WSJ Article about Ski Resort Innovation

[Angus]

http://online.wsj.com/video/ski-res...lls/288F1CC4-A971-4477-BCC7-7318349176CC.html

follow-up article tomorrow.

 

[Nick]

I don't know how I feel about that. A part of it is these vests that kids wear with a magnet on the back of them. On the lift, you have a corresponding magnet. So essentially the kid is "stuck" to the seat. I'm guessing the magnet deactivates somehow when you hit the top. Still though, this seems excessive to me.

Other stuff they talk about is a vest with a handle in the back so you can hold your kid back or literally lift them onto the lift; and the emergence of the magic carpet.

 

[orangegondola]

You can avoid all such Magnets except the ones for your fridge at Magic

 

[AdironRider]

I had to turn it off after 10 seconds as I cant stand two broads who dont ski, talking about skiing.

 

[vcunning]

There is a potential drinking game here . . You drink for every "Umm" or "you know" they say.

I agree with Nick's use of the word excessive. And somehow, I dont think magic carpets are considered innovative anymore. They've been around a long time.

 

[Angus]

Here's the associated article

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204002304576626952549800200.html

I was interested in some of the demographic threats the ski industry is facing referenced in article.

BTW: the male reporters similarly "ummmhh" and "you know" too. I found the lack of production values on the wsj broadcasts to be disconcerting initially but the informality and realness of the reporters has grown on me. they use Skype and talk on cellphones that occasionally get disconnected/distorted, it's kind of fun.

 

[vcunning]

The article did have a bullet on something that I would think would be innovative . . . GPS bracelets for the kids. Although there is a safety factor present (I do know someone who's kid got separated from their ski lesson at a relatively young age), I would also like to watch my kids ski in their programs. Sometimes, they are just hard to find on the mountain as you never know where their instructors may take them. I'd be very happy to pay for that.

I hope you didn't misinterpret my thread on the "Uhmms" and "You Knows", I just find it distracting from the message, regardless of gender. I like the casual format, just not the delivery.

 

[marcski]

I thought the video was kind of lame. Haven't read the article. Just seemed as though the reporter was totally not a skier.

Plus, for a company that hacks into people's voicemail to get info, the info in the article was outdated.

 

[Glenn]

The GPS is a good idea Vince. I'm sure that's something you'll see in a few years...and be able to map n' track via your phone.

 

[farlep99]

You can avoid all such Magnets except the ones for your fridge at Magic

you mean to tell me that the new red paint isn't magnetic?? That's some horsesh*t!!

 

[Angus]

One of the themes of the article was how the industry from resorts to equipment mfgs are attempting to encourage younger children to ski. Middle-agers are staying with or coming back to the sport but the # of young people trying and continuing to be active in the sport is not growing.

to quote article....

"The efforts are part of an industry push to get more skiers and snowboarders, particularly young ones, to replace aging baby boomers. The sports' popularity among older skiers—and plentiful snow—helped propel last year's season to a record 60.5 million visits, according to an August survey of 222 resorts by the National Ski Areas Association, a trade group.

But the number of kids and teenagers 17 and younger visiting ski areas has plateaued in the past few years to about 30% of visits. While the number of lessons overall grew last season by 2.1%, first-time beginner lessons fell by 2.2% last season compared with the year prior, according to the latest NSAA national demographic study."

 

[4aprice]

Here's the associated article

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204002304576626952549800200.html

I was interested in some of the demographic threats the ski industry is facing referenced in article.

BTW: the male reporters similarly "ummmhh" and "you know" too. I found the lack of production values on the wsj broadcasts to be disconcerting initially but the informality and realness of the reporters has grown on me. they use Skype and talk on cellphones that occasionally get disconnected/distorted, it's kind of fun.

Average Weekend day ticket price $78. I remember my father complaining about Stowe raising its price to $10 in the 70's. My jaw drops at some of the equipment prices as well. Tough to grow with outlays like that.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[Glenn]

That's one of the biggest hurdles I see in the future: Getting more people into the sport as some people age out.

 

[Nick]

I wonder why that is. Do you think it's just laziness? (not wanting to drive, etc) or is it a real cost thing? This is why I love the Sugarbush pass for 20's. When I was in my 20's I honestly had very little extra funds to go skiing. In college it was easy as a season pass was $299 and covered everywhere. that's a big difference from $700, $800+ for an adult.

 

[Black Phantom]

I wonder why that is. Do you think it's just laziness? (not wanting to drive, etc) or is it a real cost thing? This is why I love the Sugarbush pass for 20's. When I was in my 20's I honestly had very little extra funds to go skiing. In college it was easy as a season pass was $299 and covered everywhere. that's a big difference from $700, $800+ for an adult.

Didn't you just turn 30?

I couldn't ski for free Or relatively free) until around 25 or so. That is when I had to purchase a pass on my own. My passion for skiing, and the sport I love, found the money rather easily. I believe the pass was about $1200 from memory. I think we paid the same price this season.:flag:

 

[Glenn]

I wonder why that is. Do you think it's just laziness? (not wanting to drive, etc) or is it a real cost thing?

Probably a little bit of everything. It is a pretty expensive sport. But, you can certainly find deals if you buy last year's stuff, end of season or even used. I'm sure the driving and the cold weather factor into it as well.