Araon doesn't say that he was misquoted in saying that there could be a possibility that Vail's most ambitious redevelopment plan would not move forward. Indeed, he says he was quoted accurately.

But he says only a part of his comments at a town hall meeting attended by about 30 people were reported. Most importantly, the published story did not include his strong endorsement of the $900 million in upgrades that Vail Resorts plans, according to Aron.

"I was trying to explain generally why companies in the free enterprise system need to be profitable--that good things result when they are, and that sometimes good things do not happen when they are not. Hence the comments picked up by The Denver Post," Aron writes.

"Having said that, I could not have been more emphatic that the redevelopment of Vail is one of our absolute highest priorities at Vail Resorts," says Aron.

"Moreover, I expressed my firm confidence and enthusiasm that the Town of Vail would approve our going forward with the redevelopment, that our company could readily finance the construction, and that the real estate market in Vail was sufficiently robust that the various projects to be built would sell 'like hotcakes,'" he continues.

"Demonstrating the conviction of that confidence, I mentioned that Vail Resorts has placed promotional signs, displays and brochures throughout Vail this winter announcing 'Vail's New Dawn. A Refined Vail Village. A New Lionshead.'"

"We would not risk our company's credibility in advertising such a visible project if we had any doubts the redevelopment would do anything other than go forward at the earliest opportunity," he writes.

Instant Insights /

Vail Resorts Leader Responds to 'Slow-Down' Report

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