See what a Maggot Summit can do for your resort.....

[H-man]

April 8 Story

Ski count a record

By Angus M. Thuermer Jr.
Jackson Hole Daily

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort counted a record number of skiers this season following conclusion of skiing Sunday, reporting almost 400,000 skier days this winter.
The final count of approximately 397,500 skiers was a 1.7 percent increase from the record 1999/2000 season, the resort said. Those numbers were just part of a season-end summary that also boasted reductions in parking at Teton Village and increases in the number of skiers traveling to the resort by bus.
Season pass sales showed a "slight decrease," the resort reported, but a free program for kids younger than 14 saw a 50 percent increase this year, spokeswoman Anna Olson said. That deal offered a youth season pass for free to the purchaser of any season pass. The age for the free kids' pass was increased from 12 to 14 this year with almost 200 youths taking advantage of the program, Olson said.
Big news might have been the success of the community airline program that brought the jump in airport passenger traffic. Organized and subsidized by the resort, JH AIR and community businesses, the program guarantees various airlines certain revenues for the season, paying cash if load targets are not met.

This winter, load factors averaged about 70 percent, a figure considered good in the industry.

"The air is the key," Olson said. "When [people] go and try and find a flight, now there are choices. The price is compatible," with transportation to other Western resorts, she said.

Resort president Jerry Blann said innkeepers used the better air schedule to offer deals. "Lift ticket figures reflect aggressive packaging by valley hotels and improved air service," he said.

Highlights of the season include "a cultural shift" toward mass transit, the resort said in its report. At the insistence of the county, the resort and other village businesses have sought to cut traffic on highway 390 by charging for parking for those who drive to Teton Village with fewer than three people per vehicle. Free parking and bus rides from the Stilson parking lot husky latin women located at the start of highway 390 husky latin women are part of the program.

"We know we have had to use persuasive methods such as paid and limited parking and we know Stilson and bus ridership can be perceived as less convenient for our guests," the resort's statement said. "But we feel justified when we see the results from this winter.

The resort reported the number of cars parked at Teton Village down this winter compared to last, from 141,397 to 94,840, a reduction of 33 percent. Vehicles parked at Stilson increased this season from 12,340 to 18,151, a rise of 47 percent compared to last year.

START bus ridership to the resort was up 30 percent.

Blann said resort surveys also show customer satisfaction with parking, ski patrol, rental departments and retail.

"I have heard nothing but constant praise for the work the snowmaking and grooming departments have done this winter," Blann said. "I can't remember the number of times I have heard 'the mountain is skiing so well considering the snowpack,' from locals and guests alike."

Olson said the positive season review likely was not a result of a poor year in the northwest, where many ski areas closed some weeks due to lack of snow. Jackson Hole was far enough away from that region so as not to get tarred with the same brush that was affecting business there, and also had ample, if not abundant snow, she said.

"Market research hasn't shown massive increase from the northwest to here," she said. "I think we were perceived as [receiving snow from] those southern storms. We didn't get put in the same bucket as the resorts to the north, [which were] struggling."

The snowpack at the end of the season had 77 percent of normal water content according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Olson said the resort counted 336 inches of snow falling this year.

Blann said town businesses benefited from tourism at the resort, about 12 miles from Jackson.

"Early reports from properties, retail and restaurants in town are also indicating a stronger winter than the last few," he said. "Some properties have seen increases of nearly 15 percent."

Resort officials already are looking to the summer when they plan to operate the Teewinot chairlift for mountain bikers and also introduce a bungee jump. Pass holders can start riding the aerial tram May 28 and skiing will be allowed then if snow persists.

[spanky]

Highlights of the season include "a cultural shift" toward mass transit, the resort said in its report. At the insistence of the county, the resort and other village businesses have sought to cut traffic on highway 390 by charging for parking for those who drive to Teton Village with fewer than three people per vehicle. Free parking and bus rides from the Stilson parking lot husky latin women located at the start of highway 390 husky latin women are part of the program.

The husky latin women strike again!

[FNG]

390 husky latin women are part of the program.

..........

[H-man]

Yah..... that's what I was talking about. Maggots attract the husky latin women!

[teledave]

"The air is the key," Olson said. "When [people] go and try and find a flight, now there are choices. The price is compatible," with transportation to other Western resorts, she said.

While I will agree that the price was compatible with my budget, I think comparable would have been a better word to use in the context of the article.

The relatively reasonable airfare and the 390 husky latin women were the deciding factors in me making it to the summit this year.

[Snow Dog]

Closed already? We're just getting started up here.

And yes, the husky latin women were a nice touch.

[bad_roo]

Free parking and bus rides from the Stilson parking lot husky latin women located at the start of highway 390 husky latin women are part of the program.

Snowsprite and party please pick up your tickets from the blue window...