AlpineZone Ski Area Challenge: Berkshire East

[Greg]

Jeremy Clark from Berkshire East also agreed to take The AlpineZone Challenge! This is your chance to get official answers to your ski-related questions direct from a Northeast ski resort representative! Please post some suggested questions in this thread and I'll select ten to present for official responses.

Again, please be respectful of Jeremy and keep it civil. Ask away!

 

[skijay]

What factors are involved in determining the price of a season's pass at Berkshire East?

 

[teachski]

The first one is not a hard one...

What year did the name change from Thunder Mountain to Berkshire East?

What was the price of a ticket during it's first year of operation at BEAST?

What is the first year that BEAST boasted a chair lift?

On an annual basis, what it the average number of patrons for each of the following:
Lift tickets
Ski rentals
Snowboard Rentals
School Groups (can either be # of schools or # enrolled members)
Lessons (non school group)

Thanks

 

[skijay]

What are the demographics of a Beast skier?

 

[MrMagic]

does b-east plan to expand? if no do they plan to ungrade all there lifts to high speeders? and if yes why?

i look foward to see the answers way to go berk-east !

 

[Greg]

Some good ones. Come on Joshua B. Don't be shy! I was thinking about this:

Berkshire East has undergone a lot of improvements in the last few years (new triple, new quad, better grooming). Which improvement do you feel has most improved the ski experience at Berkshire East?

Keep 'em coming!

 

[Joshua B]

I'll sit this one out but thanks Greg.

 

[ChileMass]

1 - What target demographics does BE consider to be its core customers?
2 - What features/services do these core customers value and why?
3 - What features/services are being changed to attract non-BE skiers?
4 - What improvements are scheduled for the 04-05 season? For 05-06 and beyond?
5 - My observation is that BE seems to offer a "back to basics" ski experience as compared with much more commercial/larger hills. Is this intentional, and if so why? Will it continue? What are the benefits and drawbacks of this approach to the market?
6 - Is racing a key differentiator/attraction for BE? What is the plan to draw more racers or race programs?

 

[Greg]

I shipped these questions off to Jeremy this morning:

1. What factors are involved in determining the price of a season pass at Berkshire East?
2. What year did the name change from Thunder Mountain to Berkshire East?
3. What was the price of a ticket during Berkshire East's first year of operation?
4. What is the first year that Berkshire East boasted a chair lift?
5. On an annual basis, what is the average number of patrons for each of the following: (1) Lift tickets (2) Ski rentals (3) Snowboard Rentals (4) School Groups (either number of schools or number of enrolled members) (5) Lessons (non-school group)?
6. Berkshire East has undergone a lot of improvements in the last few years (new triple, new quad, better grooming). Which improvement do you feel has most enhanced the ski experience at Berkshire East?
7. What target demographics does Berkshire East consider to be its core customers? What features/services do these core customers value and why? What features/services are being changed to attract non-Berkshire East skiers?
8. What improvements are scheduled for the 04-05 season? For 05-06 and beyond?
9. My observation is that Berkshire East seems to offer a "back to basics" ski experience as compared with much more commercial/larger hills. Is this intentional, and if so why? Will it continue? What are the benefits and drawbacks of this approach to the market?
10. Is racing a key differentiator/attraction for Berkshire East? What is the plan to attract more racers or race programs?

By the way, I put a few more feelers out to get some other resorts on board!

 

[Greg]

Jeremy's responses are in:

http://skiing.alpinezone.com/articles/challenge/response.htm?resort=berkshire

This thread is embedded in the page to allow for comments on his responses. Thanks Jeremy!