The "Sugarbush Thread"

[KustyTheKlown]

Great hike up Lincoln yesterday. Was interesting that they don’t mow like they do in my “home” region of Stratton/Bromely/Magic. Is this typical at most northern areas - limited terrain mowed?

But the real head scratcher was coming into base area to a 2 piece band, but only a handful of people? Then we realized why - no beer/food (we weren’t expecting a big crowd given the SipTember event at MRG). Rumbles had the gate across entrance (even though we had been told earlier it was to be open), and while you could walk into Castlerock pub, there was nobody to be found. Very curious - spectacular September Saturday, live band, no beer/food? Pretty lame.

Lawsons was a great plan B.

Also discussed the early season plans. Our conclusion (hope) was last years Gate House debacle was heavily influenced by the new and not yet finished Heavens Gate lift, and that this year there wouldn’t be that issue. Yes, if you get a good, early, multi day window at all elevations, ok to start at Gate House. But if you get the more typical November windows only at elevation, you make snow at the summit! Meantime, we need rain badly.

finally looks like a rainy week is coming

 

[doublediamond]

They did the Gatehouse open the year prior too. It's because that's where they put the Klik hydrants. Plus they want family greens for opening day. Expect the same shit product this year.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

Because we all know that the type of skiers who endeavor to get up before mid-December are the beginners/families... [/sarcasm]

What even are these guys doing? Just ridiculous decision-making at this point for the boot-lickers left running this joint.

 

[jdr14]

Because we all know that the type of skiers who endeavor to get up before mid-December are the beginners/families... [/sarcasm]

What even are these guys doing? Just ridiculous decision-making at this point for the boot-lickers left running this joint.

They make more money if they have beginner terrain open for lessons than they do if they open with only intermediate/advanced terrain. They’ve already got your money locked in with the Ikon pass. So they’d rather open terrain that adds additional revenue streams, which HG does not, but GH does.

 

[drjeff]

Also takes a bunch less quantity of snow to get a beginner/intermediate trail open than a steeper expert trail, so the early season trail count can climb a bit faster

 

[urungus]

They make more money if they have beginner terrain open for lessons than they do if they open with only intermediate/advanced terrain. They’ve already got your money locked in with the Ikon pass. So they’d rather open terrain that adds additional revenue streams, which HG does not, but GH does.

Except true beginners usually don’t show up until late December. And meanwhile you have lost IKON passholder revenue for food and beverage, lodging, souvenirs, etc

 

[AdironRider]

Expert season pass holders aren't buying souvenirs.....

Its sucks for people like us, but the mentality in this thread is Sugarbush should be chasing nickels when they could be chasing dollars.

 

[urungus]

Expert season pass holders aren't buying souvenirs.....

Its sucks for people like us, but the mentality in this thread is Sugarbush should be chasing nickels when they could be chasing dollars.

It’s hard to extract dollars from people who aren’t there

 

[AdironRider]

Honest question, you aren't going to go skiing until January then as a result? You not renewing your Ikon? What behavior changes have you personally done that might affect their decision making moving forward? (And no, just saying its dumb on this forum doesn't count).

Ski areas lose money on experts and make money on beginners / intermediates. That is a fact. Getting a family to book an early ski weekend in December offsets upwards of 100 experts buying a beer apres, potentially more. Now take into account that it costs more to open up said expert terrain, and requires more operational overhead to run. Which decision are you making if it was your money? Yeah, not what you are advocating for.

Nevermind this board waxes on and on about how the ski industry doesn't take care of the people learning the sport, or just starting out. But the second they do something to make it more accessible, the pitchforks come out.

 

[slatham]

Let's see how it all materializes. My main issue will be "IF" they hold off making snow until temps are good at Gatehouse, even though temps are doable at summit.

 

[Blurski]

Let's see how it all materializes. My main issue will be "IF" they hold off making snow until temps are good at Gatehouse, even though temps are doable at summit.

Last year they blew on Jester last year before GH received any snowmaking, I hiked it & saw it with my own eye's, but still ultimately blew GH and opened it.

 

[djd66]

I will be happy if all the lifts are operable when the trails servicing those lifts are skiable. Last year it HG, CR, Bravo, NL, SBX, NRX, GMX and Summit all had major mechanical issues which shut them down for multiple days. Am I missing any others?

 

[Blurski]

I will be happy if all the lifts are operable when the trails servicing those lifts are skiable. Last year it HG, CR, Bravo, NL, SBX, NRX, GMX and Summit all had major mechanical issues which shut them down for multiple days. Am I missing any others?

Could not agree more!

 

[Quietman]

Ski areas lose money on experts and make money on beginners / intermediates.

It always amazes me when parents bring the kids in Dec to learn when it's cold, windy, and the snow sucks. But When March comes and the sun is out and warm and the snow is deep, the beginner lifts are almost empty.

 

[cdskier]

Teaching a beginner to ski on a WROD early season with limited terrain surrounded by plenty of advanced skiers flying down the trail around them sounds like a great recipe to get them hooked on the sport...

Beginners would benefit more by NOT having beginner terrain accessible opening day and therefore not being able to even attempt to ski (unless they are also able to open other trails/sections for advanced/intermediate skiers to spread the demand).

 

[machski]

Teaching a beginner to ski on a WROD early season with limited terrain surrounded by plenty of advanced skiers flying down the trail around them sounds like a great recipe to get them hooked on the sport...

Beginners would benefit more by NOT having beginner terrain accessible opening day and therefore not being able to even attempt to ski (unless they are also able to open other trails/sections for advanced/intermediate skiers to spread the demand).

So that last sentence would be the key, but the way SB South is set up is not super conducive to that company inception easily. If Gatehouse connected trail wise straight to HG, you could see low for beginners early and high for advanced (stay on HG until time to ski down). But that isn't the case. HG requires Bravo or Valley House to access. And making all that terrain simultaneously is way outside of SB's system capacity currently. If only they would use Ellen for advanced early up high like they once did, then the split idea might fly.

 

[cdskier]

Fire at the golf course last night...Hogan's Pub and the Clubhouse were destroyed

Sugarbush Resort

Last night at approximately 10:30 PM Warren's volunteer fire department responded to a fire occurring at the Sugarbush Resort Golf Club. Thankfully and most important, nobody was hurt or injured....

www.facebook.com

 

[jimmywilson69]

wow that's terrible... glad no one was hurt.

 

[slatham]

That is terrible for sure. If we didn’t get this recent rain it could have been worse. And glad it’s not the beginning of their season, though what they can rebuild between now and June is a valid question.

 

[jimmywilson69]

Its Vermont they'll be lucky to be able to rebuild by 2027...