Bookings are strong at Colorado ski resorts

Advance reservations activity is positive

ColoradoBiz Staff //November 17, 2016//

Bookings are strong at Colorado ski resorts

Advance reservations activity is positive

ColoradoBiz Staff //November 17, 2016//

The 2016-17 ski and snowboard season typically gets underway in earnest at many Western mountain destinations with the Thanksgiving holiday, but the booking season is already well underway — and advance reservation activity is positive.

As of Oct. 31, on-the-books occupancy and revenue among participating resorts are continuing the momentum of both the record-breaking summer and the previous winter’s strong snow equity. For the six months of the winter season that includes arrivals from November through May, aggregated occupancy is up 6.6 percent and revenues are up 13.3 percent compared with the same time last year. The results were released yesterday by Denver-based DestiMetrics in its Monthly Market Briefing. 

Despite warm weather in October, the booking pace during the month remained steady with bookings made in October for arrivals through the winter up four percent compared to last year at this time. Occupancy figures are also showing increases in five of the six months. Occupancy in the month of November is up a robust 11.6 percent with the critical months of December, January and February also showing occupancy and revenue increases.

“We are in an interesting period right now as we wait to see how the outcome of the presidential election and weather patterns influence bookings in the coming weeks and months,” observed Ralf Garrison, director of DestiMetrics. “Lodging operators at western mountain resorts are getting somewhat concerned about the recent warm conditions and lack of snow but as of Oct. 31, there is no evidence that the booking pace is slowing down or that winter occupancy or revenues are being affected.”

The Briefing also reported that as of Oct. 31, 49 percent of last winter’s total nights and 55.2 percent of last year’s total revenue are already on-the-books—both figures are increases compared to the same time last year.

“Based on historical performance, the deck is stacked in favor of mountain communities, even going into a season of uncertainty,” Garrison said. “Positive snow equity from last season is driving early bookings and is laying a good foundation for the rest of the winter so if Mother Nature does her part and starts delivering wintery weather, Western mountain destinations are well-positioned for another very good start to the season.

DestiMetrics tracks resort performance in mountain destinations, compiling forward-looking reservation data on a monthly basis and aggregating and reporting the results to subscribers at participating resorts.  Data for western resorts is derived from a sample of approximately 290 property management companies in 19 mountain destination communities, representing approximately 30,000 rooms across Colorado, Utah, California, Nevada, Oregon, Wyoming, and Montana and may not reflect the entire mountain destination travel industry. Results may vary significantly among/between resorts and participating properties.