How Did The Mid-A Resorts Fare Last Winter
June 11, 2010
We all know it snowed a ton on our local hills, but how did this impact the resorts from a financial stand-point?
Did they have more skier days? Make more money?
Anybody have a clue...I am sure most believe the resorts must have had a great year, but I am not sure...remember that many of the major snowfall came just in time to mess up weekend travel. So, anybody with some facts...how did our resorts fare? Inquiring minds want to know...and will it lead to resort improvements for next year?
The Colonel
No first hand knowledge Col. but looking at the press releases at least Sno Time looks like they had a good year. A new trail at WT and they closed the deal on Carrol Valley at Liberty. Looks like standard snow making upgrades. Sure the new trail will likely be a ski in-out trail for real estate, but in this economy any money spent looks like a good sign.
You post infers a good question though---as a local resort manager--would you rather have 100 inches of snow, or 100 days of 20 degree nights and 40 degree days. Pros and cons to each.
I know that the overhead of snow making for timberline was nil after mid january. However, it's hard to say about skier visits. We had good crowds all season. Ski school was busy through the last weekend. My source says that it was one of the best skier visit years they ever had, but that's unofficial. They opened a week later and closed a week earlier than usual which cut operation costs but also skier visit time. I think that if ski mountains would look at late/early season as Friday thru Monday, they could cut mid week costs and return revenue to mountain improvements. Just a thought.
I have no idea about the true bottom line, but I know Beech did not make snow after mid february which has to be good. Otoh, they also said that there was so much snow a lot of potential visitors could not get up to the ski area. Still, they preferred the snow. Certainly on my two visits the place was packed.
I would guess that any place that extended their season must have been doing pretty well.
Smowmaking cost were down considerably but the snow removal costs went thru the roof. A lot of skiers did not get to their favorite slopes due to the storms hitting on the weekends.
A lot of great snow went away with the rains in early march
ending the season just when the profits were about to start.
imp
Nothing scientific...but talking to patrollers and other employees at WTG indicates visits were up. Food Service workers told me they were slammed all season. Also my observations were that even weekdays were busier than last few years.
Roads closed or not...people want to ski when there is snow on the ground.
looking at the press releases at least Sno Time looks like they had a good year. A new trail at WT and they closed the deal on Carrol Valley at Liberty.
I must've missed this update... Where's the info on the new trail?
aaron
Whitetail to put $4 million into Montgomery Township resort
By MARCUS RAUHUT Staff writer
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP -- Whitetail Resort in Montgomery Township expects to break ground later this year for a new clubhouse at its golf course.
The project is part of $4 million in capital improvements planned across the ski slopes and golf course this year.
The existing clubhouse will be demolished to make way for a new 9,500-square-foot building that includes a pro shop, dining room and snack bar, a meeting room, and outdoor patios for barbecues and special functions.
Whitetail expects to break ground in September or October, according to marketing coordinator Matt See.
The building is expected to be complete in time for the spring golf season.
"It gives us a lot of advantages, not only the golfing aspect of having a newer, nicer place for golfers to relax after rounds, but it also allows us to hold events there," See said. "We'll be able to hold small meetings, corporate meetings, along with sit-down meals that we've never had an opportunity to offer before."
Along with the new clubhouse, Whitetail is also making improvements to the ski-snowboard side of the resort.
Improvements announced Tuesday include sculpting a new beginner trail, upgrades to the Marketplace dining area, and investments in new snowmaking equipment and a new snow groomer.
The resort has already broken ground for the new 1,800-foot Ledgewood trail, which will be built next to the existing Snow Park trail.
According to See, the trail will be the seventh beginner trail and 23rd overall. The improvements to the Marketplace include an expanded grill area and a new bakery.
Whitetail Resort President and General Manager Don MacAskill said in a news release that the investments in the ski operation and the golf course will "help establish Whitetail Resort as the premier four season resort in the region."
