Vail Resorts outlines estimates on summer plans

Vail Resorts Inc. estimates its plan to expand summer activities at Vail Mountain will boost summer visits by about 350,000 people, with customers spending an estimated $50 to $60 apiece.

Vail Mountain already hosts some summer activities but hopes to offer an expanded menu of zip line tours, an alpine coaster, climbing wall and more starting in the summer of 2014. Vail Resorts estimates $25 million in construction costs to add its proposed summer activities on federal land that it previously could use only for skiing. A change in federal law now allows for year-round recreation.

Vail Resorts’ Breckenridge ski area in Colorado and Heavenly in the Lake Tahoe area also are developing expanded summer plans. Smaller-scale summer additions are expected at the company’s other resorts.