Answer:
The supply of slopes at a ski resort is generally considered to be inelastic. This is because the number of slopes available at a ski resort is usually fixed in the short term and cannot be easily changed in response to changes in demand for lift passes. It takes a significant amount of time and investment to build new slopes or expand existing ones, which means that the supply of slopes cannot be quickly adjusted to match changes in demand.
As a result, when there is a sudden spike in demand for lift passes, the ski resort may not be able to increase the number of slopes available to meet that demand. Instead, they may have to ration lift passes or increase prices to manage demand and prevent overcrowding on the existing slopes. This means that the supply of slopes is relatively unresponsive to changes in demand, making it inelastic.
However, in the longer term, the supply of slopes at a ski resort may become more elastic as the resort invests in new infrastructure and expands its operations to meet growing demand. For example, the resort may build new slopes, invest in snow-making equipment, or expand its facilities to accommodate more skiers and snowboarders. These investments can increase the overall supply of slopes and make the resort more responsive to changes in demand over time.