Alpine resorts nervous as recession reaching peaks

The past few Alpine ski seasons have melted away under the specter of global warming, as balmy conditions raised fears about the future of Europe’s fabled winter resorts. This year, the Alps have been blessed with abundant snow, bright skies, and perfect powder, but there’s little cheer as resorts feel the pinch from a new threat: the global financial crisis. Economic gloom and fluctuating... [Read more]

Smaller ski resorts look to weather recession

Hard knocks at Marquette Mountain apply to more than just tumbling skiers. The ski area in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has seen its share of weather-related and other challenges in recent years. And like the clients, officials are dusting themselves off for the next ride — getting through a winter in a recession. More than three-fourths of the nation’s 481 ski resorts are small or medium... [Read more]

NH prof’s mysteries entertain, teach tourism

Elegant resorts long for glowing accounts of their sumptuous meals, breathtaking views and meticulous service — but how about a shady employee, a missing guest, a murder? Mark Okrant, whose day job is teaching the tourism business to college students, makes resort owners smile about it all in a series of mystery novels he began writing about 15 years ago. Okrant’s mysteries were born out of... [Read more]

Wanted: Safe US city with 20,000 hotel rooms

Are you a U.S. city or resort with 20,000 hotel rooms, an international airport and a full complement of riot police? Looking to raise your profile? Willing to pay for the privilege? If so, and especially if you have ties to Asia, Uncle Sam wants you. The State Department is seeking a venue for a massive, nine-day conference of Pacific Rim leaders, dignitaries and business executives to be held in... [Read more]

Crisis in paradise: Meltdown leaves ghost resorts

The ocean glows a milky turquoise. Tiny waves lap at the powder-beige sand, in no rush to reach the line of postcard-perfect palm trees. Hundreds of luxury villas are positioned to take in the view, but there are no guests. There are no roofs either; neatly tied bundles of red tiles are stacked outside. The wind slams doors and rustles the yellowed newspaper taped to the windows. The paralyzed work... [Read more]

Strategies for booking hotels on a budget

When the economy was booming, many hotel companies began building new properties. Some of those are opening now, resulting in a 2.5 percent increase in hotel room supply this year, just as demand is dropping by around 1 percent or more, according to Jan Freitag of Smith Travel Research. “We’re going to see a substantial decline in occupancy this year,” agreed Bjorn Hanson, an associate... [Read more]

Real Montana: Big Sky or Big Mountain?

There are two big destination ski resorts in Montana. Big Sky, near Bozeman, is expensive and polished. Big Mountain, near Whitefish, is not. You can go as big as you want in Big Sky Country. But which is the real Montana? I grew up there and can tell you with authority, they both are. Here are some observations from recent visits to both resorts: BIG MOUNTAIN: They just renamed this “Whitefish... [Read more]

Ski resorts hope plenty of snow beats weak economy

Michelle Michaels, a Colorado Springs software support employee, is a longtime ski season passholder to Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin. But she won’t be getting a pass this year while she tries to pay off debts. “It’s one of the most devastating things,” said Michaels, who still plans to buy individual lift tickets to snowboard. “I won’t be going 20 times... [Read more]