PRESS RELEASE - Ketchum, ID – SMITH is pleased to announce today its marketing partnership with Vail Resorts, the premier mountain resort company in the world and leader in luxury, destination-based travel at iconic locations, to provide best-in-class eyewear and helmets to millions of outdoor-enthusiasts while reinforcing the importance of proper head and eyewear protection during adventurous pursuits.
“At Smith we believe the experience with our products is everything,” said Blair Clark, Sr. VP of Sales and Marketing. “Regardless of what you want to do at a mountain resort, you will have ‘the experience of a lifetime’ at Vail’s premium mountain resorts. For decades, Vail Resorts’ professional guides, instructors and employees have provided Smith unparalleled authenticity. It’s about time we formalized the relationship to our mutual benefit. We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership of SMITH outfitting Vail Resorts employees in eyewear and helmets” said Clark.
“Skiers and riders are always looking for the best helmet and eyewear,” said Bob Stinchcomb, vice president of business development for Vail Resorts. “Vail Resorts’ partnership with Smith, another iconic ski and outdoor company, will provide the guests at our 10 mountain resorts with the latest fashion and technology from a leader in the active lifestyle industry.”
Smith and Vail Resorts already hold a long-standing partnership within Vail Resorts’ retail division, and the move to become the official and exclusive eyewear and helmet partner of the Resorts will provide new opportunities for Smith to connect with guests. The partnership includes all 10 Vail Resorts mountains, as well as all the company’s lodging properties. With the addition of Vail Resorts, SMITH now supports over 20 mountain resorts as the official eyewear and helmet sponsor for summer and winter adventures.
ABOUT SMITH: Based in Sun Valley, Idaho, Smith Optics, Inc. was founded in 1965 with the creation of the first goggle featuring a sealed thermal lens and breathable vent foam. Today, Smith is known for its diverse line of sunglasses, snow and motorsports goggles, snow and bike helmets, premium protective eyewear and ophthalmic eyewear. Smith’s devotion to excellence, innovation, performance and style has made Smith the choice of action-sport athletes worldwide. Smith products are sold in more than 50 countries through sporting goods and specialty stores. For more information, check out smithoptics.com
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN): Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company’s subsidiaries operate the mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Canyons in Park City, Utah; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company’s subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.