Economic Mess Hits the Slopes

[marmar]

Downturn gains altitude as ski country suffers
Even great snow conditions may not save the business this time around

By William Spain, MarketWatch


BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (MarketWatch) -- The downturn is clearly gaining altitude.

Sure, it was only a Thursday night but the restaurant -- one of this posh resort area's hottest that usually requires reservations weeks in advance -- was more than happy with much less notice.

That, along with the short lift lines, idled ski-school instructors and plethora of brown-bag lunches on display are among the more visible signs that the winter sports business is suffering from the same squeeze as other high-end leisure activities. The mantra of the industry has long been "If it snows, they will come" and while that is still true to some degree, the skiers are staying for shorter periods and being more tight-fisted when they do.

Fewer people are heading to the ski slopes this year, and when they do go they expect a great experience at a discount. That puts resort operators in a tough bind.

"People are still coming out to our resorts and we are providing them a great respite from all the challenges going on in the market," said Rob Katz, chief executive of Vail Resorts , which owns Beaver Creek, along with a handful of other ski areas in Colorado and California. "But there is no question that they will be spending less when they are with us. They are looking for specials and deals and promotions." ........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Meltdown-ski-business-brings-a/story.aspx?guid=%7B45588622%2DCE0F%2D4C63%2D8E30%2D798D4649D45B%7D

[Davis_X_Machina]

1. Things are a little bit better here...

...in Maine and New Hampshire. Gas is still under $2.00 a gallon, and people seem willing to drive up. Most of the Rockies aren't that close to cities, Denver and SLC excepted. I wonder how the Sierras are doing....

[Snarkoleptic]

2. I stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Beaver Creek on a company outing.

I had a $26 burger and washed it down with an $8 beer.
Not much call for this in a good economy let alone what booosh left us with.