Vail Resorts saw 15.3 percent fewer early-season visitors to its six resorts so far this season, a decline attributed to weak snowfall and limited terrain.
Broomfield-based Vail, the largest ski-resort operator in the country, released early-season metrics Friday comparing the start of this snowless season with the start of last year’s bountiful season. As expected, visitation declined through Jan. 2.
But judging from the flat performance in lift-ticket revenue (up 0.6 percent), ski-school revenue (up 0.9 percent) and retail-rental revenue (down 0.7 percent), the steep decline in skier visits comes largely from passholders.
Vail chief executive Rob Katz said Friday he was not revising earnings guidance he detailed in September.
“First, this weather pattern will change and we will get snow this winter,” he wrote to employees. He noted the company’s investment in water resources and snowmaking have allowed Vail to open 1,500 of its nearly 5,300 acres. He said holiday guests ranked their experiences high in surveys, despite limited terrain and poor conditions.
“And contrary to many of the absurd rumors running around the industry,” Katz wrote, “none of our resorts will ever shut down this season.”
Jason Blevins: 303-954-1374 or jblevins@denverpost.com
