According to the Aspen Times, June 2008 saw a jump in fractional sales by $ volume, compared to the same period last year.

The article does note that fractional sales for the year are down 39% to $28m, compared to 2007. So maybe predicting an upturn based on the june numbers is a little premature.

The Aspend Daily News has a report on the full year fractional sales in Aspen

"There were 228 fractional sales in 2008, totaling $50 million — 40 percent of which occurred at the Hyatt Grand Aspen, 24 percent at the Ritz Carlton, and 10.5 percent at the Innsbruck. The average sale price was $221,000."

Compared to 2007 this was a drop of 44% in dollar volume and 33% in number of transactions.

In December 2008 there were 27 transactions for a total of $6m, which includes the first closing of a $1,575,000 fraction at the Residences at the Little Nell.

The Aspen Daily News reports "fractional sales dominated February transactions, representing 44 of the 74 sales — nearly 60 percent."

"The dollar volume of fractional transactions totaled $41.2 million, up 1,106 percent from last February total of $3.4 million. The fractionals that are selling at this time are also relatively pricey, with a median price of $1.2 million year to date. Both the Residences at Little Nell, with 18 sales in February, and Dancing Bear residences (22 sales) are being sold in one-eighth shares, guaranteeing owners six weeks of usage per year."

This may well be because these projects are now at completion, so buyers are being asked to close based on their earlier reservations.

The Aspen Daily News, quoting data from the Land Title Guarantee Co., said 17 fractional units were sold in Aspen in April.

Of the 17 fractional sales, seven were at the Ritz-Carlton Highlands, three were at Hyatt Grand Aspen, two at Dancing Bear, two at Timbers, and Residences at Little Nell, Sanctuary and Shadow Mountain Lodge each recorded one sale.

The Dancing Bear development in Aspen became the latest casualty of the economy, after it was just placed in receivership.

This came about after a London buyer had tried to get back his 10% earnest money on two $730,000 one eighth fractions. The developer had agreed to refund a portion of the money, but the refund was held up by the senior lender, West LB, a German bank. West LB is owed $58m.

Full details and background are in The Aspen Daily News.