Whistler Blackcomb saw a significant decline in lift ticket visitation compared to the prior year, according to a new release by Vail Resorts, Inc.
“Pass product visitation returned as expected to normal historical guest behaviour for the spring. However, lift ticket visitation did not return to normal historical guest behaviour, primarily at Whistler Blackcomb, which was down significantly relative to the prior year period,” the company said in a press release.
However, the company didn’t provide numbers for the decline at Whistler Blackcomb. The company said the ‘challenging’ early season conditions at Whistler Blackcomb and the Tahoe resorts persisted through early March. “When conditions improved, visitation at the Tahoe resorts responded as expected. However, visitation at Whistler Blackcomb remained below expectations.”
The company reported specific ski season metrics for the comparative periods from April 16, 2023, to April 14, 2024.
Despite unfavourable conditions across North American resorts for a large portion of the season, Vail Resorts reported that lift ticket revenue was up 3.2% compared to the preview year, ski school revenue was up 7 %, and dining revenue was up 2.4%.
However, total skier visits were down 7.8%, Vail reported.
“Our attention is already turning to the 2024/2025 season, with spring pass sales underway. To date, through the April deadline, we have seen a modest decline in pass product units and growth in sales dollars,” said Kirsten Lynch, Chief Executive Officer of Vail Resorts. The company will have more to share in its third-quarter earnings release in June 2024,
The last day for skiing season at Whistler Blackcomb is May 20, 2024.
Whistler Blackcomb COO Belinda Trembath recently appeared before the Whistler council at the April 9 regular council meeting to give a rundown of the season. Trembath shared what she learned from her first winter season with Whistler Blackcomb and highlighted some of the critical items coming up for spring and summer.