SAM Magazine-Aspen, Colo., Jan. 9 2008-Following news of declining occupancy rates in Vail, Aspen lodging properties are reporting lower occupancy rates for the holiday season. In Aspen, a soft Christmas week holiday period saw occupancy at just 67 percent compared to last year's 87 percent.

Advance reservations are similar reduced. As of the last day of 2008, the reservations were at 64 percent of capacity for January and 51 percent for February. A year ago, comparable reservation rates were 81 percent and 67 percent; that puts this year's current advance reservation rate about 25 percent below last year's. Advance reservation rates or Snowmass Village are 58 percent and 57 percent, down 15 points and 7 points, respectively, from 2008.

The occupancy numbers are complied by the Snowmass Village marketing department, Aspen Chamber Resort Association, Aspen Skiing Co., and other lodging properties, with the assistance of Mountain Travel Research Project (MTRiP), a research consultancy. \