The 2008-09 season was a good season for Arizona Snowbowl and I hope it was for you too. For the second year in a row we enjoyed the slopes of the San Francisco Peaks with great conditions and above average attendance. As snow fell mid December we knew we were getting close to opening… all we needed was one good heavy storm which came just in time for Christmas. We had many highlights during the 102 day season including the recent announcement that Snowbowl won the Best Overall Safety Program from the National Ski Areas Association. This award is a very prestigious recognition of Snowbowl’s efforts to improve slope safety and reduce employee injuries. Hopefully you saw the banners, signs, and buttons around the ski area. We are pleased to say that this past season was a top ten season with 134,249 skier visits, a 20% drop from last year (167,000) but the decrease was the result of warm temperatures and no snow in March.

I would like to thank all the skiers and snowboarders who visited Snowbowl this year. Going into the season we did not know how the economic downturn would affect us, but we felt assured that if we got snow we would be alright. For the first time ever the number of local skiers outnumbered out of town visits which is a testament to the loyal support we have in Flagstaff. Our focus continues to support local programs and offer incentives to Flagstaff skiers. I would also like to acknowledge the incredible efforts of our staff and management team. It is a challenge every year going into November job fairs not knowing how your staff will perform or what type of season is around the corner. We were fortunate to have a high percentage of veteran employees return as they really make sure all the work gets done the right way. We issued 560 paychecks on our biggest payroll in January.
An independent survey conducted at Snowbowl reinforced the economic impact on the local Flagstaff economy. The projected spending by out of town visitors exceeded $15 million, with lodging and restaurant sales the largest categories. The results again showed that our employees continue to provide excellent customer service and that our facilities and lifts remain short of guest expectations; this we hope to correct soon.

Summer is right around the corner with the Scenic Skyride opening May 23 for Memorial Day weekend (free with season pass). The Agassiz Lodge’s Peak Side Cafe will be open every day serving lunch on the deck. Our world-class disc golf course will open once the snow completely melts. The Hart Prairie Lodge is already booked solid for weddings and private parties on weekends, but we do have availability mid-week if you need a great place for a special occasion or meeting.

The litigation process of our upgrade plan continues. At this time the Supreme Court has not ruled on granting or denying a hearing. We remain hopeful and optimistic.

Some season statistics:

• Snowfall : 206″ @ 10,800′ (midway), 132″ @ 9,500′
• Visits: 134,249
• Days of operation 102
• Demographics; 57% male, 43% female; mean age 38.2 years
• 61% of guests live within 50 miles of Ski Area

Have a great summer. Hope to see you at the Snowbowl and we will continue to update you if anything newsworthy occurs.

J.R. Murray, General Manager

(Photo courtesy of ArizonaSnowbowl.com)