Through the end of December, destination resorts in the Western mountains were still struggling to keep pace with last winter, which was one of the weakest in years.
The latest monthly report from the Denver-based Mountain Travel Research Program showed that property management companies at 15 resorts in Utah, Colorado, California and British Columbia had an occupancy rate last month of 40.3 percent -- down from the discouraging 41.2 percent mark of December 2008.
Within that figure are some inconsistent measures that, in total, suggest the struggling economy continues to leave consumers unwilling to spend much money on vacation and travel, said Research Program Director Ralf Garrison.
On a positive note, December bookings for arrivals in the next six months were 1.4 percent better than in December 2008. Although that was the third consecutive month in which an increase was recorded, he noted December's rise "sharply declined from the booking pace in October and November." Average room rates also dropped.
Looking only at January and February, Garrison continued, advance reservations are slightly ahead of last year -- this month is up 1 percent, February 0.1 percent. "But overall occupancy for the next six months is down 5.4 percent, compared with one year ago," he added.
Garrison said resorts experienced a bump in business last winter when they provided "compelling" pricing incentives to attract customers to destinations brimming with abundant snow.
"But this year, neither element is as prominent, and local skiers and riders who filled in the resorts last season aren't as motivated to hit the slopes. Their behavior seems to be saying, 'We're just not that into you.' We expect that attractive deals and good snow will be required to move the needle," he said. "Those special offers will be good news for skiers and boarders as this buyers market continues."
Research Program data comes from a sample of 201 property management companies in 15 mountain destination communities.
