I think the other thing was “skiing was allowed” and we all went crazy, for good reason, and Loveland took a big hit of people buying/using 4 packs early. Demand looks soft everywhere right now and it’s not like we typically have anything more than High Noon / Home Run and now whatever opens at Keystone available on Nov 2nd.Last year at LL was such a s@!tshoe that I won’t be buying a pass there for the first time in many years.
The current levels look lower than recent pre-COVID years to me. It’s snowing again at Loveland and there’s nobody there. Last year this lot was completely full for one run. It’d love to say it’s weird how humans flock these days, but maybe there’s no reason to present an early ski day on social media in 2021 and so we’re back to more typical demand.
I’m not sure what the future holds for Loveland demand as all the spare dirt in Georgetown is being turned into density lodging / townhomes, but this at least looks normal. Imagine how bad it sucked last year for the staff, and we are seeing ripples of loss of long term employees everywhere. There are a LOT of new faces at A-Basin, and I think that, unfortunately, says a lot about the long term impact of COVID.
I read an article recently that said that Silverthorne is now the most expensive rental market in the U.S. - average monthly rent > $3,500 and that’s more than San Francisco or NY. This is why I’m buying a place in Gunnison (close on Friday!) - it feels like now or never and I-70 is out of reach and too crowded. Pivoting to the Rt. 50 corridor and to the SW of there also feels like the future.
The Front Range is fully discovered end to end even in little ole COS, we are California in 1990. Western Slope, baby. Our home here at 7,400’ is the mountain house, Gunnison is the valley house. Ski from the valley.