Attn. Killington, Chris Danforth, Marketing Manager - RE: SPRING SKIING

[drjeff]

You honestly wouldn't want to forfeit midweek skiing in April (just two days, Tuesday and Wednesday) if it meant extending Killington's season to third week in May?

I'd do it a heartbeat.

It makes the most sense for the ski areas bottom line I'm sure. Ski areas are freaking ghost towns midweek in April. Hell, they're ghost towns and most likely losing money midweek most of the season. At least Northeastern ski areas are.

I could see a schedule such as daily operations through Easter weekend (or say the 2nd weekend in April depending on when Easter falls that year) and then a Friday - Monday operating schedule as long as the business and snow is there. Possible full week operation during April school vacation week could be an option too.

Then having the marketing department go to work with promoting this and getting some events going for atleast the Saturday of every weekend in April and into May.

I have to think that most GM's when they look at the daily numbers mid week in April and beyond, don't see to many Tuesday's, Wednesday's and Thursday's where the daily operations expenses are covered, and the overall philosophy for many (not all) ski resorts nowadays is different than it used to be back in the "ski into June" hey day's of 15+ years ago.

 

[Highway Star]

If you opted to go with a Stowe pass, would you buy day tickets to Killington early and late season? Stowe rarely opens prior to Thanksgiving weekend and usually closes around the 3rd weekend in April. A couple of years I lived in Stowe, you could still manage top to bottom skiing for at least 3 weeks after the lifts stopped spinning.

As much as I like stowe, I'd be more likely to defect to sugarbush due to the drive distance, cost, variety, and availablity of ski houses. I would probably ski a few days early season at Killington, but I would also break out my touring setup alot more (weather and conditions permitting).

 

[Highway Star]

I could see a schedule such as daily operations through Easter weekend (or say the 2nd weekend in April depending on when Easter falls that year) and then a Friday - Monday operating schedule as long as the business and snow is there. Possible full week operation during April school vacation week could be an option too.

Then having the marketing department go to work with promoting this and getting some events going for atleast the Saturday of every weekend in April and into May.

I have to think that most GM's when they look at the daily numbers mid week in April and beyond, don't see to many Tuesday's, Wednesday's and Thursday's where the daily operations expenses are covered, and the overall philosophy for many (not all) ski resorts nowadays is different than it used to be back in the "ski into June" hey day's of 15+ years ago.

I think they should go to a Friday-Sunday operation after spring vacation week, and allow Midweek passes. Offer multiple discount ticket options.

 

[Geoff]

I think they should go to a Friday-Sunday operation after spring vacation week, and allow Midweek passes. Offer multiple discount ticket options.

Once they shrink down to just Superstar, I think "Midweek, we only open on sunny days" would be fine. If it's pissing liquid, below freezing and overcast with death crunch, or the hill is socked in, nobody shows up anyways. It's not like it takes a big staff to run one lift. They can close the base lodge and serve pre-made food at the umbrella bar.

 

[gmcunni]

any update from K mgt yet?

 

[steamboat1]

I can't believe some are arguing for reduced operations in April. Especially in a year that it is highly likely there won't be any skiing in May anyway regardless of what they do. I love spring skiing & usually ski more days in April than any other month of the season. Like I said if they shut down during the week in April I'll be taking my business elsewhere next season.

A couple of my buddy's & me always skied the 1st weekend in May regardless of conditions. Many years K-1 & Snowdon would still be on line that weekend. How many here think that will be the case this year? We still do our last ski fling together every year but the past several years the date has moved up to the 3rd weekend in April because we can't reliably depend on them being open for the 1st weekend in May. This year it will be the weekend of April 21-22. If anyone cares to join us your welcome. We can comfortably sleep up to 50 people in our SC lodge.

 

[steamboat1]

any update from K mgt yet?

Yeh, they're closing Bear April 1.

 

[steamboat1]

Edit.... in thinking more with demo and clean up efforts I could see those kind of dollars

Didn't Win Smith say on these boards that it cost him $800,000 for repairs at Sugarbush after Irene ?

Considering Killington had much more damage than Sugarbush that $500,000 figure seems rather low.

 

[deadheadskier]

I can't believe some are arguing for reduced operations in April. Especially in a year that it is highly likely there won't be any skiing in May anyway regardless of what they do..

The scenario I proposed had the caveat "if it meant 2 or 3 more weekends of operation in May". I would absolutely support reduced April operations if it meant lifts spinning well into May.

I would not support reduced operations in April if the mountain was going to close at the end of the month anyways.

 

[bigbob]

Que the crickets for a Killlington management response

 

[deadheadskier]

They responded on page 4

 

[gmcunni]

They responded on page 4

oops, i missed that the first time.

 

[Ski the Moguls]

I think they should go to a Friday-Sunday operation after spring vacation week, and allow Midweek passes. Offer multiple discount ticket options.

When is Spring Vacation Week? Ours changes every year, and often is not the same as other school districts.

 

[Ski the Moguls]

Once they shrink down to just Superstar, I think "Midweek, we only open on sunny days" would be fine. If it's pissing liquid, below freezing and overcast with death crunch, or the hill is socked in, nobody shows up anyways. It's not like it takes a big staff to run one lift. They can close the base lodge and serve pre-made food at the umbrella bar.

How do you tell the employees that they will only be working on sunny days?

 

[Geoff]

How do you tell the employees that they will only be working on sunny days?

For one lift? They can use the full-timers

 

[Ski the Moguls]

How do you tell the employees that they will only be working on sunny days?

For one lift? They can use the full-timers

My point is that if you do not tell them to stay home without pay, then how much money are you really saving? I guess electric for the lift?

 

[steamboat1]

The other major players in VT. would love to see K shut down during the week if only for a couple of days. This conversation is rediculous, it'll never happen.

 

[deadheadskier]

How do you tell the employees that they will only be working on sunny days?

My point is that if you do not tell them to stay home without pay, then how much money are you really saving? I guess electric for the lift?

"On Call" work schedule is quite common in service industry employment. The lifties contact their manager at 6:30 to find out if they are needed to work that day.

 

[Geoff]

My point is that if you do not tell them to stay home without pay, then how much money are you really saving? I guess electric for the lift?

My point is that it takes 3 people to operate one lift plus somebody to man the Umbrella Bar and sell day tickets from it. You need one sled dog. I'm quite confident that Killington has more than 5 full time employees to fill in for these roles.

And it's daylight savings time. The lifts should run 10-5 in April.

 

[steamboat1]

And it's daylight savings time. The lifts should run 10-5 in April.

Sugarbush has been changing the spring hours to 10-5 for several years already. It really is quite nice being able to either sleep a little longer or have a more leisurely breakfast.