Squaw and Northstar forced to postpone their opening days

Early November’s winter weather has proved to be a tease as persistent warm conditions threaten ski resorts already open and those who hoped to open this weekend.

Incline Village’s Diamond Peak has a scheduled opening of Dec. 11, which will hopefully be after warm conditions have left the basin.

While Squaw Valley USA was prepared to open this Saturday, they have rescheduled a light opening for Thanksgiving day.

According to Savannah Cowley, Squaw Media and Public Relations, they hope to have Papoose, Squaw Kids, and Lower Exhibition open for skiing by next week.

Not to be totally defeated by weather, Squaw’s Cable Car will be providing access to High Camp this Saturday; an open ice skating rink, Olympic museum and restaurant are a few of High Camp’s attractions.

Looking toward Nov. 29’s Coogan Kelly Memorial Rail Jam, Cowley says a miniature slopestyle course can be expected on Lower Exhibition leading up to the event.

Northstar-at-Tahoe, the other resort slated to open this weekend, has also pushed their tentative opening day into late next week.

Depending on the weather, they hope to open Nov. 26 with rideable terrain near the Mainstreet area.

“As temperatures permit, our snowmaking team is ready and waiting,” said Northstar communications manager Jessica Van Pernis.

Still shooting for a Nov. 26 opening day, Alpine Meadows has their snow making equipment prepared, tested, and ready to go for low temperatures.

According to Rachael Woods, Alpine Meadows Public Relations, early November’s cold spell gave new snowmakers an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the mountain and the equipment.

Woods said the snowmakers will be concentrating on covering the areas near Kangaroo Lift, Meadow Chair, and Roundhouse as temperatures drop.

“We like to have a beginner area open early,” said Woods. “The park manager is looking to put up a few features too.”

With a five to ten inch base, Mt. Rose plans to continue their early season operating schedule, 9a.m. to 4p.m. Thursday through Sunday, with a $20 flat rate on lift tickets.

“We’ve held up pretty well despite the temperatures,” said Mt. Rose Marketing Director Mike Pierce. “With our altitude and limited direct sun exposure we are still holding on to what snow we have.”

Ponderosa Run is currently open and more terrain park features are expected with access off the Flying Jenny Conveyor.

Boreal is also holding up against warm temperatures with one operating lift, one run, and a terrain park.

“We’ve had to adapt the features to accommodate for less snow,” said Boreal Marketing Manager Jon Slaughter, “We basically have a brand new terrain park since the rebuild.”

With favorable snowmaking conditions on their way, Slaughter said they anticipate their new fully automated snowmaking system to run, as temperatures allow, through the next few nights.

“Under ideal conditions the new system can lay down 12 inches on one run overnight,” said Slaughter.

Elsewhere Homewood Resort is set for Dec. 12.

Will snow cure all?

According to the Mountain Travel Research Program, ongoing bad economic news during the month of October had a negative effect on consumer confidence with a drop by 36.5 percent, reaching its lowest level since being established in 1985.

The October Mountain Travel Monitor noted that in addition to the drop in consumer confidence, the financial markets have remained volatile and the recent legislation to stimulate the economy has yet to find any measurable influence on consumer spending. Retail sales dropped 2.8 percent during the month and eclipsed the previous biggest decline in sales of 2.65 percent recorded in November 2001.

“Unfortunately, all of the bad news in October may be causing some historically resilient guests to remain on the sidelines by deferring their decision to make reservations or by generating increased cancellations,” said Ralf Garrison, author of the Mountain Travel Monitor Report.

“Discretionary spending was the fuel that funded leisure travel in recent years but the phase is practically an oxymoron these days as cautious consumers curb their spending,” he added.

What this means

Garrison’s report observed that the uncertainty facing consumers will likely have several outcomes for mountain destinations this winter.

Although the influence of snowfall can be considerable, its ability to “trump” consumer confidence and recessionary forces is uncertain. Historical data for skier visits supports this theory but its positive impact may not apply equally to all segments of the market.

Local season pass holders can and do react to abundant snow on very short notice without incurring any additional expenses. However, destination guests often book well in advance based on schedules and pricing, and these guests are often much less responsive to snowfall as the winning trump card.

“In a recent informal poll of un-booked destination guests who typically spend considerably more on their vacation than day skiers and season pass holders, they were much more concerned about economic factors than snow conditions,” said Garrison. “In fact, they considered good snow conditions a ‘given’ so heavy snowfall may not deliver the influx of visitors that many resorts have come to expect in good snow years,” he cautioned.

In assessing the situation in the Mountain Travel Monitor, Garrison concluded that “it probably isn’t wise for mountain resorts and lodging properties to depend on Mother Nature for fiscal security, viability, and stability.”