Business Insights from Summit County COO Breakfast

The launch for the Summit County 2014/2015 winter season for businesses was the COO Breakfast hosted by the Summit Chamber of Commerce in early October.  If you weren’t able to attend, here is a summary of the key insights.

With over 425 eager listeners in attendance, the morning presentations included an economic review of last winter and this summer seasons, videos and talks from the leaders of each of the area ski/snowboard resorts to talk about what’s new and exciting for this season, and a lively Q&A session.  A few stats:

• The US ski/snowboard industry averages 57 million skier visits per year nationally
• The baby boomers are aging out of the sport, and need to be filled with younger enthusiasts
• Summit County enjoyed 4.14 million skier visits last season (not including Loveland Ski Resort or Frisco's ski hill)
• 2014 Summit County summer visits were up 11% over 2013, July was up 7% and August up 16%
• Last winter's visits were up 17% in November, 21% in December, 10% in January and 15% in February

Copper Mountain’s Gary Rodgers highlighted continuation of the 12’s High Alpine Project, their Sherpa App, Woodward, Safety Programs and their Sustainability program.  Impressively their 18 new water bottle filling stations saved 176,000 plastic bottles last year – how is that for awesome?

Pat Campbell from Breckenridge glowed about their Peak 6 expansion from last season, this season’s new 6 pack high speed Colorado Chair replacement that increases capacity from 2,800 to 3,600 per hour, the remodeled Peak 9 restaurant renamed Overlook Restaurant, their snow drifter mobile dining for Peak 6, running water piped to the Peak 6 hut, and Vail’s rebranded sustainability program Epic Promise (formerly Echo). 

Keystone’s John Buhler reminded listeners of their family resort emphasis including Riperoo, tornado alley, Kidtopia snowfort, tubing hill, ice skating, weekly Saturday night fireworks, and kids ski free program.  New this season is a village revitalization, 20% increased lift capacity in the Outback, and opening up the Outback summit area including a new viewing platform, which is truly one of the prettiest views in any of the resorts.

Alan Henceroth from Arapahoe Basin’s longest season of 241 days highlighted their successful opening of the xx bar last season and this season’s $2.3 million, 7,000 sq. ft. kids’ 14 and under ski school lodge which will open around Spring break this season.  They also did a fantastic job focusing on sustainability, diverting 1/3 of their waste away from the landfill.  The Black Mountain Lodge events and dinners continue this season and the 430 acre Beaver expansion is on track. 

Finally, Rob Goodell shared Loveland Ski Resort’s 474” of snow last season, which was the 5^th most snowfall in North America and the most in Colorado.  They have made upgrades to their warming huts, enhanced their pass partner program to include Crested Butte and Durango, expanded their Snow Ranger program with the National Forest Service, and renovated their base area restaurant.