As Mammoth Mountain CEO Rusty Gregory struggles with low snow, low visitor numbers and a $22 million drop in revenue, he did recently take part in a state commission that spends $57 million on California tourism. In the same conversation with Sierra Wave, Gregory also commented on the Town of Mammoth debt.
Gregory holds the spot as Chief Fiscal Officer for the California Travel and Tourism Commission. He calls it a “serious organization and very relevant to the ski industry.” Mammoth Mountain is part of a several million-dollar snow campaign through this commission. Gregory attended a meeting in Sacramento.
He explained that the state funds pay to market U.S. and foreign visitors. He said that the international market is very important to Mammoth. Gregory said, “We’ve hired an international sales manager, and we’re slowly and steadily building business.” Mammoth Mountain has developed week-long packages for the UK, Brazil, Japan, Australia and other countries. Gregory said, “A few years from now this will be an important part of our business.
Meanwhile, back in the Town of Mammoth Lakes, we asked Gregory about the Town debt to Mammoth Lakes Land Acquisition. He said, “I know it’s getting close to a decision.” Gregory said the Mountain has been providing financial projections to the Town in its talks with MLLA. Gregory said he “sympathizes and empathizes” with the Town and the need to finalize the matter. “They need to figure out the pain,” he said, “and deal with it.”
As for talk about a new lift ticket tax to help the Town, Gregory said there does need to be an income stream of some type to pay off the cash the Town will have to borrow to pay MLLA. Gregory called a possible lift tax “part of a portfolio” to pay what is owed.
“They need to figure out the pain,” he said, “and deal with it.”
Dear Bennett,
Where oh where was Rusty, Intrawest, and the North Village developement when the town was reneging on the airport development, pulling the strings for air service?
=
I really like how Rusty handled this warm season. Until the broad of directors bent him over.
The minions provide MMSA with a commercial airport for their international and domestic customers. In return the town gets a possible lift tax “part of a portfolio” to pay what is owed and some financial projections. Such a deal, can you toss in feeding the town three times a week… Read more »
I thought we had decided the $40 whatever million would be paid for by a “surcharge” on all vehicles entering Mammoth with more than four cylinders and on all private aircraft landing at the airport.
If Rusty implements a lift tax to help TOML pay their debt he’ll lose my business until the tax is lifted.
It’s TOML’s mess, they need to deal with it within their own means.
Good to hear! One less person on the hill….. 🙂
Well Rob, isn’t the tax being applied by TOML? Not the mountain? It sounds like he just recognizes the need for the tax, and is supportive of it. Right or wrong, it’s one way they need to dig out of this, and yes I think … they need to reduce… Read more »
Have you ski’d mid week lately? The last thing mmsa needs is less people on the hill. I’d watch what you wish for. I don’t agree with TOML taxing private business to get themselves out of the mess they created. I’ve made sure I won’t pay 1 dollar towards TOML’s… Read more »
see you at the next city council meeting.
Can we start by terminating 3M? Her pay is gross.