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Give me a in depth SWOT (strengths, Weaknesses, opportunities, Threats) analysis of Eldora Mountain Resort In Colorado
Hello and thanks for requesting a SWOT analysis of Eldora Mountain Resort in Colorado. The most helpful resource I found in researching this topic were the Eldora website and BoulderWeekly.com. I used a wide range of reputable sources to build an in depth SWOT analysis of the Eldora Mountain Resort. Below you will find a deep dive of my findings.
STRENGTHS
The strengths identified over the course of this research are:
(1) Proximity to the Boulder and metro area
"Eldora, which opened in 1962, includes 680 skiable acres about a half-hour drive west of downtown Boulder."
(2) Innovative children's ski programs
"Through innovative learning, this unique ski and snowboarding program gives kids a fun new way to develop skills. Introducing the Woodward Hub and Start Park™, we are building progressions inside our newly designed indoor action zone where kids will get training on balance, coordination, and basic skill development. Outside, we will offer a Woodward Start Park™ specifically designed to make learning easier and more fun."
(3) The resort is the only Colorado ski area serviced by public transportation
"Eldora is the only Colorado ski area serviced by public transportation: the RTD Ski-n-Ride route takes passengers right to Eldora’s base, seven times a day."
WEAKNESSES
Weaknesses identified in researching Eldora Resort are:
(1) Early bankruptcy and (2) Poor Management
"Since opening almost 55 years ago, Eldora has been haunted by challenges in both management and ownership. From bankruptcy after only a few seasons in operation to problems with a hastily developed Corona Bowl in 1970 (the treeless area was immediately pummeled by punishing winds and ice due to poor design) to a decrease in visitation after the Eisenhower Tunnel opened in 1979."
(3) Possible negative press from a recent fatal accident
The accident happened last month. While the incident did not appear to be caused by company negligence or dismissal of safety measures, the possible negative press could be a hinderance to positive PR efforts. "It's the first death at Eldora, which is southwest of Nederland, since University of Colorado student Rob Miles died after colliding with a tree while skiing in December 2014."
OPPORTUNITIES
In an effort to craft the SWOT analysis, I identified 3 opportunities for the Eldora Resort:
(1) New owndership (Powdr Corp)
The company (Utah-based Powdr Corp) that acquired Eldora in June 2016 is a well-known "adventure lifestyle" company that also acquired Outside Television and Woodward camps and training centers. This relationship "could provide an opportunity to integrate more Powdr offerings into the Eldora mix."
(2) Introduction of uphill skiing and summer mountain biking
GM Brent Trevaskis stated that the resort has gotten many request for uphill skiing over the years. In a report from Boulder Weekly,
Trevaskis says of Powdr, "They didn’t come to us and say, ‘Oh, you have to do uphill,’ we came to them and said that one of the biggest requests we’ve had is for uphill and summer mountain biking and more activities. The change in ownership allowed us to do something that we thought made sense."
(3) Lack of holiday infrastructure
"Eldora may lack the holiday infrastructure of other big Colorado ski resorts, but there are certain perks that come with being situated in the Front Range’s backyard. Occasionally, storms blanket its peaks when the rest of the state stays dry."
THREATS
I have identified the 4 following threats to the Eldora Resort:
(1) Increasing revenue-based rent
There appears to be ever-increasing revenue-based rent that CO ski resorts are currently paying out. Eldora is listed as one of the resorts. "Colorado resorts have seen revenue-based rent payments climb more than 56 percent since crawling out of the recession in 2012...All of the 23 resorts using public land sent their largest ever rent checks to the federal landlords in 2015-16. Five ski areas — Purgatory, Silverton Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Keystone, Ski Cooper and Eldora — saw their rent payments increase more than 20 percent over the 2014-15 ski season."
(2) Varied revenue due to unpredictable weather
A recent article discussed a possible dwindling attraction to winter sport resorts, citing "declining revenues, a reliance on snow, minimal investment, and no destination traffic". Furthermore, "while the industry has discussed the difference in types of ski areas before (like in the breeder-feeder-destination resort model), Jensen's breakdown is different. It doesn't just distinguish the resorts on top, it clearly states that 31% of our current ski areas will close in the future."
(3) Strengthened USD's affect on domestic traffic
"Skico spokesman Jeff Hanle says international business will be a challenge this year due to the dollar’s strength and resorts are counting on domestic customers to fill the gap."
(4) Top-rated competitor features
A recent article offered a compilation of some of the top-rated winter resorts in CO. In other words, we can assume that these are Eldora's top competitors. For example, Breckenridge (#3) boasts the "Imperial Chairlift", the tallest lift in North America at an elevation of 12,998 feet. Another example is Beaver Creek Resort (#5). It claims to have the "lowest elevation of the big resorts in the area, with a base elevation of 7,400 feet and a summit elevation of 11,400, feet, making it a good option for people flying in from lower elevations and worried about altitude sickness."
SUMMARY
In the report above, I have provided a comprehensive SWOT analysis of the Eldora Mountain Resort In Colorado. Thanks for choosing Wonder and please let us know if you have any additional questions!