In the past the only way to get that information before arriving at a mountain was to call the resort’s snow phone. Today Twitter and Facebook let skiers communicate in real time with fellow enthusiasts without having to rely on the resorts’ spin.
“It adds another layer or two to an industry that has been derided for its snow reports,’’ said Steve Wright, Jay Peak’s vice president of marketing.
Social media’s instant access provides powerful tools to help skiers and riders plot their days - and change plans at a moment’s notice. Now, skiers can learn about fresh tracks, lift closures, or cafeteria lines simply by joining in on the chatter with their mobile devices.
The rapid emergence of Twitter, in particular, could have a dramatic impact on the ski resort industry. Jen Butson, public affairs director at Ski Vermont, noted that the trade group’s Twitter followers have increased more than 14 percent since June and that New England resorts are embracing its potential.
“We think that it’s going to be one of our most powerful tools for getting people the conditions on the mountain,’’ said Jeff Wise, Stowe’s director of marketing.
Twitter showed what kind of impact it could have last month, when on Oct. 14 Sunday River became the first resort in the Northeast to open. An announcement by the Bethel, Maine, resort posted on Twitter went viral within seconds. Quicker than ever, the resort got its message out, without the use of traditional advertising or e-mail.
“The response was huge,’’ said Darcy Liberty, Sunday River’s director of communications. “This is the year we will utilize it for pretty much every aspect.’’
