It is no surprise that it’s the goal of every resort operator to provide guests with an experience that leaves them with a smile of satisfaction at the end of the day. Providing the environment that engenders that response-one that allows each skier and snowboarder to enjoy the freedom and exhilaration of their sport-is a big responsibility. With improvements in lift capacities, grooming practices and ski equipment, skier densities and how skiers and riders interact on the slopes must be reevaluated.
In the previous article, “Half Empty or Half Full,” we laid the groundwork for estimating resort capacity based on terrain serviced by lift equipment using the SAOT (skiers at one time) model. And since the total number of skiers and boarders using the available terrain has a big impact on the guest’s experience, it’s important to have a formula that allows us to determine overall trail density. That, in turn, will allow operators to make operational changes so each skier and snowboarder can move within an adequate comfort zone. Those comfort zones are continually being influenced by several outside factors, which this article will address.
| Estimating Density | Traditional Estimate | Updated Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 20-30 | 10-15 |
| Intermediate | 15-20 | 8-10 |
| Advanced | 10-15 | 5-8 |
| Expert | 5-10 | 3-5 |
| Bowls/Glades | 2-3 | 1-2 |
Historically, planning studies used certain assumptions to quantify a preferred terrain density for ski areas in the U.S. (see table). The numbers were computed by taking the total number of people at the resort and dividing that by acreage of trails and slopes. Note that the actual number of people skiing at one time is almost half the traditional estimate.
This old model assumes that an overall skier density-taking into account all the people in lift lines, on lifts and on the slopes-of approximately 12 to 15 skiers per acre is a reasonable and comfortable average. (The figures in the model have been weighted to reflect the number of expert, intermediate and novice skiers, with intermediates representing the largest percentage.) Until the advent of detachable lifts, that average worked because only about 30 to 40 percent of overall skiers were actually on the slopes at one time. Today, however, high-speed lifts have pushed that figure to at least 50 percent and, in many cases, 60 percent. That’s why the traditional estimate no longer works. More skiers and snowboarders are on the slopes, as opposed to waiting in mazes and sitting on lifts. Because of this, it’s time to forget overall skier density estimates and separate out skiers and snowboarders actually on the slopes and trails.
Observations of skiers and snowboarders on the trails and slopes confirm that the slopes are becoming crowded in many locations. To get an idea of your resort’s average trail density, first determine the figures using the SAOT model on SAM’s Website at www.saminfo.com/saot/index.htm. Multiply the skiers-per-minute figure in the SAOT table by the ski-time figure to calculate actual skiers and boarders on the slopes in each pod. Then, once you determine the number of acres on the trails within each pod, divide that by the number of skiers on the slopes. It will give you a skier-per-acre number to compare with the observed skier numbers. If that number is significantly above six skiers per acre, you may see crowding. Keep in mind that the six-skiers-per-acre figure is an average for intermediate skiers on intermediate slopes. There will be a range of densities dependent on skier ability because what is considered comfortable for one group of skiers is not for another. Also, weather and snow conditions will have an effect.
The Skier Speed graph depicts a range of speeds on slopes of increasing steepness, with speeds decreasing on the more difficult terrain. The three ranges can represent the different ability levels of people using the same slope or trail. Each range also represents snow conditions on a trail where the speeds will follow the higher range on a groomed slope and follow a lower range for an ungroomed or bump slope. Note the space needs for skiers of varying ability range from 3 skiers/acre to 16 skiers/acre on the same trail because of different comfort zones.
To better understand this skier density issue, take a look at the diagram at left called “Skier Comfort Zone.” It illustrates a concept that relates to the individual skier or boarder and is an integral piece of skier density analysis. It defines an area of maneuverability within which most people will feel comfortable. That area or zone will vary from person to person, depending on their ability, the terrain and their speed. The diagram compares the comfort zone for an intermediate skier (left) with that of a beginner (right). On average, a comfortable spacing for most people is about four seconds apart. The shape of the comfort zone might change with different turning styles, but is best defined as length times width: Width = 2 x Speed (ft./sec.); Speed = Distance traveled in feet per second (see the graph above for Skier Speed Range); and Length = 4 x Speed (ft./sec.).
The example shows an intermediate skier on a 25 percent slope traveling at a speed of 21 mph or approximately 30 ft/sec. This individual’s comfort zone is calculated as 60 feet wide and 120 feet in length, using a total area of 7,200 square feet. One acre (43,560 square feet) will accommodate about six comfort zones of this size. This begins to explain why many resorts, though they know there is crowding on the slopes, can’t get their old skier density estimates to support what is obviously a lack of elbow room on the snow. Clearly, one of the benefits of using this new rule of thumb is that resorts can now point to actual data when arguing for an expansion of terrain when actual densities exceed the available acreage.
But adding terrain is not the only option. If cutting new trails to increase available terrain is not in the cards, more detailed planning can take place to identify individual problem areas. A study of the entire resort may indicate that, while in most cases traffic flows very well, there may be a few bottlenecks or congested skiways. At these particular points, it might be that the terrain is too steep for most skiers, causing expanding comfort zones, which quickly leads to crowding. Widening certain spots, regrading to ease steepness or even constructing a bypass to completely avoid steeper sections of trail, will result in better circulation by shrinking the space needed for the comfort zones of every type of skier and snowboarder.
Another way to help flow without expanding is to station people who monitor skier and snowboarder speed on the hill in congested areas, and by installing banners across the slope to control both the speed and direction of skiers. It is also possible to stagger lift operating times and their closures to help manage skier and snowboarder volumes and even allow downhill loading on certain qualified lifts. Skier-snowboarder education and good etiquette promoted by courtesy patrols, guest services and volunteers on the slopes is essential to promoting concepts like “space not speed.” It helps to encourage all guests to respect each other’s space.
People travel to the mountains to escape the crowding of their cities and towns. By realistically studying our slope densities and their impacts, we can make meaningful changes to provide skiers and snowboarders with the space they’re looking for.
