I was just talking with friends about this. How good did ski resorts do in 08-09. During this season I was able to ski in Vail and Beaver Creek. I lived directly accross the street from the Gondola at The Weston Hotel. This put me in a unique position to see skiers and snowboarders coming and going all day. One thing about ski Colorado is locals don't head to the mountain until temperatures rise in the morning. To be honest I got like that too.
But anyway back to my friends and I. My one buddy was firm in his opinion that the resorts lost money. Another thought it was average. Both these guys skied new England all season. From my observations by the Beaver Creek Gondola I said I thought it was a good year.
I skied over 80 days at Vail and Beaver Creek and people where on the mountains everyday. The holiday's where packed so much so it was getting dangerous. Even at Vail with thousands of acres open. Vail and Beaver Creek where 100% open in 2008-2009 ski season. In December the Vail Valley received 13 feet of snow. It is also worth mentioning Vail Resorts sold over 51.000 Epic Season Passes for 09-09 ski season.
Well the National Ski Area Assoiciation as set the facts strait.
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – May 15, 2009 – "Based on preliminary estimates, ski areas nationwide tallied 57.1 million visits for the 2008/09 season, making it the fifth best season on record. Over the last 10 seasons (1999/00 – 2008/09), the industry has averaged 56.7 million visits. The 2008/09 season represents a 0.8 percent increase from the 10-year average, and just a 5.5 percent decrease from the record 2007/08 season of 60.5 million visits. At 13.8 million visits in 2008/09, the Northeast region was up 5.5 percent from its 10-year average. Meanwhile the Southeast region, at 5.62 million visits, was up 3.8 percent from its 10-year average; the Midwest region, with 7.41 million visits, was down 1.1 percent from its 10-year average; the Rocky Mountain region, with 19.79 million visits, was up 1.3 percent from its 10-year average; and finally the Pacific West region, with 10.54 million visits, was down 5.8 percent from its 10-year average.
Relatively favorable snow and weather conditions in most parts of the country during much of the season provided a strong counterbalance to the challenging economic conditions. Based on resort comments, the impact of the economy varied somewhat depending on resort location and resort type. Many day-ski areas in close proximity to major metropolitan markets benefited as many guests chose to ski and ride at locations closer to home. Meanwhile destination resorts often reported fewer overnight visits and shorter stays. Many resorts commented that snow and weather conditions had a more powerful impact on their visitation than the economy. Overall average snowfall was down just 10 percent. The Southeast realized a 31.2 percent increase in average snowfall; the Midwest was up 1.1 percent; the Northeast was down just 10 percent; the Pacific West was down 10.2 percent; and the Rocky Mountain region was down 14.2 percent. A final report will be issued in July". For more information visit nsaa.org.
Trail Ridge Road in Rockie Mountain National park is closed in the winter. 800 inches of snow in a season is not unusual. In fact it's the norm. In December alone this past season (08) 13 feet of snow fell at Vail Pass.
Trail Ridge Rd enters the park on the west side coming from Fraser CO and Grand Lake the home of Winter Park Ski Resort. The road continues up to the Continental divide and drops back down the east side of the range into Estes Park. View Larger Map
Every year park crews plow the road with huge snow blowers and plows in order to get it open for Memorial Day Weekend. Crews can expect 20 to 30 foot snow drifts even in April and May.
Check out this snow removal video from Estes Park News.
From Telluride Colorado PlumTV in Avon Colorado Captures Key moments of the competition.
Plum takes you to the extreme side of skiing for the 2008 Subaru Free Ski in Telluride. Only the most experienced extreme skiers dare drop off prospect ridge at Telluride. This piece includes runs from the top 5 men and women, and interviews with Griffin Post (Men's Winner) Galena Gleason (women's 5th) and Cliff Bennet.
Plum TV is the Vail Valleys local television network.
With advance reservations estimated to be down 20% at ski Resorts the news of Okemo being sold is not a shock. One of the last family run Ski Areas in the USA (Okemo) is to be sold.
CNL Lifestyle Properties Inc., a real-estate investment trust based in Orlando, Fla., is expected to announce that it will acquire three U.S. ski resorts for $132 million. Crested Butte in Colorado and Mt Sunapee are part of the package aswell.
The family run ski area is moving closer to becoming extinct, When I started skiing 37 years ago almost all the ski areas in New England where owned and operated by families. Many local ski areas like Magic Mt, and Corinthia in Vermont where a place young families could bring the kids for a affordable vacation and teach the kids how to ski.
Even though Triple Peaks LLC of Ludlow, Vt., which currently owns and operates the ski areas CNL will buy, will continue as operator this development certainly brings up concerns that family run ski areas will become a thing of the past.
This is way cool. A Epic Ski Pass will be given to organizer/contact person on any rental over $6000 booked and paid for before Nov. 15! Read the rest of this entry »
