Shorter Ski Trips

[KingM]

I'm approaching my fifth winter as owner of the inn and have access to fifteen years of records before that. In looking through the records, I've noticed a clear trend toward shorter and shorter ski trips. It used to be that people would regularly take ski trips of a week or even ten days. Now, the only time you see trips of that length is during Christmas week (and even then, people frequently just come for two or three days) or during the February school break. The trend has clearly led to more and more quick weekend getaways.

I don't know what's to blame for this, if it's the rising cost of skiing, gear, etc., the squeeze on the middle class, people working longer hours with less vacation time, or what. But I've got to think that it really hurts the bottom line of most ski resorts. As a lodge owner, the net result has probably been neutral because summer visitors have modestly increased, but midweek occupancy has slipped gradually in the winter over the years. Weekends still fill up regularly and there are quite a few one or two night stays midweek, but you don't see those long trips anymore.

Any thoughts?

 

[Dr Skimeister]

Seems to me that shorter trips, but taken more frequently, is the trend of people across the board, not just skiers. I personally now typically take at least two trips each winter, one to ski and one to some warm-weather locale. But either are shorter than the full week trip to ski I would take in the past.

 

[crank]

A couple of thoughts, not necessarily correct ones. For longer stays people like to go condo. As for myself, I go on week-long ski safaris where I hit one area or region for 2-3 days and then move on. Last year it was ME, CAN, VT. Year before NY, Northern VT, Southern VT. You get the idea.

 

[campgottagopee]

I know for my wife and I we always look to stay mid week to avoid crowds. Typically arive sunday night and leave saturday morning. Always look to stay in condo or house.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

more families require double incomes, kids more involved with sports etc...just shortens the time you can make it to the hill. To take a familly of 4 (say kids are 5) you need hotel, adult lifts, ski school (for at least a half a day) meals..you are looking at a $600-700 weekend and thats modest lodging at best....I just booked 5 days at Smuggs Fri-Wed, Slope side condo (1bdrm with kitchen) lifts, ski school, day care etc is $1800 plus food, gas etc..you are looking at over $2K for 5 days,,,,,

 

[skimore]

We tend to not commit to any ski trip until we see the snow flying and then make the move. It could be mid-week or weekend but they do usually end up being only 2-3 days and last minute. Just not worth it to me to make reservations somewhere for a week and end up skiing groomers.

 

[Talisman]

When I take a week vacation to ski, it isn't in New England. The shorter stays at your hotel are the result of cheaper airflights and better connectivity to places like CO, UT and CA where ski conditions are more relaible. New England conditions are too unpredictable for me to invest a week of vacation time to see a rain/thaw and refreeze cycle. I do ski almost every weekend and try to do a seasonal rental with other people versus staying at a hotel.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I'm approaching my fifth winter as owner of the inn and have access to fifteen years of records before that. In looking through the records, I've noticed a clear trend toward shorter and shorter ski trips. It used to be that people would regularly take ski trips of a week or even ten days. Now, the only time you see trips of that length is during Christmas week (and even then, people frequently just come for two or three days) or during the February school break. The trend has clearly led to more and more quick weekend getaways.

I don't know what's to blame for this, if it's the rising cost of skiing, gear, etc., the squeeze on the middle class, people working longer hours with less vacation time, or what. But I've got to think that it really hurts the bottom line of most ski resorts. As a lodge owner, the net result has probably been neutral because summer visitors have modestly increased, but midweek occupancy has slipped gradually in the winter over the years. Weekends still fill up regularly and there are quite a few one or two night stays midweek, but you don't see those long trips anymore.

Any thoughts?

With great deals flying west, I believe more people take weeklong ski trips out west and not so much in the east. When I was in middle/high school 10-15 years ago, Alot of skiers I knew would go to Tremblant, Smuggs, Stowe, Sugarbush, and Killington for a 5+ day trip during a non-holiday time..but back then gas was alot cheaper..even adjusted for inflation and air travel wasn't as popular..now with 250-300 dollar airfare to SLC or Denven..it's tough not to just go out west for the more reliable snow...but a nice long Vermont trip is awesome. This past early April I had a week of vacation time to burn but not so much money so I drove to Stowe and stayed 5 nights at about $50-60 a night in the Town and Country Inn..I say 50-60 because I was in two different rooms during my stay due to the last minute nature so $60 was for the larger steezier room..although the $50 room was sparten but adaquate..My 5 day lift ticket was $227...and the gas may have been $80-100..the food expenses I would have incurred anywhere..so it was a good deal and alot less hassle than flying and I had 3 powder days..I had a buddy who was in Jackson that same week and they had slushy conditions..and I had winter conditions...

Just my inflation adjusted 4 cents..lol

 

[deadheadskier]

I would guess it has more to do with a lesser amount of time off than fuel costs. If fuel costs were the primary issue, you would think that people would be far more inclined to take only one long week as opposed to two shorter ones.

I know for me, if I've got 5 days paid vacation, I'm much more inclined to take two five days trips instead of one nine day trip. I'd take three vaca days on one trip, than piggy back the other two around a holiday to get the second 5 day trip.