For Immediate Release
Media Contacts:
Molly Cuffe, 303.915.0277, molly@coloradoski.com
Nick Bohnenkamp, 303.866.9724, nick@coloradoski.com
Ski Clubs are Big Business in Colorado
DENVER, Colo. - May 2, 2007 - Ski clubs are big business in
Colorado. As large groups seek great value and convenience,
Colorado draws the majority of total ski club business around the
globe.
"As the number one winter destination in the country, Colorado
really does own this segment of the ski business," said Rob
Perlman, President and CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA. "Ski clubs
are membership driven organizations, and with half of their
groups coming our way, it's clear the members prefer Colorado over
any other skiing destination in the world."
With almost 3,000 ski clubs and 42 ski councils, the United States
accounts for 75 percent of the ski group business around the world.
Their total membership is nearly 800,000 members, with
approximately half of the groups participating in a club trip
annually. Domestically, Colorado hosted more than half of the ski
club business this season. Worldwide, Colorado captured 38 percent
of total ski club business, compared to all of Europe which totaled
14 percent.
According to Bob Wilbanks, editor of Ski Club News, "The pattern
remains the same as it has for several years. Clubs tend to favor
more upscale vacations, both winter and summer, that offer good
value."
This value begins the moment ski clubs book flights to Colorado.
According to industry research, flights into Denver International
Airport were more affordable than any other domestic winter
destination from 18 of Colorado's core domestic ski markets. At the
same time, Denver International Airport served a record 47.3
passengers in 2006, making it the making it the fifth busiest
airport in the United States and the tenth busiest in the
world.
The appeal of flying directly to one of Colorado's ski resorts is
also on the rise. Colorado's regional airports offer more than 8.6
million passenger seats and more than half of Colorado's 26 ski
areas are located within 35 miles of an airport. Eagle County
Airport increased their number of flights for the 2006-07 ski
season, Aspen-Pitkin County Airport added three new non-stop
flights from Chicago, San Francisco, and Salt Lake City, and
Durango La Plata County Airport has seen a 17 percent increase in
arrival passengers YTD. Steamboat's direct flight program, which
features non-stop air service from nine major U.S. cities on five
major airlines, increased overall capacity this season to 15,000
new seats, their largest increase in capacity in a decade.
Once ski club groups reach their Colorado destination, value takes
the form of interchangeable lift tickets, a variety of lodging
options, large on-mountain venues for group events, abundant
off-mountain activities, and great skiing terrain for all ability
levels.
Colorado's consistent snow is also a big part of that value. What
many consider the best snow in 20 years falling in 2005-06 and
great snow falling throughout the 2006-07 season have helped fuel
Colorado's momentum to generate advanced ski club group bookings
for the 2007-08 ski season.
The following is a sampling of some of the ski clubs visiting
Colorado resorts next season:
- Texas Ski Council Traditional - Vail, January 2008
- National Brotherhood of Skiers Annual Meeting and Challenge Cup (AMCC) - Breckenridge, January 2008
- Texas Ski Council Winter Shoot Out - Telluride, February 2008
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Colorado Ski Country USA is the not-for-profit trade association
representing Colorado's 26 ski & snowboard resorts. Information
about the organization and its members can be found at
www.coloradoski.com.
