Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc. reported guest spending at its ski and rental shops and restaurants increased even as ticket sales decline during both the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same periods a year.
The company, which owns 75 percent of the massive Whistler-Blackcomb resort in British Columbia, said overall Revenue per Visit rose to $105.88 and $108.61, representing increases of 9.0 and 10.1 percent respectively, over the same periods in the 2012-13 season. Management attributed the increases to the higher proportion of destination skiers seen this past season as well as the addition of six rental shops acquired last year. The resort owns 21 equipment rental shops and 18 retail stores, which primarily sell snowsports apparel, accessories and gear.
Total visits for the quarter and six months were 1,311,000 and 1,737,000, respectively, down 4 percent 6 percent, respectively. The declined during the most recent quarter was primarily attributable to the timing of the Easter holiday period, which was in the third quarter in fiscal 2014 and the second quarter in fiscal 2013. Destination visits comprised approximately 41 percent of skier visits for the first half of 2014 compared to 37 percent during the first half last year.
Skier visits for the 2013-2014 ski season ending March 31, 2014 reached 1.67 million compared to 1.79 million during the comparable period in 2013. The company attributed the 6.7 percent decline to weaker visitation during the first quarter of this season and the timing of the Easter holiday period.
