Question for skiers! (Kim: ski resort, leases, insurance)

[Najran]

Looking at all the Colorado ski area cams today,I see every area still has a TON of snow,yet most are closed.Is this just due to a lack of interest because it is warming up?I do know that A-Basin stays open late,but why not more of them?

[suzco]

Originally Posted by Kimmeastar

Looking at all the Colorado ski area cams today,I see every area still has a TON of snow,yet most are closed.Is this just due to a lack of interest because it is warming up?I do know that A-Basin stays open late,but why not more of them?

Lots of reasons. As a start, for many, their forest service lease agreements have set opening and closing dates. Insurance policies also cover the areas for set opening and closing dates. Seasonal employees are hired for the season, many are from foreign countries, with seasonal work visas with set dates. Even those employees who are US citizens and residents often don't live in the area year round, and have seasonal leases, and jobs elsewhere in the off-season. Tourists have not booked in advance, restaurants and shops close for the off season. . .

[Idunn]

Why? Because people are crazy. They can't wait to get onto questionable slopes come late Fall, but disappear early Spring when the slopes are arguably in the best conditions. Without really knowing my impression that most ski areas close when they do simple as a matter of economics, because the skiers just aren't there in sufficient numbers.

While true warmer temperatures will affect the snow to a degree, nothing that California skiers are not used to more or less throughout the season. True, not much light powder snow but something a bit slushy, warmer temperatures and lots of sun can be fun.

As for the psychology of it I'd speculate that even skiers grow tired of winter and come Spring start thinking instead of beaches and summer pastimes.

As far as I know A-Basin still stays open into late May, with a racing camp in June. Also high enough in elevation to make such a schedule feasible. If you are so inclined, some fine skiing.

[BarryK123]

I once asked this question of one of the ski area executives I happened to meet. He said that once warm weather hits the population centers, people start thinking golf, gardening, etc. The only people that continue skiing are the diehard season's pass holders and they can't make money that way.

[Neditate]

All the reasons stated above are correct. A friend of mine was an exec with Colorado Ski Country and I asked her that question a few years ago. She told me one of the main reasons is that it is just not profitable to keep a ski resort open after mid April. There are no more holidays that would draw folks from out of state and not enough day trippers to justify the expense. By April, winter sports take a back seat to warm weather activities like golf, biking and hiking.

Speaking with one of the execs at Copper Mountain, she told me that as soon as the resort closes they start getting ready for summer events while doing annual post winter maintenance.

I love to ski, but once April rolls around I am done.

[jkcoop]

What Suzco said is exactly what we've been told from a friend who is an executive at one as well.
It doesn't totally go to waste though - the area ski racing clubs have ski camps at some of the resorts - I know in the past ours has gone to Copper in June. They just aren't opened to the general public.

[rkb0305]

I was also surprised to find that they close so early here. Not what I'm used to in CA, where I skied Mammoth on the 4th of July!

[Najran]

Sure is a shame to see all that good snow go to waste though.I LOVE spring skiing.The snow is great,and one can get a great tan.I wish one could sign a waiver and be allowed to ski at one of the areas.I would gladly hike up the mountains.

[breaksraver13]

Just ski A-Basin.....they will be open till at least early June

oh, and as for the warm weather.....screw the warm weather...I NEVER get tired of skiing and winter weather!!!!!

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Kimmeastar

Sure is a shame to see all that good snow go to waste though.I LOVE spring skiing.The snow is great,and one can get a great tan.I wish one could sign a waiver and be allowed to ski at one of the areas.I would gladly hike up the mountains.

There's nothing stopping you from enjoying the snow. If you have backcountry gear and knowledge, you can climb and ski year-round like many here.