|
|
|
|
Year of progress, initiative for MMSA |
|
|
Thursday, 31 December 2009 |
|
By Erick Sugimura
Mammoth Times Staff Writer
 Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA) started off 2009 adjusting its projected skier visitation numbers for the 2008-09 season by 26 percent from 1.43 million to 1.06.
The resulting loss of projected revenue forced the Mountain to lay off 35 year-round employees and give 10 senior managers a five percent pay cut.
“We’re about the right size, we believe, for the year that we’re churning towards,” said MMSA CEO Rusty Gregory after the layoffs were announced.
In mid-February, the Mono County Assessor’s Office was working on getting MMSA on the tax roll.
On April 1, MMSA reopened the Mammoth Value Pass (MVP) Club – a season pass for $576 and limited to only 38,000 members. MMSA had closed new membership to the MVP program in 2006 to prevent the popular product from being oversold and over-impacting the skier and boarder experience on the slopes. Natural attrition of renewals was cited for reopening the MVP Club.
However, in May 2009, MMSA Development, LLC (a separate corporate entity that handles the development side of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area) returned its land holdings in Mammoth Lakes to its lender, Credit Suisse. The properties returned include the “East Village” (the current parking area, including the Burger’s Restaurant location), undeveloped land around Sierra Star Golf Course and small parcels on both Rainbow Lane and at the corner of Hillside Drive and Canyon Boulevard.
Those lands are said to have been purchased for more than $100 million, but had dropped in value by more than 50 percent at the time.
Another sign of tough financial times was the ending of the food service partnership that MMSA had established with Patina Restaurant Group in 2007.
According to Gregory, what was conceived “during a time of year-by-year skier day growth” could not be supported by the declining skier visits that the resort experienced last season.
In related news, the ‘legendary’ Yodler Bar and Grill returned with the ending of the MMSA/Patina relationship. During Patina’s tenure with the Mountain, the Yodler had been transformed into the more upscale Cervinia Restaurant.
Mountain biking
During the summer months, MMSA maintained a healthy mountain bike season and was host to the California Golden State Mountain Bike Championships on Sept. 4-6.
Mammoth had a history of holding mountain bike events that began with the 1989 World Mountain Bike Championships, but that ended with the 2005 U.S. Mountain Bike National Championships. This year’s return of competitive mountain biking was well received, as more than 500 racers participated.
Early ski area opening
brings thousands
An early winter storm in October dropped enough snow for MMSA to kick-off its winter season on Oct. 16, a full month ahead of schedule. MMSA offered free skiing on opening day, which generated media buzz in Southern California and brought between 4,000-5000 skiers and boarders to the slopes.
Unfortunately, the combination of high moisture content in the snow and warm temperatures forced the Mountain to close after the weekend. It was Nov. 7 when the Mountain opened again, this time for good.
Long-term temporary
At an Oct. 14 Planning Commission meeting, MMSA requested an extension on the Little Eagle tent, which offers skier services during the winter. The use of this temporary facility was intended to last from 2003 until 2006, but was extended previously through 2009. MMSA cited financing troubles related to the recession for the need of the current five-year extension, which would allow the tent to remain through 2014.
“It’s going to be there a long time. It’s a long-term temporary,” said Commissioner Elizabeth Tenney.
New Village businesses
Also in October, MMSA announced that it would open two new businesses in the Village at Mammoth as licensees, in addition to opening Boards Restaurant. The two businesses are Starbucks Coffee and Quiksilver. As licensees, MMSA will operate those businesses with its own staff and payroll, but to the standards and guidelines of the respective brands.
In regards to hiring staff for the winter season, MMSA elected to reduce the number of foreign workers (H2B visa employees) from 82 to 64. Senior VP Pam Murphy noted that returning H2B employees were not cut, but there was a conscious decision not to hire new foreign workers. A sole exception, however, was the Ski and Snowboard School, which brought on six certified, experienced H2B ski instructors new to Mammoth.
And as the 2009-2010 winter season got into full swing, MMSA renamed the Far West ski run as Andy’s Double Gold in honor of Andrea Mead Lawrence, who passed away earlier in the year. Lawrence was a longtime local resident and Mono County Supervisor, winner of two gold medals at the 1952 Oslo Olympic Games, and a dedicated conservationist and environmentalist.
Looking at the season ahead, MMSA is budgeting close to last year’s actual revenues and, while it is still early in the season, seems to be tracking well on that course.
Not everything in 2009 was upscale or progressive for the Mountain.
On Feb. 20, 2009, the Mono Narcotic Enforcement Team (MONET) conducted a sting operation where six suspects were arrested in a narcotics exchange were ski area lift ticket vouchers were being used for payment for drugs.
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 04 January 2010 )
|
|
|
|
|
Go to www.CompareCards.com on-line for information on the prepaid credit cards that are cheapest for you. |
|
|
|
|
