When Should a Ski Resort Make Snow?

Kevin R. Caskey

Tourism Economics, 2011, vol. 17, issue 6, 1219-1234

Abstract: Snow-making is an expensive operation for a ski resort. However, many resorts would be unable to operate without man-made snow. Deciding when to make snow involves several uncertain factors, as well as significant strategic issues. First, the author describes the framework for this decision. Next, he proposes analytical modelling. Finally, he compares the proposed models to actual practice at several resorts and proposes further research. The author finds that actual practice at most ski resorts does not involve formal analytical methods. While the resorts consider many of the factors included in the models, the decision is generally not modelled explicitly. The use of the proposed analytical models could lead to a better understanding of the factors involved in the snow-making decision, and thus to better service at a reduced cost.

Keywords: snow-making; decision trees; resort operations; ski resorts (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:toueco:v:17:y:2011:i:6:p:1219-1234

DOI: 10.5367/te.2011.0092

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