You aren’t wrong…it’s busy this summer and records are being set

Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce director Dave Ochs said all those people are not an illusion. “The base area in Mt. Crested Butte and the downtown business district in Crested Butte are bustling,” he said. “Based on general conversations with local businesses, numbers are up, visitor days are up, sales tax revenues are up, and based on smiles and feedback from visitors, folks are happy and glad to be here.” Ochs said the direct impact on the local visitors centers is showing huge increases this summer. “It is crazy busy. We’re seeing 400 daily visitors at the Town Visitor Center, 125 at the Mt. Crested Butte Visitor Center now located at the Waffle Shack at the CBMR base area, and we are seeing close to 300 visitors each day in Gothic. Those are big numbers, and well up from previous years at this time. It is up almost a 100 people a day at the town location and we are seeing similar increases in Gothic. We are doing double the business at the Waffle Shack that we did last year at the Transit Center.” People are staying here… Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s director of innovations and relations, Erica Mueller, confirms that the base area is as busy as it has ever been in the summer. “Room nights were up 36 percent from June to October and 27 percent in July alone,” she said. “We have been booked at nearly 100 percent occupancy for our rooms every weekend in July. Adventure Park lift tickets have increased more than 9 percent over last year. Butte 66 is doing great as well. That’s our first summer and we are very pleased with the menu and the numbers.” Downtown is booming as well. Mike Nolan of the Elk Mountain Lodge said his occupancy this July is at an astounding 98 percent. “I never thought July could get better but we are up from July 2013, when we were booked at 95 percent,” he reported. “We raised our rates a bit and the increase in occupancy is giving us a record July. “Midweek is obviously full with 98 percent occupancy and that’s where we’ve seen a bump,” he continued. “The stays are longer and there are not as many one-night stays in July such as there can be in August.” Nolan said the guests are coming from all over the country, but Texas and Oklahoma are well represented. He expects his business to taper down at the end of August. Ochs guesses that people living here and people visiting here are embracing the unique offerings available in Crested Butte. “The last few years, we know what the economy was like,” Ochs said. “This year, I think there is a new energy, and a new hope, which has spurred growth and vitality. With good energy comes good results and the good people of our valley were ready for it. We’ve invited the visitors with good reasons to come—great events, great recreation opportunities, expanding cultural offerings, great amenities like a solid resort base area, great local people and character, the best of trails, and the most unique retail and restaurant establishments. Let’s be honest—you can only find it in Crested Butte.” And the chamber feels there are more tourists visiting than ever. It’s not just second homeowners from Texas trying to escape the heat. “I’ve spoken with potential visitors on the phone,” said Ochs, “and I’ve talked to them in the visitor centers. Folks who’ve lived in Colorado their whole life, but have never been here,” said Ochs. “Folks that have seen the USA Pro Challenge on TV, and wanted to come here. The CBMR base area has so much to offer for families and all ages, and it has certainly attracted visitors and longer stays. It seems there are people looking to experience new things, new places, new opportunities. It’s almost like humanity is gearing up more for a challenge and looking for new experiences. I think we’re seeing tourists come here to partake in what only Crested Butte, Mt. Crested Butte and this valley have to offer. As for second homeowners, they are adding to the strength and character of our community. Their love for this community is evident.” It’s busy now but let’s not forget about winter… Up at the Avalanche Bar and Grill, owner Todd Barnes said he is on the way to a record July. “We are seeing groups return and lots of families,” he said. “It is taxing up here and there are times we are a bit overwhelmed but it is good for business. I think we’ll have a record July when it is all said and done.” Mike Marchitelli of Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle is seeing full houses as well. And he understands it can be frustrating for guests who show up without a reservation wanting a table for 14 at 7 o’clock. “Summer business is wonderfully hard and it accounts for nearly half of the yearly sales,” he said. “It is so great to see our second homeowners here with their family and friends this time of year. They know summer is crazy, and they plan ahead with reservations. This is where I feel a little bad about how busy it is. Our new visitors hear how wonderful we are and want to come in and they don’t know to plan ahead. Frankly, I hate starting off a new relationship with a customer by having to tell them the only tables I have open tonight are at 5 p.m. or 9 p.m. Ugh! That can be frustrating for everyone. Overall, though, I like this better than January.” “Summer is doing great,” concurred Nolan. “Without being too negative, I think people forget winters in town are flat and surrounded by two off-seasons. So let’s enjoy this time and figure out a way to increase business during the slower times.” “Weekends probably won’t be quite as busy as it has been after this week, but we are still pacing significantly ahead for the month of August compared to last year,” added CBMR’s Mueller. “As for winter, bookings are looking above last summer’s pace. We are currently 23 percent up in room nights for winter reservations November through April. And last summer we had a great booking patterns for winter. Our first big deadline for our Book Early Save Big Promotion is August 15, so we will know more then. “We are also combining this 30 percent off lodging offer with another big air credit offer,” Mueller continued. “Our thinking was to keep similar and simple offers in the marketplace to help build awareness on these promotions, making them more popular and known. Also, given our great snow year last winter, we anticipate early winter bookings to be up.” It’s all good… Ochs said despite the overwhelming numbers, workers are doing a pretty good job at handling the bump in business. “Many tourists comment about the positive customer service experiences and about wanting to come back. Let’s keep it up,” he said. “Besides Clark’s running out of milk and other basic necessities sometimes, I think businesses planned for a busy year, and it’s been well received by our guests.” And while the numbers of tourists will likely drop starting in mid-August when the start of school calls back families, Ochs doesn’t expect business to just stop in a few weeks. “We have the USA Pro Challenge in late August. There are several events queued up in September that will make September feel like late June,” Ochs explained. “After the People’s Fair, there is Vinotok and Beer and Chili, a chamber event that has moved to September 20. The rain is coming and we just had a big winter. The leaves should be incredible this fall. We should see an extended busy season that will heighten the economic vitality of Crested Butte well through the fall. Dare I say, October is the new June.” Mueller too has heard the stories of happy customers. “Anecdotally, we are having an awesome summer. Guests are enjoying the mountain and Crested Butte in general,” she said. “I think the buzz about our little town is only continuing to be a trend. We have a special place here and it’s fun to be able to share it with those who aren’t as lucky as we are to live in such paradise. “The contributions that locals, second homeowners, and visitors make to our large cul-de-sac in the woods is quite evident,” Ochs summarized. “Businesses wanted to have a good summer. Well, guess what? They’ve had a great start. The energy levels we create here in the valley are our best asset, and it’s not that difficult to ‘wow’ people when they have a unique and creative experience. I think there are many things we can improve upon, and many things we could take more advantage of. However, in the end it’s the personal attention, the unique experience, and the one-of-a-kind daily experience that makes Crested Butte so special. We’re achieving great things together.”