Vail, Alterra, Consolidation and the Pendulum

Harvey

Administrator
Joined
Jul 15, 2020
Every trend eventually reverses right? The pendulum.

Ski areas area are becoming part of (mostly two) larger companies, operations are being centralized, decisions are being made by corporate, things are changing.

Do you think this is permanent or will the pendulum swing back? If it will swing back what will it look like? How will the "ski retirement" of boomers come into play?

Let's hear your theories.
 
I copied this from my answer in the "Don't forget to cancel your reservations..." thread.

As far as the pendulum, I think even if Vail and/or Alterra go under, there will always be a corporate presence in the industry. If they go under, I highly doubt each ski area would become fully independent. I see smaller to medium sized (vs. Vail and Atlerra) entites like Peak, Boyne, etc. owning a few ski areas vs. the huge conglomerates that own over 10 or well more. And, there will also always be small, independent ski areas, ie. Plattekill, Magic, etc. And, then there are and still will be some ski areas that with smarter, organic growth from within become larger like Berkshire East which bought Catamount. took over ski operations at Bousquet and are consultants at Hermitage club, etc. They are becoming a big player in the Mass. ski scene.
 
If F&B turns out to be the disaster it seems to be shaping up to be, then the big companies will probably have some problems. Will it be enough to force them to sell off some resorts? Well, I hate to say it but hopefully.
 
I’m extremely concerned about every industry right now. It seems like things are about to get ugly, like really REALLY ugly this next year or so.
 
I was beginning to think that well run smaller ski hills in New England with character and unique traits would steal thunder from the corporates this season, especially with the travel restrictions that millions of tri state wealth is subjected to, but, then, alas, it rained. Hard. A few days before Xmas week. Now, who knows.
 
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