SKI CONDITIONS
Given the limited amount of natural snow that has fallen in the Vail Valley thus far, ski conditions are quite good and improving. Thanksgiving was a bust as the skiing was very limited, however, a few dumps in the last week has changed everything. In addition to the Lionshead side of the mountain which has extensive snow-making, all the runs on Avanti (chair 2) are open. New snow this past week has enabled all the Mid-Vail runs to open as well as opening Game Creek Bowl and Northwoods. Sour Dough is next. However, we still need a few more feet of snow to get the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin open. In Beaver Creek, the upper runs are actually in quite good shape. The lower runs are also in good shape as they are aided by snowmaking. The steeps of Grouse Mountain and Bird-of-Prey still require more natural snow to facilitate opening. The weather is cold and the forecast includes snow, so we expect to be in good shape for the holidays!
EARLY RESERVATION OUTLOOK
In September and through October, the advance reservation outlook for the Vail Valley was looking bleak with reservations down anywhere from 30-50% depending on who you talked to. Things have improved as winter bookings made a strong comeback in November and are nearly on par with last year. However, comparisons to last year may not be that meaningful. If you recall, about this time last year the realization hit that we were heading into a major recession and bookings significantly dropped off. Occupancy for December and January has picked up, while February and March continue to lag, but booking with less lead time seems to be the trend, so we are not alarmed just yet. One issue that will surely affect revenue is that rates are down as we are in a very competitive ski tourism market, not only within the Vail Valley, but from all western North American resorts. Whistler/Blackcomb is likely to take a fair bit of business away from us as they had record snowfall in November (over 18 feet) in addition to the boost they are receiving for hosting the Alpine events for the Vancouver Olympics. We remain cautiously optimistic about tourism in the Vail Valley this winter. The good news is that the weak dollar is making the USA resorts more attractive and European and Canadian resorts less attractive. In addition, there is an abundance of great airfares. We remain cautiously optimistic about this ski season provided we at least have normal snowfall; however, recovery to 2007-08 levels may take another year or two.
EPIDEMIC SPREADS TO VAIL – NOT TALKING SWINE FLU
We see about it in the news and read about it the newspapers. Shooting sprees and killing rampages seem to be such a common place event that it seems like it is reaching epidemic proportions. However, it never really hits home until it happens in your neighborhood. Yes, it happened in Vail! In early November, a local lunatic starting shooting up the Sand Bar, a West Vail sports bar, randomly killing a 70-year old Carbondale man and injuring several others. While the Sand Bar would not be considered an upscale establishment, it is by no means a lowlife joint either. The Sand Bar, located directly next to the Sports Authority behind McDonald’s, is a well-established sports bar and locals hangout known for its live music. Just hours before the shooting, Vail Realty’s staff-member, Lee Williams, was in the Sand Bar enjoying lunch and having a burger with his 10-year old son. The shooter, a long-time local with a history of mental instability, had his weapons taken away from him some years ago, but was subsequently able to get his gun ownership rights reinstated. While we have to observe our Constitution, we also have an obligation to protect our citizens and be more diligent about keeping guns away from nuts.
BEAVER CREEK WORLD CUP DOMINATED BY YOUNG SWISS SKIER
The ski season at Beaver Creek got off to a great start in hosting a series of men’s World Cup races last weekend. Although the snow coverage on the slopes was somewhat less then what we would like to see at this time of year, the television cameras did a great job of making ski conditions look better then they really were. However, Carlo Janka did not need any help to look better as the 23-year-old Swiss skier swept all three events on the Birds-of-Prey course. Janka won the Super Combined on Friday, the Downhill on Saturday, and the Giant Slalom on Sunday. Janka certainly is going to be someone to keep an eye on for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Bode Miller has the best American finish at the Beaver Creek events with a fourth-place finish in the Downhill.
LOCAL WORLD CUP CHAMPION GEARS UP FOR OLYMPICS
Vail resident and former Ski Club Vail racer, Lindsay Vonn, won two consecutive downhill races in Lake Louise as the 2010 World Cup Alpine Skiing Season gets underway leading up to Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Vonn is the two-time defending World Cup overall champion and has her sights set on an Olympic Gold Medal.
CRASH AT EAGLE AIRPORT
A Coast Guard jet practicing touch-and-go landings touched, but apparently did not “go” when its nose gear collapsed at Eagle County Airport on November 18th. There were no injuries, but the crash closed the airport until the plane could be removed. The unintentional beneficiary of the crash was Colorado Mountain Express as commercial passengers had to be re-routed by vans to Denver. The big question is…what was a Coast Guard plane doing in Colorado?
RUMOR MILL: FRONTIER TO FLY TO VAIL?
As the #2 airlines with flights into Denver behind United, Frontier Airlines is a vital link for Colorado tourism. Sometime ago, Frontier announced the purchase of several smaller jets for regional service and was evaluating routes. At that time, we were certain that Vail would be selected, but was passed over in favor Aspen, Steamboat, Durango and Jackson Hole. Since then, Frontier has dropped Jackson Hole and Steamboat and is rumored to be considering new destinations, including a re-evaluation of flying to Vail. We believe that Vail was originally passed over in favor of other ski towns because of its proximity to Denver and the remoteness of the selected ski towns. Perhaps Frontier has now learned that the Vail Valley is where the business is. In addition, the upgraded runways at Eagle Airport make servicing the Vail Valley more desirable. .
BECOME A FAN OF VAIL REALTY ON FACEBOOK
Do you Facebook? If so, become a “fan” of Vail Realty for live updates, airline specials, ski reports, lodging specials, etc. It’s easy. Simply search for “Vail Realty” on your Facebook page and become a fan. In addition, the more fans we add helps us market your property by exploiting Facebook’s network. If you need assistance, contact Lee Williams at lee@vailrealty.com.
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING
Smile when walk you down Bridge Street as the Town of Vail has installed several new surveillance cameras throughout Vail Village. The cameras were installed for security purposes and to monitor traffic-related violations in loading and delivery areas. While cameras are the new norm, some have expressed concern over privacy issues. Vail Resorts already has 150 cameras operating all over Vail Mountain and the Town has about 50 cameras already in use throughout town.
OTHER NEWS HEADLINES:
Vail Resorts Snow Report Number Changed to (970) 754-4888
Vail Pioneer, Dick Hauserman, Passes Away at 93
County Bus System Cuts Late Night Service – More DUI’s in the forecast?
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