SAM Magazine-Vail, Colo., Jan. 9, 2009-Unaudited interim data for Vail Resorts (VR) show season-to-date skier visits for the company's five mountain resorts were down 5.8 percent compared to the prior year. Lift ticket revenues dropped 7.5 percent, including an allocated portion of season pass revenue for each year. Bookings through VR's central reservations and at VR's owned and managed properties as of Dec. 31 were down 14.8 percent in room nights, inclusive of actual guest stays season to date.

The year-to-date period was through Jan. 4 this year and Jan. 6 last year, corresponding to the Christmas-New Year's holidays for both years. The data are subject to adjustment once final audits are completed.

Other departments were not spared, according to VR CEO Rob Katz. "Dining and retail/rental revenues declined in line with our lift ticket revenue, " he said. "Ski school revenue declined closer to 20 percent. We believe the greater decline in ski school revenue was due to lower guest spending on certain higher-priced items during their trip, a trend that was matched in lower check averages at certain of our fine-dine restaurants.

On a positive note, he said, "Our booking trends have improved from the 23.3 percent decline for bookings as of November 30, 2008, that we disclosed in early December 2008, to a decline of 14.8 percent as of December 31, 2008, confirming that many of our guests are booking closer in."

Another positive note: Total skier visits for the peak two-week holiday period increased over the prior year, partially offsetting a visit decline for the early season. According to the USFS, both Vail and Beaver Creek met or exceeded their "manage to" numbers during the holiday season, with Beaver Creek hitting or exceeding that number (11,000 skiers) five days during the period. \