Page 44 - NSAA 2017 Fall Journal

Tragethon said “eclipse weekend” will likely go down as the Nearby, Timberline Lodge was also just shy of 100
busiest day of summer operations at Mt. Hood Meadows—ever. percent totality, but local response was strong. Emily
“While it’s challenging to prepare for such a large turnout, Stoller Smith, marketing coordinator, said the resort sold
this helps us prepare for and visualize a time in the near its inventory of 500 lift tickets for its Magic Mile Sky Ride,
future when we will be growing our summer attraction and priced at $29, in less than two days.
visitation,” he said. “Emergency managers in Oregon were anticipating an
influx of about one million visitors for several days on either
side of the eclipse, and August is very busy at Timberline
regardless, so we were prepared for above average business
levels all that week,” she said. Timberline’s food and
beverage team crafted eclipse-themed menu items and hosted
a solar eclipse brunch.
Also in Oregon, Mt. Bachelor was just a few miles
south of the path, experiencing about 99.3 percent totality.
Lift tickets for viewing the eclipse from Bachelor’s Pine
Marten Lodge, at 7,775 feet elevation, sold out in 18 hours.
SNOW KING SET TO BUILD The tickets were $39 and capped at 500 units. Stirling
Cobb, Mt. Bachelor’s marketing and communications
WORLD-CLASS OBSERVATORY manager, said camping spaces, priced at $149 for three
Snow King plans to build a world-class observatory and nights, also sold out, and the resort saw even more hikers
planetarium at its 7,888-foot summit in partnership on the mountain.
with Wyoming Stargazing, an educational nonprofit “We decided to go with a relatively simple operating
that facilitates public and private stargazing programs plan so there weren’t too many logistical challenges
in the Jackson Hole area. The project is included in to make it happen,” said Cobb. “Of course we were
Phase 2 of Snow King’s Master Plan and is tentatively prepared for a significant influx of people to the area.
scheduled to be built in the summer of 2020. The benefit of hosting this type of event is to provide an
While the approval process is still underway, plans amazing opportunity for guests to experience a once-in-a-
call for the observatory to have a 20-foot AstroHaven lifetime event.”
dome and a 1-meter PlaneWave telescope. The plan-
etarium will have a 13-meter dome with roughly 100 lthough a solar eclipse isn’t a regular, sustainable
seats and a state-of-the-art digital projection system. A mode for generating revenue, Cobb is right.
According to officials at Wyoming Stargazing, the Whenever ski areas can provide guests with unforgettable
US Forest Service is ready to begin its Environmental moments—whether it’s the perfect skiing or snowboarding
Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project, including a experience or sipping a mimosa while gazing at an
public scoping process. The Town of Jackson has not astronomical event in the summer sky—that time and
yet given its approval for that work to begin. Snow effort is sure to pay off.
King and Wyoming Stargazing are currently circulating In recent years ski areas have prioritized maximizing
a petition calling for the Town’s approval in order for year-round capacity and existing infrastructure such as
the project to move forward. parking lots, restrooms, concessions, and transportation.
“The observatory and planetarium at the top of This summer’s solar eclipse illustrates that ski areas can be
Snow King would be the first of its kind at the summit prime locations for hosting other activities and events not
of a ski resort in the country,” said Ryan Stanley, Snow directly related to outdoor sports.
King’s general manager. “This unique community asset The business-savvy resorts mentioned here have proven
would be operated by a 501.c3 nonprofit for research there is a discernable market opportunity among stargazers
and educational purposes. These improvements will and their love of full moons, meteor showers, and other
serve as a draw for visitors and locals to visit the sum- celestial phenomena. The next total solar eclipse won’t cross
mit of Snow King to take in both the exceptional views the US until April 2024. Most ski areas will only have a
and to learn more about our universe.” partial view, but based on the response to the 2017 event, there
will still be a great chance to put on a highly memorable show.

42 | NSAA JOURNAL | FALL 2017