Mountain Spy :: September 2023

Hiking is a great, free activity to offer your guests that leverages your beautiful natural environment. So, you can imagine the Spy’s surprise when the ski areas she called offered little information, and even less advice. 

Sure, hiking is as easy as putting one foot in front of the other, but an understanding of the terrain and a few basic supplies (sunscreen, water, bug spray, snacks, etc.) that you can suggest—or, better yet, sell in your shop—can make a big difference in a newbie’s experience. While most operators said something about the difficulty level of their available terrain, not one mentioned trail etiquette, their facilities, or the benefits of bringing a water bottle. This mission was full of missed opportunities.