Child care is always a crunch, but rising gas prices and the cost of living are having the opposite effect in a Vail preschool, the Vail Daily reported. As more families move downvalley from the ski town, they're leavings openings in a school for children aged 22 months to 5 years old. There are now 24 spots at the Children's Garden of Learning, an indication that parents aren't willing to make the drive into Vail for child care anymore.
TELLURIDE: BOOKINGS ON TRACK
Despite a lagging economy and predictions about less summer travel, bookings in Telluride are outpacing those during the same time last year, the Telluride Daily Planet reported. Although gas prices are up nearly $1 a gallon compared to June of 2007, that same period saw a 12 percent increase in room nights in the Telluride area. Two large bicycle tours - Ride the Rockies and the Bicycle Tour of Colorado - helped bumped up tourism numbers.
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS: LOW AIRFARES AND BAGGAGE FEE WARS
Though airlines continue to increase fares and fees, flights from the Yampa Valley Regional Airport are actually staying on par or lower than before, the Steamboat Pilot & Today reported. Round-trip tickets to Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas were available in the mid-$200 range, and increased to $300 from there. In addition, Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp., an Intrawest-held company, is working with American Express to pay the baggage charges for travelers coming to Yampa Valley. If is successfully attracts more visitors, Intrawest may consider expanding the program to its other resorts.
JACKSON HOLE: PASS PRICES STAY THE SAME
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is not going to increase the price of its full-season passes, and is offering a loyalty discount to those who bought one last year, the Jackson Hole News & Guide reported. A Jackson Hole Mountain Pass, good for 128 days of skiing, costs $1,625 if purchased by Aug. 31, the same price as last year, with 2007-08 pass holders paying only $1,544. The mountain also eliminated its weekday pass option, and increased the weekend pass price by $85.