A Little Stowe Birdie....

[riverc0il]

I think 2 G's is going to see their season pass sales go way down. At that price, even if day tickets were $90, the break even point is 22.2 days. I'm sure there are some folks who get passes as a matter of convenience, not to break even; but the vast majority of folks get a pass to save money. Most places the break even point is in the 12 to 15 day range.

At 22, some people will most likely stick to day tickets. This puts the mountain at a greater financial risk in terms of weathers influence on people's buying decisions.

This all assumes Stowe cares about season passes in comparison to their perceived value from vacationing clients, especially those laying down upwards of a half million for slope side. 22 is a high break even point assuming $90 day lift tickets and a $2000 season pass... but these numbers are not real yet and this is still hearsay. I would guess the actual break even will be around 20 days or less even figuring in cheaper late/early season rates. If you can get 30 days at Stowe on an $1800 season pass, that is $60 a day which is still pretty high for a season pass comparatively to other resorts... but Stowe arguably has some of the best terrain, lift system, and facilities any where in New England. The people that Stowe is targeting will still think it is a steal even if they don't hit the break even point just for the convenience of not walking up to a ticket window along with the unclean masses. From the perspective of the average skier, not even Stowe is worth that much. But from the perspective of Stowe's target market? These guys are buying second and third homes at a million a pop. $1800 is a drop in the bucket and $90 is chump change to these folks who make second home owners at places like Sunday River and Killington seem middle class in comparison.

 

[snowmonster]

There was a feature on Stowe's new lodge and hotel facility that ran on the nightly news here in Boston. The basic takeaway from the story is that the new facility would be very luxurious and would be at par with what you would expect from a grand vacation to the Alps or some place really chic. Emphasis of the story was on the amenities (food and wine, spa facilities, rooms, etc.) and shopping (shops featuring the best of VT furniture and food products). The story ended by emphasizing that the facility was already solidly booked for next year. That should give you an idea of what the target market is.

Anyway, the folks that run the lift at Stowe can't stop us from skinning up the mountain, right?

 

[Geoff]

22 days used to be the Killington break-even price. ....granted, that was when Killington offered October to June skiing but they sold many thousands of passes at that price. Automobile and lodging are still the dominant costs with a $2000 season pass if you ski every weekend.

 

[drjeff]

I think 2 G's is going to see their season pass sales go way down. At that price, even if day tickets were $90, the break even point is 22.2 days. I'm sure there are some folks who get passes as a matter of convenience, not to break even; but the vast majority of folks get a pass to save money. Most places the break even point is in the 12 to 15 day range.

At 22, some people will most likely stick to day tickets. This puts the mountain at a greater financial risk in terms of weathers influence on people's buying decisions.

22 days is still covered by just the "prime" weekends + X-mas and February week. Not alot. Think about it, ski 3 days at Turkey day weekend, 2 seperate 8 day weeks(Sat-the following Sunday) for x-mas + Pres Week, and a 3 day weekend for MLK and there's 22 days right there.

The business descions if the 2K pass is true is to cater to the market segment that Stowe feels they have a very good hold on, and then treat them very well. If they end up decreasing their total number of skier visits, but are able to show a significant increase in th daily $$ yield per skier, the math works out. Alot of folks won't like it, but if those are the folks that Stowe feels that they're "loosing" $$ on, then they won't mind it.

If this is the case, it's similar in a sense to what Powdr is trying to do at K, shrink/eliminate the low yield cheap passes, and expand the $$ passes. My hunch is though that the Mgt at Stowe will do this WITHOUT making the drastic changes in season length an day to day operations that K has done, and that could be a BIG difference in the MGT approach.

 

[drjeff]

"Let them eat cake"

It would just be a cake that looks like this

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Well unless we get official word on www.stowe.com It's all speculation. Sure $90 a day seems steep for a day at Stowe..but there are numerous ski club discounts along with multiday discounts and deeply discounted spring rates..along with an early and late season canned food day. I'm glad Stowe is doing well and one thing is for sure..I don't ever see it becoming a NELSAP lost ski area..because the mountain is just so good.

Spin it anyway you want, but what they are doing blows. They are intentional pricing out people who are not fairly wealthy. I’m glad I got to ski it back in the day cause it does have great terrain.

 

[Warp Daddy]

MRG's promo :---------------------------MRG = Ski it if you Can

The new Stowe promo : Come Ski with Muffy and Buffy

The anti Stowe stoke : Stowe : It Blows

 

[billski]

Spin it anyway you want, but what they are doing blows. They are intentional pricing out people who are not fairly wealthy. I’m glad I got to ski it back in the day cause it does have great terrain.

It's kind of odd to think that Mansfield's could be relegated to a scenic backdrop. I understand the strategy and see the Spruce operation as being the central focus. Can't wait to get my first $17 gourmet burger

I don't really care what happens over at Spruce. There may be more valets than skiers/boarders. And as others have said, the number of non-skiers/boarders is apt to disproportionately increase.

What will be interesting to see is what kind of skiers and boarders still ride the lifts over at Mani.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Spin it anyway you want, but what they are doing blows. They are intentional pricing out people who are not fairly wealthy. I’m glad I got to ski it back in the day cause it does have great terrain.

I'm not wealthy and I ski at Stowe...mainly in the spring when lift tickets are about half price..for the past several years Stowe has been among the most expensive ski areas. I guess alot of fancy restaurants are pricing out the middle class with $40 steaks...hey you can always go to Sizzler..lol

 

[billski]

I'm not wealthy and I ski at Stowe...mainly in the spring when lift tickets are about half price..for the past several years Stowe has been among the most expensive ski areas. I guess alot of fancy restaurants are pricing out the middle class with $40 steaks...hey you can always go to Sizzler..lol

They managed to drum Mickey D's out of town....

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

What will be interesting to see is what kind of skiers and boarders still ride the lifts over at Mani.

There is a Stowe area association midweek pass that alot of the locals who work in town take advantage of..I wonder if that will still be offered.

One thing is for sure...Muffy and Buffy aren't skiing powder in the woods..so that means more for me..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

They managed to drum Mickey D's out of town....

That was a good thing..but Stowe still has a Subway in the back of the mini-mart that sells $5 Triscuits..lol

 

[billski]

There is a Stowe area association midweek pass that alot of the locals who work in town take advantage of..I wonder if that will still be offered.

One thing is for sure...Muffy and Buffy aren't skiing powder in the woods..so that means more for me..

Hmm. No riff-raff. I wonder if there will be a dress code. Bogner? Do you think the official Vermont State repair tool (duck tape) will be prohibited? Maybe on the slopes but not allowed in the lodge? Will Lamborghini's be able to make it down mountain road? Oh, sorry, I think Jeep king of the mountain is out and Range Rover is "in".

 

[jack97]

Oh, sorry, I think Jeep king of the mountain is out and Range Rover is "in".

Freshly washed Hummers. With valet parking of course

 

[hardline]

One thing is for sure...Muffy and Buffy aren't skiing powder in the woods..so that means more for me..

maybe im strange but if it empties the mountain. i am all good with paying 90 on a powder day. there is nothing lift service on the east coast that has the same terrain so when it snow you will find me there.

 

[Phildozer]

Maybe some people will never buy a BMW, because of their prices, but enough people do pay the premium to make it sensible for BMW.

People pay a premium for a BMW because BMWs are *the Ultimate Driving Machine*.

Anyone who buys a car for status is a pud.

 

[Warp Daddy]

Sorry guys just gettin silly with the image

Muffy and Buffy and their "rents" Geoffrey and Chloe will no doubt have a major caniption on just who gets to ski in THEIR woods -- after all no common riff raff or "neuveau riche" need apply !

Range Rovers you say -- Hell no-- block -long chaufferred stretch limos only from the Gulfstream

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Most east coast ski mountains are ordinary..Stowe is extra-ordinary..that extra makes the value go from $$ to $$$...and the Concierage at the lodge at Spruce Peak will be able to get Buffy and Muffy some Burlington Blow..to aid the $13 Red Bull Vodkas and keep them from first tracks..

 

[hardline]

Burlington Blow..

bwahaahhaha

 

[skizoo]

There was a feature on Stowe's new lodge and hotel facility that ran on the nightly news here in Boston. The basic takeaway from the story is that the new facility would be very luxurious and would be at par with what you would expect from a grand vacation to the Alps or some place really chic. Emphasis of the story was on the amenities (food and wine, spa facilities, rooms, etc.) and shopping (shops featuring the best of VT furniture and food products). The story ended by emphasizing that the facility was already solidly booked for next year. That should give you an idea of what the target market is.

I'm not so sure about them being booked solid, you can pretty much enter any dates for next season for the SML, including xmas week and you get a wide choice of available rooms..