Denver, CO – For the sixth consecutive month, actual occupancy at western U.S. ski resorts and mountain destinations is up. According to the most recent report released by the Mountain Travel Research Program (MTRiP), occupancy was up 1.2 percent in February compared to the same month in 2010 and overall results for the past six months (September through February) are up 7.3 percent compared to the same time period last year.nDaily rates remained essentially flat, down 0.2 percent for February and 0.3 percent for the past six months. The most promising projections came from the March data that showed on-the-books occupancy up 12.2 percent compared to the same time last year as well as a 4.9 percent uptick in average daily rate for the month of March. For the next six months, arrivals from March through August, on-the-books occupancy is running 8.7 percent ahead of the same period last year. Lodging rates remain essentially stable.

“Good early snow and a stabilizing economy brought strong momentum to the start of this winter season,” said Ralf Garrison, director of MTRiP. “However, that momentum decreased through February, but we expect a very strong March that should compensate for what looks to be a weak April. Most mountain destinations will have significantly better ski seasons than the last two years but until there is sustained growth in both occupancy and rate, they won’t return to pre-recession levels,” he added.

MTRiP’s data is derived from a sample of 265 property management companies in 15 mountain destination communities, representing 24,000 rooms across Colorado, Utah, California, and Oregon. The organization’s monthly report for March also discussed recent economic factors that may influence the remainder of the ski season as well as the upcoming summer. The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) increased 8.6 percent and topped the 70-point threshold for the first time in three years and marks the fifth increase in the past seven months. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 2.8 percent on Feb. 28 from January–the ninth time in the past year that the Dow has been up compared to the previous month.

Although the national unemployment rate is down to 8.9 percent, MTRiP research analyst Tom Foley remains cautious about the implications of the decrease. “While the addition of 192,000 jobs in February is significant, it is only partially responsible for the drop in unemployment figures,” Foley explained. “The number of unemployed people actively seeking work did not change significantly in February. At some point, those job seekers on the sidelines who aren’t currently being counted are expected to begin looking for work. If job growth remains stagnant, those people will once again be included in the unemployment figures which will drive the rate up,” he added.

Concerns about oil prices were also listed as a primary issue facing the travel industry. The steady increase in consumer travel over the past year could be interrupted by fuel price increases that impact air and car travel. Foley believes that the timing of these fuel increases will have less negative impact on the mountain resorts though since the ski and snowboard season is in its final weeks and not as vulnerable as in fall and early winter when ski vacations are typically booked.

“So with a strong March on the books, we anticipate a respectable winter season for the mountain lodging properties, despite what looks to be an anemic April,” observed Garrison. “Additionally, some resorts have reported increased spending, so overall tax revenues are expected to be up for local communities and municipalities which is good news for the mountain destinations.”