An economy in recession and a mountain resort with no snow isn't the preferred combination for kicking off a ski season, but Thanksgiving proved successful for area businesses by not being a disaster.
"Everyone was a bit off, but most said they did better than anticipated," said Carol Waller, executive director of the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau.
Waller said on Monday that she had received feedback from 25 businesses, including retail shops, restaurants and galleries, and that while the majority were down compared to last year, eight had similar numbers and one managed to do better.
Tom Nickel, owner of the Roosevelt Tavern, said receipts from his restaurant and bar were up "a little" compared to the holiday weekend last year, perhaps boosted by a live music event on Friday.
"We had a good weekend," Nickel said. "We were satisfied and pleased considering the economy and the lack of snow."
Next door, the seven retailers at the Starving Artists event met with enough success to bring it back for the Christmas holidays with two additional artists.
"We had really good traffic Friday night and Saturday too," said Leslie Martin, organizer of the event and owner of Silver Pony Designs. "Overall, we were pleased."
Though she did not have figures for lodging, Waller said two weeks ago that the occupancy rate for hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts in Sun Valley and Ketchum was at 33 percent for Thanksgiving. Last year, it was 54 percent.
For Sun Valley Co., the weekend yielded less than a 50 percent occupancy rate with just over 200 rooms rented. Resort spokesman Jack Sibbach said that in years with good snowfall, that number is usually closer to 300 rooms.
However, Sibbach said that despite the fact that the lifts weren't running, only 15 rooms were canceled after the guests were informed that the mountain wouldn't be open.
Sibbach said the weekend was a success in that the resort was able to provide guests with a number of other amenities, including guided hikes, extended hours for the outdoor ice rink and bowling alley, and reopening the Gun Club, driving range and the 18-hole Sawtooths putting course.
But while the weekend left many pleasantly surprised, there's little doubt as to what's needed for success this winter.
"Everybody's waiting for snow," Waller said.
Jewelry maker Bob Rodman, right, was one of seven retailers at the Starving Artists event on Main Street Ketchum over the holiday weekend. Event organizer Leslie Martin said the event was successful enough that it will return for the Christmas holidays with two more artists. Photo by Willy Cook
