Gas Prices = Apprehension for Next Season?

[askstowell]

Don't know if I'm alone on this one but I'm starting to get nervous regarding next season and impact gas prices will have on our skiing. Thinking that we might not be making as many trips up north to NH sites and Sunday River in ME which is a shame as 11 year old daughter is really starting to take off skill and ability wise. Alternatively I think local areas near us like Nashoba and Wachusett will be even more jammed (if that's even possible at Wachusett) making for a not-so-fun or safe experience.

Just getting concerned as gas creeps over the $4 per gallon mark as we also get worried too about other budget impacts like what home heating oil is going to cost next winter. Trying to remain positive and focusing on keeping daughter on track for 40 days or so again next season between race days, practice days, and just fun days with dad bumming around somewhere.

Anyone else worried?

[OldsnowboarderME]

Not worried per say .. I will be planning more.. I bet the ski areas are probably becoming more concerned especially if gas gets in the $5 or $6 range.. bookings just might increase because people will want to stay longer and not make multiple trips during the season.. gas prices might figure in to my future season pass purchases..

[wa-loaf]

Definitely on my mind. I'm thinking about working at WA next season to save cash on a pass and to have some extra dough for heading up north.

[andyzee]

And life goes on. La de da de de, la de da de da

[OldsnowboarderME]

Originally Posted by andyzee

And life goes on. La de da de de, la de da de da

What .. me worry??

[drjeff]

Originally Posted by OldsnowboarderME

Not worried per say .. I will be planning more.. I bet the ski areas are probably becoming more concerned especially if gas gets in the $5 or $6 range.. bookings just might increase because people will want to stay longer and not make multiple trips during the season.. gas prices might figure in to my future season pass purchases..

The other ski area related worry you need to factor in also has to be the cost of diesel, especially if you've got a resort that relies alot on the diesel powered rental air compressors that are used for many air/water snowmaking systems. Sure I'd bet that when your talking about purchasing potential 100's of thousands of gallons that you get a discount over what we see at gas stations, but the bottom line is diesel is way up over last year, so all those cats are more expensive to run, and for those resorts that rely on the diesel powered compressors, well either their snowmaking budgets will be increased substantially to use the compressors the same amount of time as last year, or they'll be making less snow. For example, Mount Snow in their adding of the 150 fan guns th year eliminated their need for the 16 rental air compressors they've used for many, many years. Historically these 16 air compressors consume around 200,000 gallons of diesel per snowmaking season. Eliminate the cost of having to purchase all that extra diesel + not having to rent those 16 air compressors from Late October through early February and I'd say that its a safe bet that they'll more than off set their soon to be increased electric bill from all the extra fan guns, and start paying off the $3.5 odd million capital expenditure that this summer's 150 fan guns cost.

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I'm not concerned..higher gas prices are incentive for me to quit wasting time and money at the bars and dining out and setting more money away for ski season. Alot of my ski days are to Blue mountain which is only 18 miles away so it's a maximum of 2 gallons round-trip. I mainly ski in Vermont and New York early and late season..5 trips up north total last season so the impact of higher gas prices should only cost me a few hundred dollars more. But I make one income for just myself. People making 1 or 2 incomes for a family of 4-6 people are going to have it the toughest with the higher gas prices as most of these people drive SUVs..and are already shelling out a small fortune for lift tickets, equipment and food. Plus it's not just higher gas prices..the prices of everything else will rise. For me I'm confident that my ski season will be mad steezy yo..but I think less diehard skiers and those with less disposable income are going to ski less..making the ski areas less crowded and less profitable leading to some more ski resorts joining NELSAP

[skiadikt]

if it gets a lot more expensive it could be a concern. i might think twice about going on a "marginal" weekend. as someone else mentioned snowmaking & even grooming operations could be greatly impacted. season openings in particular could be effected as areas may be more hesitant to make snow only to watch it run down the hill and it will effect how much snow is blown during the season. in any case, it's not a good thing.

[andyzee]

I'll use the Corolla more and the 4Runner less.

On second thought, nah, things will remain the same. GSS actually makes a good point. Folks bitch about the price of gas yet have no problem spending $50+ in a bar or restaurant in one night.

[Geoff]

The SUV is parked in the garage and rarely goes skiing. I drive the 30 mpg Volkswagen. My drive is 150 miles each way. A weekend is usually around 13 gallons of gas and I could slow down a little and save a gallon or two.