Every year the COOs for the local ski areas get together at the Ski Area COO Summit and share some info about the previous season and what to expect for this ski season in Summit County. Here are a couple things from each area that stuck out for me.
Keystone
Keystone has added a ski school app that will greatly improve the ski school experience for parents. It’s easy to see what the kids are up to during the lesson and how they are progressing. Off ski experiences are improving too with the addition of Snow Fort After Dark. Take a gondola ride up to the lit up snow fort for music, lights and late night energy. In addition, it’s becoming more affordable for friends and family that don’t have a season pass. The Epic Pass has increased the discount on the Friends & Family tickets this year, now offering 50% off ticket window prices.
Copper Mountain
Copper had great snow last year. It was so good they ended up with the 2nd longest season ever. They are continuing with a lot of the same events but have added the World Cup this season. It happens over Thanksgiving weekend and they will be offering $99 lift tickets while it’s going on. They are continuing the $99 lift tickets on Thursdays this season too.
Breckenridge
Breck is working to get back to being the center of the snowboarding universe again. They are doing that with some of the same great events but adding in the RockStar Energy Open during Ullr Fest. That event brings the best snowboarders in the world to town for a multi-day competition. You don’t come to Breckenridge to get away, you come to Breck to be a part of it all!
Arapahoe Basin
A-Basin had the biggest change being acquired by Alterra at the end of last season. That means A-Basin is now included in the Ikon Pass. It’s still 5 days a season for the base pass but a full Ikon Pass gets you full access. Alterra is committed to keeping authentic, genuine resorts. They have kept on A-Basin’s staff and we hope it will remain a good thing for everyone. They are continuing the parking reservation system for those skiing and riding on weekends and holidays this ski season. A-Basin filed their master development plan for upcoming improvements. Keep in mind, this is just a plan. None of the improvements are approved yet.
Loveland
Loveland is just over the divide from Summit County so is always included in the ski area summit. They are freezing their season pass pricing this year for the 2nd year in a row. Loveland is also part of the Indy Pass, which is a great way to visit all the independent ski areas across the world. Loveland doesn’t have a lodge or anything like that. They say they only have room to ski it or park it. Nothing extra. On that note, they are planning to create a new parking lot next summer that will increase capacity.
Area Statistics
Key Data provided tourism statistics for the area. According to them, Occupancy rates in the county are up 1% when compared to the same date last year. The average daily rate has increased too. Those two items add up to increased revenue up $5 per room/per day for the strongest revenue ever seen.
Here are a few more stats
- 20% of the ski season bookings have already been booked and bookings are for longer stays.
- Copper had the highest average daily rate at $98.
- Occupancy rates across the state are up. Average daily rates are up everywhere in Colorado with the exception of the Telluride area.
- The top 5 feeder markets didn’t change much from last year with most guests coming from Texas and Florida. Colorado is third, followed by Mississippi and Georgia.
We’re starting to see the snow lingering on the mountaintops as the cooler weather comes in. Conversations around town are turning to the upcoming ski season in Summit County. It’s an exciting time around the county, even though it’s our off season.
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