Late Season Snow Slows Dipping Occupancy in Colorado Mountains

Summer bodes well for mountain resorts

ColoradoBiz Staff //April 19, 2018//

Late Season Snow Slows Dipping Occupancy in Colorado Mountains

Summer bodes well for mountain resorts

ColoradoBiz Staff //April 19, 2018//

Substantial snowfall in many regions continued throughout March and helped slow the downward direction of occupancy for the 2017-18 winter season, according to Inntopia in their monthly DestiMetrics Market Briefing released Monday, April 15. 

As of March 31, seasonal occupancy reversed from a seasonal 2.6 decline at the end of February to being down 1.3 percent by the end of March. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for the season is up 2.8 percent with increases in five of the six winter months while seasonal revenues are up a slight 1.5 percent compare to last year at this time.

"Despite extreme volatility in financial markets, mountain travelers reverse some downward trends that began in January and have returned the season to modest revenue gains after a nearly flat report last month," said Tom Foley, vice president of business intelligence for Innotopia. "However, with one more month month to go, overall occupancy is likely to finish below last year, while rate and revenue should both score a win."

Boosted by snowfall, the month of March finished 0.5 percent compared to last year at this time and helped drive an aggregated 1.7 percent gain in revenue for the season as of March 31. Booking pace in March strongly reflected the impact of improved slope conditions as bookings made during March for March arrivals shot up 35.1 percent compared to last year. While bookings for April arrivals jumped 11.5 percent. 

Rate drops at lodging properties are also credited with driving increased business.

Uncertainty and volatility on Wall Street persisted in March as the U.S. and Chinese governments raised tariffs on certain imports and increased the rhetoric about future trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 3.7 percent during the month, leaving it 9.4 percent below the all-time high recorded 60 days earlier.

"Despite some dramatic swings in the market and geopolitical forces having an impact, consumers continue to remain positive about the economy," Foley said. "The overall strength of the economy is giving lodging and other service providers an advantage as they set pricing and anticipate bookings."

Other indexes and international markets also reacted to the U.S. and Chinese positions; despite the instability, the DJIA remains 16.6 percent higher than at this same time last year. The Consumer Confidence Index slipped a modest 2.2 percent in March as consumer's outlook about business conditions and the stock market dipped although overall confidence remains high. Employers added an anemic 103,000 jobs during the month, which was well below projections. The figures for January and February were also adjusted down a combined 50,000 from prior estimates, but the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent for the sixth consecutive month.

SUMMER

As of March 31, summer occupancy from May through September is up 4.9 percent, while ADR for this same period is up a minor 1.5 percent compared to the same period last year. Four of the five months are posting year-over-year increases in occupancy with only September showing a decline.

"The winter of 2017-18 has been an interesting one, to say the least," said Foley. "A strong start in late November was followed by a long, dry period and then the snow came roaring back in late February and created a real roller coaster season. As we near the official finish line though, it seems unlikely that we will post a gain in occupancy over last year's record season, but it is almost certain that revenues will post a year-over-year gain and set a new record. In an erratic season like this one, that is an accomplishment."