Bookings for the ski and snowboard season continue a positive upward trend at mountain destinations throughout the western United States, according to the Mountain Travel Research Program.
As of Oct. 31, on-the-books occupancy for November-April is up 10.8 percent compared to the same time last year. The average daily rate also has also crept up an average of 3.5 percent.
The pace of bookings taken in October was also positive with reservations taken during the month for arrivals from October through March up 12.5 percent compared to the same time last year. Every month experienced increases with the biggest jump seen for December arrivals.
For November, actual on-the-books occupancy is up 9.5 percent compared to the same time last year with the daily rate edging up 4.5 percent. And, as of Oct. 31, occupancy is up in five of the next six months with only April showing a decline.
The numbers show that “although consumers remain concerned about jobs, earnings and the overall recovery of the economy, skiers and snowboarders appear particularly willing to invest in recreation and discretionary travel to mountain destinations,” said Tom Foley, operations director for MTRiP.
The data is based on a sample of 265 property-management companies in 15 mountain destination communities, representing 24,000 rooms across Colorado, Utah, California and Oregon.
