The Altitude News
Ski Area Closing Dates
- Arapahoe Basin June 2nd
- Beaver Creek, April 14th
- Breckenridge May 27!
- Copper Mountain April 21st
- Keystone: April 7th
- Loveland May 5th
- Ski Cooper April 7th
- Vail April 21st
Things to Know About Breckenridge
1. Spring skiing is the best; 2020 is looking like another deep snow year for most of Colorado. The best part of having so much mid-winter powder is the spectacular spring skiing it provides come March, April, and in Breckenridge through till Memorial Day. With healthy base depths, we will be 100% open once spring arrives, and the longer days mean ample time for off-mountain activities such as fat-biking, snowshoeing, and tubing. For those looking to relax, a poolside chaise lounge awaits, and the high mountain sun is positioned perfectly for bronzing. Powder hounds, on the other hand, will be surprised by the frequency of spring snowstorms that plaster the higher-elevation peaks.
2. Tourism spending tops $1 billion! And this is just Summit County here. This puts Summit at #3 on the list statewide behind the counties that host Denver and Co. Springs, we are in the big leagues! Additionally, Breckenridge has seen a 7% increase in sales tax revenue from 2018 to 2019. Other towns in the Summit did even better year-over-year sales tax-wise. Breckenridge utilizes the money for improving the quality here, like the rec center, ice rink, transportation, and protection from 2018 to 2019. space. A large piece is also used for housing assistance programs so that we can keep the wheels turning.
3. Short-term rental year-over-year, there are tax-wise. Considerable concern has arisen lately over a bill that has been drafted in the state senate. It sought to reclassify short-term rental homes as commercial properties rather than residential for tax purposes. The change would have been big, from a 7.96% residential assessment rate to a 29% nonresidential assessment rate. It would have likely reduced the available rental properties for our visitors. After reading the above article, this would have been the proverbial shooting yourself in the foot. It would likely have reduced overall tax revenue instead of increasing it. Worry not; good sense prevailed as the measure has been postponed indefinitely before it even got to first base. It's unlikely this kind of thing will ever gain traction, as those that I consult with say it is contrary to the state constitution and would never hold up.
I hope you're having a great winter and planning on some spring skiing!
