Big Burke announcement

[BenedictGomez]

The only place I've ever seen where night skiing truly works and is actually pretty cool, is the Poconos.

In fact, the night skiing experience is the only thing I will praise the Poconos as genuinely excelling at (Blue Mountain, Shawnee, Camelback).

Everyplace else that has night skiing (or attempted and failed), it stinks.
Also, night skiing will fail at Burke.

 

[thetrailboss]

The only place I've ever seen where night skiing truly works and is actually pretty cool, is the Poconos.

In fact, the night skiing experience is the only thing I will praise the Poconos as genuinely excelling at (Blue Mountain, Shawnee, Camelback).

Everyplace else that has night skiing (or attempted and failed), it stinks.
Also, night skiing will fail at Burke.

The Poconos are generally (1) warmer, and (2) located close to major population centers. Burke is neither.

 

[Smellytele]

The only place I've ever seen where night skiing truly works and is actually pretty cool, is the Poconos.

In fact, the night skiing experience is the only thing I will praise the Poconos as genuinely excelling at (Blue Mountain, Shawnee, Camelback).

Everyplace else that has night skiing (or attempted and failed), it stinks.
Also, night skiing will fail at Burke.

It succeeds at Pats Peak and the Mass ski areas that have it. Also Shawnee Peak in Maine.

 

[Smellytele]

Agree not a great idea at Burke

 

[yeggous]

The only place I've ever seen where night skiing truly works and is actually pretty cool, is the Poconos.

In fact, the night skiing experience is the only thing I will praise the Poconos as genuinely excelling at (Blue Mountain, Shawnee, Camelback).

Everyplace else that has night skiing (or attempted and failed), it stinks.
Also, night skiing will fail at Burke.

This is a very narrow view. Night skiing at Bromont is unbelievable. It's of a scale that I have never seen before. There are also successfully night skiing operations all across New England. Where I have seen successful night skiing:
- Mohawk
- Nashoba
- Wachusett
- McIntyre
- Crotched
- Gunstock
- Shawnee Peak
- Pats Peak

Those with mediocre at best:
- Bretton Woods
- Cranmore
- Sunday River

Others I have not visited:
- Blue Hills
- Ward
- Bradford
- King Pine
- Bolton Valley

 

[VTKilarney]

It succeeds at Pats Peak and the Mass ski areas that have it. Also Shawnee Peak in Maine.

How does Shawnee Peak pull it off? They aren't that close to Portland.

 

[wtcobb]

I enjoyed night skiing at Gunstock and am looking at getting the night pass to BW - would be great to take some laps Friday night after work.

But for an economy of scale, I concur it likely won't generate a return.

 

[VTKilarney]

Night skiing at Bromont is unbelievable. It's of a scale that I have never seen before.

Why is it so good at Bromont? Is is the amount of terrain that makes the difference? I'm interested since I like the area anyway.

Keep in mind, though, that Bromont is only about an hour from Montreal and its eastern suburbs.

 

[from_the_NEK]

How does Bretton Woods do with their night skiing? BW is a much bigger operation, but it's pretty darned rural.

I haven't been to BW for night skiing for 7 or 8 years. I used to go for Friday night beer league racing. There were quite a few people there. The small park was very crowded (usually 10-15 people deep waiting to drop in).

I think the offering of a nighttime park will drive season pass sales up both among LSC students and S New Englanders looking for a place to bring their park rat kids while the adults want to have alone time in the evening

With new LED lights being pretty cheap to run, I could see it being easier to recoup the investment.

 

[deadheadskier]

Hour and ten minutes from downtown Portland is pretty close. Pretty populated suburbs a fair bit closer to Shawnee as well. When I lived in Portland I went at least one night a winter. Best night skiing in VT, NH or ME IMO.

 

[wtcobb]

Night skiing at Bromont is unbelievable.

We hosted some guests from Ottawa who raved about Bromont and the Nuit Blanche. I'm hoping to get there to experience it this year.

 

[wtcobb]

Why is it so good at Bromont? Is is the amount of terrain that makes the difference? I'm interested since I like the area anyway.

Keep in mind, though, that Bromont is only about an hour from Montreal and its eastern suburbs.

It's a pretty huge event each week - not just lights on a hill.

http://nuitsblanches.ca/en/

 

[yeggous]

Why is it so good at Bromont? Is is the amount of terrain that makes the difference? I'm interested since I like the area anyway.

Keep in mind, though, that Bromont is only about an hour from Montreal and its eastern suburbs.

Yes, the selection of night skiing terrain is unmatched anywhere else I have been. I went a couple years ago on a Saturday night. Their night skiing allowed me to spend the day in Montreal, and still get a full day of skiing.

 

[VTKilarney]

Hour and ten minutes from downtown Portland is pretty close. Pretty populated suburbs a fair bit closer to Shawnee as well. When I lived in Portland I went at least one night a winter. Best night skiing in VT, NH or ME IMO.

I always forget that it's that close to Portland. As suburban creep happens, it always feels like the drive is longer - even when I avoid Route 302.

 

[yeggous]

I always forget that it's that close to Portland. As suburban creep happens, it always feels like the drive is longer - even when I avoid Route 302.

It's also only about 30-45 minutes to North Conway. I've been known to visit it when I'm in town and too hung over to get out for first chair, or if I want some runs after work on Friday evening on my way up.

 

[River19]

Aside from the whole "we aren't Nashoba" problem with night skiing (ie. no leagues etc.) I am thinking that since it appears the target market is the younger boarders.....and as stated already, they already have a season pass and don't spend squat in concessions usually, and they probably rode the park all day as it is. Sure they might want to go out again after dinner with the parents but what additional revenue is that bringing in?

 

[slatham]

Jiminy Peak in Mass has very good night skiing. I've always felt that northern area night skiing would be too adversely affected by cold and distance to major population areas.

 

[thetrailboss]

Aside from the whole "we aren't Nashoba" problem with night skiing (ie. no leagues etc.) I am thinking that since it appears the target market is the younger boarders.....and as stated already, they already have a season pass and don't spend squat in concessions usually, and they probably rode the park all day as it is. Sure they might want to go out again after dinner with the parents but what additional revenue is that bringing in?

Probably bringing in more costs....running the lifts and now lights for passholders to hit the park again.

 

[VTKilarney]

From their latest email:
"Q Burke is ready to go and its looking like we will be pushing to open the first weekend of December, not Thanksgiving, if these temps don't get colder."

I can't really fault them for pushing back the opening date.

 

[oldtimer]

Those who are too arrogant to study history (or ask others who know more) are bound to repeat history. case closed. He will do what he wants.

Honestly, if he were like the old benefactor who backed his ideas with deep pockets, it would not bother me a lick. BUT if, as I fear, he does this he will double down on it 3 or 4 times before giving up. If you assume that he will merciless penny pinch this year, as he has done in the past, then by draining resources this directly effects the quality of the product he puts out for those of us who do not care about the park. We lose again.