As for tight economic times and relatively pricey recreation activities, it seems things just might be downhill from here for Vail Resorts' ski business--both good and bad, depending on how you see the metaphor. First the bad news: The resort posted a 29 percent drop in third-quarter profits, according to The Wall Street Journal, which reports that fewer people went to the slopes. The drop was worse than investors had predicted: The company made $333.5 million in the third quarter, and analysts were expecting $339.7 million, according to the Denver Business Journal. Now the good news: It seems next year might not be as difficult. Sales of season passes for next winter are already up by 37 percent, according to the Vail Daily.