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AZ Challenge 2011: Steve Wright, Jay Peak

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thetrailboss

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They have done a lot of work on the Tram during the last few years. IIRC the drives, bumpers, and other equipment were replaced. I also think that they might have replaced the haul rope, or one of the ropes, but I can't recall for sure.
 

thetrailboss

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I think they replaced the travel cables. and the hual rope. The Cabins were in in 2000???

Yep. The cabins were in 2000 or so. I recall seeing the pictures and them making the special Tram Ale. They made a big deal out of the replacement.
 

Steve@jpr

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Hey

Expecting to have questions aggregated at some point but may pick off a few as I have time. Sorry about the camps below but my daughters wedged what I believe is some sort of Honey Nut Cluster into my caps lock and I typed the response from home last night.

THE FLYER IS INDEED A COLD, WINDY RIDE. THIS IS NOT DUE, HOWEVER, TO THE FACT THAT IT IS A DETACHABLE/HIGH SPEED LIFT. IT IS DUE TO THE EXPOSURE TO THE NORTHWEST WIND WHICH BECOMES MOST SEVERE AROUND TOWER 16 WHERE THE LIFT PROFILE BREAKS OVER A RIDGE (AND ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN ALMOST SEE HUDSON BAY).
THIS IS THE AREA WHERE THE EFFECT OF WIND CREATES THE NEED TO PUT THE LIFT ON WIND HOLD. AND FROM TOWER 16 TO THE UNLOAD IS THE COLDEST PART OF THE RIDE. IT IS TRUE THAT THE SPEED OF THE LIFT CREATES THE FEELING OF BEING COLDER, BUT ARRIVING AT THE TOP IN LESS THAN HALF THE TIME THAT IT WOULD TAKE WITH A FIXED-GRIP HELPS A LOT TO MITIGATE.

WE PERFORMED A NUMBER OF WIND STUDIES THROUGHOUT LAST WINTER TO DETERMINE IF THE PROPOSED LOCATION OF THE NEW BONNIE HIGH SPEED LIFT WILL BE SUBJECTED TO THE SAME WINDS AS THOSE AT THE FLYER. WE HAD A STATIONARY WIND METER AT THE PROPOSED TOP OF THE NEW LIFT WHICH PROVIDED CONSTANT REAL-TIME READINGS AND WE DID SITE SPECIFIC STUDIES IN THE AREAS WHERE WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WIND EXPOSURE. WE DETERMINED THAT THE NEW LIFT LINE IS MUCH MORE SHELTERED FROM THE CHILLING NORTHWEST WIND THAN THE FLYER IS, AND ON DAYS WHEN THE FLYER WAS SHUT DOWN DUE TO WIND WE DID NOT HAVE THE SAME WIND SPEEDS AT THE NEW BONNIE LOCATION. MOST OF THE POWERLINE TRAIL IS ACTUALLY MORE SHELTERED FROM WIND THAN THE EXISTING BONNIE AND THE NEW TOP UNLOADING AREA IS WELL SHELTERED FROM WIND.

FOR REASONS SUCH AS COST AND, MORE IMPORTANT, DUE TO THE NEED TO BALANCE UPHILL LIFT CAPACITY WITH DOWNHILL TRAIL CAPACITY, WE DON'T PLAN TO PLACE HIGH SPEED LIFTS EVERYWHERE ON THE MOUNTAIN NOR DO WE PLAN TO, NECESSARILY, RUN ANY HIGH LIFTS WE DO HAVE AT FULL CAPACITY AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY. A NEW HIGH SPEED LIFT IN THE POWERLINE LOCATION WILL PROVIDE JAY PEAK SKIERS AND RIDERS MORE OPPORTUNITY TO GET MORE VERTICAL IN A DAY, AND THE PROPOSED UNLOAD AT ST. GEORGES PRAYER WILL PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO TRAILS ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN WHEN THE BONNIE AND/OR TRAM ARE SHUT DOWN.

Again sorry about the yelling. Better at you than my daughters at least.

steve
 

Geoff

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I ran Steve's CAPS LOCK text through an anti-Honey Nut Cluster tool I found on the web. It's a little easier to read:


http://www.textfixer.com/tools/capitalize-sentences.php

The flyer is indeed a cold, windy ride. This is not due, however, to the fact that it is a detachable/high speed lift. It is due to the exposure to the northwest wind which becomes most severe around tower 16 where the lift profile breaks over a ridge (and on a clear day you can almost see hudson bay).
this is the area where the effect of wind creates the need to put the lift on wind hold. And from tower 16 to the unload is the coldest part of the ride. It is true that the speed of the lift creates the feeling of being colder, but arriving at the top in less than half the time that it would take with a fixed-grip helps a lot to mitigate.

we performed a number of wind studies throughout last winter to determine if the proposed location of the new bonnie high speed lift will be subjected to the same winds as those at the flyer. We had a stationary wind meter at the proposed top of the new lift which provided constant real-time readings and we did site specific studies in the areas where we are concerned about wind exposure. We determined that the new lift line is much more sheltered from the chilling northwest wind than the flyer is, and on days when the flyer was shut down due to wind we did not have the same wind speeds at the new bonnie location. Most of the powerline trail is actually more sheltered from wind than the existing bonnie and the new top unloading area is well sheltered from wind.

for reasons such as cost and, more important, due to the need to balance uphill lift capacity with downhill trail capacity, we don't plan to place high speed lifts everywhere on the mountain nor do we plan to, necessarily, run any high lifts we do have at full capacity at every opportunity. A new high speed lift in the powerline location will provide jay peak skiers and riders more opportunity to get more vertical in a day, and the proposed unload at st. Georges prayer will provide better access to trails on the west side of the mountain when the bonnie and/or tram are shut down.
 

dalecaluori

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Thanks for the response Steve.

I want to believe what you're saying. However, I have a fear that this lift will just be another one that's going to be very cold and, even worse, on wind hold often. Hopefully the wind meters are accurate.

On the trail map, the positioning of this new lift makes a lot of sense. But then again, so did the Flyer when it was installed. I think it would be catastrophic to the resort to have another Flyer type lift experience, especially with the added focus on destination visitors and families.
 

riverc0il

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It is great that Jay is doing studies about the wind before placing the new lift. Does any one know how many other areas have gone through that extensive of a research process when in advanced of a new lift installation?

FWIW, the ride up the Bonnie is usually fairly pleasant until cresting the top of Liftline at the ridge. That is painful. Given how expansive Can Am is and also how much more wind protected Power Line is and also how much further "down ridge" that part of Northway is where it will cross, I can certainly see this not being nearly as bad of a ride as the freezer.

My concern, as echoed by dalecaluori above, would be that a high speed lift would be more prone to wind hold than the Bonnie (even if less wind prone than the Freezer, it still means many days when only the Jet will run in the future when the Jet and Bonnie might run today). This could just be temporary growing pains though, until West Bowl is developed. I assume that will be less wind prone and will make shutting down the main mountain hurt a lot less (RE: lines on limited lifts).
 

Steve@jpr

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Me too.

Hope the wind meters were accurate that is. At the end of the day, it's really all we have to go on-besides the anecdotal I mean. My two cents? Yup, it'll be cold and windy because Jay Peak is cold and windy and there's no ducking from that. I think it may end up going on hold a touch more than the Bonnie for several reasons. I also think the uptick in our ability to ski more vf will outweigh any fraction of time the lift holds more than the prior. The reality is, anytime we're into a situation where the lift is even close to holding will send those families and broadened demo you speak of scampering into the PumpHouse. Certainly one of the reasons it'll be there. It'll leave plenty of space for the rest of you/us to hunker down for another trip up. Like I said, that's our perspective at least.
 

steamboat1

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Glad to see that your mountain is not only investing money in real estate like other resorts but is also putting money into the mountain.

Perfect example would be your neighbor just to the south.
 

Magog Fishy

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First congrats on this Summer's news – NAHA, Phase IIIa funding/golf course townhomes, recent AnC announcement (obviously will be great for NEK if it all comes together), and I guess congrats on the transmission line vote (not crazy about the size of these wind farms in the NEK, plus the one behind the Balsam's).

Lots of non-skiing questions, since there is a tiny new building about to open:

  1. Anything you can share with us yet regarding Waterpark ticket pricing, and packages/combos with ski passes/tickets?
  2. Restaurants and bars in the New Hotel Jay – I know there is going to be a pizzeria, a Waterpark mezzanine bar, and a few others. What will be the cuisines/themes of all the new restaurants/bars, and how will they be priced/positioned against each other and Tower Bar/Alice's/Club House Grill?
  3. Waterpark access during peak times, when it might hit capacity – anyone given priority over others?
  4. Hotel Jay opening – Tramside/restaurant-wing with the Waterpark in Dec? Ice Haus side/Conference Center wing in Feb? If your staff has time in the next month, IMHO a quick 5-7min walkthrough video posted on JPR's Web site of the inside of the hotel/waterpark would help us start to familiarize ourselves with where things will be like jacuzzis, bathrooms and locker rooms, arcade, bars, etc.
  5. Will the outdoor pool/jacuzzi be open in winters?
  6. Anything new you can share with us regarding mountain biking plans (yeah I know the soil stays pretty wet), progression/obstacles with West Bowl permitting (I know from a business standpoint, construction is a few years out), and the proposed Newport hotel/conference-center/marina (marina will help get us non-golfers up in the summer)?
  7. Jimmywilson's question "With all of the family friendly amenities being constructed at Jay… how does the skiing experience change to satisfy what may be a totally different demographic of skiers than jay Peak has serviced in the past". Aside from the proposed trail realignments, can we have some peace of mind that there will be no major changes with grooming, grading, and widening of trails. I know West Bowl is supposed to be more geared towards the intermediate, and perhaps this will be what will satisfy many of the new skiers.
+10 for some sort of upper mountain surface lift that is wind proof, although short of a funicular not sure how you would do it. A funicular w/ some bridges might not be a bad option, albeit has to be a lot more expensive than a chairlift.

Thanks!
 
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Steve@jpr

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M-Fish

I'll do what I can.

1. Waterpark ticket pricing for day access (when it's available) will be $35 for Adults and $25 for Juniors. Almost positive that high compression days (Christmas, Pres and Ont Weeks, MLK, etc..) weekend access will be limited to those staying on campus with us, Season Pass holders and homeowners. For at least the first season, we've decided not to sell Waterpark Season Passes so we can gauge the level of activity. Based on what we find, we may do it in the future, or sell some shoulder season version (May-Nov)-again it'll be predicated on what we find.

2. Still grinding away on pricing and positioning points for the new F and B Outlets. We've hired a new Food and Beverage Director who starts next week so he'll get votes for sure. The pizzeria (Mountain Dick's) will be at the lower level, family friendly and have a mix of pizza, hot/cold sandwiches and salads, etc.. The Mezz Bar, Buddy's Bar is the working title, and the new West Wing resto will be called the Foundry. It'll have a propane fired beehive oven so we suspect the menu will follow accordingly. At this point, if I have to guess, pricing would align with (or barely south of) Alice's. We're slated to officially open the waterpark December 12th and 50ish Hotel rooms on or about Feb 1. but we're trending ahead of schedule and due for an update this week.

3. Priority will definitely be with those staying om campus along with Winter Season Passholders and Homeowners. The Outdoor pool will not be available in the winter. The Hot Tub, available to Pumphouse and Hotel guests, will.

4. Nothing new on mtn biking or the Newport Hotel at this point.

5. I don't see any major trail changes. You'll end up seeing more snowmaking but you won't see any significant increase in grooming on those trails currently being left alone if that's your question. The West Bowl will answer some of those intermediate questions, (and I have no news that I feel confident enough to share to that end).

Not sure I'm supposed to be answering these one off like this or waiting for a list but I'll tick them off as I can until I hear I should be doing something else.

steve

3.
 

Magog Fishy

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Thanks Steve for your response.

Glad to hear there will not be any major trail changes or increase in grooming. I wanted to make sure trails such as a NW Passage, Kitz, or on/off map trees (aside from the proposed trail next to Timbuktu) did not turn into wide groomed switchbackish-boulevards to appease the new skiers Jay will be attracting. I could not fathom this would ever happen under Bill's ownership (esp since the trees are such a major part of the JPR brand, plus the wind factor), but wanted to make sure – under a big/different owner, could be another story.

Going to be an interesting/exciting Winter w/ the New Hotel Jay/Waterpark! I hope Bill's planning to cowboy up and take the first ride on the Aqua Loop, followed by Pat L. and Jim D. for their efforts! I think Sick Bird should get the fourth ride since you need a Canadian representative at the opening ceremony plus he is very kind to JP on his blog.

No worries on the video if someone does not get a chance – you have to be running around like crazy ramping up; might help people get even more pumped for the opening. BTW, saw all the new 360 photos on JPR Web site – they look great!
 
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Thanks Steve for your response.
I think Sick Bird should get the fourth ride since you need a Canadian representative at the opening ceremony plus he is very kind to JP on his blog.
!

Why, thank you. If I get invited, I'll be there! I may have to start shopping for a new bathing costume...
 

thetrailboss

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Now here is a question, not specific to Jay, but is Zacks on the Rocks still open or did it close?
 
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Sadly, Zack's has been closed for several years, it is now a private home. I believe Zack himself passed away but I could be wrong. What a character! If you ever ate there, you'll know what I mean. That place certainly would be on the Top 10 list of quirky ski area eateries of all time.
 

deadheadskier

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Ate at Zacks years ago, definitely a trip.


Along the same lines, has the new development a Jay Peak Resort spurred much other new or proposed private business development in the area? As Jay continues to grow, what kind of changes does the mountain anticipate in the surrounding communities? Will Jay be involved? As an example, I know Okemo has had to donate some land for low income housing in the past. The locals started to feel that Okemo's growth was making Ludlow unaffordable for locals. Will Jay possibly be required to do something similar?
 

Nick

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This thread is looking pretty good guys, I"ll probably wrap this up at week's end and formalize everything to Steve (although he's been very active here directly!)
 
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