7%, for fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013, of which $0.2 million is attributable to an increase in advertising spending, $0.2 million is due to an increase in professional fees, $0.4 million is attributable to an increase in repairs and maintenance, $0.1 million is attributable to an increase in general liability insurance related to the increase in revenue, $0.4 million is attributable to increased spending for supplies and $0.2 million is attributable to an increase in uniform costs.

Depreciation and amortization increased $0.3 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013, $0.2 million of which was due to an entire year of depreciation of the Alpine Valley resort and $0.1 million of which was due to assets acquired in the other resorts.

General and administrative expense for fiscal 2014 increased by $0.7 million, or 28.1%, as compared to fiscal 2013, primarily because of increased legal and professional fees of $0.5 million.

Real estate and other taxes decreased by $0.2 million, or 9.1%, for fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. The decrease is due to favorable adjustments.

Interest expense increased by $4.6 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013, of which $3.3 million is a result of a decrease in capitalized interest, $0.8 million is due to increased borrowings and $0.2 million is due to interest rate increases.

The Income tax provision for fiscal 2014 and 2013 was based on income (loss) before income tax. The change is a result of the change from net income in fiscal 2013 to net loss in fiscal 2014 and the impact of permanent items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended April 30

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,854)

 

$

(1,501)

 

$

2,707 

Income tax benefit

 

 

(778)

 

 

(461)

 

 

1,823 

Interest expense, net

 

 

15,458 

 

 

17,359 

 

 

12,733 

Defeasance fee paid with debt restructure

 

 

5,000 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

9,450 

 

 

9,155 

 

 

8,902 

Investment income

 

 

(11)

 

 

(11)

 

 

(10)

Gain on sale/leaseback

 

 

(333)

 

 

(333)

 

 

(333)

Non-routine legal and settlement of lawsuit, net

 

 

(1,532)

 

 

1,157 

 

 

117 

 

 

$

25,400 

 

$

25,365 

 

$

25,939 

 

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

36

 


 

 

Significant Sources of Cash

 

Our available cash is the highest in our third and fourth quarters primarily due to the seasonality of our resort business. We had $16.9 million of cash and cash equivalents at April 30, 2015  compared to $13.2 million at April 30, 2014. We generated $6.9 million of cash from operating activities during fiscal 2015 compared to $9.8 million of cash generated in fiscal 2014. We generate the majority of our cash from operations during the ski season, which occurs in our third and fourth quarters. We currently anticipate that Reported EBITDA will continue to provide a significant source of our future operating cash flows.  We expect that our liquidity needs for the near term and the next fiscal year will be met by continued use of operating cash flows (primarily those generated in our third and fourth fiscal quarters) and additional borrowings under our loan arrangements, as needed

 

Long-term debt at April 30, 2015 and April 30, 2014 consisted of borrowings pursuant to the loans and other credit facilities with EPR, our primary lender.   As discussed in “-Recent Events”, in November 2014, we entered into a Restructure Agreement with EPR providing for the prepayment of a portion of our outstanding debt. We have presented in the table below the borrowings at April 30, 2015 and 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2015

 

April 30, 2014

 

 

 

Attitash/Mount Snow Debt; payable in monthly interest only payments at an increasing interest rate (10.93% at April 30, 2015 and 2014); remaining principal and interest due on December 1, 2034

 

$

51,050 

 

$

63,500 

 

 

 

Credit Facility Debt; payable in monthly interest only payments at an increasing interest rate (10.13% at April 30, 2015 and 9.98% at April 30, 2014); remaining principal and interest due on December 1, 2034

 

 

37,562 

 

 

47,029 

 

 

 

Mount Snow Development Debt (interest at 10.00% at April 30, 2014). Paid in full in December 2014.

 

 

 -

 

 

42,907 

 

 

 

Crotched Mountain Debt (interest at 10.27% at  April 30, 2014). Paid in full December 2014.

 

 

 -

 

 

10,972 

 

 

 

Sycamore Lake (Alpine Valley) Debt; payable in monthly interest only payments at an increasing interest rate (10.40% at April 30, 2015 and 10.20% at  April 30, 2014); remaining principal and interest due on December 1, 2034

 

 

4,550 

 

 

4,550 

 

 

 

Wildcat Mountain Debt; payable in monthly installments of $27, including interest at a rate of 4.00%, with remaining principal and interest due on December 22, 2020

 

 

3,790 

 

 

3,962 

 

 

 

Other debt

 

 

1,931 

 

 

2,311 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less unamortized debt issuance costs

 

 

(811)

 

 

(754)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

98,072 

 

 

174,477 

 

 

 

Less: current maturities

 

 

503 

 

 

504 

 

 

 

 

 

$

97,569 

 

$

173,973 

 

 

 

 

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Debt Restructure, we used a portion of the proceeds from our initial public offering to eliminate the Mount Snow Development Debt and Crotched Mountain Debt entirely. As of December 1, 2014, all prior debt

37

 


 

arrangements and promissory notes between the Company and EPR were terminated and replaced by the agreements described below (collectively, the “Debt Restructure Agreements”) to complete the Debt Restructure and govern the terms of our remaining debt with EPR.

In connection with the Debt Restructure, the Company entered into a Master Credit Agreement with EPR governing the restructured debt with EPR. Pursuant to the Master Credit Agreement, EPR agreed to maintain the following loans to the Company following the prepayment of certain outstanding debt with proceeds from the Company’s initial public offering: (i) a term loan in the amount of approximately $51.1 million to the Company and its subsidiary Mount Snow, Ltd., (included in the table above as the “Attitash/Mount Snow Debt”); (ii) a term loan in the amount of approximately $23.3 million to the Company and its subsidiaries Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc. and Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc. (the “Boston Mills/Brandywine Debt”); (iii) a term loan in the amount of approximately $14.3 million to the Company and its subsidiary JFBB Ski Areas, Inc. (the “JFBB Debt” and together with the Boston Mills/Brandywine Debt, included in the table above as the “Credit Facility Debt”); and (iv) a term loan in the amount of approximately $4.6 million to the Company and its subsidiary Sycamore Lake, Inc. (included in the table above as the “Sycamore Lake (Alpine Valley) Debt”).

Interest will be charged at a rate of (i) 10.13% per annum as to each of the Boston Mills/Brandywine Debt and JFBB Debt; (ii) 10.35% per annum as to the Sycamore Lake (Alpine Valley) Debt; and (iii) 10.93% per annum pursuant to the Attitash/Mount Snow Debt.  Each of the notes governing the restructured debt provides that interest will increase each year by the lesser of the following: (x) three times the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index as defined in the notes (“CPI”) from the CPI in effect on the applicable adjustment date over the CPI in effect on the immediately preceding adjustment date or (y) 1.5% (the “Capped CPI Index”).  Past due amounts will be charged a higher interest rate and be subject to late charges.

The Master Credit Agreement further provides that in addition to interest payments, the Company must pay the following with respect to all restructured debt other than the Attitash/Mount Snow Debt: an additional annual payment equal to 10% of the gross receipts attributable to the properties serving as collateral of the restructured debt (other than Mount Snow) for such year in excess of an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the annual interest payments payable pursuant to the notes governing the restructured debt (other than with respect to the Attitash/Mount Snow Debt) for the immediately preceding year by (ii) 10%.  The Company must pay the following with respect to the Attitash/Mount Snow Debt: an additional annual payment equal to 12% of the gross receipts generated at Mount Snow for such year in excess of an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the annual interest payments payable under the note governing the Attitash/Mount Snow Debt for the immediately preceding year by (ii) 12%. No additional interest payments were due for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2015 and April 30, 2014.  Management does not expect that any additional interest payments will be triggered for the remainder of the current fiscal year.

The Master Credit Agreement includes restrictions on certain transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, leases, asset sales, loans to third parties, and the incurrence of certain additional debt and liens. Financial covenants set forth in the Master Credit Agreement consist of a maximum leverage ratio (as defined in the Master Credit Agreement) of 65%, above which the Company and certain of its subsidiaries are prohibited from incurring additional indebtedness, and a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the Master Credit Agreement) covenant, which (i) requires the Company to increase the balance of its debt service reserve account if the Company’s consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio falls below 1.50:1.00 and (ii) prohibits the Company from paying dividends if the ratio is below 1.25:1.00. The payment of dividends is also prohibited during default situations.

Under the terms of the Master Credit Agreement, the occurrence of a change of control is an event of default. A change of control will be deemed to occur if (i) within two years after the effective date of the Master Credit Agreement, the Company’s named executive officers (Messrs. Timothy Boyd, Stephen Mueller and Richard Deutsch) cease to beneficially own and control less than 50% of the amount of the Company’s outstanding voting stock that they own as of the effective date of the Master Credit Agreement, or (ii) the Company ceases to beneficially own and control less than all of the outstanding shares of voting stock of those subsidiaries which are borrowers under the Master Credit Agreement.  Other events of default include, but are not limited to, a default on other indebtedness of the Company or its subsidiaries. None of the restructured debt may be prepaid without the consent of EPR. Upon an event of default, as defined in the Debt Restructure Agreements, EPR may, among other things, declare all unpaid principal and interest due and payable.  Each of the notes governing the restructured debt matures on December 1, 2034.

As a condition to the Debt Restructure, the Company entered into the Master Cross Default Agreement with EPR (the “Master Cross Default Agreement”). The Master Cross Default Agreement provides that any event of default under existing or future loan or lien agreements between the Company or its affiliates and EPR, and any event of default under the Lease Amendment, shall automatically constitute an event of default under each of such loan and lien agreements and Lease

38

 


 

Amendment, upon which EPR will be entitled to all of the remedies provided under such agreements and Lease Amendment in the case of an event of default.

Also in connection with the Debt Restructure, the Company and EPR entered into the Guaranty Agreement (the “Guaranty Agreement”).  The Guaranty Agreement obligates the Company and its subsidiaries as guarantors of all debt evidenced by the Debt Restructure Agreements.

The Wildcat Mountain Debt due December 22, 2020 represents amounts owed pursuant to a promissory note in the principal amount of $4.5 million made by WC Acquisition Corp. in favor of Wildcat Mountain Ski Area, Inc., Meadow Green-Wildcat Skilift Corp. and Meadow Green-Wildcat Corp. (the “Wildcat Note”). The Wildcat Note, dated November 22, 2010, was made in connection with the acquisition of Wildcat Mountain, which was effective as of October 20, 2010. The interest rate as set forth in the Wildcat Note is fixed at 4.00%.

A substantial portion of the Company’s assets serve as collateral for the Company’s long-term debt.

 

Fiscal 2015 compared to Fiscal 2014

We generated  $6.9 million of cash in operating activities in fiscal 2015, a decrease of $2.9 million when compared to the $9.8 million generated fiscal 2014. The decrease in operating cash flows was a result of an increase in the loss from operations and an increase in accounts receivable as a result of financing season pass purchases. In addition, unearned revenue increased as a result of increased sales.

Cash used in investing activities was $36.7 million compared to $7.3 million for fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. The increase of  $29.4 million from fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 was a result of increased additions to property and equipment and an increase in restricted cash. The increase in restricted cash is a result of the EB-5 investor funds, as discussed below, held in escrow, offset by a decrease in the funds held in the interest reserve.

Cash provided by financing activities increased by $34.7 million in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 because of the EB‑5 funds held in escrow and the net proceeds of our initial public offering. This was offset by our debt repayment and initial stockholder dividend. 

Significant Uses of Cash

Our cash uses currently include operating expenditures and capital expenditures for assets to be used in operations. We have historically invested significant cash in capital expenditures for our resort operations and expect to continue to invest in the future. Resort capital expenditures for fiscal 2015 were approximately $12.2 million. We currently anticipate we will spend approximately $5.0 million to $6.0 million on resort capital expenditures for fiscal 2016.   There are no major capital expenditure projects for fiscal 2016 anticipated. We currently plan to use cash on hand, borrowings and/or cash flow generated from future operations to provide the cash necessary to execute our capital plans and believe that these sources of cash will be adequate to meet our needs.

In October 2014, we entered into a capital lease to finance the construction of the Zip Rider at Attitash.  The lease is payable in 60 monthly installments of $37,000, commencing November 2014. The Company has a $1.00 purchase option at the end of the lease term. Messrs. Boyd, Mueller and Deutsch have personally guaranteed the lease. 

 

In addition, in June 2015, the Company entered into capital leases to finance the installation of Low-E snow guns at Mount Snow, Attitash and Wildcat, as well as to fund the purchase of groomers for Mount Snow and Attitash.  The Low-E snow guns lease is payable in 48 monthly payments of $61,770 and the groomers lease is payable in 60 monthly payments of $23,489, both commencing July 2015.  The Company has a $1.00 purchase option at the end of each lease term.  Messrs. Boyd, Mueller and Deutsch have personally guaranteed the leases.  The Company originally funded these purchases during fiscal year 2015 with operating cash.

 

Although we have no significant third party commitments currently outstanding, we may incur substantial costs for our ongoing Mount Snow development, subject to obtaining required permits and approvals. We plan to finance any future development activity through operating cash reserves, initial condominium deposits and bridge loans, which would be paid upon project completion mostly through the receipt of remaining committed condominium unit sales. We intend to fund our Mount Snow development by raising funds under the Immigrant Investor Program administered by the U.S. Citizenship and

39

 


 

Immigration Services (‘‘USCIS’’) pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act. This program was created to stimulate the U.S. economy through the creation of jobs and capital investments in U.S. companies by foreign investors. The program allocates 10,000 immigrant visas (‘‘EB-5 Visas’’) per year to qualified individuals seeking lawful permanent resident status on the basis of their investment in a U.S. commercial enterprise. Under the regional center pilot immigration program first enacted in 1990, certain EB-5 Visas also are set aside for investors in regional centers designated by the USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth. Regional centers are organizations, either publicly owned by cities, states or regional development agencies or privately owned, which facilitate investment in job-creating economic development projects by pooling capital raised under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. Areas within regional centers that are rural areas or areas experiencing unemployment numbers higher than the national unemployment average rates are designated as Targeted Employment Areas (‘‘TEA’’). The regional center pilot program expires in September 2015, but given that it has been regularly reauthorized since its enactment in 1990, we expect the pilot program to continue. We refer to the Immigrant Investor Program and the regional center pilot program herein as the ‘‘EB-5 program.’’

We have established two wholly-owned subsidiary limited partnerships (collectively, the ‘‘Partnership’’) of Mount Snow to operate within a TEA within the State of Vermont Regional Center. Through the Partnership, we are seeking to raise $52.0 million by offering units in the Partnership to qualified accredited EB-5 investors for a subscription price of $500,000 per unit, which is the minimum investment that an investor in a TEA project is required to make pursuant to EB-5 program rules. The proceeds of the offering will be used to fund loans that will be advanced to newly-created wholly-owned subsidiaries of Mount Snow to finance the development of two capital projects at Mount Snow—the West Lake Project and the Carinthia Ski Lodge Project (together, the ‘‘Projects’’). The terms of these loans are expected to be 1.0% fixed for five years with up to a two year extension at 7.0% in year six and 10.0% in year seven. Upon funding of the loans, the Company will receive a development fee equal to 15.0% of the loans as well as costs incurred in developing the program. The Mount Snow EB-5 program must be approved by both the State of Vermont Regional Business Center and the USCIS. We have received approval from the State of Vermont’s Regional Business Center and expect to receive approval from the USCIS due to the operation of the Partnership in a TEA and the large number of jobs to be created in connection with the Projects.

The West Lake Project includes the construction of a new water storage reservoir for snowmaking with capacity of up to 120 million gallons, three new pump houses and the installation of snowmaking pipelines, trail upgrades and expansion, new ski lift and ancillary equipment. The Carinthia Ski Lodge Project includes the construction of Carinthia Ski Lodge, a new three-story, approximately 36,000-square foot skier service building located at the base of the Carinthia slopes. Carinthia Ski Lodge will include a restaurant, cafeteria and bars with seating for over 600 people, a retail store, convenience store and sales center for lift tickets and rentals. The anticipated overall cost of the Projects is $66.0 million, of which $52.0 million is intended to be funded with the proceeds from the EB-5 offering. We expect the remaining $14.0 million to be provided by Mount Snow with an additional investment in cash, land or value.

The Partnership intends to offer the units to investors primarily located in China, Taiwan, Vietnam and certain countries in the Middle East either directly or through relationships with agents qualified in their respective countries, in which case the Partnership typically pays a sales commission. Once an investor’s subscription and funds are accepted by the Partnership, the investor must file a petition (‘‘I-526 Petition’’) with the USCIS seeking, among other things, approval of the investment’s suitability under the EB-5 program requirements and the investor’s suitability and source of funds. All investments will be held in a non-interest bearing escrow account and will not be released until the USCIS approves the first I-526 Petition filed by an investor in the Partnership, which typically occurs between 12 and 18 months from the initial I-526 Petition filing date.

As of April 30, 2015, we have commitments for $33.5 million in Partnership investments, $29.0 million of which has been funded and is being held in escrow. The first investor’s I-526 Petition was filed in May 2014 and is pending approval by the USCIS, which we expect will occur by the end of calendar 2015 in line with the typical approval timeline. As such, we intend to release funds from escrow and commence the Projects in the second half of calendar year 2015. If the Projects commence in the second half of calendar year 2015 and plans occur as scheduled, we estimate that the Projects will be completed by the end of calendar year 2016.

The EB-5 offering has no expiration, and the Company intends to continue the offering until it raises the full $52.0 million. To the extent that the offering is not fully-subscribed and less than the $52.0 million is raised, the Partnership will allocate up to the first $30.0 million to the development of the West Lake Project. If the Partnership is unable to raise sufficient funds to complete the Projects, we intend to seek alternative arrangements to finance the balance of the needed amounts.

40

 


 

We plan to finance any future development activity through operating cash reserves and bridge loans, which would be paid upon project completion mostly through the receipt of remaining committed condominium unit sales.

On March 6, 2015, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.1375 per share of common stock payable on May 20, 2015 to shareholders of record on April 7, 2015, and on June 12, 2015, the board declared a cash dividend of $0.1375 cents per share of common stock payable on August 21, 2015 to stockholders of record on July 10, 2015. The current indicated annualized dividend would be 55 cents per share.

 

We intend to pay quarterly cash dividends on our common stock on a quarterly basis. However, we cannot assure you that this initial dividend rate will be sustained or that we will continue to pay dividends in the future. The declaration and payment of future dividends will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend on many factors, including our actual results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, restrictions in our debt agreements, including the Master Credit Agreement, economic conditions and other factors that could differ materially from our current expectations.

Critical Accounting Policies

        The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to select appropriate accounting policies and to make judgments and estimates affecting the application of those accounting policies. In applying our accounting policies, different business conditions or the use of different assumptions may result in materially different amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements.

        We have identified the most critical accounting policies which were determined by considering accounting policies that involve the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments. We also have other policies considered key accounting policies; however, these policies do not meet the definition of critical accounting policies because they do not generally require us to make estimates or judgments that are complex or subjective. We have reviewed these critical accounting policies and related disclosures with our board of directors.  Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements.

       As an “emerging growth company,” we have elected to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to those of other public companies.

Income Taxes

Description

        We must make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of tax credits and deductions and in the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities, which arise from differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes, as well as the interest and penalties relating to uncertain tax positions. The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations. We recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step requires us to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as this requires us to determine the probability of various possible outcomes. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit and new audit activity.

A significant amount of time may pass before a particular matter, for which we may have established a reserve, is audited and fully resolved.

Judgments and Uncertainties

41

 


 

        The estimates of our tax contingencies reserve, if any, contain uncertainty because management must use judgment to estimate the potential exposure associated with our various filing positions.

Effect if Actual Results Differ From Assumptions

        Although we believe the estimates and judgments discussed herein are reasonable and we have adequate reserves for our tax contingencies, actual results could differ, and we may be exposed to increases or decreases in those reserves and tax provisions that could be material.

        An unfavorable tax settlement could require the use of cash and could possibly result in an increased tax expense and effective tax rate in the year of resolution. A favorable tax settlement could possibly result in a reduction in our tax expense, effective tax rate, income taxes payable, other long-term liabilities and/or adjustments to our deferred tax assets, deferred tax liabilities or intangible assets in the year of settlement or in future years.

        Management has made the assumption that the deferred tax assets will generally be recovered through the reversal of the deferred tax liabilities. Changes in the timing of the reversal pattern of these deferred tax liabilities, such as due to changes in asset lives, could necessitate a further evaluation of whether a valuation allowance is required. While management does not expect a need will arise to evaluate the valuation allowance, this would require management to estimate future taxable income, which would be subjective.

Depreciable Lives of Assets

Description

        Mountain and lodging operational assets, furniture and fixtures, computer equipment, software, vehicles and leasehold improvements are primarily depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset. Assets may become obsolete or require replacement before the end of their useful life in which case the remaining book value would be written-off or we could incur costs to remove or dispose of such assets no longer in use.

Judgments and Uncertainties

        The estimate of our useful lives of the assets contain uncertainty because management must use judgment to estimate the useful life of the asset.

Effect if Actual Results Differ From Assumptions

        Although we believe the estimates and judgments discussed herein are reasonable, actual results could differ, and we may be exposed to increased expense related to depreciable assets disposed of, removed or taken out of service prior to its originally estimated useful life, which may be material. A 10% decrease in the estimated total useful lives of depreciable assets would have increased depreciation expense by approximately $1.0 million for fiscal 2014.

Long-lived Asset Impairment Evaluation

Description

        We evaluate our long-lived assets, including property, equipment and land held for development, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset to be tested for possible impairment, we compare undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset to its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the expected undiscounted cash flow, an impairment adjustment would be made to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its fair value. Fair value is determined by application of valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow models, and independent appraisals, if considered necessary.

Judgments and Uncertainties

42

 


 

        The determination of whether the carrying value is recoverable requires management to determine if events have occurred which could indicate such carrying values could be impaired. Any evaluation of impairment would require management to use its judgment regarding the estimated future cash flows generated by such assets.

Effects if Actual Results Differ From Assumptions

        We believe there have been no events warranting evaluation of long-lived assets for impairment. If these assumptions are not correct, this could impact the carrying value of our long-lived assets if the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment would be recorded to the extent the fair value of such assets is less than their carrying value. The estimate of fair value would be a judgment made by management regarding future cash flows that could differ, possibly materially, from actual results

 

.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Interest Rate Fluctuations

On December 1, 2014, the Company completed its Debt Restructure as discussed more fully in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” providing for the prepayment of certain of its debt owed to EPR and the restructuring of all existing loan terms.  Debt owed to EPR as of April 30, 2015, was $93.2 million.  The interest rate on this debt is subject to fluctuation, but the interest rate can be only increased by a maximum factor of 1.015 annually. At the factor of 1.015, the additional annual interest expense on the variable rate outstanding debt is approximately $0.15 million. If interest rates increased 1%, the additional interest cost to the Company would be approximately $0.9 million for one year. We do not perform any interest rate hedging activities related to this debt.

 

 

 

 

43

 


 

Item 8. Financial Statement and Supplementary Data.

 

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page #

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F -2

Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) for the years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013

F - 3

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 2015 and 2014

F - 4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013

F - 5

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended April 30, 2015, 2014

and 2013

F - 6

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

F - 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F - 1

 


 

Picture 2

 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Peak Resorts, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Wildwood, Missouri

 

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Peak Resorts, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of April 30, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income (loss), stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2015. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Peak Resorts, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of April 30, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ McGladrey LLP

 

St. Louis, Missouri

July 27, 2015

 

 

 

F - 2

 


 

 

Peak Resorts, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years ended April 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

104,858 

 

$

105,205 

 

$

99,688 

Costs and Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resort operating expenses

 

 

72,670 

 

 

73,942 

 

 

68,091 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

9,450 

 

 

9,155 

 

 

8,850 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

4,088 

 

 

3,240 

 

 

2,529 

Land and building rent

 

 

1,440 

 

 

1,464 

 

 

1,428 

Real estate and other taxes

 

 

1,828 

 

 

1,651 

 

 

1,817 

Settlement of lawsuit

 

 

 -

 

 

700 

 

 

 -

 

 

 

89,476 

 

 

90,152 

 

 

82,715 

Other Operating Income-gain on settlement of lawsuit

 

 

2,100 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from Operations

 

 

17,482 

 

 

15,053 

 

 

16,973 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net of interest capitalized of $488, $344 and $3,680 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively

 

 

(15,458)

 

 

(17,359)

 

 

(12,785)

Defeasance fee paid with debt restructure

 

 

(5,000)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Gain on sale/leaseback

 

 

333 

 

 

333 

 

 

333 

Investment income

 

 

11 

 

 

11 

 

 

 

 

 

(20,114)

 

 

(17,015)

 

 

(12,443)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

(2,632)

 

 

(1,962)

 

 

4,530 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

(778)

 

 

(461)

 

 

1,823 

Net Income (Loss)

 

$

(1,854)

 

$

(1,501)

 

$

2,707 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.22)

 

$

(0.38)

 

$

0.68 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.2466 

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

F - 3

 


 

Peak Resorts Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30,

 

 

April 30,

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

16,849 

 

$

13,186 

 

Restricted cash balances

 

 

37,519 

 

 

13,063 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

1,639 

 

 

396 

 

Inventory

 

 

1,583 

 

 

1,541 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

970 

 

 

875 

 

Prepaid expenses and deposits

 

 

1,930 

 

 

1,433 

 

 

 

 

60,490 

 

 

30,494 

 

Property and equipment-net

 

 

143,944 

 

 

136,696 

 

Land held for development

 

 

35,780 

 

 

36,877 

 

Other assets

 

 

1,326 

 

 

2,470 

 

 

 

$

241,540 

 

$

206,537 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

8,218 

 

$

5,050 

 

Accrued salaries, wages and related taxes and benefits

 

 

927 

 

 

886 

 

Unearned revenue

 

 

8,606 

 

 

7,458 

 

EB-5 investor funds in escrow

 

 

30,002 

 

 

 -

 

Current portion of deferred gain on sale/leaseback

 

 

333 

 

 

333 

 

Current portion of long-term debt and capitalized lease obligation

 

 

999 

 

 

984 

 

 

 

 

49,085 

 

 

14,711 

 

Long-term debt

 

 

97,569 

 

 

173,973 

 

Capitalized lease obligation

 

 

1,494 

 

 

191 

 

Deferred gain on sale/leaseback

 

 

3,511 

 

 

3,844 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

8,831 

 

 

9,682 

 

Other liabilities

 

 

612 

 

 

648 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 13,982,400 and 3,982,400 shares issued in 2015 and 2014, respectively

 

 

140 

 

 

40 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

82,538 

 

 

385 

 

Retained earnings (deficit)

 

 

(2,240)

 

 

3,063 

 

 

 

 

80,438 

 

 

3,488 

 

 

 

$

241,540 

 

$

206,537 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

F - 4

 


 

Peak Resorts, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years ended April 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,854)

 

$

(1,501)

 

$

2,707 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Deferred income tax

 

 

(946)

 

 

(511)

 

 

1,743 

 Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment

 

 

9,450 

 

 

9,155 

 

 

8,850 

 Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs

 

 

141 

 

 

52 

 

 

52 

 Amortization of other liabilities

 

 

(36)

 

 

(36)

 

 

(36)

 Gain on sale/leaseback

 

 

(333)

 

 

(333)

 

 

(333)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Accounts receivable

 

 

(1,243)

 

 

(30)

 

 

981 

  Inventory

 

 

(42)

 

 

(85)

 

 

607 

  Prepaid expenses and deposits

 

 

(497)

 

 

(550)

 

 

(609)

  Other assets

 

 

(202)

 

 

(76)

 

 

(285)

  Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

1,245 

 

 

1,331 

 

 

308 

  Accrued salaries, wages and related taxes and benefits

 

 

41 

 

 

(188)

 

 

(33)

  Unearned revenue

 

 

1,148 

 

 

2,534 

 

 

173 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

6,872 

 

 

9,762 

 

 

14,125 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property and equipment

 

 

(12,116)

 

 

(6,281)

 

 

(2,154)

Additions to land held for development

 

 

(109)

 

 

(97)

 

 

(3,850)

Change in restricted cash

 

 

(24,456)

 

 

(923)

 

 

(1,105)

   Net cash used in by investing activities

 

 

(36,681)

 

 

(7,301)

 

 

(7,109)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments on long-term debt and capitalized lease obligation

 

 

(77,058)

 

 

(1,167)

 

 

(1,128)

Additions to EB-5 investor funds held in escrow

 

 

30,002 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

 

82,253 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Payment of deferred financing costs

 

 

(198)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Distributions to stockholders

 

 

(1,527)

 

 

(79)

 

 

(96)

   Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

33,472 

 

 

(1,246)

 

 

(1,224)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

3,663 

 

 

1,215 

 

 

5,792 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of year

 

 

13,186 

 

 

11,971 

 

 

6,179 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of year

 

$

16,849 

 

$

13,186 

 

$

11,971 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Schedule of Cash Flow Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest, including  $488, $344 and $3,680 capitalized in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively

 

$

15,810 

 

$

16,952 

 

$

12,733 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital lease agreements to acquire equipment

 

$

2,028 

 

$

144 

 

$

795 

Acquisition of equipment with long-term borrowings

 

$

 -

 

$

3,603 

 

$

9,402 

Land held for development financed with long-term borrowings

 

$

 -

 

$

1,000 

 

$

 -

   Acquisition of Sycamore Lake, Inc. (Alpine Valley Ski Area) financed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     with long-term borrowings

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

2,550 

                          

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F - 5

 


 

 

Peak Resorts Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

(In thousands except share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-in

 

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Dollars

 

 

Capital

 

 

Earnings (deficit)

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances, April 30, 2012

 

 

3,982,400 

 

$

40

 

$

385 

 

$

1,857 

 

$

2,282

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

2,707 

 

 

2,707

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances, April 30, 2013

 

 

3,982,400 

 

$

40 

 

$

385 

 

$

4,564 

 

$

4,989 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(1,501)

 

 

(1,501)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances, April 30, 2014

 

 

3,982,400 

 

 

40 

 

 

385 

 

 

3,063 

 

 

3,488 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock,  net of issuance cost

 

 

10,000,000 

 

 

100 

 

 

82,153 

 

 

 -

 

 

82,253 

Net loss

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(1,854)

 

 

(1,854)

Dividends declared

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(3,449)

 

 

(3,449)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances, April 30, 2015

 

 

13,982,400 

 

$

140 

 

$

82,538 

 

$

(2,240)

 

$

80,438 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

 

F - 6

 


 

PEAK RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Description of business:  Peak Resorts, Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries operate in a single business segment—ski resort operations. The Company’s ski resort operations consist of snow skiing, snowboarding and snow sports areas in Wildwood and Weston, Missouri; Bellefontaine and Cleveland, Ohio; Paoli, Indiana; Blakeslee and Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania; Bartlett, Bennington and Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire; and West Dover, Vermont and an 18 hole golf course in West Dover, Vermont. The Company also manages hotels in Bartlett, New Hampshire and West Dover, Vermont and operates a restaurant in Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania. 

 

The Company's revenues are highly seasonal in nature. The vast majority of revenues are generated during the ski season, which occurs during the third and fourth fiscal quarters. Operations occurring outside of the ski season typically result in losses and negative cash flows. Additionally, operations on certain holidays contribute significantly to the Company's revenues, most notably Christmas, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Presidents Day.

 

The seasonality of the Company's revenues amplifies the effect on the Company's revenues, operating earnings and cash flows of events that are outside the Company's control. While the Company's geographically diverse operating locations help mitigate its effects, adverse weather conditions could limit customer access to the Company's resorts, render snowmaking wholly or partially ineffective in maintaining ski conditions, cause increased energy use and other operating costs related to snowmaking efforts and, in general, can result in decreased skier visits regardless of ski conditions.

 

The Company’s operating segments are aggregated into a single reportable segment. Management has determined a single reportable segment is appropriate based on the uniformity of services and similar operating characteristics. 

 

Principles of consolidation:  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Peak Resorts, Inc., the parent company, and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries, hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Company": Boulder View Tavern, Inc., Deltrecs, Inc. (Deltrecs, Inc. has two wholly owned subsidiaries: Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc. and Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc.), Hidden Valley Golf Course, Inc., JFBB Ski Areas, Inc. (doing business as "Jack Frost" and "Big Boulder"), L.B.O. Holding, Inc. (doing business as "Attitash Mountain"), Mad River Mountain, Inc., Mount Snow Ltd. (and its wholly owned subsidiaries) Carinthia Group I, LP, a limited partnership in which Mount Snow LTD is the sole general partner, Paoli Peaks, Inc., S N H Development, Inc. (doing business as "Crotched Mountain"), Snow Creek, Inc., Sycamore Lake, Inc. (doing business as "Alpine Valley"), and WC Acquisition Corp. (doing business as "Wildcat Mountain Ski Area").  All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

 

Use of estimates:  The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts and disclosures reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to estimates and assumptions include the carrying value of property and equipment, and land held for development. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. 

 

Statements of cash flows:  For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Additionally, all credit card and debit card transactions that process in less than seven days are classified as cash and cash equivalents. The majority of payments due from banks for third-party credit card and debit card transactions process within 24 to 48 hours, except for transactions occurring on a Friday, which are generally processed the following Monday. The amounts due from banks for these transactions classified as cash and cash equivalents totaled $1,368 and $1,651 at April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

F - 7

 


 

Restricted cash: The provisions of certain of the Company's debt instruments generally require that the Company make and maintain a deposit, to be held in escrow for the benefit of the lender, in an amount equal to the estimated minimum interest payment through December 31 of each fiscal year.  In the absence of an event of default under the Company's promissory notes, the requirement to maintain such a deposit is eliminated when the Mount Snow Development Debt discussed in Note 4 is repaid in full. Restricted cash at April 30, 2015 and 2014 is comprised of the interest related escrow balances and EB-5 investors funds held in escrow.

 

In addition, the Company has funds it is holding in escrow in connection with its efforts to raise funds under the U.S. government's Immigrant Investor Program, commonly known as the EB-5 program (the “EB-5 Program”). The EB-5 Program was first enacted in 1992 to stimulate the U.S. economy through the creation of jobs and capital investments in U.S. companies by foreign investors. In turn, these foreign investors are, pending petition approval, granted visas for lawful residence in the U.S. Under the EB-5 Program, a limited number of visas are reserved for such foreign investors each year.

Reserve for uncollectible accounts receivable:  The Company performs ongoing reviews of the collectability of accounts receivable and, if considered necessary, establishes a reserve for estimated credit losses. In assessing the need for and in determining the amount of any reserve for credit losses, the Company considers the level of historical bad debts, the credit worthiness of significant debtors based on periodic credit evaluations and significant economic developments that could adversely impact upon a customer's ability to pay amounts owed the Company.

 

Inventory:  Inventory is stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market and consists primarily of retail goods, food and beverage products.

 

Property and equipment:  Property and equipment is carried at cost net of accumulated depreciation, amortization and impairment charges, if any. Costs to construct significant assets include capitalized interest during the construction and development period. Expenditures for replacements and major betterments or improvements are capitalized; maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are determined using both straight-line and accelerated methods over estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 25 years for land improvements, 5 to 40 years for building and improvements and 3 to 25 years for equipment, furniture and fixtures.

 

Land held for development:  The land held for development is carried in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at acquisition cost plus costs attributable to its development, including capitalized interest as part of this ongoing development.

 

Deferred development costs:  Costs related to major development projects at the Company's ski resorts, including planning, engineering and permitting, are capitalized. When acquiring, developing and constructing real estate assets, the Company capitalizes costs. Capitalization begins when the activities related to development have begun and ceases when activities are substantially complete and the asset is available for use. Costs capitalized include permits, licenses, fees, legal costs, interest, development, and construction costs.

 

Deferred financing costs:  Debt issuance expenses, included in long-term debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, incurred in connection with certain mortgage indebtedness are being amortized under the straight-line basis which approximates the interest method over the term of the related debt. 

 

Long-lived Assets: The Company evaluates potential impairment of long-lived assets and long-lived assets to be disposed of whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. If the sum of the expected cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. The Company does not believe any events or changes in circumstances indicating an impairment of the carrying amount of a long-lived asset occurred during the years ended April 30, 2015,  2014 and 2013.

 

Business combinations:  Historical acquisitions were accounted for as purchase transactions. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of acquired entities were recorded at their estimated fair values at the dates of the acquisitions.

 

Revenue recognition:  Revenues from operations are generated from a wide variety of sources including snow pass sales, snow sports lessons, equipment rentals, retail product sales, food and beverage operations, and golf course operations. Revenues are recognized as services are provided or products are sold. Sales of season passes are initially deferred in unearned revenue and recognized ratably over the expected ski season which typically runs from early December to mid-April. 

 

F - 8

 


 

Advertising costs:  Advertising costs are expensed at the time such advertising commences. Advertising expense for the years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $2,155, $2,206 and $2,008, respectively.

 

Taxes collected from customers:  Taxes collected from customers and remitted to tax authorities are local and state sales taxes on snow pass sales as well as food service and retail transactions at the Company's resorts. Sales taxes collected from customers are recognized as a liability, with such liability being reduced when collected amounts are remitted to the taxing authority.

 

Income taxes:  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at enacted tax rates in the respective jurisdictions where the Company operates. In assessing the ability to realize deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all deferred tax assets will not be realized and a valuation allowance would be provided if necessary.

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, “Income Taxes”, also provides guidance with respect to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a Company’s consolidated financial statements, and it prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute criteria for the consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company does not have any material uncertain tax positions.

 

With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009.

 

The Company’s policy is to accrue income tax related interest and penalties, if applicable, within income tax expense.

 

Recent accounting pronouncements:  In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013‑11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013‑11, requires an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. If a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and not combined with deferred tax assets. ASU 2013-11 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), the Company is permitted to adopt the standard for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption and retrospective application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2013‑11 on the consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014‑09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a full retrospective or retrospective with cumulative effect transition method. Early adoption is not permitted. The updated standard becomes effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Pursuant to the JOBS Act, the Company is permitted to adopt the standard for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on the consolidated financial statements. 

 

The FASB issued guidance through ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (“ASU 2015-03”) which requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, and no longer recording these costs as assets. ASU 2015-03 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. As early adoption is permitted, the Company has elected to incorporate the early adoption of this guidance into the financial statements filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K, including applying the guidance retrospectively to all prior periods presented.  The adoption of ASU 2015-03 is a change in accounting principle.  The nature and reason for this change is a direct result of guidance issued by the FASB resulting in a transition and effective date for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company elected to apply ASU 2015-03 early for comparability of future results, as this is the Company’s first annual report on Form 10-K.The transition method used involved reclassification of the Company’s balance sheet of the unamortized debt issuance costs.  The prior period unamortized debt issuance costs

F - 9

 


 

were retrospectively adjusted from an asset to a liability in the financial statements.  The financial statement line item reclassification involved $811 and $754 of unamortized debt issuance costs in 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

 

Note 2. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists of the following at April 30, 2015 and 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

Land and improvements

 

$

28,197 

 

$

26,330 

Buildings and improvements

 

 

72,351 

 

 

71,614 

Equipment, furniture and fixtures

 

 

126,853 

 

 

113,078 

 

 

 

227,401 

 

 

211,022 

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

83,457 

 

 

74,326 

 

 

$

143,944 

 

$

136,696 

 

At April 30, 2015 and 2014, equipment with a cost of $2,804 and $4,207, respectively, and accumulated depreciation of $425 and $2,593, respectively, was subject to the capital leases discussed in Note 10.

Depreciation expense for the years ended April 30, 2015 2014 and 2013 totaled $9,450, $9,155 and $8,850, respectively.

Note 3. Other Assets

The components of other assets at April 30, 2015 and 2014 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

627 

 

$

627 

Deferred development costs

 

 

364 

 

 

1,707 

Other

 

 

335 

 

 

136 

 

 

$

1,326 

 

$

2,470 

 

 

 

Note 4. Long‑term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of borrowings pursuant to the loans and other credit facilities discussed below, as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2015

 

April 30, 2014

 

 

 

Attitash/Mount Snow Debt; payable in monthly interest only payments at an increasing interest rate (10.93% at April 30, 2015 and 2014); remaining principal and interest due on December 1, 2034 

 

$

51,050 

 

$

63,500 

 

 

 

Credit Facility Debt; payable in monthly interest only payments at an increasing interest rate (10.13% at April 30, 2015 and 9.98% at April 30, 2014); remaining principal and interest due on December 1, 2034

 

 

37,562 

 

 

47,029 

 

 

 

Mount Snow Development Debt (interest at 10.00% at April 30, 2014). Paid in full in December 2014.

 

 

 -

 

 

42,907 

 

 

 

F - 10

 


 

Crotched Mountain Debt (interest at 10.27% at  April 30, 2014). Paid in full December 2014.

 

 

 -

 

 

10,972 

 

 

 

Sycamore Lake (Alpine Valley) Debt; payable in monthly interest only payments at an increasing interest rate (10.40% at April 30, 2015 and 10.20% at  April 30, 2014); remaining principal and interest due on December 1, 2034

 

 

4,550 

 

 

4,550 

 

 

 

Wildcat Mountain Debt; payable in monthly installments of $27, including interest at a rate of 4.00%, with remaining principal and interest due on December 22, 2020 

 

 

3,790 

 

 

3,962 

 

 

 

Other debt

 

 

1,931 

 

 

2,311 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less unamortized debt issuance costs

 

 

(811)

 

 

(754)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

98,072 

 

 

174,477 

 

 

 

Less: current maturities

 

 

503 

 

 

504 

 

 

 

 

 

$

97,569 

 

$

173,973 

 

 

 

 

On November 10, 2014, in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, the Company entered into a Restructure Agreement (the “Restructure Agreement”) with certain affiliates of EPR Properties (“EPR”), the Company’s primary lender, providing for the (i) prepayment of approximately $75.8 million of formerly non-prepayable debt secured by the Crotched Mountain, Attitash, Paoli Peaks, Hidden Valley and Snow Creek resorts and (ii) retirement of one of the notes associated with the future development of Mount Snow (the “Debt Restructure”). On December 1, 2014, the Company entered into various agreements in order to effectuate the Debt Restructure, as more fully described in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 5, 2014.  Pursuant to the Debt Restructure, the Company paid a defeasance fee of $5.0 million to EPR in addition to the consideration described below.

In exchange for the prepayment right, the Company granted EPR a purchase option on the Boston Mills, Brandywine, Jack Frost, Big Boulder and Alpine Valley properties, subject to certain conditions.  If EPR exercises a purchase option, EPR will enter into an agreement with the Company for the lease of each such acquired property for an initial term of 20 years, plus options to extend the lease for two additional periods of ten years each. All previously existing option agreements between the Company and EPR were terminated.

Over the years, the Company has depreciated the book value of these properties pursuant to applicable accounting rules, and as such, it has a low basis in the properties. As a result, the Company will realize significant gains on the sale of the properties to EPR if the option is exercised. The Company will be required to pay capital gains tax on the difference between the purchase price of the properties and the tax basis in the properties, which is expected to be a substantial cost. To date, EPR has not exercised the option.

Additionally, the Company agreed to extend the maturity dates on all non-prepayable notes and mortgages secured by the Mount Snow, Boston Mills, Brandywine, Jack Frost, Big Boulder and Alpine Valley properties remaining after the Debt Restructure by seven years to December 1, 2034, and to extend the lease for the Mad River property, previously terminating in 2026, until December 31, 2034.

The Company also granted EPR a right of first refusal to provide all or a portion of the financing associated with any purchase, ground lease, sale/leaseback, management or financing transaction contemplated by the Company with respect to any new or existing ski resort property for a period of seven years or until financing provided by EPR for such transactions equals or exceeds $250 million in the aggregate. Proposed financings from certain types of institutional lenders providing a loan to value ratio of less than 60% (as relates to the applicable property being financed) are excluded from the right of first refusal. The Company granted EPR a separate right of first refusal in the event that the Company wishes to sell, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of any or all of the Attitash ski resort for seven years.  The Attitash right excludes the financing or mortgaging of Attitash.

F - 11

 


 

In connection with the Debt Restructure, the Company entered into a Master Credit and Security Agreement with EPR (the “Master Credit Agreement”) governing the restructured debt with EPR. Pursuant to the Master Credit Agreement, EPR agreed to maintain the following loans to the Company following the prepayment of certain outstanding debt with proceeds from the Company’s initial public offering: (i) a term loan in the amount of approximately $51.1 million to the Company and its subsidiary Mount Snow, Ltd., (included in the table above as the “Attitash/Mount Snow Debt”); (ii) a term loan in the amount of approximately $23.3 million to the Company and its subsidiaries Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc. and Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc. (the “Boston Mills/Brandywine Debt”); (iii) a term loan in the amount of approximately $14.3 million to the Company and its subsidiary JFBB Ski Areas, Inc. (the “JFBB Debt” and together with the Boston Mills/Brandywine Debt, included in the table above as the “Credit Facility Debt”); and (iv) a term loan in the amount of approximately $4.6 million to the Company and its subsidiary Sycamore Lake, Inc. (included in the table above as the “Sycamore Lake (Alpine Valley) Debt”).

Interest will be charged at a rate of (i) 10.13% per annum as to each of the Boston Mills/Brandywine Debt and JFBB Debt; (ii) 10.40% per annum as to the Sycamore Lake (Alpine Valley) Debt; and (iii) 10.93% per annum pursuant to the Attitash/Mount Snow Debt.  Each of the notes governing the restructured debt provides that interest will increase each year by the lesser of three times the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index ("CPI") or a factor of 1.015 (the "Capped CPI Index"). Past due amounts will be charged a higher interest rate and be subject to late charges.

 

The Master Credit Agreement further provides that in addition to interest payments, the Company must pay the following with respect to all restructured debt other than the Attitash/Mount Snow Debt: an additional annual payment equal to 10% of the gross receipts attributable to the properties serving as collateral of the restructured debt (other than Mount Snow) for such year in excess of an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the annual interest payments payable pursuant to the notes governing the restructured debt (other than with respect to the Attitash/Mount Snow Debt) for the immediately preceding year by (ii) 10%.  The Company must pay the following with respect to the Attitash/Mount Snow Debt: an additional annual payment equal to 12% of the gross receipts generated at Mount Snow for such year in excess of an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the annual interest payments payable under the note governing the Attitash/Mount Snow Debt for the immediately preceding year by (ii) 12%. No additional interest payments were due for  the years ended April 30, 2015 and 2014.

The Master Credit Agreement includes restrictions on certain transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, leases, asset sales, loans to third parties, and the incurrence of certain additional debt and liens. Financial covenants set forth in the Master Credit Agreement consist of a maximum leverage ratio (as defined in the Master Credit Agreement) of 65%, above which the Company and certain of its subsidiaries are prohibited from incurring additional indebtedness, and a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the Master Credit Agreement) covenant, which (i) requires the Company to increase the balance of its debt service reserve account if the Company’s consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio falls below 1.50:1.00 and (ii) prohibits the Company from paying dividends if the ratio is below 1.25:1.00. The payment of dividends is also prohibited during default situations.

Under the terms of the Master Credit Agreement, the occurrence of a change of control is an event of default. A change of control will be deemed to occur if (i) within two years after the effective date of the Master Credit Agreement, the Company’s named executive officers (Messrs. Timothy Boyd, Stephen Mueller and Richard Deutsch) cease to beneficially own and control less than 50% of the amount of the Company’s outstanding voting stock that they own as of the effective date of the Master Credit Agreement, or (ii) the Company ceases to beneficially own and control less than all of the outstanding shares of voting stock of those subsidiaries which are borrowers under the Master Credit Agreement.  Other events of default include, but are not limited to, a default on other indebtedness of the Company or its subsidiaries.

None of the restructured debt may be prepaid without the consent of EPR. Upon an event of default, as defined in the Debt Restructure Agreements, EPR may, among other things, declare all unpaid principal and interest due and payable.  Each of the notes governing the restructured debt matures on December 1, 2034.

As a condition to the Debt Restructure, the Company entered into the Master Cross Default Agreement with EPR (the “Master Cross Default Agreement”). The Master Cross Default Agreement provides that any event of default under existing or future loan or lien agreements between the Company or its affiliates and EPR, and any event of default under the Lease Amendment, shall automatically constitute an event of default under each of such loan and lien agreements and Lease Amendment, upon which EPR will be entitled to all of the remedies provided under such agreements and Lease Amendment in the case of an event of default.

Also in connection with the Debt Restructure, the Company and EPR entered into the Guaranty Agreement (the “Guaranty Agreement”).  The Guaranty Agreement obligates the Company and its subsidiaries as guarantors of all debt evidenced by

F - 12

 


 

the Debt Restructure Agreements. The table below illustrates the potential interest rates applicable to the Company’s fluctuating interest rate debt for each of the next five years, assuming an effective rate increase by the Capped CPI Index:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attitash/Mount Snow Debt

 

Credit Facility Debt

 

Sycamore Lake/(Alpine Valley) Debt

 

 

2015 (1)

 

10.93% 

 

10.28% 

 

10.56% 

 

 

2016

 

11.09% 

 

10.43% 

 

10.71% 

 

 

2017

 

11.26% 

 

10.59% 

 

10.88% 

 

 

2018

 

11.43% 

 

10.75% 

 

11.04% 

 

 

2019

 

11.60% 

 

10.91% 

 

11.20% 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)  For 2015, the dates of the rates presented are as follows: (i) April 1, 2015 for the Attitash/Mount Snow Debt; (ii) October 1, 2015 for the Credit Facility Debt; and (iii) December 1, 2015 for the Sycamore Lake (Alpine Valley) Debt.

The Capped CPI Index is an embedded derivative, but the Company has concluded that the derivative does not require bifurcation and separate presentation at fair value because the Capped CPI Index was determined to be clearly and closely related to the debt instrument.

The Wildcat Mountain Debt due December 22, 2020 represents amounts owed pursuant to a promissory note in the principal amount of $4.5 million made by WC Acquisition Corp. in favor of Wildcat Mountain Ski Area, Inc., Meadow Green‑Wildcat Skilift Corp. and Meadow Green‑Wildcat Corp. (the “Wildcat Note”). The Wildcat Note, dated November 22, 2010, was made in connection with the acquisition of Wildcat Mountain, which was effective as of October 20, 2010. The interest rate as set forth in the Wildcat Note is fixed at 4.00%.

A substantial portion of the Company’s assets serve as collateral for the Company’s long‑term debt.

Future aggregate annual principal payments under all indebtedness are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

$

503 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

766 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

522 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

702 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

160 

 

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

95,419 

 

 

 

 

 

$

98,072 

 

 

 

 

The Mount Snow Development Debt represented obligations incurred to provide financing for the acquisition of land at Mount Snow that is in development stages. The Crotched Mountain Debt represented amounts incurred to pay off outstanding debt secured by the Crotched Mountain ski resort and for general working capital purposes. The Mount Snow Development Debt and Crotched Mountain Debt were paid in full in connection with the Debt Restructure.

Deferred financing costs are net of accumulated amortization of $191 and $371 at April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Amortization of deferred financing costs will be $50 for each year of the five-year period ending April 30, 2020. This amortization is included in interest expense. Amortization for the years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 totaled $141, $52 and $52, respectively

F - 13

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Note 5. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 consists of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Federal

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

1,574 

 State taxes based on income

 

 

168 

 

 

50 

 

 

226 

 Benefit of net operating losses

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(1,720)

 

 

 

168 

 

 

50 

 

 

80 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Federal

 

 

(895)

 

 

(635)

 

 

1,694 

 State

 

 

(51)

 

 

124 

 

 

49 

 

 

 

(946)

 

 

(511)

 

 

1,743 

 

 

$

(778)

 

$

(461)

 

$

1,823 

 

Deferred income taxes consist of the following at April 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Deferred gain on sale/leaseback

 

$

1,307 

 

$

1,420 

 Accrued compensation

 

 

222 

 

 

248 

 Unearned revenue

 

 

748 

 

 

627 

 Net operating loss carryforwards

 

 

7,746 

 

 

6,884 

 

 

 

10,023 

 

 

9,179 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Property and equipment

 

 

(17,884)

 

 

(17,986)

 

 

 

(17,884)

 

 

(17,986)

 

 

$

(7,861)

 

$

(8,807)

 

Deferred income taxes are included in the April 30, 2015 and 2014 consolidated balance sheet as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

Current assets

 

 

970 

 

 

875 

Noncurrent liabilities

 

 

(8,831)

 

 

(9,682)

 

 

$

(7,861)

 

$

(8,807)

 

Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon sufficient future income during the period that the deductible temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be available to reduce taxable income. Based on management’s projections, the net deferred tax assets will be recovered with projected taxable income from the three years through April 30, 2018. There was no valuation allowance deemed necessary.

 

 

F - 14

 


 

 

 

Loss carryforwards for tax purposes as of April 30, 2015, have the following expiration dates (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

Expiration date

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

$

278 

2031

 

 

 

 

 

14,872 

2033

 

 

 

 

 

2,907 

2034

 

 

 

 

 

2,296 

 

 

 

 

 

$

20,353 

 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided for the amount of deferred tax assets that, based on available evidence, are not expected to be realized.

 

For fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, the expected income tax rate differs from the statutory rate as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013 

Computed "expected" tax (benefit)

 

$

(895)

 

$

(667)

 

$

1,540 

Increase (decrease) in income tax (benefit) resulting from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Permanent differences

 

 

41 

 

 

46 

 

 

44 

 State income tax

 

 

60 

 

 

174 

 

 

230 

 Other

 

 

16 

 

 

(14)

 

 

Income tax (benefit)

 

$

(778)

 

$

(461)

 

$

1,823 

 

In connection with the Company’s initial public offering in November 2014, a change of ownership in the Company occurred pursuant to the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. As a result, the Company’s usage of its net operating loss carryforwards will be limited each year; however, management believes the full benefit of those carryforwards will be realized prior to their respective expiration dates.

The Company accounts for unrecognized tax benefits also in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, which prescribes a minimum probability threshold that a tax position must meet before a financial statement benefit is recognized. The minimum threshold is defined as a tax position that is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution to any related appeals or litigation, based solely on the technical merits of the position. The Company has no accrual for interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions at April 30, 2015 and 2014, and did not recognize interest or penalties in the Statements of Operations during the years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

 

The major jurisdictions in which the Company files income tax returns include the federal and state jurisdictions within the United States. The tax years after 2009 remain open to examination by federal and state taxing jurisdictions. However, the Company has NOLs beginning in 2001 which would cause the statute of limitations to remain open for the year in which the NOL was incurred.

 

Management regularly assesses the likelihood that its net deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. To the extent management believes that it is more likely than not that a net deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established. When a valuation allowance is established or increased, an income tax charge is included in the consolidated financial statements and net deferred tax assets are adjusted accordingly. Changes in tax law, statutory tax rates, and estimates of the Company’s future taxable income levels could result in actual realization of the net deferred tax assets

F - 15

 


 

being materially different from the amounts provided for in the consolidated financial statements. If the actual recovery amount of the deferred tax asset is less than anticipated, the Company would be required to write off the remaining deferred tax asset and increase the tax provision, resulting in a reduction of net income and stockholders’ equity.

 

The Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits and has not incurred any interest and penalties for fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013.

 

Note 6.  Acquisition

Effective October, 2012, the Company acquired substantially all of the outstanding common stock of Sycamore Lake, Inc. (doing business as Alpine Valley) in the Cleveland, Ohio metropolitan area for approximately $2.6 million. There were no significant transactions costs incurred. Of the total purchase price, $2.55 million was financed under a 10% promissory note to EPT Ski Properties, Inc., subject to annual increases as described in Note 4. The note requires monthly payments of interest until its maturity in December 2032 when a final principal amount is due. The note was amended in November 2014 as a part of the debt restructuring. The maturity was extended to December 2034. Alpine Valley's results of operations are included in the accompanying 2013 consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. The allocation of purchase price is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buildings and improvements

 

$

1,306 

Land

 

 

1,180 

Equipment

 

 

116 

Goodwill

 

 

627 

  Total assets acquired

 

 

3,229 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

(627)

  Net assets acquired

 

$

2,602 

 

The following presents the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information as if the acquisition of Sycamore Lake, Inc. was completed on May 1, 2012, the beginning of the Company's 2013 fiscal year. The following pro forma financial information includes adjustments for depreciation and interest for the acquisition note and property and equipment recorded at the date of acquisition. This pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposed only and does not purport to be indicative of the results of future operations or the results that would have occurred had the acquisition taken place on May 1, 2010 (in thousands except per share data).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

Net revenues

 

$

99,750 

Net earnings

 

$

2,404 

Pro forma basis and diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.60 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N

 

 

Note 7. Sale/Leaseback

In November 2005, the Company sold Mad River Mountain and simultaneously leased the property back for a period of 21 years. The resultant gain was deferred and is being ratably recognized in income over the term of the lease.

 

 

 

Note 8.  Employee Benefit Plan

 

F - 16

 


 

The Company maintains a tax-deferred savings plan for all eligible employees. Employees become eligible to participate after attaining the age of 21 and completing one year of service. Employee contributions to the plan are tax-deferred under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Company matching contributions are made at the discretion of the board of directors. No contributions were made in 2015 and 2014. A contribution of $250 was made in 2013.

 

On November 4, 2015, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Peak Resorts, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”), and on November 5, 2014, the Company’s stockholders approved the Incentive Plan. The stockholders approved a maximum of 559,296 shares to be available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. The Incentive Plan authorizes the Company to grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock bonuses, other stock based awards, cash awards, or any combination thereof, as defined in and allowed by the Incentive Plan. No awards have been made under the Incentive Plan.

Note 9. Financial Instruments and Concentrations of Credit Risk

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments to which the Company is a party:

Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash:  Due to the highly liquid nature of the Company’s short‑term investments, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate their fair values.

Accounts receivable:  The carrying value of accounts receivable approximate their fair value because of their short‑term nature.

Accounts payable and accrued expenses:  The carrying value of accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximates fair value due to the short‑ term maturities of these amounts.

Long‑term debt:  The fair value of the Company’s long‑term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities. The interest rates on the Company’s long‑term debt instruments are consistent with those currently available to the Company for borrowings with similar maturities and terms and, accordingly, their fair values are consistent with their carrying values.

Concentrations of credit risk:  The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are on deposit with financial institutions where such balances will, at times, be in excess of federally insured limits. Excess cash balances are collateralized by the backing of government securities. The Company has not experienced any loss as a result of those deposits.

 

 

Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies

Restricted cash:  The provisions of certain of the Company’s debt instruments generally require that the Company make and maintain a deposit, to be held in escrow for the benefit of the lender, in an amount equal to the estimated minimum interest payment for the upcoming fiscal year.  In addition, the Company has funds it is holding in escrow in connection with its efforts to raise funds under the EB-5 Program.  The Company intends to use the current and future funds for future development.     

Loss contingencies:  The Company is periodically involved in various claims and legal proceedings, many of which occur in the normal course of business. Management routinely assesses the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes, including consideration of its insurable coverage and discloses or records estimated losses in accordance with ASC 450, “Contingencies”. After consultation with legal counsel, the Company does not anticipate that liabilities arising out of these claims would, if plaintiffs are successful, have a material adverse effect on its business, operating results or financial condition.

Leases:  The Company leases certain land, land improvements, buildings and equipment under non‑cancelable operating leases. Certain of the leases contain escalation provisions based generally on changes in the CPI with maximum annual percentage increases capped at 1.5% to 4.5%. Additionally, certain leases contain contingent rental provisions which are based on revenue. The amount of contingent rentals was insignificant in all periods presented. Total rent expense under such

F - 17

 


 

operating leases was $1,756, $2,075 and $2,081 for years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company also leases certain equipment under capital leases.

Future minimum rentals under all non‑cancelable leases with remaining lease terms of one year or more for years subsequent to April 30, 2015 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital

 

Operating

 

 

Leases

 

Leases

2016

 

$

668 

 

$

1,717 

2017

 

 

542 

 

 

1,630 

2018

 

 

495 

 

 

1,596 

2019

 

 

490 

 

 

1,557 

2020

 

 

192 

 

 

1,539 

Thereafter

 

 

 

 

10,340 

 

 

 

2,387 

 

$

18,379 

Less: amount representing interest

 

 

397 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,990 

 

 

 

Less: current portion

 

 

496 

 

 

 

Long-term portion

 

$

1,494 

 

 

 

 

Off-balance sheet arrangement: We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

 

 

 

 

Note 11. Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is as follows (in thousands except share and per share data):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,854)

 

$

(1,501)

 

$

2,707 

Weighted number of shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares outstanding for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

 

8,420,756 

 

 

3,982,400 

 

 

3,982,400 

Basic and diluted  earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.22)

 

$

(0.38)

 

$

0.68 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note 12. Selected Quarterly Financial Data

Selected quarterly financial data for the years ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands, except for per share data):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

Quarter ended (unaudited)

 

 

Year ended April 30, 2015

 

April 30, 2015

 

January 31, 2015

 

October 31, 2014

 

July 31, 2014

Revenue

 

$

104,858 

 

$

47,047 

 

$

45,985 

 

$

6,230 

 

$

5,596 

Other Operating Income-gain on settlement of lawsuit

 

 

2,100 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

2,100 

 

 

 -

F - 18

 


 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

17,482 

 

 

18,947 

 

 

14,498 

 

 

(6,887)

 

 

(9,076)

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,854)

 

$

9,780 

 

$

3,269 

 

$

(6,743)

 

$

(8,160)

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.22)

 

$

0.70 

 

$

0.27 

 

$

(1.69)

 

$

(2.05)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

 

 

 

Quarter ended (unaudited)

 

 

Year ended April 30, 2014

 

April 30, 2014

 

January 31, 2014

 

October 31, 2013

 

July 31, 2013

Revenue

 

$

105,205 

 

$

47,805 

 

$

46,193 

 

$

6,187 

 

$

5,020 

Other Operating Income-gain on settlement of lawsuit

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

15,053 

 

 

18,924 

 

 

13,372 

 

 

(8,568)

 

 

(8,675)

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,501)

 

$

8,538 

 

$

5,582 

 

$

(7,740)

 

$

(7,881)

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.38)

 

$

2.14 

 

$

1.40 

 

$

(1.94)

 

$

(1.98)

 

 

 

 

Note 13.  Related Party Transactions

On October 30, 2007, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement with EPT Ski Properties, Inc. pursuant to which EPT Ski Properties, Inc. provided the Company with a $31.0 million operating loan. This amount was later increased to $56.0 million upon the execution of the fifth amended and restated promissory note, dated July 13, 2012. Messrs. Boyd and Mueller and Richard Deutsch, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Development and Acquisitions Officer, respectively, executed a Consent and Agreement of Guarantors on October 30, 2007 pursuant to which they each personally guaranteed payment of the amount due by the Company under, and satisfaction of all other obligations pursuant to, the Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for terms of the agreements. On November 10, 2014, the Company entered into a Restructure Agreement. As a part of the Agreement, the guaranty by Messrs. Boyd, Mueller and Deutsch terminated, and in its place the Company and certain of its subsidiaries guaranteed all of the Company’s obligations to EPR under the restructured loans.  

 

Note 14. Subsequent Events

On June 12, 2015, the Company declared a cash dividend of 13.75 cents per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on August 21, 2015, to stockholders of record on July 10, 2015. The current indicated annualized dividend would be 55 cents per share.

 

In June 2015, the Company entered into capital leases to finance the installation of Low-E snow guns at Mount Snow, Attitash and Wildcat, as well as to fund the purchase of groomers for Mount Snow and Attitash.  The Low-E snow guns lease is payable in 48 monthly payments of $61.8 and the groomers lease is payable in 60 monthly payments of $23.5, both commencing July 2015.  The Company has a $1.00 purchase option at the end of each lease term.  Messrs. Boyd, Mueller and Deutsch have personally guaranteed the leases.

 

 

 

 

 

F - 19

 


 

Item 9. Changes and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K. Based on that evaluation, management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K, are functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). A controls system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

This annual report on Form 10-K does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established by the rules of the SEC for newly public companies.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) under the Exchange Act that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

Item 9B. Other Information.

None.

 

 

 

 

44

 


 

PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

 

The information required by this Item 10 of Form 10-K will be included in our 2015 Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with the solicitation of proxies for our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders ("2015 Proxy Statement") and is incorporated herein by reference. The 2015 Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

 

The information required by this Item 11 of Form 10-K will be included in our 2015 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

The information required by this Item 12 of Form 10-K will be included in our 2015 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

On November 4, 2015, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Peak Resorts, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”), and on November 5, 2014, the Company’s stockholders approved the Incentive Plan. The stockholders approved a maximum of 559,296 shares to be available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. The Incentive Plan authorizes the Company to grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock bonuses, other stock-based awards, cash awards, or any combination thereof, as defined in and allowed by the Incentive Plan. No awards have been made under the Incentive Plan, as illustrated in the table below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan Category

Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights

Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights

Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a))

 

(a)

(b)

(c)

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders

 

_

 

_

 

559,296

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security  Holders

 

_

 

_

 

_

Total

 

_

 

_

 

559,296

 

 

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

The information required by this Item 13 of Form 10-K will be included in our 2015 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

45

 


 

 

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

 

The information required by this Item 14 of Form 10-K will be included in our 2015 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

 

PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

 

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K:

1.  Financial Statements.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Peak Resorts, Inc. and subsidiaries, together with the report thereon of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, are included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this annual report on Form 10-K. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements therein.

 

2.  Financial Statement Schedules

None.

3.  Exhibits

 

The exhibits required to be filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K are listed in the attached Exhibit Index.

 

(b) The exhibits filed with this annual report on Form 10-K are listed in the attached Exhibit Index.

(c) None.

 

 

 

 

 

 

46

 


 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

PEAK RESORTS, INC.

Date: July 27, 2015By:/s/ Timothy D. Boyd

Timothy D. Boyd

Chief Executive Officer and President

 (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: July 27, 2015By:/s/ Stephen J. Mueller

Stephen J. Mueller

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

 

Signature

Title

Date

 

/s/ Timothy D. Boyd

Timothy D. Boyd

 

Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

July 27, 2015

 

/s/ Stephen J. Mueller

Stephen J. Mueller

 

Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Director

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

July 27, 2015

 

/s/ Richard K. Deutsch

Richard K. Deutsch

 

Vice President-Business and Real Estate Development and Director

 

July 27, 2015

 

/s/ Stanley W. Hansen

Stanley W. Hansen

 

Director

 

July 27, 2015

 

/s/ Carl E. Kraus

Carl E. Kraus

 

Director

 

July 27, 2015

 

/s/ Christopher S. O’Connor

Christopher S. O’Connor

 

Director

 

July 27, 2015

 

/s/ Michael H. Staenberg

Michael H. Staenberg

 

Director

 

July 27, 2015

 

 

 

47

 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

 

Exhibit

 

 

 

Number

 

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

 

Agreement of Sale and Purchase between Wildcat Mountain Ski Area, Inc., Meadow Green-Wildcat Skilift Corp. and Meadow Green-Wildcat Corp., as sellers, and WC Acquisition Corp., as purchaser, effective as of October 20, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

2.2

 

Agreement of Sale by and among Blue Ridge Real Estate Company and JFBB Ski Areas, Inc., dated as of October 31, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 2.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

2.3

 

Amendment to Agreement of Sale by and among Blue Ridge Real Estate Company and JFBB Ski Areas, Inc., dated as of December 6, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 2.4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

2.4

 

Second Amendment to Agreement of Sale by and among Blue Ridge Real Estate Company and JFBB Ski Areas, Inc., dated as of December 15, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 2.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

2.5

 

Agreement of Sale by and among Big Boulder Corporation and JFBB Ski Areas, Inc., dated as of October 31, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 2.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

2.6

 

Amendment to Agreement of Sale by and among Big Boulder Corporation and JFBB Ski Areas, Inc., dated as of December 6, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 2.7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

2.7

 

Second Amendment to Agreement of Sale by and among Big Boulder Corporation and JFBB Ski Areas, Inc., dated as of December 15, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 2.8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

2.8

 

Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Peak Resorts, Inc., as buyer, and S. Sandy Satullo, II Revocable Trust of 3/13/00, S. Sandy Satullo, II, Trustee, S. Sandy Satullo, III, Tia N. Satullo Revocable Trust, Tia S. Winfield, Trustee, Stuart S. Satullo Revocable Trust of January 20, 2005, Stuart S. Satullo, Trustee, James B. Stinnett, Raymond C. Stinnett and Linda G. Musfeldt, as sellers, and S. Sandy Satullo II on its own behalf and on behalf of each seller, dated as of October 17, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 2.8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

3.2

 

Amended and Restated By-laws (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

4.1

 

Form of Peak Resorts, Inc. Common Stock Certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on November 10, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.1

 

Loan Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc. and L.B.O. Holding, Inc., as borrowers, and EPT Mount Attitash, Inc., as lender, dated April 4, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

48

 


 

10.2

 

Promissory Note from Peak Resorts, Inc. and L.B.O. Holding, Inc. in favor of EPT Mount Attitash, Inc. dated April 4, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.3

 

Note Modification Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc. and L.B.O. Holding, Inc., as borrowers, and EPT Mount Attitash, Inc. as lender, dated October 30, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.4

 

Agreement Concerning a Loan for a Holder of a Special Use Permit by and between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; EPT Mount Attitash, Inc. and L.B.O. Holding, Inc., dated April 4, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.5

 

Agreement Concerning a Loan for a Holder of a Special Use Permit by and between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; EPT Mount Snow, Inc. and Mount Snow, Ltd., dated April 4, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.6

 

Promissory Note from Peak Resorts, Inc. and Mount Snow, Ltd. in favor of EPT Mount Snow, Inc., dated April 4, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.7

 

Modification Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc. and Mount Snow, Ltd., as borrowers, and EPT Mount Snow, Inc. as lender, dated April 1, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.8

 

Second Modification Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc. and Mount Snow, Ltd., as borrowers, and EPT Mount Snow, Inc. as lender, dated July 13, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.9

 

Third Modification Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc. and Mount Snow, Ltd., as borrowers, and EPT Mount Snow, Inc. as lender, dated April 1, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.10

 

Loan Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc. and Mount Snow, Ltd., as borrowers, and EPT Mount Snow, Inc., as lender, dated April 4, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.11

 

First Modification Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc. and Mount Snow, Ltd., as borrowers, and EPT Mount Snow, Inc., as lender, dated June 30, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

49

 


 

10.12

 

Amended and Restated Promissory Note from Peak Resorts, Inc. and Mount Snow, Ltd. in favor of EPT Mount Snow, Inc., dated June 30, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.13

 

Letter Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc. and Mount Snow, Ltd., as borrowers, and EPT Mount Snow, Inc., as lender, dated June 20, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.14

 

Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement among Mad River Mountain, Inc.; SNH Development, Inc.; L.B.O. Holding, Inc.; Mount Snow, Ltd.; Peak Resorts, Inc.; Hidden Valley Golf and Ski, Inc.; Snow Creek, Inc.; Paoli Peaks, Inc.; Deltrecs, Inc.; Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc.; Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc.; and JFBB Ski Areas, Inc., as borrowers, and EPT Ski Properties, Inc., as lender, dated October 30, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.15

 

Option Agreement between Hidden Valley Golf and Ski, Inc.; Snow Creek, Inc.; Paoli Peaks, Inc.; Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc.; Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc.; and JFBB Ski Areas, Inc., as sellers, and EPT Ski Properties, Inc. as purchaser, dated October 30, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.16

 

Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note from Peak Resorts, Inc.; JFBB Ski Areas, Inc.; Mad River Mountain, Inc.; SNH Development, Inc.; L.B.O. Holding, Inc.; Mount Snow, Ltd.; Hidden Valley Golf and Ski, Inc.; Paoli Peaks, Inc.; Deltrecs, Inc.; Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc.; and Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc. in favor of EPT Ski Properties, Inc., dated August 5, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.17

 

Third Amended and Restated Promissory Note from Peak Resorts, Inc.; JFBB Ski Areas, Inc.; Mad River Mountain, Inc.; SNH Development, Inc.; L.B.O. Holding, Inc.; Mount Snow, Ltd.; Hidden Valley Golf and Ski, Inc.; Paoli Peaks, Inc.; Deltrecs, Inc.; Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc.; and Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc. in favor of EPT Ski Properties, Inc., dated December 15, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.18

 

Fourth Amended and Restated Promissory Note from Peak Resorts, Inc.; JFBB Ski Areas, Inc.; Mad River Mountain, Inc.; SNH Development, Inc.; L.B.O. Holding, Inc.; Mount Snow, Ltd.; Hidden Valley Golf and Ski, Inc.; Paoli Peaks, Inc.; Deltrecs, Inc.; Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc.; and Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc. in favor of EPT Ski Properties, Inc., dated May 14, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 10.18 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.19

 

Fifth Amended and Restated Promissory Note from Peak Resorts, Inc.; JFBB Ski Areas, Inc.; Mad River Mountain, Inc.; SNH Development, Inc.; L.B.O. Holding, Inc.; Mount Snow, Ltd.; Hidden Valley Golf and Ski, Inc.; Paoli Peaks, Inc.; Deltrecs, Inc.; Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc.; and Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc. in favor of EPT Ski Properties, Inc., dated July 13, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.20

 

Blanket Conveyance, Bill of Sale and Assignment between Wildcat Mountain Ski Area, Inc., Meadow Green‑Wildcat Skilift Corp. and Meadow Green‑Wildcat Corp., as assignors, and WC Acquisition Corp., as assignee, dated November 19, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.21

 

Agreement Concerning a Loan for a Holder of a Special Use Permit by and between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; Meadow Green‑Wildcat Corp, as lender, and WC Acquisition Corp., as borrower, dated November 19, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

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10.22

 

Promissory Note from WC Acquisition Corp. in favor of Wildcat Mountain Ski Area, Inc.; Meadow Green‑Wildcat Skilift Corp.; and Meadow Green‑Wildcat Corp., dated November 22, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.23

 

Unconditional Guaranty of Peak Resorts, Inc., dated November 12, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.24

 

Lease Agreement by and between EPT Mad River, Inc. and Mad River Mountain, Inc., dated November 17, 2005 (filed as Exhibit 1024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.25

 

First Amendment to Lease Agreement by and between EPT Mad River, Inc. and Mad River Mountain, Inc., dated June 30, 2006 (filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.26

 

Ground Lease by and between Crotched Mountain Properties, L.L.C. and SNH Development, Inc., dated May 27, 2003 (filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.27

 

First Amendment to Ground Lease by and between Crotched Mountain Properties, L.L.C. and SNH Development, Inc., dated April 3, 2004 (filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.28

 

Second Amendment to Ground Lease by and between Crotched Mountain Properties, L.L.C. and SNH Development, Inc., dated January 31, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.29

 

Lease by and between the Estate of Charles Marvin Weeks and Paoli Peaks, Inc., dated September 26, 1990 (filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.30

 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Special Use Permit for Attitash (filed as Exhibit 10.30 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.31

 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Special Use Permit for Mount Snow (filed as Exhibit 10.31 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.32

 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Special Use Permit for Wildcat Mountain (filed as Exhibit 10.32 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.33

 

Promissory Note from SNH Development, Inc. in favor of EPT Crotched Mountain Ski Resort, Inc., dated March 10, 2006 (filed as Exhibit 10.33 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.34

 

Amended and Restated Promissory Note from SNH Development, Inc. in favor of EPT Crotched Mountain Ski Resort, Inc., dated July 13, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 10.34 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.35

 

Guaranty of Payment made by Peak Resorts, Inc. for the benefit EPT Crotched Mountain, Inc., dated March 10, 2006 (filed as Exhibit 10.35 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

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10.36

 

Loan Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc.; JFBB Ski Areas, Inc.; Mad River Mountain, Inc.; SNH Development, Inc.; L.B.O. Holding, Inc.; Mount Snow, Ltd.; HiddenValley Golf and Ski, Inc.; Snow Creek, Inc.; Paoli Peaks, Inc.; Deltrecs, Inc.; Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc.; Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc.; and WC Acquisition Corp., as borrowers, and EPT Ski Properties, Inc., dated July 13, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 10.36 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.37

 

Loan Agreement by and between Sycamore Lake, Inc. and Peak Resorts, Inc., as borrowers, and EPT Ski Properties, Inc., as lender, dated November 19, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 10.37 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.38

 

First Amendment to Loan Agreement by and between Sycamore Lake, Inc. and Peak Resorts, Inc., as borrowers, and EPT Ski Properties, Inc. as lender, dated July 26, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 10.38 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.39

 

Promissory Note from Sycamore Lake, Inc. and Peak Resorts, Inc. in favor of EPT Ski Properties, Inc., dated November 19, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 10.39 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.40

 

Option Agreement between Peak Resorts, Inc. and Sycamore Lake, Inc., as sellers, and EPT Ski Properties, Inc., as purchaser, dated November 19, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 10.40 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.41

 

Modification and Consent Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc. and Mount Snow, Ltd., as borrowers, EPT Mount Snow, Inc., as lender, and EPT Ski Properties, Inc., dated July 26, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 10.41 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.42

 

Letter Agreement regarding the Modification and Consent Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc. and Mount Snow, Ltd., as borrowers, EPT Mount Snow, Inc., as lender, and EPT Ski Properties, Inc., dated June 13, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 10.42 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.43

 

Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between Piggy and the Three J's, LLC and the Estate of James L. McGovern, III, as seller, and Mount Snow Ltd., as buyer, dated April 15, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 10.43 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.44

 

Form of Peak Resorts, Inc. Indemnification Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.44 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.45

 

Agreement by and between Mount Snow, Ltd. and Leitner‑Poma of America, dated as of March 24, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 10.45 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.46

 

Executive Employment Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc. and Timothy D. Boyd, dated as of June 1, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 10.46 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on November 10, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.47

 

Executive Employment Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc. and Stephen J. Mueller, dated as of June 1, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 10.47 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on November 10, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.48

 

Executive Employment Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc. and Richard Deutsch, dated as of June 1, 2011(filed as Exhibit 10.48 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on November 10, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

52

 


 

10.49

 

Peak Resorts, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on January 15, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.50

 

Restructure Agreement by and between Peak Resorts, Inc., Hidden Valley Golf & Ski, Inc. Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc., Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc., Paoli Peaks, Inc., Snow Creek,  Inc., JFBB Ski Areas, Inc., Mad River Mountain, Inc., SNH Development, Inc., L.B.O. Holdings, Inc., Mount Snow, Ltd., Deltrecs, Inc. and Sycamore Lake, Inc. and EPT Crotched Mountain, Inc., EPT Mount Snow, Inc., EPT Mount Attitash, Inc., EPT Ski Properties, Inc., Crotched Mountain Properties, LLC, and EPT Mad River, Inc., dated as of November 10, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 10.50 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on November 10, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.51

 

Master Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2014, among Peak Resorts, Inc., Mount Snow, Ltd., Sycamore Lake, Inc., Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc., Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc., Deltrecs, Inc., and JFBB Ski Areas, Inc, as borrowers, and EPT Ski Properties, Inc. and EPT Mount Snow, Inc., as lender (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 6, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.52

 

Amendment to Master Credit and Security Agreement, effective as of December 1, 2014, by and among Peak Resorts, Inc., Mount Snow, Ltd., Sycamore Lake, Inc., Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc., Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc., Deltrecs, Inc. and JFBB Ski Areas, Inc., as borrowers, and EPT Ski Properties, Inc. and EPT Mount Snow, Inc., as lenders (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on January 29, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.53

 

Amended and Restated Promissory Note from Peak Resorts, Inc., Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc. Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc. and Deltrecs, Inc. in favor of EPT Ski Properties, Inc., dated December 1, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 6, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.54

 

Amended and Restated Promissory Note from Peak Resorts, Inc. and Sycamore Lake, Inc. in favor of EPT Ski Properties, Inc., dated December 1, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 6, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.55

 

Amended and Restated Promissory Note from Peak Resorts, Inc. and JFBB Ski Areas, Inc. in favor of EPT Ski Properties, Inc., dated December 1, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 6, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.56

 

Amended and Restated Promissory Note from Peak Resorts, Inc. and Mount Snow, Ltd. in favor of EPT Ski Properties, Inc., dated December 1, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 6, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.57

 

Master Cross Default Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2014, by and among EPT Ski Properties, Inc., EPT Mount Snow, Inc. and EPT Mad River, Inc. and Peak Resorts, Inc., Mad River Mountain, Inc., Mount Snow, Ltd., Sycamore Lake, Inc., Deltrecs, Inc., Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc., Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc. and JFBB Ski Areas, Inc., as borrowers, and SNH Development, Inc., L.B.O. Holding, Inc., Hidden Valley Golf and Ski, Inc., Snow Creek, Inc., Paoli Peaks, Inc. and Crotched Mountain Properties, LLC, as guarantors (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 6, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.58

 

Guaranty Agreement, made as of December 1, 2014, by Peak Resorts, Inc., JFBB Ski Areas, Inc., Mad River Mountain, Inc., SNH Development, Inc., L.B.O. Holding, Inc., Mount Snow, Ltd., Sycamore Lake, Inc., Hidden Valley Golf and Ski, Inc., Snow Creek, Inc., Paoli Peaks, Inc., Deltrecs, Inc., Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc., Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc., WC Acquisition Corp., Resort Holdings, L.L.C. and BLC Operators, Inc., as guarantors, for the benefit of EPT Ski Properties, Inc. and EPT Mount Snow, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 6, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

53

 


 

10.59

 

Option Agreement between Brandywine Ski Resort, Inc., Boston Mills Ski Resort, Inc., JFBB Ski Areas, Inc. and Sycamore Lake, Inc., as seller, and EPT Ski Properties, Inc., as purchaser, dated as of December 1, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 6, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.60

 

Master Right of First Refusal Agreement, made as of December 1, 2014, by and between EPT Ski Properties, Inc. and Peak Resorts, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 6, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.61

 

Right of First Refusal Agreement (Mount Attitash), dated as of December 1, 2014, among L.B.O. Holding, Inc. and EPT Ski Properties, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 6, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.62

 

Second Amendment to Lease Agreement, made as of December 1, 2014, by and between EPT Mad River, Inc. and Mad River Mountain, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 6, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries.

 

23.1

 

Consent of McGladrey LLP.

 

31.1

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (18 USC. Section 1350).

 

 

54