I ski at a resort that is not part of any corporate ski conglomerate. At least in the short term, Epic coming east has greatly benefited me from a cost perspective. My mountain dropped their pass prices due to needing to somewhat compete with Epic. If Epic never bought Stowe, I'd be paying significantly more for my pass at a non-Vail resort in VT. Let's cross the "eastern price increase down the road" bridge when we get to it. People so often say Vail will start to significantly increase Epic prices. IF they do that, they'll lose market-share. Then they lose ancillary revenue as well. I don't really see significant pass price increases as part of the Vail/Epic's business model.
As for the high priced food, either go somewhere else or bring your own food. I think prices on food are high at plenty of non-Vail resorts and that's why I don't often eat at the on-mountain venues.
The paid parking thing hasn't even happened and who knows if it even ever will in the east. IF it did, again, you have a choice to go elsewhere.
The big day ticket rates I agree are an issue, but they've been an industry wide issue that myself (and others) have been concerned about long before Vail came east. The entire industry is trying to shift people to pass products instead of day tickets. I do worry about that scaring off new entrants (although at the same time people have been saying that's a concern for years and yet it doesn't seem like we have any major lack of new people on mountains so perhaps new entrants are still finding ways to start to ski).
