BRETTON WOODS: The 2005 AlpineZone Challenge Soldiers On!

[thetrailboss]

Martha Wilson, from Bretton Woods Resort, has agreed to take the AlpineZone Ski Area Challenge! This is your chance to get official answers to your ski-related questions direct from a Northeast ski resort representative! Please post some suggested questions in this thread and we'll select ten to present for official responses.

Also please don't be offended if we edit/change your question for grammar, tone, or some other minor thing. In order to get in all of the questions we MAY merge some questions but we'll do our best to keep the substance of your question. If we don't get your question in, feel free to post a follow up after we get the results...we are encouraging the representatives follow the threads. :wink:

As always, please be respectful of Martha and keep it civil. Also, please refrain from asking specifics about skier visit numbers, financials, demographic information, etc. Bretton Woods needs to be discrete about certain information.

Ask away!

 

[thetrailboss]

OK, HERE are their responses from last season and HERE are some articles, threads, etc on Bretton Woods.

 

[thetrailboss]

OK, it has been a long time since I have skied Bretton Woods. I am a local who really enjoyed the resort's homey feel, good rates, and nice cruising terrain. As much as I appreciate the improvements that the new ownership has done, the incredible increase in rates gives me and many other locals the impression that you are no longer receptive to the skiers who are in your backyard, forcing us to go elsewhere. In here an in other forums, I have heard some negative things about the 'Woods with regards to being not as family friendly and affordable as you once were. Why the change of attitude? With offering the new Bode Pass at a good rate, are you changing course? Any other good local promotions?

Speaking of the Bode Pass, does this reflect increased competition from ASC's "One for All" Pass? Do you plan on keeping this pass?

 

[Vortex]

The last few years your opening and closing dates seem to be getting furthur apart.... Are you going to be the 1st eastern resort open and last to close this coming season?

 

[awf170]

What ever happen to the mount stickney expansion?

 

[NHpowderhound]

Martha, thank you for taking our questions.
B Woods has long had a reputation for wide mellow trails with good snowmaking and excellent grooming.Perfect for the begginer and intermediate skier and rider. Last year was the first time in many years(probably 16) that I rode a lift at B.W. exactly because of that stigma. I go to Wildcat and Cannon in NH to find terrain to suit my ability level.
Bretton Woods has done a great job with the Rosebrook Canyon area and West Mountain, opening more terrain geared towards advanced skiers and riders. Any plans to cut more glades or steeps to lure more experts to the mountain and get our dollar?
((*
*))NHPH

 

[Vortex]

How has the cog train running in the winter been received? Are there combo packages going to be availible to do the train and the main mountain again this season?

 

[awf170]

How has the cog train running in the winter been received?

I know the people at time for tux like it :wink:

 

[NHpowderhound]

Martha,I am a very vocal opponent of the Cog. Especialy for skiing.Now that it is operating in the winter/spring, are there any effective measures in place to keep skiers and riders from using the drop-off at the Wambek Tank as a jump start to get to higher terrain or the Ravines and Gulfs. I am very concerned that the people who are not physically or technically prepared are using the Cog to cut off hiking time and thus putting themselves in a situation they are not remotely prepared for. And so, would Bretton Woods ski patrol be responsible and prepared to go on a search and rescue/recovery on Mount Washington if they found one of thier patrons ventured from the Cog right of way?
Thanks again for your time in answering our questions.
((*
*))NHPH

 

[NHpowderhound]

Martha, I understand that the Cog COULD use a cleaner burning fuel to power it up the mountain. However the signiture plume of disgusting black smoke would be compromised, dissapointing our tourists that can see it around the MWV. Anyone who has traveled in the Great Gulf to Spaulding Lake cant help but notice all the black soot that has been deposited in the bottom of this once pristene mountain pond. Not to mention all the greasy black rocks and discarded wooden rail ties that that litter the sides of the track. Are there any plans to clean up this ancient pollution machine known as the Cog and clean up the surrounding mountain?
Thanks again for taking our questions.
((*
*))NHPH

 

[awf170]

Martha, I understand that the Cog COULD use a cleaner burning fuel to power it up the mountain.
((*
*))NHPH

I cant believe it can do that and they dont do it, bunch of idiots, the cog has to be the most disgusting things around.

 

[DJAK]

I rode the cog this past season. I liken it to the bearded lady at the circus. Curiosity made me check it out, but I won't be going back.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

Guys -

I may be mistaken, but I don't think that Bretton Woods has anything to do with the operation of the Cog Railway in the winter. That is, IIRC, run by an entirely different operator.

 

[Vortex]

www.mountwashingtoncograilwayskitrains.com That is part of the Bretton woods Web site. I'll let Tb edit this, but it poses a question. What is the relationship between the cog Railway and Bretton woods, and what are the up coming season plans?

 

[eatskisleep]

When can we expect Mount Stickney to be open or complete and what type of terrain are you planning on offering there? I hope some nice steep chutes and glades

 

[thetrailboss]

Guys -

I may be mistaken, but I don't think that Bretton Woods has anything to do with the operation of the Cog Railway in the winter. That is, IIRC, run by an entirely different operator.

The Cog, Bretton Woods, and MW Hotel are all owned and operated by the same group.

 

[thetrailboss]

Good questions...maybe today or tomorrow for wrapping it up?

 

[thetrailboss]

Bretton Woods has been watching the thread and is interested in giving the questions a crack. So, I'm going to lock it. Thanks folks! (Lock)

 

[Greg]

Martha's responses are in:

http://skiing.alpinezone.com/articles/challenge/2005/response.htm?resort=brettonwoods

 

[thetrailboss]

Not bad. Although I will say that the SAME parent company owns the Cog, BW, and the Mt Washington Hotel...just to clarify...they are all under different MANAGEMENTS though (as of what I had last heard)...so kind of ducked the questions about the Cog, but I can understand.