Jackson Hole Concludes The 2010 Winter Season With Strong Results (07-Apr-10)

Jackson Hole, USA, April 7, 2010 - Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) concluded the 2009/2010 winter season posting the 4th highest visitation level in its 45 year history with over 413,684 skiers gracing the slopes this winter. This year’s results mark the 5th consecutive year of skier visits above the 400,000 benchmark. The success is particularly notable in light of the lack of natural snow from opening to late January coupled with a unusually dry March. Economic conditions were equally challenging as the country continued to be marred in one of the deepest recessions in its history.

Snow arrived late in the Tetons with unusually low snowfall totals for the first 55 days of the JHMR operating season. Though overall snow totals for the season approached the 400 inch mark, 50 inches came during closing week. Long time Teton residents now compare this winter to the record low of 1976/1977 when visitation levels dropped to 36,300, a 75% drop from the previous year. By means of comparison the 413,684 visits of 2010 represent a 5.6% drop from last year.

“It is hard to recover completely when we miss the first half of the season which includes the all-important December holidays and the month of January.  During the first 55 days out of a 128 day season, we had the arguably lowest recorded snow fall of the past the 30 years,” Jerry Blann, president commented.  “We are never pleased when we experience a drop in visitation.  However, once the snow began falling on January 23rd the business levels showed a substantial surge. We finished the season with strong results, which can only be attributed to the hard work of the entire resort staff.”

“There are also some encouraging signs for next season,” Blann explained. “Compared to last year, the spending within in the resort on amenities was much stronger, especially in the second half of the season.  We see this as a positive trend and an indication that consumer spending is improving, and that is good for the resort and the community,” he continued. “These results give us confidence to invest in significant on-mountain improvements, the details of which will be announced later this spring.”

“Looking at our staff there was a great deal of teamwork across the resort.  From the snowmakers who saved the early season with their efforts and the groomers who worked their magic every night all season,” explained Blann.  “The results of our guest service initiatives are especially rewarding.  Resort-wide our guest service score climbed to the highest level ever and we are proud to have surpassed our guests’ expectations, despite the challenging snow conditions.”