Mountain skiing reports are in: happy trails
All signs indicate a robust winter season for western mountain resorts, according to various sources.
Ski business rebounded last winter, exceeding 20 million after dropping slightly the previous season, according to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA).
“We’re seeing it in occupancy and, to a lesser extent, solidifying in summer, and we see it continuing through the 2010-2011 season,” Ralf garrison, head of MTRiP, a Denver-based travel research firm, told MeetingsWest.
Growth is led by leisure business, which has shown a faster recovery period, according to Garrison, though group is also up as well.
Upscale hotel brands continue to open in Vail Valley, which is two hours from Denver. Almost US$2 billion in infrastructure and development has been pumped into the town of Vail alone in the past few years.
“Lodging occupancies are up over last year,” said Chris Romer, Vail Valley Partnership executive director.
Meeting business is also up in perennially popular Utah.
“We are seeing groups come back that took a hiatus for a year or two,” said Jack Sibbach, director of marketing for the Roundhouse Gondola in Sun Valley.
By David Wilkening
David
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