The "Sugarbush Thread"

[Hawk]

HA, I guess I never looked at the trail map at least in any detail until today.

So to be accurate, Wood lot, ruffed up , wild turkey and Big Birch are mountain bike trails in the summer. They put them on the winter maps as glades to boost the count. most of those areas are pretty flat but skiable. You see the little kids in there a lot skiing the bike trails with the berms in a big line up.

 

[HowieT2]

I have a feeling this will have no affect on anything because there will be so few people buying in. I actually have a couple of well off ski friends in Claybrook and the general sentiment is why bother paying extra for that. Claybrook already cuts the line. This would be for the rice brook and gad brook people who don't get the privilege. Most locals are too frugal and no one here wants to even pay for skiing. LOL

The way I look at it, it just another step to getting our mountain back once revenue drops and Altera sells. YAY

totally agree. Locals dont need line cutting at bravo. They dont ski when there are lines. As for the rest of us, anyone who skis regularly doesnt do laps at the bravo when there are lines, if ever.

 

[HowieT2]

I wouldnt be surprised if this whole program is cancelled before the end of the season. How long are they going to pay people to tend bar when no one is going there.

I had heard some years ago that the valley house kitchen space is inadequate to support full fledged dining.

getting back to whole DV Altera/ Extell, I suspect as others have stated above that Extell is footing the bill for the lifts and they needed those lifts installed to sell the real estate and fill the hotels. They probably were obligated to get the lifts installed as part of the contracts with the hotel operators. my take from this is, if you want new lifts you need some kind money making venture to make the investment work economically.
On the bright side, once doppelmayer is done with DV they should have spare capacity to install new lifts elsewhere.

 

[thetrailboss]

So there is no doubt in my mind now that this was an Alterra brainwave. It is getting riducled out here. Apparently Crystal skiers have started a petition.

https://www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/solitude-mountain-resort-launches-reserve-pass/

 

[Boxtop Willie]

The new Reserve Club has got to be going into the kids Blazer room in VH. There's no way they would use the existing Wonderbar and give up that revenue. Blazers will all be eating lunch in Gate house this year (confirmed).
Also have it on good authority that this whole thing came down from corporate.

 

[NewEnglander77]

Sugarbush is the highest price for this product by far as listed in the linked ABC article? No one can read the room apparently. Why wouldn't they start low, deliver a good product to get people hooked and then raise prices year after year. This will be a giant flop.

Mind boggling to continue to watch the fails and marketing comedy of errors from management and corporate. Its as if they don't really care and think they will just replace the old revenue with new customers every year.

 

[SkiTheEast]

Anyone else happen to catch the shrinkflation on the blazers programs this year? They only hiked a price a few bucks to make it seem reasonable but then cut half a day on Sunday so it ends at noon now. They will gladly sell you the extra 1/2 day for another 500-700 bucks depending on age. All-in priced about $700 more than Stratton (whose program is 3 weeks longer) and about $1,500 more than Killington if comparing apples to apples. Someone else mentioned the greens fees at the golf course up like 20% year over year - I know its first world problems but just getting really expensive to be loyal and just seems sneaky.

 

[djd66]

What is the cost of the Blazer program now?

 

[SkiTheEast]

7-15 yrs: 3,080 + 515 for Sunday full day = $3,595
Mini (5-6): 3,193 + 515 for Sunday full day = $3,708
Micro (3-4): 3,296 + 702 for Sunday full day = $3,998

My quick research shows that Stratton is between 3000-3500 depending on age but the days are longer and the program goes an extra 3 weeks and Killington is as low as 2400 for all ages if you commit early. Don't get me wrong I love Sugarbush (and am committed as an owner up there) but just seems like they are taking every opportunity to turn the cost dial as far as it will go for everything at the same time just doesn't feel great.

 

[tumbler]

I have a feeling this will have no affect on anything because there will be so few people buying in. I actually have a couple of well off ski friends in Claybrook and the general sentiment is why bother paying extra for that. Claybrook already cuts the line. This would be for the rice brook and gad brook people who don't get the privilege. Most locals are too frugal and no one here wants to even pay for skiing. LOL

The way I look at it, it just another step to getting our mountain back once revenue drops and Altera sells. YAY

Claybrook doesn't get line cutting anymore, they took that away a bunch of years ago.

 

[solar]

Does anyone have updates on John Parsons and if he'll be on snow this winter?

 

[machski]

So, Tremblant 's reserve comes to $1883 USD currently and gives early ups and express access on ALL the primary lifts. I did read the fine print and express access shares the ski school lane with those groups, so not totally a dedicated lane. No private lounge, but it gives preferred parking, some on hill food and shopping perks and ski valet services.

 

[VTSkiBike]

7-15 yrs: 3,080 + 515 for Sunday full day = $3,595
Mini (5-6): 3,193 + 515 for Sunday full day = $3,708
Micro (3-4): 3,296 + 702 for Sunday full day = $3,998

My quick research shows that Stratton is between 3000-3500 depending on age but the days are longer and the program goes an extra 3 weeks and Killington is as low as 2400 for all ages if you commit early. Don't get me wrong I love Sugarbush (and am committed as an owner up there) but just seems like they are taking every opportunity to turn the cost dial as far as it will go for everything at the same time just doesn't feel great.

The main reason I ended at with a Mad River pass was because their kids programs cost a fraction a Sugarbush's. It's really astounding what they charge and how unreasonable it's become. My kiddo just loves the Development program at MRG.

 

[djd66]

7-15 yrs: 3,080 + 515 for Sunday full day = $3,595
Mini (5-6): 3,193 + 515 for Sunday full day = $3,708
Micro (3-4): 3,296 + 702 for Sunday full day = $3,998

My quick research shows that Stratton is between 3000-3500 depending on age but the days are longer and the program goes an extra 3 weeks and Killington is as low as 2400 for all ages if you commit early. Don't get me wrong I love Sugarbush (and am committed as an owner up there) but just seems like they are taking every opportunity to turn the cost dial as far as it will go for everything at the same time just doesn't feel great.

Holy Schnikes! My kids did blazers and I think it was about $1200 for 2 full days and it started in early December. At those prices, I’m not sure I would be doing it now.

 

[Boxtop Willie]

Anyone else happen to catch the shrinkflation on the blazers programs this year? They only hiked a price a few bucks to make it seem reasonable but then cut half a day on Sunday so it ends at noon now. They will gladly sell you the extra 1/2 day for another 500-700 bucks depending on age. All-in priced about $700 more than Stratton (whose program is 3 weeks longer) and about $1,500 more than Killington if comparing apples to apples. Someone else mentioned the greens fees at the golf course up like 20% year over year - I know its first world problems but just getting really expensive to be loyal and just seems sneaky.

To be fair, the Blazers program now starts 3 weeks earlier, December 13 vs after New Years the last few years. Total number of hours is pretty close to before. Also, I've heard from some Blazer parents that they support the change. Two major reasons; gives them more time to ski with their kids on the weekends and ending on Sunday at noon improves their timing flexibility for driving home to Boston.
The biggest concern voiced is the availability of terrain in mid-December. (which, if we don't get some rain will be a moot point as we won't have any terrain)

 

[1dog]

Holy Schnikes! My kids did blazers and I think it was about $1200 for 2 full days and it started in early December. At those prices, I’m not sure I would be doing it now.

yep, thankfully my youngest just aged out- every one of his group ended theirs too - some not aged out. I swear it was under a grand when he started 8 or 9 years ago. Wasn't too bad as Ikon full was far cheaper too then for under 13- ( or was it 12?) They started mid Dec - 9:30-3, now its 9-2 Sat and noon Sunday- and starts after New Year. Great coaches- wonder is enrollment down overall.

Its the best place in NE for terrain, lack of excess beds in valley, and good-willed people. But snow-making, facilities, and lift configuration is not 1st class- no real plan to change even one of those issues. They know, most of us aren't going anywhere . .

 

[KustyTheKlown]

So, Tremblant 's reserve comes to $1883 USD currently and gives early ups and express access on ALL the primary lifts. I did read the fine print and express access shares the ski school lane with those groups, so not totally a dedicated lane. No private lounge, but it gives preferred parking, some on hill food and shopping perks and ski valet services.

tremblant with line cutting privileges would be a game changer. worst consistent weekend/holiday lines ive ever been stuck in. in the hypothetical world where i lived in montreal and was a tremblant regular i'd probably spring for that

 

[djd66]

Kusty is back in the mix,... it must be close to ski season! Welcome back - I always enjoy your sense of humor !

 

[machski]

tremblant with line cutting privileges would be a game changer. worst consistent weekend/holiday lines ive ever been stuck in. in the hypothetical world where i lived in montreal and was a tremblant regular i'd probably spring for that

Agree with this. Of course, if I were a Tremblant regular I'd rather see lift upgrade investment than me spend almost $1900US to fix the problem.

If Alterra is doing this, those dollars actually achieved through this better stay and get reinvested at each resort. Somehow I suspect that won't be the case however.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

Kusty is back in the mix,... it must be close to ski season! Welcome back - I always enjoy your sense of humor !

i'm ready to rock. we're moving up to kingston ny in a few weeks and my ski commutes are getting much easier. will need the crappy motels a lot less too. very excited.