BOYNE USA: AZ Challenge 2009 Response/Feedback Thread

[Newpylong]

All this talk. White Cap, Barker, hmmm.... want to go skiing! haha.

 

[deadheadskier]

no! the heat chair is perfect where it is! moving it down to the base wouldn't gain you any usable vert and it'll only serve to increase the gaper factor on the heat.

Just get up earlier and make it to Barker before 8:30...of course getting rid of the whole row that was reserved for GSR parking last year...in addition to the 2 rows of preferred parking would help ease things at Barker. From Feb on the top 3 rows were reserved for preferred or GSR...and they wouldn't even let my pregnant wife park in the GSR row AFTER 10am despite the dozen or so empty spaces. The whole elitism thing isn't in tune with the vibe at Barker...keep it at South Ridge. One row of preferred parking is enough! PARKING TO THE PEOPLE!

I understand that bringing the lift to the base wouldn't add usable vert. It's just my opinion as to why it's so quiet at that end of the mountain. The tempest and white cap lifts don't serve all that great of terrain, so people seem to use White Cap as a way out of there.

<----not a fan either of premier parking and that's horse crap regarding your wife.

 

[Riverskier]

I understand that bringing the lift to the base wouldn't add usable vert. It's just my opinion as to why it's so quiet at that end of the mountain. The tempest and white cap lifts don't serve all that great of terrain, so people seem to use White Cap as a way out of there.

<----not a fan either of premier parking and that's horse crap regarding your wife.

Not a fan of preferred parking either, but I understand it. It is an additional revenue source, and caters to a niche in the market. Hopefully that leads (even though relatively insignificant) to additional investment in the mountain, and to keeping pass prices low.

However, what is up with the rows reserved for GSR? They are kept closed all day (unlike preferred parking only until 10am), and often times there are only a couple cars parked in there. Talk about frustrating, showing up mid day to find a row of empty spaces that you can't park in! I certainly hope they are paying a hefty premium for this.

 

[deadheadskier]

What does GSR stand for?

 

[Riverskier]

What does GSR stand for?

99% sure Gould Sunday River.

 

[deadheadskier]

99% sure Gould Sunday River.

Lame

Buses should drop those kids off and then park at a remote location. That was the way it was at Okemo when I raced there as a kid with my school.

 

[Riverskier]

Lame

Buses should drop those kids off and then park at a remote location. That was the way it was at Okemo when I raced there as a kid with my school.

Exactly! And if they are driving themselves, coming with coaches, parents, etc. then they can either pay for the preferred parking or simply deal like the rest of us.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

Lame

Buses should drop those kids off and then park at a remote location. That was the way it was at Okemo when I raced there as a kid with my school.

they are busses...okay, suburbans, same diff.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

It's just my opinion as to why it's so quiet at that end of the mountain. The tempest and white cap lifts don't serve all that great of terrain, so people seem to use White Cap as a way out of there.

SHHHHH! someone might hear you! :wink: good teaching terrain for my daughter too...no one ever skis moonstruck, itll be a good first blue for her and it'll be nice to get out of the madness that is so ridge.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

Exactly! And if they are driving themselves, coming with coaches, parents, etc. then they can either pay for the preferred parking or simply deal like the rest of us.

exactly...especially when the kept the damn lot "reserved" for them all day long! let them pay for preferred or park like the rest of us.

 

[SLyardsale]

So, SK declined to answer my AZ Challenge Q on Saddleback which was :

"Saddleback has gotten nice reviews and has been noticed since the Berry family launched their upgrades. As your nearest geographic competitor what notes have you taken on their activity?"

even after a polite 2nd attempt, crickets.

See today's P/R on Saddleback:

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Conrad E. Klefos, Director of Marketing & Sales
Saddleback Maine
(207) 864-5671 ext 104
cklefos@saddlebackmaine.com


RANGELEY, Maine – This year Saddleback Maine will offer skiers and snowboarders a new glade called Casablanca. It will be the largest glade in the Northeast, with 44 acres of inbound un-groomed tree skiing. The mountain will open its 66th trail, a single black diamond called 'Family Secret.'

Casablanca will offer a challenging double black diamond glade experience, with chutes, steeps, tight lines, and open areas for cruising. There is so much space that skiers and riders will think they have the place to themselves. Locals and employees are excited because they predict there will be “freshies” nearly every day. The on-mountain trail crews also predict that the nature of how the glade lays on the mountain it will catch, keep, and hold large quantities of snow.

“Our latest improvements are designed to capitalize on what makes Saddleback different from other mountains in Maine. The new glade at Saddleback will draw people to the mountain who are eager to get off the groomed trails and experience a high alpine adventure unlike any other in the East,” stated Warren Cook, CEO and general manager of Saddleback Maine. “The terrain and the beauty, complemented by our Saddleback Guest Service, will create an unforgettable experience.”

Saddleback is also introducing two new snow groomers and tillers to the grooming fleet, one of which is an impressive Winch Cat. There will be snowmaking improvements as well.

Saddleback Realty is completing 12 on-mountain condominiums prior to winter as well. The new South Branch condos offer elegant wood frame construction with wood shingle siding, all surrounded by scenic views of the mountains. Still in the works for next season are a new chairlift and an expanded base lodge.

For more information, visit www.saddlebackmaine.com or call 866-918-2225.
###

Saddleback Maine, one of New England’s finest family ski resorts, is located in the legendary Rangeley Lakes Region of the Western Mountains of Maine. Saddleback offers excellent value and the best of the Maine outdoors at our big mountain resort, located amidst the highest concentration of 4,000 foot peaks in Maine. The resort is committed to carefully crafting its growth with an environmental focus and support of community.

For more information about Saddleback and its year-round offerings, visit www.saddlebackmaine.com. For information about real estate investment opportunities, visit www.saddlebackrealty.com.

 

[trtaylor]

And this. Rangeley Resident Named Director of Competition and Wellness at Saddleback

So, SK declined to answer my AZ Challenge Q on Saddleback which was :

"Saddleback has gotten nice reviews and has been noticed since the Berry family launched their upgrades. As your nearest geographic competitor what notes have you taken on their activity?"

even after a polite 2nd attempt, crickets.

See today's P/R on Saddleback:

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Conrad E. Klefos, Director of Marketing & Sales
Saddleback Maine
(207) 864-5671 ext 104
cklefos@saddlebackmaine.com


RANGELEY, Maine – This year Saddleback Maine will offer skiers and snowboarders a new glade called Casablanca. It will be the largest glade in the Northeast, with 44 acres of inbound un-groomed tree skiing. The mountain will open its 66th trail, a single black diamond called 'Family Secret.'

Casablanca will offer a challenging double black diamond glade experience, with chutes, steeps, tight lines, and open areas for cruising. There is so much space that skiers and riders will think they have the place to themselves. Locals and employees are excited because they predict there will be “freshies” nearly every day. The on-mountain trail crews also predict that the nature of how the glade lays on the mountain it will catch, keep, and hold large quantities of snow.

“Our latest improvements are designed to capitalize on what makes Saddleback different from other mountains in Maine. The new glade at Saddleback will draw people to the mountain who are eager to get off the groomed trails and experience a high alpine adventure unlike any other in the East,” stated Warren Cook, CEO and general manager of Saddleback Maine. “The terrain and the beauty, complemented by our Saddleback Guest Service, will create an unforgettable experience.”

Saddleback is also introducing two new snow groomers and tillers to the grooming fleet, one of which is an impressive Winch Cat. There will be snowmaking improvements as well.

Saddleback Realty is completing 12 on-mountain condominiums prior to winter as well. The new South Branch condos offer elegant wood frame construction with wood shingle siding, all surrounded by scenic views of the mountains. Still in the works for next season are a new chairlift and an expanded base lodge.

For more information, visit www.saddlebackmaine.com or call 866-918-2225.
###

Saddleback Maine, one of New England’s finest family ski resorts, is located in the legendary Rangeley Lakes Region of the Western Mountains of Maine. Saddleback offers excellent value and the best of the Maine outdoors at our big mountain resort, located amidst the highest concentration of 4,000 foot peaks in Maine. The resort is committed to carefully crafting its growth with an environmental focus and support of community.

For more information about Saddleback and its year-round offerings, visit www.saddlebackmaine.com. For information about real estate investment opportunities, visit www.saddlebackrealty.com.

 

[SLyardsale]

And this. Rangeley Resident Named Director of Competition and Wellness at Saddleback

Right, Hawksley was a nice coup - I had a son in SCVA for a few years in the midst while he was there. Not necessarily the case here, but Saddleback is plucking some noticable local talent away from the compeition for their operation. A Warren Cook revenge...

 

[Edd]

Wow. PR is PR after all but I'm betting that new glade is going to be pretty good. Can't wait to go.

 

[snoseek]

White Caps would get more love if the Heat chair came all the way down to the lodge. Well, at least it would be more popular. 90% of the time I've been to the River I park there. It is the best option for a day trip skier who arrives at 9 or later. I don't like having to take two chairs when I start my day. I want to get on and ramp up to the top and start skiing. Barker is best for that, but parking is a bitch there after 8:30 on weekends.

Just take a right up the hill before the bottom of the North Peak lift and park there. Good spot to "safely" park also

 

[Vortex]

You need a owners sticker to get past Fall Line. Security sits there from 7.15 on. Been that way for the last two years. When my son or daughter have sleep overs it hard to get them back to our Condo when friends give him a ride back. As an owner I love it.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

bump..you guys should buy Pico..and Magic..

 

[skircher]

And this. Rangeley Resident Named Director of Competition and Wellness at Saddleback

Sorry for missing that question regarding Saddleback:

The question was: What have we learned from our neighbor to the north?

That certainly new facilities do attract trial and that they are doing a nice job of producing a ski product. They have hired a great leader in Warren Cook and seen some moderate growth in skier visits.

We have learned that Warren is indeed savy at PR and in operations and is putting in place many of the tactics he used against Les Otten many years ago to try to get his resort to profitability.

We have also learned that the Berry family has substantially cut off funding to Saddleback and given Warren the ultimatium to make money or else.

We have learned that Saddleback's 1.5m cash flow (EBITDA) loss is unstustainable for any resort and that they need to do something significant to the operations to make it sustainable. aka raise prices, cut costs or try to steal marketshare.

We have learned that they owe the ski industy over 400k in past due payments on capital expenses and upgrades that they purchased in 2008 (over 12 months in arrears) and are currently seeking a government backed (FAM) loan of 3m to fund past due bills and fund operations this winter.

The jury is out on the long term viability of Saddleback without subsidies from current/future owners or government.

For our part, we intend to continue to meet the competition with improvements to facilities, cost structure and service. However, we are not expecting to get Government handouts to make that happen.

Skiers should consider these realities at Saddleback along with the pretty picture currently being portrayed in press releases on on the blogs.

Respectfully,
SK

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

Sorry for missing that question regarding Saddleback:

The question was: What have we learned from our neighbor to the north?

That certainly new facilities do attract trial and that they are doing a nice job of producing a ski product. They have hired a great leader in Warren Cook and seen some moderate growth in skier visits.

We have learned that Warren is indeed savy at PR and in operations and is putting in place many of the tactics he used against Les Otten many years ago to try to get his resort to profitability.

We have also learned that the Berry family has substantially cut off funding to Saddleback and given Warren the ultimatium to make money or else.

We have learned that Saddleback's 1.5m cash flow (EBITDA) loss is unstustainable for any resort and that they need to do something significant to the operations to make it sustainable. aka raise prices, cut costs or try to steal marketshare.

We have learned that they owe the ski industy over 400k in past due payments on capital expenses and upgrades that they purchased in 2008 (over 12 months in arrears) and are currently seeking a government backed (FAM) loan of 3m to fund past due bills and fund operations this winter.

The jury is out on the long term viability of Saddleback without subsidies from current/future owners or government.

For our part, we intend to continue to meet the competition with improvements to facilities, cost structure and service. However, we are not expecting to get Government handouts to make that happen.

Skiers should consider these realities at Saddleback along with the pretty picture currently being portrayed in press releases on on the blogs.

Respectfully,
SK

Wow, that was an eye opener.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

:blink: that was some of the nicest mud slinging I've ever witnessed! SK, move to Maine and run for Govenor...they haven't had one as skilled as you since Angus King, present crop included.