COPPER MOUNTAIN — Local ski-resort executives speaking at the annual chiefs breakfast on Wednesday said they are hoping that a big drop in early season bookings will turn around when the snow starts to fall. Industry wide, September booking rates were down 19.6 percent, following a 21.3 percent drop in August, said Ralf Garrison, who analyzes the mountain-resort industry. In the past few months, consumer confidence has dropped more than ever before, Garrison told the overflowing crowd at Copper Mountain conference center.

“We have some economic news that might make your stomach a little queasy, but we know that good snow can trump Wall Street any day of the week,” said Summit Chamber of Commerce director Sharon Russell, tossing a ceremonial snowball into the crowd. The annual update on resort news took place against a backdrop of fresh snow on the slopes, a setting that generated a buzz of optimism despite the gloomy economic outlook. The ski industry is resilient in the long-term, Garrison said, presenting a graph showing how skier visits often ride out the peaks and valleys of economic cycles. But the industry should expect some “weakness at the margins,” he continued, explaining that some people certainly will think twice before plunking down several thousand dollars for a ski vacation. Core customers will continue to come skiing, but the industry will have to fight to hang on to the successes of previous seasons, he said. Based on the current numbers, Garrison said he projects an overall 11 percent decline in lodging for the mountain resorts this season. At the same time, he said Summit County's proximity to the Front Range puts this area in a good position in relation to other resorts that are more dependent on destination visits.

“Value will be paramount, but price will be under pressure,” Garrison said, challenging resorts to find ways to add value to their products without dropping the price. New deals Vail Resorts has responded to that challenge by creating some package deals aimed at encouraging skiers to book lodging for the crucial holiday periods, said Keystone chief operating officer Pat Campbell. The company-wide “Holiday on us” deal gives skiers a free holiday overnight when booking four consecutive nights, she said. Keystone’s new eight-seat gondola will be ready in time for the Nov. 7 opening day, Campbell said, and sheh also outlined a new transferable ski-school package aimed at encouraging family visits. Finally, Campbell said car-pooling will be rewarded with front-row parking in Keystone’s Montezuma lot this season. Breckenridge chief operating officer Lucy Kay focused on real-estate developments, including the completion of new lodges at Peak 7 and construction at the Peak 8 base area.

This summer, the resort added snowmaking on two trails at Peak 7, complementing completion of the new lodging units, she said. Kay also addressed the long-term resiliency of the ski business, describing how she first came to Summit County during the 1980-1981 drought winter, also during a tough economic time. Thanks to heavy investments in snowmaking, along with the passion that fuels demand for skiing, the industry has thrived throughout economic ups and downs, she said. “We take the long view going into the season, especially in times like this, when things seem a little bit uncertain,” she said. Economic challenges make it even more important for the resorts to work closely with the surrounding towns, Kay said. “We're very aware that we need to make decisions that help float the whole boat, and we take that responsibility very seriously,” she said. Resort improvements Arapahoe Basin chief operating officer Alan Henceroth said his area is coming off a record season, with 430,000 skier visits.

Attendance grew by 20 percent last winter, outstripping the anticipated growth of 10 percent, he said. The addition of Montezuma Bowl drove the increase, he said, adding that A-Basin has added 300 new parking spots and is just a few weeks away from completing a pedestrian underpass to ease the trek from the parking area to the slopes. Additionally, two 30-passenger shuttles will circulate through the lots to help deliver skiers and their gear to the lifts, he said. Gary Rodgers, the president and chief operating officer at Copper Mountain, said the resort will strive to offer the best product and mountain experience possible. “We’re focused on the things we can control,” he said, noting that weather, the economy and politics are beyond the resort’s control. Recent county approval of a new redevelopment plan helps give the resort a way to tie base-area projects and on-mountain developments together, he said. Copper officials said recent financial troubles encountered by Intrawest owner Fortress Investment Group won’t affect the guest experience at Copper or the resort’s plans for the coming season. Several news reports on Fortress indicated that the New York-based asset-management firm is looking to refinance Intrawest’s debt. Fortress was privately held when it bought Intrawest but went public in February 2007. The company’s shares traded as high as $18 per share, but the value of its stock recently dropped as low as $5.50 per share. Bob Berwyn can be reached at (970) 331-5996, or at bberwyn@summitdaily.com.