Resort Expansion

[chrsdipietro94@]

I recently read this: Downhill Slide

It's an analysis, written around the turn of the century, of consolidation and expansion in the ski industry. The main focus is how resort expansion and declining growth of the sport is effecting resort towns and the environment.

After reading the book, I am of the belief that a moratorium should be placed on all expansion projects at destination (or aspiring to be) resorts for the foreseeable future. Growth of the sport is stagnant. At this point, we have enough industry infrastructure to support demand. Further bloating will only increase prices in an already expensive market.

What are the forum's thoughts on further resort expansion?

 

[Tjf1967]

I did not read the book. I could care less about hotels but if the infrastructure at resorts is being restored /built I am all for it. The potato will be passed and when its dropped people will step in to run the infrastructure that was in no way fiscally responsible to build in the first place.

 

[Epicone]

I recently read this: Downhill Slide

It's an analysis, written around the turn of the century, of consolidation and expansion in the ski industry. The main focus is how resort expansion and declining growth of the sport is effecting resort towns and the environment.

After reading the book, I am of the belief that a moratorium should be placed on all expansion projects at destination (or aspiring to be) resorts for the foreseeable future. Growth of the sport is stagnant. At this point, we have enough industry infrastructure to support demand. Further bloating will only increase prices in an already expensive market.

What are the forum's thoughts on further resort expansion?

skiing is booming due to the super passes and Indy pass, resorts will have to expand and new resorts started to met all the new demand, don’t believe me, read Chris diamonds books about the growth in skiing

 

[Harvey]

Skier visits by year, in the US, from statista.com ...

Even discounting last year, which was cut short, visits are flat or down the last 10 years.

I'm conflicted about it personally. The expansion at Gore, over the last 20 years, has been awesome for me personally. But it's certainly not "justified" and not a function of capitalism.

Something has to give right? Visits are flat, mega passes are bringing the cost per day down (is that true?) and the whole real estate thing seems to be a thing of the past, how will this all shake out?

I guess I should read the book huh.

 

[Brownski]

I’m gonna beat Benny to the punch...
When the boomers give up skiing en masse, it will all come crumbling down.

 

[chrsdipietro94@]

skiing is booming due to the super passes and Indy pass, resorts will have to expand and new resorts started to met all the new demand, don’t believe me, read Chris diamonds books about the growth in skiing

According to this source, the number of skier visits has been flat to declining over the past 20 years.... I don't think the Super Pass revolution has lead to growth in skier visits.... it has arguably added some value for the heavy users, but new users of skis have been pretty stagnant

 

[chrsdipietro94@]

Skier visits by year, in the US, from statista.com ...

I'm conflicted about it personally. The expansion at Gore, over the last 20 years, has been awesome for me personally. But it's certainly not "justified" and not a function of capitalism.

Something has to give right? Visits are flat, mega passes are bringing the cost per day down (is that true?) and the whole real estate thing seems to be a thing of the past, how will this all shake out?

I guess I should read the book huh.

It's a good read... it covers the first round of consolidation from 20 years ago... a critical perspective from a Colorado skier.

I think we're doomed. ⛷

 

[Epicone]

It's a good read... it covers the first round of consolidation from 20 years ago... a critical perspective from a Colorado skier.

I think we're doomed. ⛷

Chris Diamond thinks you are blowing smoke, says their is a renaissance in the industry, Magic Mtn just had a record for season passes, ditto for Mad River Glen, yup the industry is dying sell all your equipment now, I will give you 5 cents on the dollar for it.

 

[x10003q]

I tried to read it when it first came out but I found it way too biased against the ski companies and never finished it. Trying to limit ski area expansion is a bit draconian since every ski area is so different. Government intervention is not always the answer. There has to be a balance. Skiing is one way to generate jobs in areas where there are few jobs and it is usually environmentally cleaner than raw material extraction like mining or lumber.

An example of this would be VT Act 250, passed in 1970. Act 250 probably closed more ski areas in VT than any other reason. When it became obvious that ski areas could not operate without snowmaking in VT in the 1960s, Act 250 added even more expensive permitting to the process to get snowmaking approval. For most small mom and pop ski areas, this was the beginning of the end.

 

[Benny Profane]

I’m gonna beat Benny to the punch...
When the corona virus lingers, it will all come crumbling down.

FIFY, although, this coincides with the Boomer die off at the same time.

Kids, learn to earn your turns, because there's going to be a ton of unused ski hills by 2030 just sitting there waiting to be skinned up. And that's going to be a limited window, before they all grow over. Enjoy, they'll be a present from the Boomers, who paid for it all.