Big Burke announcement

[SkiRaceParent]

It seems to me that if they had more compressor capacity they could have had the following done before xmas:

1) Willoughy to lower Bear Den to lower training hill- Down low is high meadows, BUnker Hill and the J-bar area. (as they had this year)

2) add the lowest section of Foxes, under the old chair-- get the weekend crowd off of the lower section of the training hill. This was DANGEROUS this year- BMA seems to need all the lanes they can get early season and w/o the Lowest section of Foxes under the chair the general public must go there as well. Rope off the lower training hill when it is used full width. Very little snow is required to oipen this alternate route.

3) Before Lower Willoughby, ADD Carriage Road to middle of Dipper to Little Dipper- you now have another way off the top with the lowest acre-ft of snow required. The top of the Dippers and the Bottom of the Dippers require a very high volume of snow

4) Lower Willoughby

5) fill in the Dippers

In almost any winter they should be able to get through item 3 before xmas. This year they could have had item 4 at least had they used the early cold & that is with only the one electric compressor.

+1, I almost felt like the decision they made was to get the terrain park opened prior to another route from the top. Don't know if this is fact, just conjecture.

 

[VTKilarney]

+1, I almost felt like the decision they made was to get the terrain park opened prior to another route from the top. Don't know if this is fact, just conjecture.

I think we can assume that this was their decision since it's what they actually did. I'm sure that they don't choose trails to make snow on at random.

 

[from_the_NEK]

I have a pretty strong feeling there was a lot of demand coming from the LSC pass holders that ride the terrain park all day.

 

[thetrailboss]

FWIW since Ginn took over the park has been a big draw. They have a large following for those features.

 

[from_the_NEK]

Having the park open keeps all the jibbers off the single trail from the summit too .

 

[SkiRaceParent]

I think we can assume that this was their decision since it's what they actually did. I'm sure that they don't choose trails to make snow on at random.

That was not the point. The point had more to do regarding whether they could feasibly blow two trails up top at the same rate they had one going on willoughby along with the terrain park down below. My conjecture was not that they didn't choose the terrain park (which obviously they did), but was it forced on them because they only could do it that way with the compressor capacity they decided to run with.

 

[VTKilarney]

I'm certainly happy that Q Burke appreciates the need to make snow on the training hill. BMA is a vital partner to the mountain. But the hill is also used for schools such as St. Johnsbury Academy and Lyndon Institute. I believe Dartmouth also trains on the hill from time to time.

At least as far as the St. Johnsbury Academy and Lyndon Institute are concerned, Q Burke seems to be putting their money where their mouth is when they say that they value relationships with the local community. Those skiers buy passes, but to offer the training hill is a tradition that has for many years bonded the local community with Burke. I hope that this partnership lasts for years to come.

While I don't like the idea of the public and the racers being squeezed onto the training hill if no other route down the mountain is available, I applaud Q Burke for blowing snow on the training hill since it is vital to the schools, and numerous local children, that make use of it.

It's a great partnership in that the local schools are allowed use of the training hill, and many of the local students that ski on it will go on to be good paying customers at Burke for many years to come.

 

[thetrailboss]

The racing programs SAVED the mountain. Yes, MULTIPLE schools train there (BMA, LI, SJA, UVM, Dartmouth, etc). I think that getting the Poma going is crucial. In terms of paying customers, they always worked hard to get some other routes open so that the racers had their own area. That is a safety thing. Anyone with an ounce of ski industry experience would know that immediately. But we are dealing with the Keystone Cops here unfortunately.

 

[VTKilarney]

The racing programs SAVED the mountain. Yes, MULTIPLE schools train there (BMA, LI, SJA, UVM, Dartmouth, etc). I think that getting the Poma going is crucial. In terms of paying customers, they always worked hard to get some other routes open so that the racers had their own area. That is a safety thing. Anyone with an ounce of ski industry experience would know that immediately. But we are dealing with the Keystone Cops here unfortunately.

I've seen tons of parents and family members that wind up spending money to ski at Q Burke because their children are involved in racing there. Many of these parents have either gotten back into skiing after many years away, or would have spent their money at other mountains. So it definitely appears to be a win-win relationship between Q Burke and the various schools that use the training hill.

I'm just thankful that Q Burke doesn't try to milk the cow to death by charging local schools for use of the training hill. Not that I ever imagined that they would do so.

 

[thetrailboss]

I've seen tons of parents and family members that wind up spending money to ski at Q Burke because their children are involved in racing there. Many of these parents have either gotten back into skiing after many years away, or would have spent their money at other mountains. So it definitely appears to be a win-win relationship between Q Burke and the various schools that use the training hill.

I'm just thankful that Q Burke doesn't try to milk the cow to death by charging local schools for use of the training hill. Not that I ever imagined that they would do so.

I believe that they do charge a fee for training time. That's pretty standard.

 

[VTKilarney]

I believe that they do charge a fee for training time. That's pretty standard.

My friend at a local high school said they hadn't. But that conversation was about a year ago. Perhaps I misunderstood.


.

 

[freeski]

Last night on WBZ Boston radio there was a Burke add. When they use the new name Q-Burke it just sounds so stupid. Who would have an ego big enough to think they are justified in putting their initial in front of a mountains name? I will never get over this. I just don't understand.

 

[VTKilarney]

Last night on WBZ Boston radio there was a Burke add. When they use the new name Q-Burke it just sounds so stupid. Who would have an ego big enough to think they are justified in putting their initial in front of a mountains name? I will never get over this. I just don't understand.

This issue came up at the passholder meeting while Stenger was speaking. He responded that it's the mountain that matters and the name isn't going to define the skiing experience. While I understand that the issue is perhaps more complicated, Stenger definitely has a point. I don't blame anyone for feeling passionate about the name, but I am personally willing to set that issue aside to focus on improvements to the skiing experience. I'm also willing to base my pleasure or displeasure on what they do on the mountain rather than what they call it. It's probably a waste of time to dwell on the naming issue at this point.

 

[deadheadskier]

To me it's more than a name. The change to Q is symbolic of Arys overall attitude towards the community and Burke partners like KT and BMA.

 

[VTKilarney]

To me it's more than a name. The change to Q is symbolic of Arys overall attitude towards the community and Burke partners like KT and BMA.

Don't get me wrong. I will most certainly form opinions based on what actually happens with the community and partner relationships. Those are very important, especially to a mountain like Burke.

 

[VTKilarney]

I just got off the phone with my contact at one of the local high schools. Apparently things are changing rapidly as far as the relationship between Q Burke and local schools is concerned. Since he did not obtain this information first hand, I'll refrain from reporting it in case some of it is incorrect.

 

[ablb]

Has anyone seen Cannon's new adds? Very clever.

 

[JDMRoma]

Has anyone seen Cannon's new adds? Very clever.

Yes Very Funny !!! Stay away its no fun there.........

 

[thetrailboss]

Has anyone seen Cannon's new adds? Very clever.

Very clever campaign.....

#cannonismine

http://www.cannonmt.com/vids.html

Clever because it reminds folks that Cannon is NH's mountain.

 

[thetrailboss]

My friend at a local high school said they hadn't. But that conversation was about a year ago. Perhaps I misunderstood.


.

Well, I have now heard from multiple people what is going on here. Apparently Q has sent the local high schools retroactive "invoices" for slope time...to the tune of $10,000 each. Before there was any uproar, Mr. Stenger stepped in and reversed that, but Q has said he will bill folks next year. One high school, my alma mater, is considering alternative venues...including the Lyndon Outing Club (and adding snowmaking to it).

There you have it. Complete assholes.

I hope that folks can give Q some more constructive feedback so that he changes his mind and stops burning bridges.