Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Spring Hours

So here's the deal.  As much as I would love to spend the next 3 days arcing turns on the white corduroy at Welch Village, the fact of the matter is I would be doing it at basically an empty ski area.   Even with my own kids on spring break this week, we decided to shut down operations Tuesday-Thursday this week.   Why? A very good question and I will do my best to provide some answers.

Weekday attendance, especially evening attendance, has virtually come to stand still. It's been like that for weeks now.  It's a challenge for us (and every Midwest ski area) in March because can still offer great conditions however, most skiers just stop coming and their minds have clearly moved past winter and are waiting for spring.  Yesterday was one one of the best days of the season by far with fresh snow and blue sky all day.  Originally, we had decided to close Monday too this week. However, with the fresh snow...we decided to stay open on Monday.  Even on a day like yesterday, we had a very small crowd in the morning followed by literally a few people in the afternoon.

Thank you to the few of you who are still visiting us on weekdays and enjoying our snow and slopes. I completely understand your frustration when we close like this for just a couple days.  However, please know that these decisions are difficult to make and we make them with best intentions in mind. If we close for a few weekdays now, it might enable us to stretch out this season for another weekend or two.  Again, if enough people still want to come skiing and weather allows, we will stay open as long as it makes sense to stay open.

In years past, our loyal and long-time pass holders will tell you that we have rarely done this.  We are usually the ski area that stays open no matter what.  Other ski areas in are market this year have shut down their operations in recent weeks. Yet...we stayed open. Even when it's 20 below on a Tuesday in January, we are open.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.  We'll see you Friday.

Yesterday, I spent a few runs with grandpa during his 85th day on the snow this year.  He is looking forward to skiing his age (88) this weekend. If you see him Sunday, give him a high five on skiing his age for yet another season.







4 comments:

  1. I have to say, I am extremely disappointed that you are not allowing night pass holders to ski before 4:00. Driving 2hrs round trip for 2 hours of skiing? I would support you but it looks like a one way street.

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  2. Great job at staying open and hope you can keep it going one more weekend.

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  3. Can't wait for mountain biking. I'm super happy you are bringing it to Welch.

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