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Vail Resorts is seeking advanced artificial intelligence, digital logistics and enterprise software solutions to enhance the guest experience, expand ancillary offerings and achieve significant organizational efficiencies, according to an AI analysis of the transcript of its latest earnings call.
Last week we started What’s new in Skiftprofiled using AI analysis and expert editorial insights Oral discussion during earnings call and Detailed data hidden in SEC files. Our goal is to mine technology opportunities These documents shed light on – whether it’s an upcoming system upgrade, an emerging RFP or digital transformation. We start by analyzing Soho House’s latest earnings call and its 10th quarter earnings report.
This week, we turn our attention to Vail Resorts (MTN), which reported quarterly earnings in December. based on Earnings Conference Call Transcript For the first quarter of 2025, we conducted the following analysis:
1. Explicit reference to technology investments
My Epic App Enhancements
“…the company will also build on its pilot of My Epic Assistant, a new customer service technology within the My Epic app powered by advanced artificial intelligence and resort experts… …The company plans to invest in more advanced AI capabilities in 2025.”
- why it’s important: Vail Resorts explicitly highlighted a plan to invest in advanced artificial intelligence to power app-based guest service tools. While some of these may be developed in-house, large-scale AI/ML implementations often involve technology platforms provided by partners or vendors. This suggests that Weir is at least exploring third-party solutions (such as artificial intelligence frameworks, natural language processing platforms, or professional consulting) to speed up development.
My epic equipment
“…the company is continuing to invest in innovative technologies to enhance the guest experience…In the coming years, the company will invest in additional new features for the My Epic app…building on the My Epic Assistant pilot…”
- why it’s important: My Epic Gear is a new rental and gear delivery concept that goes beyond traditional ski gear rental. It relies on real-time inventory management, logistics and data-driven guest personalization. Ware discussed “incremental capital investments in quality fleet and fulfillment infrastructure,” which could include software solutions for asset tracking, scheduling, routing and data analytics. These capabilities may come from specialized technology vendors.
2. Organizational Transformation and Shared Services
Resource Efficiency Transformation Program
“Through scaled operations, global shared services and expanded workforce management, the company expects to achieve $100 million in annualized cost efficiencies by the end of fiscal 2026.”
“…the company continues to make progress on its two-year resource efficiency transformation plan…The guidance includes an estimated $15 million in one-time costs associated with the multi-year plan…”
- why it’s important: Implementing a new workforce management system, centralized finance/accounting, or automated processes often requires technology from a third-party vendor (e.g., ERP implementation, cloud-based HR or finance solution, workforce scheduling, RPA/AI). While they didn’t name specific vendors, the scope and scale of their $100 million cost-effectiveness target through “global shared services” and “extended workforce management” strongly suggests their interest in enterprise solutions, AI-driven resource scheduling or Interested in solutions supported by other vendors. platform.
3. Digital guest experience and personalized communications
Personalize guest experience
“…the company will also build on its pilot of My Epic Assistant, a new customer service technology…to better communicate with and serve our guests Personalized experience.”
- why it’s important: Personalized and automated communications (push notifications, chatbots, personal itinerary suggestions) often require dedicated CRM and AI-driven marketing platforms. This is another clue that they may be looking to outside vendors (or at least specialized technology partners) to improve or expand these capabilities.
4. Impact: Areas where Vail can pursue suppliers
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – For use with My Epic Assistant, guest personalization, and potential backend/efficiency initiatives.
- Logistics, inventory and fulfillment – My Epic Gear may require advanced logistics and inventory management systems, which may come from established players in the field.
- Workforce Management and ERP – Achieving $100 million in cost efficiencies through global shared services may require implementing or upgrading enterprise solutions, often requiring external technology vendors or consultants.
- Customer Relationship Management and Marketing Technology – Enhancing personalized messaging, loyalty marketing, and real-time customer communications often require specialized martech solutions or platforms.
Judging from the earnings call, yes, it appears that Vail Resorts is in the market (either now or soon) for vendor technology solutions. The most obvious signs are:
- Advanced artificial intelligence (My Epic Assistant) for guest-facing services was repeatedly mentioned.
- A large, multi-year Resource Efficiency Transformation Program – with the goal of achieving $100 million in annual efficiency improvements – recommends a major system or process overhaul (often involving a new software platform).
- Special mention was made of technology investments in “innovative guest experiences” and logistics (My Epic Gear), which often involves working with software and hardware vendors.
While Vail may already have a strong internal team, the scope and complexity of these initiatives (artificial intelligence, logistics management, global shared services) strongly suggests that they may rely on the ready availability of external technology partners and/or major enterprise vendors. solution.
