Comments on: Vail and Alterra’s Unfairness Doctrine

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 21:11:24 +0000

In reply to Becky. Not ungrateful it's that management does not care about the front line employees or the customer as long as their lust for greed is met.

By: Michael Maginn

Michael Maginn — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 20:12:57 +0000

Note: This message was send via email by Michael Feldman of NYC and pasted here.

I am a super-senior skier (79) the owner of a winter home in St Johnsbury Vt, who regularly frequents Burke / Jay on the judge pass and also Smuggs with their wonderful, virtually free 70+ pass (which is a little more this season). We ski a total of 50+ days a year, for about $18 a day between us (she’s a bit younger than me and only qualifies for a regular senior pass).

This season, we purchased the early bird Ikon base pass and intend to take full advantage of it. Leaving New York or St J, a day or two after Christmas, we intend to head West and spend the entire season in Colorado, Salt Lake, Wyoming, Alberta and sunny Cal…for a total of at least 75 days of ski activity in a minimum of 15 of the greatest ski locations in the world.

I can’t begrudge the Ikon folks for providing such riches for $16 a day between us (and not providing a further discount).

Being a senior and retired, gives one the greatest ability to partake in the riches of their offerings.

I believe that their pricing structure is more than fair especially to folks like us.

By: Alan Cort

Alan Cort — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 17:04:22 +0000

The conveyance of the lease of the ski facilities at Mount Sunapee State Park in New Hampshire to Vail Resorts is not entirely a done deal. Here is an excerpt from the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests governmental news letter explaining why:

Sarah Stewart, the new Commissioner of the NH Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), which includes the NH Division of Parks and Recreation, started her job on June 4. Both she and Governor Chris Sununu received calls early that morning advising them of the impending announcement of the sale. Attorney General Gordon MacDonald and Commissioner Stewart sent a joint letter to Governor Sununu and the Executive Council on June 15 explaining the complex transaction, including their view that the proposed transaction as it relates to the Sunapee lease must be reviewed and approved by the State before it is executed. They also announced a public review process that will include at least one public information meeting at Mount Sunapee State Park before the State decides whether or not to approve the transaction.

If, as is noted elsewhere in these comments, Vail’s real interest is in development, this comment, also from the Forest Society’s newsletter, is particularly interesting:

The transaction will also include the conveyance to Vail Resorts of some 600 plus acres of land in Goshen, NH privately owned by Tim and Diane Mueller. The Mueller’s Goshen land shares a common boundary with the ski lease area within MSSP. This land is in part the location of an expansion plan for the ski area known as the “West Bowl Expansion”, approved by the State in 2016 but yet to be built.

Sounds like more to come, especially if the State seeks to modify the lease agreement before approving the transaction.

By: Lee Kniess

Lee Kniess — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 17:49:11 +0000

In reply to RB Lohr. Interesting only one post brought up the fact that "SENIORS DELIVER MIDWEEK BUSINESS rather than simply claim age as a justification for lower prices." Last winter I went on the 70+ Utah Ski Safari. We skied at Alta, Snowbasin, Brighton, Solitude, Park City, Snowbird, and Deer Valley. I also skied at Aspen, Taos, Telluride, Wolf Creek and Ski Santa Fe. None of these areas had any real lines midweek. It makes GOOD BUSINESS SENSE to offer Midweek Senior Discounts! This winter I will be using the Epic Military Pass and skiing at Taos's Not Forgotten Outreach along with FREE skiing at Ski Santa Fe.

By: Terry Patti

Terry Patti — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 12:53:17 +0000

Mt. Sunapee has been sold out to Vail. Sunapee was a wonderful place to ski with reasonable prices for all including seniors. I was planning on taking my 9 year old granddaughter to ski here this coming season. Being 70 years old if there is no senior discount we will be skiing elsewhere.

By: Dennis Pecoraro

Dennis Pecoraro — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 05:03:53 +0000

I gave up sending emails about no senior discount with the Ikon Pass. Purchased it before the early season cutoff date. This past season I had Steamboat’s Senior pass and was able to spend six weeks there at my son’s place. Next year is costing more but still a lot cheaper than daily lift tickets. Who knows, maybe I ‘ll get to use it at Killington and Stratton.

By: Greg Lee

Greg Lee — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 23:36:49 +0000

This is what happens when too few own too much. In the business world skiing has become an oligarchy owned industry. They start by buying up all of your alternatives. They explain themselves by saying that the season ticket prices are less expensive than 5 day passes. Then the day pass prices double and now even more. Oh yes and the black out dates are on, they place lifts on wind hold with no wind, and they close the season as soon as possible. It’s a little like a 1/2 price sale at an overpriced store. Sure it’s half price yet still 25% above retail which is found at the store down the street. And here’s the rub, the store down the street was just bought by Vail.

In 25 years from now when the sport has experienced limited or no growth and us baby boomers are going to our graves, where will the ski industry be? No skiers and no one to take our place. But Vail could care less. Remember this “Vail, there is a place”. We do but they don’t!

By: Douglas Welch

Douglas Welch — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 23:18:24 +0000

I’ve been skiing over 50 years and for the past few I’ve enjoyed the deep discounted senior ticket. I don’t intend to travel around to ski the country so neither of the big company passes are of any value to me. So I ski at Monarch. Yes its small and I often spend most of my time on just a few runs. But for more than 30 times last year, my wife and I blasted those runs as best we could. Next year, I’m free at Monarch. This policy is short sighted and will cost them in the long run. I much prefer the small family owned ski areas. They have forgotten why they are in business.

By: RB Lohr

RB Lohr — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 18:45:23 +0000

Perhaps these passes that provide packages that many people do not desire, will result in a substantial decline in senior skier visits. They can purchase day tickets online in advance for lower prices on their fewer days on the slopes. Seniors must quantify meaningful numbers delivering midweek business rather than simply claim age as a justification for lower prices…perhaps compare to the reasons for student and military discounts. Which of these groups provide the most business?

By: Alice

Alice — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 17:21:34 +0000

Have been skiing at Stratton since 1975 and have introduced many to skiing. Doing away with senior discounts and the stratitute pass are a big mistake. Don’t think I should be skiing free but at the age of 85 I should get a break!!!!