Mountain operators have a lot to gain by linking their facilities. This in fact is one of the true, and most demonstrable effect of synergy. It also seems that there's a desirable “critical mass” to obtain highly productive results. A twin partnership like Alta-Snowbird or Brighton-Solitude can only bring some incremental business; however, volume will be considerably magnified when more than three or four resorts become networked. Regardless of this consideration, the advantages of getting together are many as well as attractive...
- Increases each individual resort visitation as interconnect notoriety grows (a true synergistic effect, not a “zero sum game.”)
- Upon completion, the participating resorts could see their aggregate visitations double and a few year later, Utah's visitations would close the gap with Colorado.
- Greater participants' retention, as the product offers endless variety, is more diverse and brings a "discovery" dimension to the ski/riding experience.
- Provides a healthy emulation with regards to infrastructures and amenities (restaurants, ski/snowboard schools, terrain parks, lifts, etc.)
- Affords a certain amount of “specialization”, like terrain parks in Park City, “ski only” zones in Alta and Deer Valley, treeless runs in Snowbird, etc. Each area finding and developing its niche as time goes on on
- Finally offers a competitive alternative to potential European visitors
- Spreads week-end crowds around (from “local” to “destination” mountains)
- Gets the State of Utah's full attention as a united and worthwhile interest group for more state funded mass-transit solutions
- The interconnect does not increase the user's "consumption" of lift rides (11,532 vertical feet a day on average) and the premium paid for multi-area ticket increases the operators' bottom line.
- Provides a great reason to re-energize group ski school activities, like group lessons with an “adventure” theme that still is a hot seller at European interconnects
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