Belleayre Unfair Advantage?

[highpeaksdrifter]

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=671958&category=BUSINESS&newsdate=3/14/2008

 

[catskills]

Yup my buddy was at Belleayre on Tuesday. He said you would not believe how great the snow conditions were. Great place to ski. Ulster and Deleware County need additional tourism. At the end of the day will Belleayre take away from Hunter and Windham on a big weekend where they have reach their limit on maximum number of customers in the parking lot with no place to sit in the lodge? Probably not. In fact, I think the Catskills could use a couple more new ski areas. If you build it, the skiers and riders will come. Look at how many ski areas are next to each other in the Salt Lake City, Utah area.

 

[deadheadskier]

The governor should really look into this blatant waste of tax payer money

....oh wait a minute :lol:

 

[millerm277]

I would like to see Belleayre at least transferred to a different state department. If they're losing money, the state shouldn't just fund them forever.

 

[Dr Skimeister]

I have a hard time believing the assertion of $15+ loss per skier. That would amount to an astounding loss per season, that all the bribes or graft in the world wouldn't be able to hide. Sounds as much like sour grapes from competition.

 

[Brettski]

Sour grapes

Where's highmount?

 

[jamesdeluxe]

To me, all three resorts appeal to pretty distinct demographics, so I don't buy the zero-sum game argument (Hunter and Windham's loss is Belleayre's gain).

Belleayre doesn't have the same terrain as Hunter and it doesn't have the amenities of Windham, so I don't think the Greene County resorts' clientele is necessarily "defecting" to Belleayre.

 

[Brettski]

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=highmount+ski+area&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

So where is highmount?

I read that's somewhere just off Deer Run

 

[dmc]

I don't know nuthin' about demographics...

I do know that I've been hearing bad rumors about closing dates and stuff...

 

[Brettski]

I don't know nuthin' about demographics...

I do know that I've been hearing bad rumors about closing dates and stuff...

Such as?

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

To me, all three resorts appeal to pretty distinct demographics, so I don't buy the zero-sum game argument (Hunter and Windham's loss is Belleayre's gain).

Belleayre doesn't have the same terrain as Hunter and it doesn't have the amenities of Windham, so I don't think the Greene County resorts' clientele is necessarily "defecting" to Belleayre.

Hmmm.on one hand I agree with you, but I also think there are alot of skiers who are "tweeners". People who won't choose because of terrain, or amenities, they go with whatevers new or different.

Also people like to change things up and go to different places, with all that's planned for Belleyre they might decide to go there more and Hunter and Windham less.

 

[kingslug]

Hmmm.on one hand I agree with you, but I also think there are alot of skiers who are "tweeners". People who won't choose because of terrain, or amenities, they go with whatevers new or different.

Also people like to change things up and go to different places, with all that's planned for Belleyre they might decide to go there more and Hunter and Windham less.

The only thing Bell is good for is moguls...but thats just my take on it. it has gotten better as the years have gone by. Been skiing there for 10 years, just not that often.

 

[ts01]

I ski Belleayre a lot, Windham infrequently in years past and Hunter never (or not yet). It's certainly NOT a zero-sum game - Belleayre is my only Catskills spot now (unless Plattekill is good). Hunter and Windham could give it away for free, I still would not ski there (on weekends).

Why shouldn't the state provide snowsports recreation for its taxpayers, even at a loss? It maintains parks, stadiums, tennis courts, boat ramps, fish hatcheries, and who knows what else for citizens to use - I doubt the hunting or fishing license revenue covers state costs, for example. Snowsports should not be the private domain of condo owners at Hunter, Stratton, etc. Belleayre (and Gore and Whiteface) should keep offering what they offer.

Utah is a great example and so is VT. The better the area is in general the more people will come. Parochial local legislators trying to "protect" Windham and Hunter are misguided.

 

[dmc]

I ski Belleayre a lot, Windham infrequently in years past and Hunter never (or not yet). It's certainly NOT a zero-sum game - Belleayre is my only Catskills spot now (unless Plattekill is good). Hunter and Windham could give it away for free, I still would not ski there (on weekends).

Nice... Good trade off.. I ONLY ride Belleayre for free and if Hunter is closed

I support the place(Tony's a great guy) but It's not a place I personally like to go to for recreation.. I prefer more challenging terrain and longer sustained pitches not the quick ridge/long runout you get at Belleayre. And thats great terrain for people that dig that kinda stuff - just not me.. If the whole place had the first pitch it would be pretty sik...

Same with Windham.. Not enough challenge...

 

[dmc]

Why shouldn't the state provide snowsports recreation for its taxpayers, even at a loss? It maintains parks, stadiums, tennis courts, boat ramps, fish hatcheries, and who knows what else for citizens to use

Invalid context...
I don't think that parks, stadiums, hatcheries are competitive businesses...

 

[dmc]

The only thing Bell is good for is moguls...but thats just my take on it. it has gotten better as the years have gone by. Been skiing there for 10 years, just not that often.

Ski areas are like licorice.. Not everybody likes licorice...

 

[kingslug]

Ski areas are like licorice.. Not everybody likes licorice...

And they have a nice bar, and a good vibe. And spring skiing there is decent, really gets bumped up. I'll be interested to see what they finalize on the expansion plans.

 

[Vortex]

Sunday River has still been making snow. It made it Wed night on White heat and Right Stuff.. I think others still are making snow as needed.

 

[dmc]

And they have a nice bar, and a good vibe. And spring skiing there is decent, really gets bumped up. I'll be interested to see what they finalize on the expansion plans.

Nice bartenders too!

I've played some gigs there - they are really nice people to deal with...

I'm interested in the expansion too.. I believe in fair competition.. I know a ton of people that skied Highmount growing up.. And they are psyched to check it out too..

 

[dmc]

Sunday River has still been making snow. It made it Wed night on White heat and Right Stuff.. I think others still are making snow as needed.

Not in the Skillz... Except Belleayre..

Hunter and Windham can't justify the expenditure right now..