Picture this- your guest spent thousands on their annual ski trip, took time off from work, and flew across the country with dreams of perfect ski conditions at your resort.  But when they arrive, they’re met with rain and snow so heavy they can barely see the tips of their skis, let alone the terrain. Put simply, the conditions are not what they envisioned when they booked this trip, and the feeling of letdown and financial loss is mounting. 

And with changing weather patterns, this is happening more and more often in recent years. A trend that scientists predict will continue for the foreseeable future.

Now, imagine they added a Weather Guarantee for precipitation when they bought their tickets. The same miserable conditions now come with a proactive reimbursement, sent directly to their phone. We all know we can’t change the weather, but a reimbursement certainly helps make the experience better.

Throughout the years, ski resorts have faced a variety of setbacks due to unpredictable weather: too little snow, too much snow, and everything in between. Although we can't control the weather, we can control how we respond. With Sensible Weather's Weather Guarantees, you can take charge of how your resort deals with the inevitable forecast fail. 

Discover the benefits of Weather Guarantees for ski resorts and how they can increase advance bookings, add peace of mind, and improve the guest experience when unexpected weather strikes. 

Weather Guarantees: How it works

Sensible Weather's Weather Guarantees act as a safety net for guests and resort business leaders by providing financial protection against adverse conditions. Here's how they work:

• Easy to add: Your guests can book their ski trips with peace of mind, knowing they’ll ne proactvely reimbursed if unexpected weather occurs. All they need to do is add a Weather Guarantee to their booking at checkout, and Sensible Weather will do the rest.
• Automatic payouts: If weather conditions occur—like heavy rain or heavy snow impacting visibility —Weather Guarantees automatically refund guests. They're then able to use this money for hot chocolate at the lodge, a mid-afternoon massage, or snow tubing on a different day. 
• No claims: There are no confusing processes or claims to file—guests simply get a text that their payout is available.
• Zero operational impact: Sensible Weather handles all communication and payment to guests, ensuring there is no impact to your day-to-day operations or policies.

Weather Guarantees are a no-brainer when giving your guests the best experience possible while maintaining your bottom line. 

“I was with guests on the mountain when they got their text message and reimbursement from Sensible,” said Jean Christophe Gagniere, Val Cenis’ Head of Ski Patrol. “I was impressed by how the system instantly turned guests’ days around. They were clearly happy to get the notification.”

The benefits of Weather Guarantees for ski resorts

Weather Guarantees are great for ski guests, as they can protect their vacation investment with the click of a button. But Weather Guarantees are also game-changers for resort owners and operators. Here's how:

• More advanced bookings: Guests are more likely to book their ski resort travels in advance because Weather Guarantees offer financial protection that provides them with peace of mind. Val Cenis found that Weather Guarantees increased their percentage of advanced bookings by 7 percentage points.
• Revenue stability: Your resort will benefit from fewer guest cancellations and more consistent booking rates, even during unpredictable or unseasonal weather events. Plus, if a guest is eligible for a payout, Sensible Weather picks up the bill. Then your guest can spend this money elsewhere at your resort—like at a resort restaurant or spa—creating a win-win for you and your guest.
• Guest flexibility: When a guest receives a refund through Weather Guarantees, they can use it for any number of alternate (and fun) activities.
• Customer retention: Protected guests are happy guests, and happy guests are more likely to return. They're also more likely to recommend your resort to others. 
• Operational stability: Predictable income means better financial planning and more secure investments in your resort's future. 

Weather Guarantees provide you with low-lift ways to give resort customers top-notch experiences. And if a guest needs reimbursement, you don't even have to pick up the bill (Sensible Weather's got it!).

Proactively protect your guests (and your business)

In the last five years, ski resorts have faced significant financial losses due to bad weather conditions and climate change. National economic losses associated with fewer ski visitors and the need for increased artificial snow production due to unseasonable high temperatures and rain are estimated at $252 million per year. However, by offering Weather Guarantees, resorts can proactively protect both their guests and business. 

Weather Guarantees not only instill confidence in ski guests but allow resorts to keep their revenue consistent. When guests know resorts protect their investments and keep their options flexible, resorts see more advanced bookings, customer retention, and operational stability. 

Explore how Sensible Weather's Weather Guarantees can help you put your guests first and safeguard your business. Get in touch with us today.