While summer may draw the largest crowds to many resorts, winter holds its own allure for travelers seeking unforgettable, cold-weather experiences. Whether it’s the thrill of skiing down powdery slopes, the charm of a cozy mountain cabin, or the excitement of a winter hunting expedition, colder months bring their own magic—and a valuable revenue stream for many destinations.
Tourists’ desire for fresh air and outdoor experiences doesn’t fade just because the temperature does!
Facilities managers at these getaways face the exciting challenge of not just meeting but exceeding guests’ expectations, creating warm and fuzzy experiences that entice visitors to return year after year—no matter how chilly the weather gets or the means it takes to keep them comfortable.
Providing Comfort as Temperatures Plummet
Outdoor spaces that were once bustling with guests in the warmer seasons can quickly become too cold for comfort without the appropriate heating solutions in place. When that happens, guests tend to retreat indoors, and those outdoor areas—which represent valuable real estate—sit vacant, capping guest satisfaction, limiting total capacity and reducing potential revenue.
To maintain traffic in these areas, facilities managers must pursue heating solutions that are both efficient and effective for large outdoor spaces. While there are other traditional heating solutions that are popular options for outdoor spaces, they often lose effectiveness in open areas where heat can easily disperse. This inefficiency not only impacts guest satisfaction but also raises operating expenses.
Fortunately, an efficient, eco-friendly solution exists via infrared heaters, ensuring guests remain comfortable, warm, and satisfied no matter what the forecast brings. Let’s take a deeper dive into infrared heaters and examine how this solution can bolster attendance and revenue at your location.
1. Instant Heat that Stays Where You Need it
Infrared heat is a form of electromagnetic radiation. As infrared waves travel through the air, their heat energy is released when they touch a surface, regardless of the surrounding air temperature. This heat energy excites the molecules in the object it meets, causing it to vibrate, gain energy, and ultimately, heat up. The infrared heating process is similar to the warmth we feel from the sun, which emits rays that directly warm specific objects upon contact. Because it’s absorbed rather than disseminated, infrared heat is an efficient and reliable source of warmth.
Infrared heaters provide immediate warmth, delivering radiant energy that directly warms people and objects in their path. When guests step into a heated outdoor space, they feel the warmth right away—without delay. This focused, instant heat provides comfort on demand, regardless if visitors are dining on a chilly patio or relaxing on an observation deck. The warmth stays with them, unlike many traditional heaters, which rely on air circulation and often lose effectiveness when exposed to wind.
2. Wind-Resistant, Weatherproof, and Efficient
Because infrared heating doesn’t rely on warming the air, it remains an effective source of warmth even on the windiest or wettest days. For a facilities manager, this means significant savings in energy costs while maintaining a consistent, comfortable environment for guests utilizing large, open areas.
3. Clean, Safe, and Low-Maintenance
Unlike many heaters, infrared heaters don’t release fumes, smoke, or odors, offering an eco-friendly (and sometimes electric-powered) alternative. There are no open flames or moving parts, which means minimal maintenance and a lower risk of breakdowns or safety incidents.
By delivering direct, focused heat without polluting byproducts, infrared heating systems allow resorts to keep outdoor spaces warm while reducing their carbon footprint. This sustainable approach aligns with the values of today’s eco-conscious travelers and helps facilities lower their energy consumption, making infrared heating a smart choice for both guest comfort and environmental responsibility.
Additionally, infrared heaters are typically built with durable, weather-resistant materials, such as stainless steel or tungsten elements, so they are well-suited for outdoor conditions and require little upkeep. Such a low-maintenance design reduces long-term operational costs, something every facilities manager will appreciate.
4. Versatile Applications for Every Outdoor Space
Infrared heating solutions are incredibly versatile, available in 1,500- to 200,000-Btuh sizes. In addition to producing heat, units can range from emitting white light that helps illuminate working areas while providing heat, to producing no light at all, preserving your ambiance. Whether you need ceiling-mounted units for a large patio or wall-mounted units for an observation deck, infrared heaters can be integrated into almost any space with minimal disruption. This broad applicability ensures consistent warmth across different areas of the resort, such as:
- Patios and Dining Areas: Keeping restaurant patios comfortable during cooler months is crucial for maximizing seating capacity. Infrared heaters can be installed along walls, ceilings, or as stand-alone units to ensure that dining areas stay warm without the need for large, intrusive heaters. They are also prime solutions for restaurant entrances, warming customers as they arrive and preventing the cold from entering the interior.
- Observation and Event Decks: For resorts with breathtaking views, observation decks and outdoor event spaces can be enhanced with infrared heaters, providing guests with warmth as they enjoy the scenery or attend an event, no matter how cold the weather gets.
- Ski Resorts and Cold-Weather Areas: At ski resorts, outdoor spaces—such as ski-in, ski-out areas; terraces; or walkways—often face extreme cold. Infrared heaters provide reliable heat that won’t be blown away by wind or snow, ensuring guests can stay comfortable as they wait for a lift or enjoy après-ski activities.
5. Financial and Operational Benefits
Infrared heaters aren’t just about improving guest comfort—they also provide a strong financial return. By extending the usability of your outdoor spaces through the cooler months, infrared heating allows facilities to continue to generate revenue from areas that would otherwise be closed off. These systems are often more cost-effective than traditional heating options, reducing your energy consumption and minimizing maintenance costs.
The Bottom Line: Warmth, Comfort, and Revenue All Year
By implementing infrared heating, resorts can create inviting outdoor spaces year-round, ensuring guests enjoy comfortable experiences regardless of the season. This not only enhances guest satisfaction but also keeps valuable areas open, driving continuous revenue and maximizing every square foot of the property. For a sustainable, cost-effective solution that delights guests and supports business goals, infrared heating is the smart choice for any resort aiming to make the most of its outdoor spaces.
Jamie Tuinstra is a regional sales manager at Modine Manufacturing, a global thermal management solutions provider headquartered in Racine, Wis.