SAM Magazine—Winter Park, Colo. Dec. 16, 2025—Below average snowfall and faltering consumer confidence negatively impacted November booking activity at Western destinations, according to the latest Market Briefing from the DestiMetrics division of Inntopia. The booking pace during November plunged 19.8 percent for arrivals in the next six months.

DestiMetrics' data are drawn from 17 western mountain communities in Colorado, Utah, California, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. 

“Opening day has been pushed back for many resorts and the amount of open skiable terrain around the region is hovering around 11 percent except for a handful of destinations," said Tom Foley, director of business intelligence for Inntopia. "And unfortunately, the forecast for much of the region is not looking promising.” Nonetheless, Foley noted that the Consumer Confidence Index indicates that higher income groups' intent to travel remains steady, a positive sign should snow conditions improve.

Delayed openings pushed November occupancy down 6.9 percent compared to November 2024, while the average daily rate (ADR) edged up 1.3 percent, and aggregated revenues declined 5.7 percent. The slower booking pace left on-the-books occupancy for November through April down 3.7 percent compared to last season, with deficits in all months except December. ADR, however, is up an aggregated 3.7 percent with increases in all months, leaving seasonal revenues down a slight 0.2 percent for the full winter. These trends held across all price levels.

Thanksgiving holiday occupancy finished with daily declines between 4 and 5 percent. In contrast, Christmas and pre-New Year’s bookings remained a bit ahead of last season. Post-New Year’s Day holiday occupancy held steady.

Bookings from international markets were down 30.6 percent—a slight improvement from one month ago when it was 32.9 percent. Seasonal bookings from Canada were down a dramatic 43.9 percent—an improvement from the prior month's 52.9 percent decline. Bookings from Mexico retreated slightly but were still up 24.3 percent; Western European bookings remain up 3.3 percent.

Length of stay during November averaged 3.24 nights—.36 nights longer than last November. However, the remaining five months are currently posting shorter stays. "Consumers clearly want to stay longer but are having trouble justifying the extension at the higher price points” and with current conditions, Foley said.

While lodging properties can't control the weather, economy, or consumer sentiment, Foley noted, businesses should look at "those factors that the lodging industry can control and act accordingly." He suggested "This could be the signal for properties to further explore tweaking value-added enticements and incentives that matter to consumers, working with partners on the mountain and in the communities."