Select Contracts is helping ski and mountain resorts around the world with four-season planning to help grow these businesses beyond the ski industry. We build four-season plans and coordinate the design and delivery of the chosen array of activities and attractions to make it easy for resorts to grow in a way that will ensure the long-term, year-round growth of the resort.
MOUNTAIN RESORTS
Select Contracts has an excellent track record in the consultancy and development of mountain resorts around the world and has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. Our strengths lie in being able to understand the market demographics and then prepare four-season strategic plans for mountain resorts to help diversify their offering into a true year-round four-season resort. Our delivery team can then provide the design and build services required to implement the strategy on-site. We are working with the biggest names in the mountain resort industry, give us a call to discuss in more detail.
Our specialized knowledge of the leisure and recreation industry allows unique and valuable insights, particularly into sectors that are often difficult to quantify due to a lack of industry standards and benchmarks. The market study forms the basis for the project component mix and concept creation and informs critical business case variables.
Without the market study complete, many project variables and design decisions cannot have strong backing and rationale. Therefore, it is a vital step in any project’s development. The market study includes:
SITE ANALYSIS
The site analysis considers all the relevant aspects of the project site and surrounding geography related to consumer access and overall suitability.
RESIDENT MARKET ANALYSIS
Local population and spending power are assessed from various angles, including the health of the local economy, cost of living and income, and expenditure patterns where possible. The demographic analysis will uncover the suitability based on the appropriate driving radii of the local market.
VISITOR MARKET ANALYSIS
Like the resident market analysis, this section focuses on the project’s market potential from the area’s existing domestic and international visitor markets. We identify overall visitation volume trends, spending habits, trip purposes, and motivations.
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS
Understanding competitive offerings within the market is essential. The competitor analysis takes a wide-angle view of the market and considers how the project’s target market may choose to spend its money and what level of pricing the market can achieve.
MARKET PENETRATION
Information uncovered by the market study, including demographic base, visitor market volume, and participation rates in relevant activities to the project, are fed into a specifically designed model to estimate the attendance potential for the project.
Using the data from the market study, we create a preliminary ten-year financial plan for projects to include cash flows and ROIs. The financial plan will address:
DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURE BUDGET
Initial Capex budget using estimates for building and construction costs, each of the main component elements, equipment costs, professional services, installation, and pre-opening expenditure.
DRAFT OPERATING BUDGET
We prepare draft budgets with estimates for staffing, consumables, marketing, repairs and renewals, and budgets for the main operating costs from the day of opening onwards.
DRAFT REVENUE PLAN
The draft revenue plan will outline the anticipated revenues of the project from opening as determined by the component matrix.
CASH FLOW
We predict ten-year cash flows as part of the financial assessment along with our suggested capital structure for projects.
Once the market study is complete, the next step is to use that research to create a full Component Matrix/Programme mix to determine what should be included. This matrix will identify the space devoted to each element of the project and will consist of a block plan to show how the components could be laid out. It will outline the best mix of facilities and attractions based on the market findings and demographics.
Master Planning is typically conducted in conjunction with our Market Study and Financial Modelling services. The Master Planning phase utilizes our extensive 45+ years of design experience to outline what a project should include and how it should be laid out based on its needs. The master plan will identify the key components and areas to be incorporated into the mix with the suggested allocation of space for each element and will be designed with an operational eye to ensure operational capability from the outset. We also create artistic renderings for the project to show the intentions of the overall theme. These are full-colour drawings suitable for presentations and will include all aspects of the project.
OPERATIONAL SCHEMATIC DESIGN
Schematic Design builds upon the foundation set by the Component Matrix and Conceptual Master Plan. It involves the careful translation of the project’s programmatic needs into the computer- generated site, attraction, and building layouts that have been refined for functionality, usability, required adjacencies, code compliance, security, safety, and aesthetics. We can develop highly operationally efficient designs by working closely with the business plan to establish critical operational requirements.
TYPICAL SCHEMATIC DESIGN DELIVERABLES INCLUDE:
- SITE PLANS
- DETAILED ATTRACTION LAYOUTS
- BUILDING PLANS
- ELEVATIONS
DESIGN SCOPE CAN ALSO INCLUDE:
- 3D Modelling & Renderings
Attractions Detailing
Lighting Design, Indicative Power Requirements and layouts
AV requirements
Landscape plans & details
Materials & Finishes Schedules
Signage Plans & Design
Theming design
Detailed Design
Construction Drawings
The purpose of this phase is to come up with an operationally efficient layout and establish the look and feel of the project for the client to deliver to their chosen architect for more detailed construction drawings.
We combine best design practices with creative vision to create one-of-a-kind projects. Each project is unique, so we work closely with the client to explore options and design solutions that work on every level. Our extensive operational experience feeds into the design process so that your vision not only looks good on paper but is practical in reality, creating memorable guest or end-user experiences.
PROJECT ADVISORY SERVICES
Once a project has progressed through the Master Planning and Operational Conceptual Design phases, we can engage in a Project Advisory Service to help bring the project to reality. These services are custom-tailored to fit the needs of your project and can involve project coordination and strategic advice for your team and collaboration with developers and operators to ensure the end product meets your expectations and is optimized for a seamless experience for your guests.
By staying involved in the project after its design, and through construction to the opening, we can ensure maximum value to the client. We operate in a unique industry with few specialist operators, so it’s important to maintain contact throughout this process to ensure no changes during development are made to the project design without careful consideration involving expert knowledge.
Other Advisory Services also include:
- Service Provider Analysis
- Tendering
- Equipment Selection
- Continued consulting with the architect on operational needs.
PRE-OPENING MANAGEMENT
As the project progresses through development and construction, our standard operating procedure is to start Pre-Opening Management concurrently with the primary construction phase. Starting this phase early allows for a successful opening after construction completion, smooth operation from day one, and overall project success. Pre-Opening Management guides the operational success of construction and value engineering decisions as they lead to the final product’s financial, safety, and guest experience outcomes. The following is a sample of the tasks and processes the team is responsible for:
Management and staff recruitment, training, the establishment of personnel procedures and employee manuals
Sourcing staff accommodation where necessary
Design and tendering of the POS system to meet project requirements
Brand development, including corporate image, advertising standards, and uniform development
Setting up administrative and operational systems
Creation of corporate structure and lines of duty/reporting
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Advertising and marketing strategy and implementation plans for both launch and initial operations
Develop a complete set of operating manuals and SOPs, including financial controls, safety plans, evacuation procedures, maintenance plans, staff training, etc.
Leading insurance tendering and documentation requirements to ensure the proper coverages are in place for the client’s risk tolerance while getting the best overall rates
Development of a corporate event strategy and a sales team to structure appropriate events for the business
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
There are a variety of options when it comes to the ongoing management of our client’s projects. Each project is unique, and the operational elements will vary significantly. We have the resources and ability to manage the ongoing operations of any leisure, adventure, or recreation project. We can oversee all or individual parts of the project post-opening including financial, operational, technical, and maintenance management.
Typically, in a full-scope Operations Management agreement, we are responsible for all aspects of the staffing, management, marketing and promotion, site audits, financials, and safety. We will be in complete control of the entire operation. The owners are only required to convene for meetings to evaluate performance and agree on budgets on a schedule agreed upon beforehand. The value to our clients is that we bring years of experience in recreation and leisure operations management, applying the strategies that have helped build success in multiple projects around the world.
We can also perform an operations audit for existing businesses in the recreation, leisure, and adventure industry to uncover issues and/or inefficiencies leading to subpar performance. Typical discoveries include cost levels outside of standard benchmarks, inefficient staffing levels, safety oversights, and new revenue streams during this process. After an operations audit, we can help implement change through an Operations Management or Limited Management role.
FINANCE ADVISORY
Select Contracts is in a unique position to be able to offer financial advisory for any clients still needing to raise capital for their project. With over 45 years of experience assisting clients with their fundraise, Select Contracts starts by ensuring that the projects business plan is investor and market ready and once done, can guide clients through the steps of raising capital and can be present in investor meetings to bring those 45 years of knowledge to the meetings to provide the comfort that investors are looking for.
From a debt perspective, Select Contracts works with a debt advisory firm who have funded debt requirements in projects in the action sports/surf space with Select Contracts in the past.
We look forward to making your dream a reality!
SOME CASE STUDIES
JACKSON HOLE
MOUNTAIN RESORT
WYOMING, USA
This world-class top ski resort that hosts over 700k skiers a year sensed a greater opportunity to capitalize on the massive summer visitation to the area. JHMR engaged Select Contracts with our expertise in Mountain Resort Development and four-season play to provide a plan to unlock this potential.
WHISTLER
BLACKCOMB
BC, CANADA
As part of Whistler Blackcomb’s development plan ‘The Renaissance Project’, Select Contracts designed a 145,000sqft indoor adventure centre which included a water park, day lodge operations for skiing and several supporting attractions including a bowling alley, entertainment centre and bar/restaurant.
PORTER HEIGHTS
ALPINE RESORT
CANTERBURY, NEW ZEALAND
Porters Alpine Resort is a well-known ski resort located an hour from Christchurch, NZ. It has operated as a family-friendly ski field for over 25 years.
As part of a long-term development plan, Select Contracts was engaged in 2019 to assist the ownership group to transition the resort into a year-round operation and increase winter visitation.
DEER VALLEY
RESORT
UTAH, USA
Deer Valley Resort is a ski resoert located in Utah, in an area with a high concentration of action sports competitors. They engaged Select Contracts to produce a Four-Season Development Plan that would allow them to diversify their offerings, increase year-round visitation, and continue to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
SKI
KOSUF
MACEDONIA
Set in a stunning remote mountain location in Macedonia is the Kosuf Mountain Resort. Select Contracts utilized their knowledge of four seasons development planning to provide recommendations on infrastructure and program additions that would improve visitor consistency in all areas.
JACKSON HOLE
MOUNTAIN RESORT
WYOMING, USA
This world-class top ski resort that hosts over 700k skiers a year sensed a greater opportunity to capitalize on the massive summer visitation to the area. JHMR engaged Select Contracts with our expertise in Mountain Resort Development and four-season play to provide a plan to unlock this potential.
WHISTLER
BLACKCOMB
BC, CANADA
As part of Whistler Blackcomb’s development plan ‘The Renaissance Project’, Select Contracts designed a 145,000sqft indoor adventure centre which included a water park, day lodge operations for skiing and several supporting attractions including a bowling alley, entertainment centre and bar/restaurant.
PORTER HEIGHTS
ALPINE RESORT
CANTERBURY, NEW ZEALAND
Porters Alpine Resort is a well-known ski resort located an hour from Christchurch, NZ. It has operated as a family-friendly ski field for over 25 years.
As part of a long-term development plan, Select Contracts was engaged in 2019 to assist the ownership group to transition the resort into a year-round operation and increase winter visitation.
DEER VALLEY
RESORT
UTAH, USA
Deer Valley Resort is a ski resoert located in Utah, in an area with a high concentration of action sports competitors. They engaged Select Contracts to produce a Four-Season Development Plan that would allow them to diversify their offerings, increase year-round visitation, and continue to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
SKI
KOSUF
MACEDONIA
Set in a stunning remote mountain location in Macedonia is the Kosuf Mountain Resort. Select Contracts utilized their knowledge of four seasons development planning to provide recommendations on infrastructure and program additions that would improve visitor consistency in all areas.