Burke Releases New Website

[Masskier]

"Welcome to Burke, where skiers and riders still experience

the winding trails, deep powder and small-town character that

were once synonymous with Vermont."

From Burke's new web site. check it out www.skiburke.com

 

[deadheadskier]

:lol:

okay

 

[thetrailboss]

?????

I am going to revise the title to reflect that you are talking about Burke's website.

 

[riverc0il]

"Welcome to Burke, where skiers and riders still experience

the winding trails, deep powder and small-town character that

were once synonymous with Vermont."

Let me say this, I LOVE Burke.

But that is a REALLY lame intro. "were once"? Lots of other resorts have deeper powder and other resorts in VT have just as many if not more winding trails (MRG, Magic, Smuggs, etc.). I guess they do have the small town character thing going... for a mountain planning on expanding into a major resort player. ???

 

[thetrailboss]

It's a nice site, but I think that an HSQ would do more to bring interest (regrettably).

 

[deadheadskier]

Let me say this, I LOVE Burke.

But that is a REALLY lame intro. "were once"? Lots of other resorts have deeper powder and other resorts in VT have just as many if not more winding trails (MRG, Magic, Smuggs, etc.). I guess they do have the small town character thing going... for a mountain planning on expanding into a major resort player. ???

exactly what I was thinking

Burke doesn't need that kind of marketing

 

[from_the_NEK]

I wouldn't call this a "New" website. There is not really anything new as far as the overall design of the website. Just the background picture and the greeting text has changed. Additionally, the top band of pictures has been taken out which means I'm not in the top left corner of the website flying into the mtn with my bike. The actual content and layout is the same as it has been for quite a while.

 

[Masskier]

It's a nice site, but I think that an HSQ would do more to bring interest (regrettably).

Hopefully next year!

 

[catskills]

This extended accuweather report says overnight lows into the 20s starting Thursday Nov 18 for the Catskills. Last year the weather predictions for overnight lows were wrong 99 percent of the time. Ski areas had called in snowmakers to make snow at night only to find out that the overnight low temps never happened. :roll:

 

[Masskier]

Was at the ski show Friday night and Burke has all new marketing materials. A new resort brochure, trail map ect. They tie into the home page on the web site nicely. It is clear that their marketing firm learned Burke's advantages and what makes Burke different from most other ski areas. It is nice to see a well thought out marketing plan, one that targets and communicates what the Burke experience is like, in comparison to most other ski resorts. This is the first time in over 10 years that Burke has a clear direction and the Burke owners are starting to communicated what the future of Burke will look like. And it is not going to be a k-mark, Mcdonalds or Ginndon. But rather a midsize resort, where the focus will be on quality, low density skiing and Mtn biking in the summer and fall.

 

[troy]

Was at the ski show Friday night and Burke has all new marketing materials. A new resort brochure, trail map ect. They tie into the home page on the web site nicely. It is clear that their marketing firm learned Burke's advantages and what makes Burke different from most other ski areas. It is nice to see a well thought out marketing plan, one that targets and communicates what the Burke experience is like, in comparison to most other ski resorts. This is the first time in over 10 years that Burke has a clear direction and the Burke owners are starting to communicated what the future of Burke will look like. And it is not going to be a k-mark, Mcdonalds or Ginndon. But rather a midsize resort, where the focus will be on quality, low density skiing and Mtn biking in the summer and fall.

Burke needs much more than a new website, and that website ain't new. If that is what you would consider a "well thought out marketing plan", no offense but you probably have never seen a real one. Burke's "plans" are to be believed when seen, until then its probably just another gimmick or empty promise.

 

[billski]

Burke needs much more than a new website, and that website ain't new. If that is what you would consider a "well thought out marketing plan", no offense but you probably have never seen a real one. Burke's "plans" are to be believed when seen, until then its probably just another gimmick or empty promise.

Troy, why are you dumping on Burke? Have you been burned by them before or have you been following them? I don't care to debate what defines a "real marketing plan", but I will posit my observations.

I was at the show on Saturday and spent about 20 minutes talking with Charlotte, and brought a lot of material home. I actually have been in contact with her throughout the fall. The most important thing they have done is present some polish and presentation behind the "rough around the edges" materials of yesteryear. We talked quite a bit about lodging tie-ins and various promotional days that are on the calendar for this next year. I brought them to our club about two years ago and have watched their offerings (I'm not interested in real estate) mature over the past two year. I'm seeing a lot more exposure and promotion than two years ago for sure.

 

[Masskier]

Burke needs much more than a new website, and that website ain't new. If that is what you would consider a "well thought out marketing plan", no offense but you probably have never seen a real one. Burke's "plans" are to be believed when seen, until then its probably just another gimmick or empty promise.

As their "well thought out marketing plan" unfolds during the winter and you have an opportunity to review it, you may have a valid and different opinion. The web site is obviously one piece of a much larger plan. I am not aware of any empty promises made at Burke, at least over the past 10 years. Perhaps some rumors, but nothing that was committed too and not delivered. The bottom line is that Burke is moving forward with some very exciting plans, that are good for the community, good for the skier and rider, and good for them.

 

[thetrailboss]

Troy, why are you dumping on Burke? Have you been burned by them before or have you been following them? I don't care to debate what defines a "real marketing plan", but I will posit my observations.

Burke, unfortunately, has had its share of disappointments. Most in recent history. In 1986, 1989, 1995, and 2000 Burke has been on the brink of closing and has left creditors, many local businesses, high and dry. However, much to the credit of one individual in particular, who shall remain unnamed, Burke has gotten back on its feet and has been operating consistently in the last ten years. That relative sense of stability means a lot. So if there is a sense of bitterness it could be this, but I read his comments as more skepticism than anything else.

I also think that the distancing I see in this thread from the Ginn regime is interesting. Even though that management came in without any ski experience and with levels of spending that was not sustainable, they did make some great improvements that have put the mountain on a different level. The improvements to the Lodge, the new HSQ, snowmaking, and a retrofitted lower mountain have made an impression. They also were instrumental in reassembling the "resort" which was shattered in 2000.

As to future plans, my sense is that it is scaled down. It is not "Bridgemor" from what I understand, but the proposed expansion is still a large change for the mountain that by and large remains very rustic.

I think Troy's comments go towards this expansion. For many, many years skiers and riders have seen the infamous "expansion" maps posted in many places. One former owner, who was wanted by Interpol for using Burke for his money laundering scheme, even promised to build Bavarian castles. People in the area are cautiously optimistic, but until something more substantial goes into place, it is the same Burke: special and full of potential.

It is no secret that I am a fan of Burke because it is where I grew up skiing, many of my family and friends ski there, and it is a special place for me. I hope for their success and for a sustainable ski operation. The new management was more visible last year and more aggressive in their marketing. But I too wait to see what lies next and think that the website is nice, but is not the be-all and end-all.