Berkshire East Marketing

[billski]

Looks like Berkshire East is shifting out of first gear. I got a call from the Asst. GM today looking to come speak to our club. They have made quite a few capital improvements including glades projects over the past 3-4 years. The only thing that is missing now is promotion. So they are finally looking to step out. Got a young guy to drive the marketing. Their big push will be distance and value. Perfect timing for this economically-shocked area. Expect to see some damn fine deals out of this place this winter. (I'm really directing this thread at all the lurkers who never pen a word on this forum).

I tried to do something with them about four years ago and nada. But it seems they are stepping up their game.

I've signed them up for our December 16th meeting, for a show and tell. Meeting is free and open to all. See you there?

 

[Brewbeer]

When there's good snow, B'east is a great mountain with a few nice steeps and some decent woods. Good cruisers, too. When conditions are right, it's a nice alternative to the drive to Vermont.

 

[threecy]

It's a very exciting time at Berkshire East now. While the top management is the same, they now have full control and ownership of the area and have been pouring money, time, and heart into the area. They've been building the foundation for this growth for decades. As a result, they have very solid footing and nearly limitless potential.

 

[Newpylong]

Looks like Berkshire East is shifting out of first gear. I got a call from the Asst. GM today looking to come speak to our club. They have made quite a few capital improvements including glades projects over the past 3-4 years. The only thing that is missing now is promotion. So they are finally looking to step out. Got a young guy to drive the marketing. Their big push will be distance and value. Perfect timing for this economically-shocked area. Expect to see some damn fine deals out of this place this winter. (I'm really directing this thread at all the lurkers who never pen a word on this forum).

I tried to do something with them about four years ago and nada. But it seems they are stepping up their game.

I've signed them up for our December 16th meeting, for a show and tell. Meeting is free and open to all. See you there?

Bill, I notice from your Avatar that you're in Lexington? Are they really marketing that far out? I give the Beast all the props in the world, but I can't see many people driving that far to go there consistantly. Their bread and butter is Franklin County.

 

[threecy]

Bill, I notice from your Avatar that you're in Lexington? Are they really marketing that far out? I give the Beast all the props in the world, but I can't see many people driving that far to go there consistantly. Their bread and butter is Franklin County.

Bread and butter has actually been Pioneer Valley/Springfield/Hartford. The rest of Franklin County is very sparsely populated.

The ski area has enjoyed an increasing amount of business from Eastern Massachusetts, as the drive is similar to that of New Hampshire, but with a lower price structure.

 

[billski]

Bill, I notice from your Avatar that you're in Lexington? Are they really marketing that far out? I give the Beast all the props in the world, but I can't see many people driving that far to go there consistantly. Their bread and butter is Franklin County.

Our club's main demographics are from the Route 495 NW burbs area, NOT the inner-128 burbs like Lexington. I just get around a lot. It's a 1.5 to 2 hour 1-way for most of them.

I actually get out to the region quite often and have skied there several times, from Lexington as a day trip. But I'm an odd duck and you all know that! I understand their bread and butter is the local community. I've been talking with a LOT of resorts and between what I see in my club and what I'm being told, the market is soft - the mid market people are not spending money this year or just holding out and spending at the last minute. There are selective strong spots but many areas of weakness as well. So it's a value play this year. Your money or your time. It may be a short -term strategy, we'll have to see.

I know the BE history, where they used to have weekly bus trips from Boston, but eventually they PO'd the locals and it kind of imploded, taking them back to roots. I suspect that a blended approach may work, with appropriate care and feeding.

 

[billski]

Bill, I notice from your Avatar that you're in Lexington? Are they really marketing that far out? I give the Beast all the props in the world, but I can't see many people driving that far to go there consistantly. Their bread and butter is Franklin County.

p.s., Butternut has been pushing out our way too.

 

[roark]

hope to get there this season. as close as anything except maybe granite gorge from my house, but somehow driving south just seems wrong....!

 

[trackbiker]

I skied BE with my daughter who is a student at UCONN last year on a Sunday for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. The only lift line was right after lunch for about 5 minutes. Nice variety of terrain and everyone from the rentals to the lift attendants was very pleasant. 1000 ft. of vertical which is what most of the trail pods people are skiing in VT are anyway at a very good price. Nice old school feel in a well maintained lodge. Plan to head back this season. If you haven't been, check it out. Nice option to Mt. Snow on a crowded weekend.

 

[RISkier]

Bill, I notice from your Avatar that you're in Lexington? Are they really marketing that far out? I give the Beast all the props in the world, but I can't see many people driving that far to go there consistantly. Their bread and butter is Franklin County.

We try to do some day trips there from RI. In terms of time it's probably just a few minutes closer than Sunapee or Gunstock. But, we don't have to mess with Boston area traffic on the way home. It has very interesting terrain and never seems to get crowded so it's a better option for us. I'd guess it makes less sense for folks North of the Boston area.

 

[thetrailboss]

BEast is a good area and offers a nice contrast to places like Wachusett. It is old school and in a really nice part of the state.

 

[billski]

We try to do some day trips there from RI. In terms of time it's probably just a few minutes closer than Sunapee or Gunstock. But, we don't have to mess with Boston area traffic on the way home. It has very interesting terrain and never seems to get crowded so it's a better option for us. I'd guess it makes less sense for folks North of the Boston area.

The AGM yesterday told me that when they get a "crowd" of 200 people, the staff panics! 8)

It is by far one of the most scenic park-like settings. After you park (rock-star parking of course), you walk through a glade of pines that makes you feel like you are going to camp.

 

[Mapnut]

. . . Lexington? Are they really marketing that far out? I give the Beast all the props in the world, but I can't see many people driving that far to go there consistantly. Their bread and butter is Franklin County.

Berkshire East is also a reasonable alternative from Fairfield County, CT at 2.5 hours. For me its competition is Jiminy Peak and Catamount, both a bit closer, but Jiminy is more expensive and more crowded, and Catamount is not quite as good a hill.

 

[zinger3000]

The "Beast" is definitely worth the drive from Albany, NY. I've been there twice so far; hope to make it back for a third time this coming season. I think I already hear Big Chief calling my name.

 

[2knees]

the fixed grip ultra fast triple is unlike any lift i have ever ridden.

giddy up.

 

[Newpylong]

the fixed grip ultra fast triple is unlike any lift i have ever ridden.

giddy up.

I think you're thinking about the fixed grip double, which was replaced by a triple last season. The double was ridiculously fast.

 

[Newpylong]

Bread and butter has actually been Pioneer Valley/Springfield/Hartford. The rest of Franklin County is very sparsely populated.

The ski area has enjoyed an increasing amount of business from Eastern Massachusetts, as the drive is similar to that of New Hampshire, but with a lower price structure.

I realize you're from out of state so I'll explain some MA geography. Franklin Country is part of the "Pioneer Valley". That said, I grew up in North Adams and worked in Greenfield for a number of years recently - driving through Charlemont 5-7 days per week. Had a pass many of those years. I am very well aware of who skis there.


That is great news that they are pulling from further East. I have always wondered how they have survived so long on families and schools for the most part.

 

[riverc0il]

I realize you're from out of state so I'll explain some MA geography. Franklin Country is part of the "Pioneer Valley". That said, I grew up in North Adams and worked in Greenfield for a number of years recently - driving through Charlemont 5-7 days per week. Had a pass many of those years. I am very well aware of who skis there.

LOL! :lol: :lol: :lol: I can't wait for threecy to set the record straight on that one, ha!

 

[billski]

I don't know anything, but I'll tell you what the "locals" told me first hand. You can guess who that is.

[FONT=&quot]In the past 3 years my family has
rapidly expanded the infrastructure of our mountain, including a new
summit lift, a major expansion of snowmaking, some of North America's
largest zip lines and a soon to be completed 900 kw wind turbine, which
will power all our energy needs."


(I'm wondering what the wind turbine will do to the pow...)
[/FONT]

 

[Angus]

Bill: Do Massachusetts ski areas provide club discounts?