Quicklinks: Summary, products and services | Data | Income and profitability | Expenses | History, strategy and challenges
Summary, products and services
Summary of the ski resort business: how do ski resorts work? And how do they make money?
Ski resorts generally work by owning or leasing land at a location where snowfall is plentiful and winters are long enough to allow for consistent skiing or snowboarding. They then build infrastructure on the land, including chairlifts or gondolas, ski lodges, and trails, and market the resort to skiers and snowboarders. Ski resorts make money primarily through lift ticket sales, as well as rentals and sales of food and other merchandise. Some resorts also offer lodging, either on-site or through partnerships with nearby hotels, which can generate additional revenue.
What products or services are typically provided by ski resorts? Give examples.
Ski resorts typically provide a variety of services, including lodging, dining, and ski instruction. They may also offer other activities such as snowboarding, sledding, and ice skating. The processes they use to make these products and services available to guests vary depending on the specific resort. However, all ski resorts must maintain a variety of facilities and equipment, such as lifts, snow-making machines, and groomers. In addition, they must have a staff of trained professionals to provide instruction and assistance.
What industrial sector is the ski resort business part of? What is the market operating environment? Describe its market dynamics in different regions of the world.
The Ski Resort business is part of the tourism industry. The market operating environment for ski resorts is determined by factors such as the availability of snow, the state of the economy, and the preferences of consumers. In general, the market for ski resorts is growing in most parts of the world. However, there are some regional differences.
For example, the ski resort market in the Americas is growing more slowly than the markets in Asia and Europe. This is due to the fact that the American market is more mature and there is less potential for growth. In contrast, the Asian and European markets are still relatively undeveloped and offer more opportunities for growth. The ski resort market in Russia and the Middle East is also growing, but at a slower pace than in other parts of the world. This is due to the fact that these regions have a shorter ski season and less developed infrastructure.
List and description of the five most successful companies in the ski resort business. How big are they and what is their market value?
The five most successful companies in the Ski Resort business are Vail Resorts, Alterra Mountain Company, Powdr Corporation, Boyne Resorts, and Aspen Skiing Company.
- Vail Resorts is the largest and most valuable, with a market value of over $11 billion.
- Alterra Mountain Company is the second largest, with a market value of over $2 billion.
- Powdr Corporation is the third largest, with a market value of over $1 billion.
- Boyne Resorts is the fourth largest, with a market value of over $800 million. Aspen Skiing Company is the fifth largest, with a market value of over $700 million.
Data
Income: typical streams and percentage of income for ski resorts
- Lift ticket sales: 20-50%
- Food and beverage sales: 10-20%
- Ski school and rental equipment: 10-20%
Expenditure: typical costs and percentage of spend for ski resorts
- Lift maintenance: 20-30%
- Snowmaking: 15-20%
- Mountain grooming: 10-15%
Pricing: Typical pricing of products and services for ski resorts
- One-day lift ticket: $89
- Daily food & beverages: $30
- Retail sales: $19
Profit: Typical profit margins for ski resorts
- Bottom of range: 5%
- Top of range: 30%
Income and profitability
List of the top three sources of revenue for ski resorts (AKA how do they make money?) – including percentages of income and examples in US dollars for each
- Lift ticket sales – this can account for anywhere from 20-50% of a ski resort’s revenue. For example, Vail Resorts reported $889 million in lift ticket sales for the 2018-2019 season.
- Food and beverage sales – this can account for 10-20% of a ski resort’s revenue. For example, Vail Resorts reported $265 million in food and beverage sales for the 2018-2019 season.
- Ski school and rental equipment sales – this can account for 10-20% of a ski resort’s revenue. For example, Vail Resorts reported $116 million in ski school and rental equipment sales for the 2018-2019 season.
Pricing: What are average prices among ski resorts? How do the market and competition affect this?
The average price of a ski resort can vary greatly depending on the location, size, and amenities of the resort. Generally, the larger and more popular the resort, the higher the prices will be. However, competition among ski resorts is fierce, and many resorts offer discounts and promotions in order to attract and retain customers.
For example, Vail Resorts, which operates several large ski resorts in the United States, typically charges around $120 per day for a lift ticket. However, the company often offers discounts for multi-day tickets and for purchasing tickets in advance. Additionally, Vail Resorts offers a variety of other products and services, such as ski and snowboard rentals, lodging, and dining, which can add significantly to the cost of a ski vacation.
Other ski resorts may charge less for lift tickets, but make up for it with higher prices for other products and services. For example, Arapahoe Basin, a smaller ski resort in Colorado, charges just $75 for a lift ticket, but the resort does not offer any lodging or dining options, so skiers and snowboarders must find these elsewhere. Ultimately, the best way to find the most affordable ski resort is to compare prices for lift tickets, lodging, dining, and other amenities among several different resorts.
What are the profit margins in the ski resort business? In a percentage range.
Some estimates suggest that profit margins for ski resorts can range anywhere from 5% to 30%. Profit margins for ski resorts tend to be relatively low when compared to other businesses. This is due in part to the high costs associated with running a ski resort, such as the cost of maintaining the slopes and lifts, as well as the cost of providing lodging and other amenities for guests. Additionally, the ski resort business is highly seasonal, which can further impact profitability.
Expenses
What is the cost to build a ski resort business? With an example.
The cost of building a ski resort business can vary greatly depending on the size and location of the resort. For example, the cost to build Vail Resorts in Colorado was estimated at $1 billion, while the cost to build the Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire was estimated at $20 million. Other factors that can affect the cost of building a ski resort include the cost of land, the cost of labor and materials, and the cost of infrastructure.
What is the staffing cost for a ski resort business? With specific annual costs and examples in US dollars.
There are a number of factors that will affect the staffing cost for a Ski Resort business. The size of the business, the location, the type of business, and the number of employees will all play a role in determining the staffing cost. A small Ski Resort business in the United States may have an annual staffing cost of $50,000. A larger Ski Resort business in the United States may have an annual staffing cost of $500,000. The type of business will also affect the staffing cost. A Ski Resort business that is open all year round will have a higher staffing cost than a Ski Resort business that is only open during the winter months.
List and description of the top three ongoing expenses for ski resorts. What percentage does each represent?
- The cost of maintaining and repairing the ski lifts is one of the top ongoing expenses for ski resorts businesses and can represent a significant percentage of the total budget. For example, a large resort may spend millions of dollars each year on lift maintenance.
- The cost of snowmaking is another significant ongoing expense for ski resorts businesses. Snowmaking can represent a significant percentage of the total budget, especially in areas where the natural snowfall is insufficient. For example, a resort in the northeastern United States may spend several hundred thousand dollars each year on snowmaking.
- The cost of insurance is also a significant ongoing expense for ski resorts businesses. Insurance premiums can represent a significant percentage of the total budget, especially for larger resorts. For example, a large resort in the Rocky Mountains may pay several hundred thousand dollars each year in insurance premiums.
Lift maintenance typically represents 20-30% of a resort’s operating budget, snowmaking 15-20%, and mountain grooming 10-15%.
History, strategy and challenges
What is the history of the ski resort business? With examples for each continent of the world.
The first ski resort was built in the 1850s in the Alps. Ski resorts quickly spread to other parts of Europe, North America, and Asia. Today, there are ski resorts on every continent. Some of the earliest ski resorts were built in the Alps, in countries like Switzerland, Austria, and France.
These resorts were popular with wealthy Europeans who came to ski and enjoy the mountain scenery. In the late 1800s, some of the first North American ski resorts were built in the United States, in states like Vermont and New Hampshire.
Skiing became popular in the United States in the early 20th century, and resorts began to spread to other parts of the country, such as Colorado and California. Ski resorts were also built in Canada, in the Rocky Mountains. In the mid-20th century, ski resorts began to appear in Asia, in countries like Japan and South Korea. Today, there are ski resorts on every continent, in countries like Australia, Chile, and South Africa.
What business strategies are used by companies in the ski resort business?
The main business strategies used by companies in the ski resort industry are price differentiation, product differentiation, and market segmentation.
Price differentiation involves charging different prices for different products or services. Product differentiation involves offering different products or services to different markets.
Market segmentation involves dividing the market into different segments and targeting each segment with a different marketing mix. The ski resort industry is characterized by high barriers to entry, which protects incumbent firms from new entrants.
The industry is also characterized by a low threat of substitute products or services. There are few substitutes for skiing, and skiing is a unique experience that cannot be replicated. The industry is also characterized by high bargaining power of buyers. Buyers are typically price sensitive and can switch to another ski resort if they feel they are not getting value for their money.
However, the industry is also characterized by high bargaining power of suppliers. Suppliers of ski equipment and clothing can charge high prices because there are few substitutes for their products. The intensity of competitive rivalry in the ski resort industry is high. There are a large number of ski resorts competing for business, and each resort is constantly trying to differentiate itself from its competitors.
The business secret some ski resorts use to make money is?…
Some ski resorts use a business secret known as “terrain manipulation” to make money. This involves artificially creating or altering terrain features in order to make the ski resort more attractive to potential customers. This can be done by adding man-made features such as snowmaking machines or by changing the natural landscape through activities such as tree clearing or slope grading. Terrain manipulation can be a controversial practice, as it can alter the natural beauty of the landscape and potentially impact the local ecosystem. However, it can also be used to create unique and exciting ski experiences that draw in customers from all over the world.
What recent challenges or dramatic events have been faced by companies in the ski resort business?
The Ski Resorts business has been challenged in recent years by a number of dramatic events, including the global financial crisis, the rise of online booking platforms, and increased competition from alternative vacation destinations. The financial crisis of 2008 had a particularly negative impact on the ski industry, as many people cut back on discretionary spending and opted for cheaper vacation options. In the years since, the industry has slowly recovered, but has been faced with new challenges, such as the rise of online booking platforms and increased competition from alternative vacation destinations. In response to these challenges, many ski resorts have invested in new infrastructure and amenities, such as terrain parks and mountain biking trails, in order to attract new visitors. Others have focused on improving their customer service and offering more value-for-money packages.
Interesting facts about the ski resort business
The ski resort business is full of interesting and unusual facts. For example, did you know that the first ski resort in the United States was established in 1879? Or that the first chairlift was built in 1936? Here are a few more interesting facts about the ski resort business:
- The average ski resort in the United States covers approximately 2,000 acres.
- There are an estimated 15,000 ski resorts worldwide.
- The ski resort industry is worth an estimated $8.5 billion in the United States alone.
- There are approximately 60 million skiers and snowboarders worldwide.
- Approximately 20% of the world’s population lives within 100 miles of a ski resort.
- The longest ski run in the world is 12.5 miles long and is located in Are, Sweden.
- The largest ski resort in the United States is Park City Mountain Resort in Utah, which covers 7,300 acres.