Skiing and riding after Feb.?

[mountainman]

Will the economy start showing its impact in the ski industry after Feb.? Feb. is a short month with one more big vaction peroid. March is a long month with no really big holidays or big vacations periods. Wondering if areas are starting to package promotions for March? March is one of the best months for skiing and riding but will the numbers be their? Are areas going to be able to justify the numbers for the diehard spring skiers and riders? It only takes a few bad weather events on weekends to really hurt in March. Mid-week numbers are going to be the ones I think that are really going to be down after Feb.

 

[deadheadskier]

I think out West it will more so, as it already has been so far, than here in the East. Boston's economy, all things considered, it holding it's own compared to most other parts of the country.

 

[billski]

East and West coast are entirely different animals. West coast (rockies) tend to be destination resorts, with a longer season to spread the pain against.

I have heard of a several families who bagged west coast trip this year in favor of an east coast stay-over, as a way of containing expense.

East coast tends to be more weighted to day trippers or few-days trips. I follow east and can tell you with certainty that they are metering out the incentives slowly but carefully. East has been stronger in general. March is always a sleepy month, most resorts make the bulk of their bucks between xmas and president's day week. You may see a number of select incentives over the next two weeks, then again in March.
Resorts in the east are making stronger use of email lists as a marketing tool. I'm seeing a lot more "yield management" going on with incentives poping a few days ahead. Certain resorts are also using Lifttopia much more heavily in "yield management". It's a strategy very much like the airlines.

You never bet your business on the diehards. They are too few and too cheap. The cash cow are the families, the intermediates with limited time, willing to part with their cash to make your profit for the season. But hey, weather happens. That's the uncontrollable issue every season and I don't see you really can mitigate that risk. Pres day week, people have.are making commitments they're in it. I also don't believe anybody is making a lot of money midweek, save for a powder day, but again those are diehards, and that's sugar you can't count on.

I don't think you're gonna see one big "crash" of incentives. It's going to be select resorts, select incentives, select periods. That said, if you keep your ear on the street you are very apt to pick up some very good deals this season.

 

[loafer89]

There is alot of snow up north especially in Western Maine and Northern New Hampshire. Barring any sort of dramatic thaw, the cover will probably last well into spring.

The extensive snowpack is also a benefit to snowmobilers who are making a positive impact on the struggling economy just as much as skiers/riders are. Luckily this year we can have both activites going on hand in hand with the great snow year thus far, or things might not be as rosy.

I would expect resorts to offer discounts and special's on Liftopia or their own websites to draw skiers out into the spring season.

 

[mattchuck2]

To be honest, I kind of hope that there's less people on the mountain. Every year after Presidents' Week, the crowds start dwindling out. Will the dwindle be more pronounced this year? Maybe. But if that's the case, then more spring bumps, sunshine and beers on the deck for me . . .

I'd love to see some deep discounts out west. Especially some discounts that include Airfare (which unfortunately seems to be going back up lately). It looks like I'll get some money to burn from my tax return, and I'd definitely be up for a trip out west if the right deal comes along.

 

[gladerider]

i am getting more president's week sales emails than before. i see less crowd each weekend comparing to the last few years. with more companies expected to announce job cuts, i wouldn't be surprised if increased sales emails end up in my inbox in the coming weeks.

 

[Glenn]

We did a lot of skiing last year in March and April at Mt. Snow. The skiing was great and the lines were non existant. Before that really warm spell in late April, Mt. Snow kept saying the lifts would be running as long as there were people there to ride them. So yes, people showing up becomes and issue later in the season.

I think a lot of kids are starting their spring sports in April; especially those in the flatlands where the snow has been gone for awhile. So that probably keeps some of the families away.

 

[4aprice]

i am getting more president's week sales emails than before. i see less crowd each weekend comparing to the last few years. with more companies expected to announce job cuts, i wouldn't be surprised if increased sales emails end up in my inbox in the coming weeks.

I'm interested where your seeing less crowds. The Pocono's have been doing a brisk business (skiing wise) this year. The Christmas holiday was busy, MLK was busy heck even this last weekend was busy. The weather seems to be more of a factor then anything. The cold has kept some people off the slopes (this past Saturday AM is a perfect example) but when it has warmed they've been out in droves. Sunday which was warmer brought out major crowds. In the past things have tended to mellow out after Pres Day and March is usually just great with good snow and no crowds but I wonder if this year will follow suit. Seems that more people are staying more locally this year. I being a ski nut plan to head north several times as the season winds down. Wonder what kind of crowds I'll see up there.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[Love to Ski]

Well I am hoping that the weather keeps up the way it has been this year. I would love to see a great snow filled March. I am up for a good chunk of skiing this month and next, even if there is nobody else on the slopes. More room for me!! LOL! Plus I do think that if the weather keeps up the way it is for next month then I think people will still flock to the slopes pretty well, even considering the economy. :beer:

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I'm hoping for good spring skiing deals..when does Easter fall this year???

 

[4aprice]

I'm hoping for good spring skiing deals..when does Easter fall this year???

Easter is I believe the 12th of April. I know my kids have the 2nd week of April off, they usually have the 3rd so this year is better.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[billski]

I'm hoping for good spring skiing deals..when does Easter fall this year???

:flame:man you are lazy! there's a keyboard right in front of you!

u can huck cliffs, but ask you to do a google search........

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

:flame:man you are lazy! there's a keyboard right in front of you!

u can huck cliffs, but ask you to do a google search........

It's nice letting others do the work..:smile:

 

[dbking]

Business here in Big Sky is slow. Not as many people in the restaurants or the tram line. I don't know what the real numbers are. They won't say. I haven't seen a panic sale of equipment or rooms yet. I hope to get some nice stuff for short money this spring. But we are not empty either. Skiers are passionate about their sport and will sacrifice to ski powder.
I might be unemployed ( the Governor's Ski Team ) but I'm glad that I didn't start a new business this year. Montana, due to the extraction industries, has a pretty good economy and home prices, ect are relatively stable. Tough times are ahead though. The economy in the East and Midwest will affect us soon enough.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Business here in Big Sky is slow. Not as many people in the restaurants or the tram line. I don't know what the real numbers are. They won't say. I haven't seen a panic sale of equipment or rooms yet. I hope to get some nice stuff for short money this spring. But we are not empty either. Skiers are passionate about their sport and will sacrifice to ski powder.
I might be unemployed ( the Governor's Ski Team ) but I'm glad that I didn't start a new business this year. Montana, due to the extraction industries, has a pretty good economy and home prices, ect are relatively stable. Tough times are ahead though. The economy in the East and Midwest will affect us soon enough.

My friend who lives in Bozeman said construction in Bozeman and Big Sky is at a standstill..it looks like the Yellowstone club is in bad shape as well..with all of Blixseths troubles..

 

[Chesser]

In northern Vermont, Christmas week was brutal with that weekend thaw/rain which wiped out some very good mid-December conditions. And then heading in to the MLK weekend, we had that extreme cold front Wednesday to Friday (and Saturday, to some extent) that had the mountains looking like ghost towns. It was definitely cold, but it was sunny, too, and the wind wasn't so bad at certain times--still, no one was skiing. It might've had something to do with how big a news story the arctic blast was. A touch exaggerated, I thought, and it had an impact on skier visits. Those two holiday periods were definitely sub-par.

However, mid-January up to now has been good, and last week's snow has certainly improved everything enormously. I think most mountains are beating budget last week and this week. Obviously, the economy is a reality everyone's dealing with, but I think visits are still more tied to the weather. In Vermont, at least. The forecast through the middle of February looks good--not too cold, frequent chance for snow showers--and I think a good second half of the season might be able to make up for the lackluster holiday periods in the first half. We'll see, though. My point: I expect to see March deals, but don't expect close-out prices.