Sep 5, 3:55 PM EDT

Vail Resorts outlines estimates on summer plans

Superlatives
Yankee magazine offers best of fall in New England, A to Z more
By the Book
Laura Bush announces lineup, unveils poster for this year's Texas Book Festival more
Are We There Yet?
Legoland Florida announces an interactive Star Wars expansion at theme park more
CyberTrips
NY parks department launches smartphone app as guide to facilities, events around state more
Out There
Kansas River provides canoers, kayakers a glimpse of a prairie waterway _ wide, flat and sandy more
Travel Know How
Tips for Planning Trips more
Dispatches
Wandering among the fields, forests and villages of Thailand's northern hill tribes more
Tourism Info
Travel Links
Yesterday's Places
Calif. winery renovates to resume wine-making in historic stone buildings more

BROOMFIELD, Colo. (AP) -- 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.

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.