Killington: 2008-09 Scorecard

[ALLSKIING]

I'm not sure but I know this year is 7 days.

 

[andyzee]

OK, if it's a scorecard, they just lost a few points on mine cause of the $65 lift ticket price. On the bright side, should be less crowded than other opening days.

 

[skiing is life]

:beer: im flabberghasted. good job killington, almost like old times.:grin:

 

[campgottagopee]

Not a Killington basher here, but I will say it's not my cup of tea meaning, imo, it's too commercial for my liking. I'd much rather ski Whiteface, Gore, Smuggs, Mad River or Jay---just more my speed.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Not a Killington basher here, but I will say it's not my cup of tea meaning, imo, it's too commercial for my liking. I'd much rather ski Whiteface, Gore, Smuggs, Mad River or Jay---just more my speed.

I agree with you Camp on your choices, but why is it more commercial then the others?They're all goods and services for cash, right?

 

[skiadikt]

i think they get some points for the early open.

 

[campgottagopee]

I agree with you Camp on your choices, but why is it more commercial then the others?They're all goods and services for cash, right?

You bet they are--that's what makes the world go 'round. My assesment of K is from a few years back so maybe things have changed. Anyway, imo, just driving up the mnt road I get that feeling of "brass and glass" instead of the "warm log cabin" feeling which I prefer if I travel to ski. I've also gotten the feeling from employees there that they were doing ME a favor instead of providing "hometown" customer service. Feel like more of a number than a guest.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

You bet they are--that's what makes the world go 'round. My assesment of K is from a few years back so maybe things have changed. Anyway, imo, just driving up the mnt road I get that feeling of "brass and glass" instead of the "warm log cabin" feeling which I prefer if I travel to ski. I've also gotten the feeling from employees there that they were doing ME a favor instead of providing "hometown" customer service. Feel like more of a number than a guest.

Gotcha, you don't like the vibe there. It's not my thing either, but to each their own.

 

[WoodCore]

As an outsider and non-pass holder at K-Mart, the $65.00 ticket to ski an ungroomed WROD which is comprised mostly of narrow traverses and catwalks seems a bit ridiculous even if it is top to bottom.

I'm dying to get on snow and make some turns like everyone else but will wait a week or two before plunking down any money for turns. I'd rather spend $10 bucks at Mount Snow this weekend to slide around on the beginner hill or for that matter earn some turns elsewhere for free.

 

[riverc0il]

As an outsider and non-pass holder at K-Mart, the $65.00 ticket to ski an ungroomed WROD which is comprised mostly of narrow traverses and catwalks seems a bit ridiculous even if it is top to bottom.

+1

I like the idea of a score card. Points to Killington for all the things that Greg mentioned. Though -1 point for $65 limited skiing. Not sure how they came up with this pricing structure... and for the record, I think K having higher prices and lower crowds is a good business strategy. But $65 for extremely limited WROD seems a bit much. This may be more of a lost opportunity rather than a negative mark on the score card. I guess we'll see how the results are on Sunday. Increasing ticket prices to limit skiers and riders and making the WROD safer is a good strategy but I think $65 is more than a limited market will bare, especially considering "Sumday Biggers" price point (if that was really posted on K's official page, then -1 point for that too).

Overall, I think K gets high marks for decisions made so far and opening on the first weekend of November is a MAJOR reversal of opening strategy that should be given high marks regardless of ticket price. You won't see me paying $65 for limited WROD skiing... but I am guessing some folks will pay that much.

 

[Greg]

Overall, I think K gets high marks for decisions made so far and opening on the first weekend of November is a MAJOR reversal of opening strategy that should be given high marks regardless of ticket price. You won't see me paying $65 for limited WROD skiing... but I am guessing some folks will pay that much.

I think you summed it up perfectly here. Personally, I think $65 is a bit high of a price point, but like you said those that really want it will pay for it, and it will indeed keep WROD traffic down a bit. It's a "Wanna play? Gotta pay!" approach.

 

[Greg]

Right. Basically, I'm going to refrain from judgment until the season is over. This thread should exist in May, not November.

Sorry the "scorecard" nomenclature doesn't meet your approval. I get the impression you're not easy to please...

 

[JimG.]

Well, I'm gonna be busy blowing leaves off my property all weekend, but if I somehow get it all done by tomorrow night (doubtful) I will pay the $65 to ski some.

I'll be on the road at 5:30am Sunday morning if I somehow pull it off (again, highly doubtful).

 

[darent]

missed something? what's WROD?

 

[JimG.]

missed something? what's WROD?

White Ribbon Of Death

 

[mondeo]

I honestly think $65 is too low. Sales would probably drop by less than 10% if they kicked it up to $75. Really, supply is low, charge $80! $90!

This opinion has nothing to do with the fact that I have a season pass.

I dunno. $65 seems a little high, but maybe right. They are essentially the only game in town for CT, NY, and NJ. Will kicking it up from $50 reduce sales by 30%? For some reason, I get the feeling the visit reduction is probably in that neighborhood. In which case, they deliver a better quality product to the people who are willing to pay more, and it'll be safer. The "if you have a season pass somewhere else, but you come here, $15 off, but only if they're open" is just corny to me.

Overall, though, I'm happy. Like the earlier open, like BMMC back into April, like the fact that they pushed closing date out a week last year, even though they closed with tons of snow (I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that it had something to do with what their insurance allowed, which I remember hearing somewhere. But not too much benefit.) My take at the beginning of last season was that their first priority was to cinch tight the purse strings and make sure they were in the black, even though they might be missing out on being even more profitable. Then after a year on the books, look at how things went, take in feedback, and adapt. After all, it was POWDR's first year in the East. And starting in the red can make things go downhill a lot faster than being too conservative.

I wonder how much debt POWDR picked up, compared to Peak or Boyne. Might be the difference in how much the companies are putting into their properties.

I'm just hoping they do Wildfire right again, instead of grooming it daily for the second half of the season.

 

[danny p]

You bet they are--that's what makes the world go 'round. My assesment of K is from a few years back so maybe things have changed. Anyway, imo, just driving up the mnt road I get that feeling of "brass and glass" instead of the "warm log cabin" feeling which I prefer if I travel to ski. I've also gotten the feeling from employees there that they were doing ME a favor instead of providing "hometown" customer service. Feel like more of a number than a guest.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion but "an assessment a few years back" (under ASC?) doesn't really have anything to do with what they are doing this year, which is what this thread is all about. I hear ya though, I take as many backroads as needed to avoid Rutvegas because it represents everything Vermont isn't. The access road doesn't bother me though. My $0.02.

 

[riverc0il]

I hear ya though, I take as many backroads as needed to avoid Rutvegas because it represents everything Vermont isn't.

Or perhaps everything you think Vermont shouldn't be. Having moved to Vermont as a "flatlander", I had the same notions of Vermont at one point. I quickly found out the state is extremely different than common perceptions would suggest. The state has a massive identity crisis and is a lot of things to a lot of different people. Rutland is every bit a part of Vermont as the other cities in the state and only helps highlight the vast differences of everything that truly is Vermont. I am sure many locals see Rutland as a great thing... lots of jobs, opportunity, a place to shop for goods, cultural pursuits, decent schools, etc.

 

[pepperdawg]

I honestly think $65 is too low. Sales would probably drop by less than 10% if they kicked it up to $75. Really, supply is low, charge $80! $90!

This opinion has nothing to do with the fact that I have a season pass.

Heh heh heh...

Still think its a good move/move in the right direction, but IMHO a week into May is worth more bang for buck than WROD with a bunch of rusty hardcore internet skiers.... But its not my buck and my opinion......Ideally both options will exist again... Kudos on early opening.... cursing what I just heard for weather next week tho....

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Or perhaps everything you think Vermont shouldn't be. Having moved to Vermont as a "flatlander", I had the same notions of Vermont at one point. I quickly found out the state is extremely different than common perceptions would suggest. The state has a massive identity crisis and is a lot of things to a lot of different people. Rutland is every bit a part of Vermont as the other cities in the state and only helps highlight the vast differences of everything that truly is Vermont. I am sure many locals see Rutland as a great thing... lots of jobs, opportunity, a place to shop for goods, cultural pursuits, decent schools, etc.

Rutland isn't that bad..Burlington it ain't but it has a nice little downtown with some bars, restaurants and cultural activities. Vermont is still mostly cows, mud, mountains and streams..