Industry News
Popular online lift-ticket discount site Liftopia lives to fight another day as an attempt by Aspen Skiing Co. and a number of other ski-area operators failed in their attempt to force the company into bankruptcy.
- Related: Liftopia Facing Involuntary Bankruptcy for $3-Million Owed to Alterra, Aspen Skiing Co, and Others
The US Bankruptcy Judge Hannah Blumstiel of the Northern District of California threw out the attempt and issued a dismissal at the hearing, where she determined a “bona fide dispute” does exist between the parties over how much is actually owed, reports the Aspen Times.
A petition was filed in California Northern Bankruptcy Court back on June 2 against Liftopia by Alterra Mountain Company and Mountain Collective Pass operator Aspen Skiing Company. Claims against Liftopia totaled $3-million for failure to pay commercial fees.
Chapter 11 Involuntary Petition Against a Non-Individual. Fee Amount $1717. Filed by Petitioning Creditor (s) Aspen Skiing Company, L.L.C., as Managing Member of the Mountain Collective, Alterra Mountain Company (attorney Joshua D. Morse), Cypress Bowl Recreations Limited Partnership (attorney Joshua D. Morse), Dundee Resort Development LLC (attorney Joshua D. Morse), Aspen Skiing Company, L.L.C., as Managing Member of the Mountain Collective (attorney Joshua D. Morse) (Morse, Joshua) (Entered: 06/02/2020)
Aspen Skiing Co., as managing member of the Mountain Collective pass, was claiming $2.38 million, while Alterra ($63,723), Cypress Bowl Recreations ($395,424) and Arapahoe Basin ($175,704) were also mentioned in the hearing.
Attorneys for Liftopia did not deny that the company does owe the creditors for lift tickets it sold on their behalf but did say the claimed amounts were overstated by $86,000. For a debtor to be forced into bankruptcy, the creditor’s claims must be accurate and not disputed by the debtor. In order for the case to proceed, there must not be a ‘bona fide dispute’
Liftopia is the leading provider of dynamic pricing and online ticket sales platforms for high volume ticketing businesses. Its pricing and online ticket sales platform, designed to maximize return on marketing spend, are used by over 120+ ski lift companies, water parks, and other attraction providers worldwide. Liftopia’s technology also powers Liftopia.com, the largest marketing and distribution platform for ski ticket products, rentals, lessons, and other mountain experiences.
The company does remain in business, their website is still live, although due to COVID-19 they have temporarily furloughed a number of employees.
