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.