Payback

Sunday, January 27, 2012

Today we logged enough visits to justify the expense of our season passes. From here on out the marginal cost of a ski visit is below the $49 cost of a daily pass. If history is any indication, we'll get a least as many more days in this season than we already have...getting our average ticket cost down in the $25 or less range. At that level it starts getting comparable to, well, going out to dinner. And maybe a lot of other stuff. But less expensive than golfing!

That all said, skiing is still kind of an expensive activity. I should know...I've done the studies (most recently for Ski Oregon).  We finished our most recent report in December; the press will come shortly. Here's the low-down:

"Total economic impacts associated with the Oregon ski industry for the 2010-11 season topped $481.6 million, including direct expenditures, indirect spending (such as retail or equipment purchases), and induced economic impacts (including personal income). The Oregon ski industry provides an estimated 6,772 jobs and over $194.4 million in personal income."

And more telling:

Of the $311.2 million in direct revenue generated by the ski industry, approximately $138.7 million is generated by day skier spending.  While destination skiers account for only 22% of skier visits, they generated 40% of direct economic impact—nearly $123 million. Destination skiers spend considerably more per person per day—about $300 compared to $89 for day skiers.

Well, $89 per person per day. Sounds about right. We spend a little less since we go so often, but it's still an expensive activity. As far as expenditures of my recreation dollar, totally worth it in my book.

We got the choice parking this morning. The view from the dashboard:

Famous Eagle Peak Ravens.

 They got the kicker fixed so Dylan hit it a bunch of times.

That was pretty much it. Sort of a low key day waiting for the snow...which is supposed to start tonight. It usually comes in the middle of the week when we can't go and then gets warm. That's what the weather forecast looks like to me.

Great.