Whistler resort on record pace
WHISTLER — The Whistler Blackcomb resort is having a strong ski season so far and is on track to have a record number of visits, according to its parent company’s financial report.
Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc. said it has been getting more visits from skiers within the region and beyond, as well as strong spending on its related businesses.
In the three months ended Dec. 31, it recorded 502,000 skier visits, up 23.3 per cent from the comparable quarter of 2014. By Feb. 8, in the midst of the company’s second quarter, it had recorded 1.09 million skier visits.
Effective total prices in the company’s fiscal first quarter were up marginally at $56.70, compared with $56.48 a year before. Revenue per total visit was down margin- ally at $122.59, compared with 123.90. Total revenue during the October-December quarter rose 22.1 per cent to $66.7 million from $54.64 million.
The company also improved its profit and identified growth projects in addition to its regular maintenance spending. It had net income of $1.2 million, which compared with a loss of $4.6 million a year ago. Its benchmark measure of profit improved to $17.24 million of adjusted earnings before certain items, up from $10.25 million.
The company is planning to spend $8 million on growth projects, including upgrades and expansion of two restaurants, to ski and snowboard teaching areas as well as infrastructure on Whistler Mountain. It’s also adding summer hiking trails and building a new glacier-view sightseeing deck connected to the Roundhouse Lodge.