Off The Beaten Path

Skiers Double At Moonlight - 18th April 2006

Big Sky, MT (Tuesday, April 18, 2006) - It was the third ski season for Montana's Moonlight Basin – and by far its best. The resort, which closed for the season on Sunday, more than doubled its skier visits over the previous season, and new programs and ticket products exceeded management expectations.

“It’s been a great season,” said resort general manager Burt Mills. “We were able to significantly increase business levels, add and run new programs, and still keep the intimate and guest-centered feel of the resort. Our staff did a phenomenal job.”

Mills attributed part of the success to the resort’s new cooperative marketing and “Lone Peak” ticketing programs offered in conjunction with neighboring Big Sky Resort. The Lone Peak products allows guests to ski both resorts on the same ticket and experience the largest interconnected lift and trail network in the United States. Approximately 25% of season pass holders and roughly 10% of destination visitors purchased the Lone Peak products.

The resort offered ski rentals and ski instructional programs for the first time this season. “Guests were blown away by the rental equipment we offered,” Mills said. “People who rent equipment generally expect to receive basic rental fleet gear, with the option to upgrade to full-line branded equipment. We only offered the good stuff, and our guests were very pleased.”

Ski instructional programs for kids and adults also performed well, according to Mills. “We made the programs very accessible,” he said. “Moonlight Basin coaches meet guests where they want and when they want, even if that means stopping by their condo to pick them up. That’s a level of service most people don’t expect.” Mills also said that the resort’s new seasonal ‘All Mountain Kids’ program was highly successful.

But perhaps the biggest draw was the addition of The Headwaters lift, which serves some of the most challenging chutes in the Rocky Mountains. “It’s superb terrain, and it skis beautifully,” Mills said. “Adding the lift enabled guests to enjoy it without a 40 minute hike to reach it.”

The resort also saw significant growth in its M-BAR-T student aspirations program, increasing participation to approximately 1500 area middle and high school students.