22/23 Passes

[KustyTheKlown]

the entire west had a garbage season and is in drought. they get the same snow as the rest of the region more or less. a bit lower than the cottonwoods. further north.

its huge and mostly intermediate and they do a really good job at managing capacity so it never feels crowded.

 

[Zermatt]

Never been to Powder Mountain, what’s it like?

The website says it averages 500”/year, but this year they only show 230”.

Given their location it makes no sense they would get 500" per year when Snowbasin only gets 300".

 

[snoseek]

500 inches is a stretch. Lots of that space is super low angle but can be very nice cruisy powder turns. The best stuff is served by the bus imo. The exposure is a bit funky so often the sun and wind get it before the skiers do.

 

[gmcunni]

Epic, 100%. only question is epic vs epic local, will scout vacation options once i see which resorts, if any, add to list.

 

[nycskier]

$109 for the Indy Kids pass is a great deal. 2 weekend days at Mohawk and the pass is paid for. Total no brainer. The Adult is tougher. I need 6 days to come out ahead and am not sure I will get that in.

 

[snoseek]

Next year's epic is out. Up slightly. I was expecting more of a bump in price tbh.

 

[Ski2LiveLive2Ski]

Might do the 7 Day Epic Day pass in addition to Indy

 

[machski]

Next year's epic is out. Up slightly. I was expecting more of a bump in price tbh.

Why? They stink performance wise this year, betting they know sales will be down regardless. If they jacked prices, sales would likely take an ever bigger hit. They bet on low pricing, can't give that up after just one year. Especially given their operational performance.

 

[Edd]

If Vail gives no promises of operating Wildcat normally, I’m not buying. I don’t expect that to happen.

 

[cdskier]

Why? They stink performance wise this year, betting they know sales will be down regardless. If they jacked prices, sales would likely take an ever bigger hit. They bet on low pricing, can't give that up after just one year. Especially given their operational performance.

Completely agree. I was half expecting them to either have no increase or even to offer a slightly bigger discount this year to try to entice people to renew and give them another chance...

Of course the real question is how many people that claim they won't renew will follow through with that. I'm sure some will follow through, but I also think some of the people that complained about them in the end will give in and renew. I'm somewhat expecting their sales to be relatively flat this year compared to last year. They might get just enough new people to offset the people that don't renew.

 

[pinion]

I would bet on sales being slightly down year over year, partly due to dissatisfaction in the product and partly due to those who were just looking for a post-COVID relief activity in 2021 not buying back in.

Vail does have their core demo locked in and understood though, and pass sales in the next 6 months will likely validate that. The core Epic client are those who won't notice/care that burgers and water go up $2 each and more paid parking gets instituted. They don't care about midweek. They don't care about NE areas outside of the full-service resorts. They don't care about long lines that much because it was 4 runs and done anyway so at least they can tell their friends they ski all day now. The sport is for all so there's nothing wrong with catering to this clientele but I would imagine it would be difficult to bring in more US-based partner resorts because of it. And it allows for flat/declining pass sales because $$ spent per person will go up. So once the dust settles from this year and they can show some measurable improvement in operations, Wall Street should give the thumbs up to a return to acquisitions and we'll be right back here in a few years with new reasons as to why Vail Sucks. Or less likely, reasons why we all were wrong and should have given them a chance.

And then there's my personal predicament that I know others share: for those with property in MWV, Vail has 50% of the close proximity resorts. And of the other 50%, one is groomed top to bottom 100% and the other can't find a way to operate meaningfully for more than 2 months.

An Ikon Pass and window tickets at Cranmore/Black/wherever is what's on tap for 2022/2023 but not set in stone yet.

 

[ThatGuy]

Magic Mountain Full Pass
Indy Add-On
Epic Northeast Midweek

Magic and Indy is a great combo, probably do another trip out West as well.
As much as I hate Vail Mount Snow is less than an hour from me and is a great hedge for days Magic is not open or during early season for available terrain. Would never go there on a weekend so weekdays only is perfect. Five days at Stowe is an added bonus that I will take advantage of.
Crazy I can get three passes for less than a full IKON, shows the disparity between bargain basement and a semi-premier experience.

 

[jimmywilson69]

ITs funny some days I get 30 emails from Vail and their "properties" Today their passes go on sale and not a damn thing...

 

[Apple Country]

Epic Local Passholder this year. Went to Snow, Okemo, Stowe, Crotched and Sunapee this year. Will drop to Epic day pass to get a getaway weekend with SO at Stowe. We are looking for kid programs so that's a main driver for 2022-23. Based in Mass. so likely do Wachusett, Berkshire East, or Ragged and day ticket elsewhere. Wachusett has some good partner ticket rates. I like dirtbagging anyways.

 

[ThatGuy]

Epic Local Passholder this year. Went to Snow, Okemo, Stowe, Crotched and Sunapee this year. Will drop to Epic day pass to get a getaway weekend with SO at Stowe. We are looking for kid programs so that's a main driver for 2022-23. Based in Mass. so likely do Wachusett, Berkshire East, or Ragged and day ticket elsewhere. Wachusett has some good partner ticket rates. I like dirtbagging anyways.

Berkshire East would also get you a pass for Catamount and Bosquet plus you could get an Indy Pass Add-On as well with that.

 

[abc]

Epic Local this year. IKON Base next.

Nothing to do with Vail hate. That had always been my plan, flip flopping back and forth -- typically 2-3 year IKON to 1 year Epic as IKON has more geographically diverse destination resorts as better weather assurance (also Alterra resorts has more diverse "character", to suit my mood) .

 

[machski]

We did Epic Local primarily to have access to Crotched for a close to primary home area. The reduced days and nights killed that plan. We still did a 2 week swing in CO and got a few days at Crotched still and a couple at Sunapee. Wasn't good enough to venture to VT when we could have. Won't do an Epic this year, Silver NEP with the NE Anyday 3 add on to recoup 3 blackout days. Probably add Indy too to give Pat's/WVV/Cannon options close to home. Definitely will use Jay and hopefullly Magic too if we do.

 

[deadheadskier]

Epic Local Passholder this year. Went to Snow, Okemo, Stowe, Crotched and Sunapee this year. Will drop to Epic day pass to get a getaway weekend with SO at Stowe. We are looking for kid programs so that's a main driver for 2022-23. Based in Mass. so likely do Wachusett, Berkshire East, or Ragged and day ticket elsewhere. Wachusett has some good partner ticket rates. I like dirtbagging anyways.

I was quite pleased with the Gunstock seasonal programs for my kids this season. A nice thing about them is you book by the day. So, you're not roped into the same mountain both weekend days. Just throwing that option out there if you hadn't considered it.

 

[urungus]

Renewed Berkshire East Unlimited Summit Pass @ early bird price of $499 and added blackout-free Indy+ add-on @ $260.10 ($289 - 10% renewal code)

New benefit this year for people renewing their Berkshire East pass before March 31:

Renewing Unlimited and Locals Passholders will receive a total of four new “Sidecar” friends and family lift ticket discounts for next year automatically loaded on your pass if purchased through 3/31. Included are two vouchers for $35 midweek, non-holiday lift tickets and two any-day vouchers redeemable for $75 lift tickets for winter 22/23.

 

[NYDB]

It's going to be another year of Ikon and Magic Passes for my family of four.

Felt like I didn't quite get my moneys worth this season with the early shitty season and late shitty season (an no trip out west yet - planning on an easter break trip to hit A Basin, copper and loveland), but hoping for a solid snow year next year and a family trip and a few solo jaunts out west. Reducing workload this year will help in this regard.

Maybe something like 18-19 season would be great snowfall wise.