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Americans are still flocking to Vail and other Colorado resorts instead of Canada or Europe.
An annual survey of the ski vacation market in the United States has revealed some interesting stats in booking patterns for some of the biggest buyers in North American skiing.
The National Ski Club Newsletter carried out their eighth annual survey which showed that Colorado continued to dominate the ski club market, with Vail, Telluride, and Steamboat all sharing the top of the list with a six per cent market share each. Snowmass, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Whitefish, Heavenly, Taos, and Banff each sold four per cent of ski club trips this season.
“Preferences of Canadian resorts apparently switched from Whistler to Banff this season, and Italy led the European trip numbers at five per cent of all club trips, with Switzerland and France close behind,” said Bob Wilbanks of The National Ski Club Newsletter.
Europe outsold Canada at US ski clubs, but in total three-quarters of all trips were within the US. 41 per cent of all trips were to Colorado, seven per cent to Utah and six per cent each to Montana and Lake Tahoe.
Of the remainder 12 per cent went to Europe, nine to Canada, and one to Japan.
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No surprises that Colorado tops the list given the generally more reliable snow conditions. Steamboat has emerged as the rising star with major new base area development – several new properties are nearing completion and the new Wildhorse Gondola will go into service in early 2010.
No surprises that Banff-Lake Louise is up there either! Dry, light snow, one of the longest ski seasons in North America (open until May), and three resorts inside a beautiful National Park. Tops my list!
Robin – must comment on your comment re: reliable snow conditions… Sounds like you might actually work at Steamboat (correct?). Have you skied Canada? I have skied all over the States and Canada and the snow conditions are pretty similar in Canada to the States. In fact Sunshine Village and The Lake Lousie Ski Aea are actually already open with an abundance of snow – do not believe Steamboat is open as yet? Not knocking Colorado, but you cannot say they have more reliable snow conditions. Either way – as long as we are riding…