Vermont Sees 4.1 Million Skier Visits: An Increase of 1.8% over 2008-2009

[thetrailboss]

Here is the WCAX story that just came out: http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=12622883

Despite the economy and a bad snow year, these are good numbers. The rest of the Northeast had a 2.8% decline.

 

[deadheadskier]

wonder where the major declines were. From the sounds of SR and SL had great seasons, as well as SB. You would think those three would be enough to drive overall visits in Maine up.

 

[snowmonster]

The conventional wisdom was that, because of the recession, more people would opt to do a "staycation," that is, take vacations nearer home. By that logic, NE resorts, including VT, should do well and the Jackson Holes of the world should not. So, this result doesn't really surprise me. I remember seeing reports that ME visits were up too. Curious to see how NH and the western MA resorts fared. I'm pretty sure Wachusset did fine.

 

[thetrailboss]

wonder where the major declines were. From the sounds of SR and SL had great seasons, as well as SB. You would think those three would be enough to drive overall visits in Maine up.

Well, the article is worded such that VT compared itself to the "rest of the Northeast," whatever that means. So if states like MA and NH did really badly, and ME did slightly better, than that explains the difference.

And Snowmonster hit the nail on the head. When I was skiing, there were lots and lots of locals at Sugarbush, even on the weekends. Many folks bought the passes and stayed put. When I went around to other places I noticed the same thing. When we were out west, Squaw was running a killer deal when we were there--half price tickets when you came with a passholder. Folks we talked to said that there was snow, but no real crowds.

So yes, fewer headed out west and abroad. Many stayed home. Plus, if there was snow in the NE, well METRO NE, why head anywhere else?

 

[arik]

Vermont is closer to more major urban areas than Maine (in terms of "staycation" appeal). I know several New Yorkers who prefer to fly to Maine.

 

[thetrailboss]

Here is a slightly more detailed article...not really though...

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/...es-2009-10-season-skier-visits-at-4.1-million

 

[gpetrics]

don't forget that it was particularly snowy in the southern parts of the northeast this year. monkey see monkey do surely had something to do with this...

i don't really understand how the rest of the northeast was off this winter though.... i'd like to hear more about that.

 

[thetrailboss]

Well, NH reported that is was down 2.6%: http://www.skinh.com/media/skiervisits10.cfm

Maine has not released numbers, but here is their 2008-2009 report: http://www.skimaine.com/news/?prid=27

And here is the NSAA release: http://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/press/0910/nc-100504-kottke-prelim.asp

 

[RootDKJ]

Good for VT. I didn't spend as many days as I wanted to in VT this past season, but record breaking snow in PA kept me closer to home. Otherwise, I would have liked to spent a few more days up North.

 

[Glenn]

I certainly saw my share of busy days this winter. Not surprising to see those numbers.

 

[drjeff]

I certainly saw my share of busy days this winter. Not surprising to see those numbers.

My family as a whole was responsible for about 150 of those VT days last year! (or however many days they figure in for a season pass x 4 )

 

[Glenn]

My family as a whole was responsible for about 150 of those VT days last year! (or however many days they figure in for a season pass x 4 )

You guys hammer out the days Jeff. Seriously.

 

[Edd]

I heard from a pretty reliable source that Cannon has lost money for the past couple of years, at least. Does this sound right to the Cannon regulars? I was surprised.

 

[drjeff]

You guys hammer out the days Jeff. Seriously.

Glenn, I kind of figure that to "earn" my coveted regular corner bar stool at The Mid Station on the weekends, that I've gotta be there! :beer: :lol:

 

[Geoff]

I don't see drjeff's 150 days among 4 people as being a particularly huge number. For an every weekender with a vacation home, you need to log 50-ish just to justify the expense.

 

[drjeff]

I don't see drjeff's 150 days among 4 people as being a particularly huge number. For an every weekender with a vacation home, you need to log 50-ish just to justify the expense.

Yup, I know I slipped up last year and actually missed 3 weekends that Mount Snow was open My 41 days last year was quite weak compared to the 51 and 55 days I logged the previous years. Plus I try and not think about what the cost analysis is for the whole family by the time I add in kids programs, taxes, association fees, routine upkeep on a 25ish year old townhome, and the most expensive extra line item, a season's worth of bar bills :lol:

 

[Geoff]

Yup, I know I slipped up last year and actually missed 3 weekends that Mount Snow was open My 41 days last year was quite weak compared to the 51 and 55 days I logged the previous years. Plus I try and not think about what the cost analysis is for the whole family by the time I add in kids programs, taxes, association fees, routine upkeep on a 25ish year old townhome, and the most expensive extra line item, a season's worth of bar bills :lol:

If I were just a weekender, my housing cost would be about $250/night for my condo and I don't have a mortgage.

 

[riverc0il]

I heard from a pretty reliable source that Cannon has lost money for the past couple of years, at least. Does this sound right to the Cannon regulars? I was surprised.

I have heard the exact opposite for the past couple of years.

 

[skiadikt]

according to the nsaa report skier/snowboarder visits this season increased by 4.2 percent nationally, only 1.2 percent below the all time record of 60.5 million visits achieved in 2007/08. breakdown by region:

Pacific Southwest +15.0%
Midwest +7.2%
Southeast +6.7%
Rocky Mountain +3.4%
Pacific Northwest +3.2%
Northeast -2.7%

northeast is clearly the laggard despite vermont's modest 1.4% increase. surprising since you'd think that because of the economy fewer people would be flying west.

here's the historical skier visit info by region for the previous 10 yrs:

 

[catskills]

I would like to understand why Vermont posts an increase in skier visits year after year. This year in other states in the Northeast had a decrease.

Its not like Vermont has been installing a lot of additional chair lift capacity in the last 5 years. As you can see from this link, other states have installed more chair lift capacity than Vermont in recent years. With the year after year increase in Vermont skier visits with minimal lift capacity improvments, the lift lines must be getting longer in Vermont. :blink: Its either that or the Vermont skier visit numbers are BS.

http://www.skilifts.org/old/install_na.htm