Buying Lift Tickets

[Sky]

Hiroto...I got a response from Wa. They agree that the ticket window wait has got to improve. There are some issues with the technology and they are going to solve it...but it didn't sound like it would happen this year.

However (and I thought of this after I posted yesterday)...Wa offers tic purchases on line. You pic them up at the customer service window inside the lodge....AND...according to my source (a very good source), you go straight to the front of the Customer Service desk for pick-up. (isn't there a thread about cutting in line?...just be polite. *smirk*).

Anyway, not the BEST answer...but you have been heard and your point well taken.

 

[C2H5OH]

Stratton notes

My experience at the Stratton at the beginning of last season: It was Friday, day after ThanksGiving and we have arrived around noon. One ticket window was open and there were few people in the line, so I had no choice but wait. When we got into the lodge there were Three booths staffed and open - advertising and selling real estate properties.

The thinking is likely "why bother", when the skier is at the mountain and he's got to buy a ticket, he has no choice, he will wait.

The real estate thing got me though: from navigating to the Base lodge thru endless condo buildings, to these booths inside - I do not plan to return to Stratton any time soon.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Sugarcard: yes, SB did have one that was attached to a credit card so you could go straight to the lift and it would automatically bill the card. Not sure if they are still doing it or not. Good idea.

The Sugarcard at the Bush is back this season. It's $75, has to be renewed each year and it is a Direct to Lift product. Didn't see it listed on the website but you can order one by calling 800-53-SUGAR.

 

[deadheadskier]

What benefits does the Sugarcard offer?

 

[JasonE]

My worst ticket window experience... last year at Okemo - first time ever at the mountain. Tuesday mid-morning. Went up with a friend, we have Wachusett passes which gives a 50% off discount at Okemo.

So we walk into their little village setup, see the massive banks of ticket windows, and walk up to one. Closed. We walk down the line. All of them were closed.Not one open ticket window. OK, now what? We wander around the base area for a while. End up in the store. No, they don't sell tickets - try the ticket windows out front. Oh, they're closed? Ok, try the ski school. We go over to the ski school. Hi, yeah, we sell lift tickets. Oh, wait... you want the discount with the Wa pass? Sorry, no, we can't do that here. Try the customer service desk in the main lodge. Where? Near the cafeteria, next to the store.

So, back to the main lodge we go. Walk past the store we'd already been to. Get to customer service. Maybe 10 people in line waiting for tickets, with one woman manning the desk. Wait almost 15 minutes. Sure, we can do that. Oh, wait. Discount. Uhm. Oh. Uhm. Try guest services, they should be able to process that. Where is it? Oh, down by the driveway, right on your way in. You can't miss it.

Head down to guest services. Yeah, finally, we get our damned lift tickets. Then back up the flights of stairs to the main lodge to gear up.

Wasted over 45 minutes just wantering around trying to buy the tickets!

My point - if you're going to sell tickets, sell tickets - give your freaking ticket agents the ability to sell *all* tickets, don't send a guest out to have to be bounced around like a ping-pong ball.

We went back to Okemo one other time (free skiing on April 1st with a food donation). We might go back this year, but probably not. Bromley's Tuesday rates are about the same as Okemo even with the discount, and Bromley throws in lunch, so we'll probably just go there this year. We were underwhelmed with Okemo's customer service and the mountain itself wasn't as enjoyable as we'd have liked since less than half the lifts were running both times we went.

 

[Sky]

We were underwhelmed with Okemo's customer service and the mountain itself wasn't as enjoyable as we'd have liked since less than half the lifts were running both times we went.

Yeah...last time I went to Okemo it was midweek, probably March two years ago I think. Some lifts were closed.

I had learned previously about the guest services thing. Now, I call the resorts in advance to ask where I need to show my Wa pass for the discount.

Last year...my first Stratton experience was terrific! Regular ticket window, discounted lift ticket...bingo-bango. Not enough "O"s in smooth!

 

[hardline]

Yeah...last time I went to Okemo it was midweek, probably March two years ago I think. Some lifts were closed.

I had learned previously about the guest services thing. Now, I call the resorts in advance to ask where I need to show my Wa pass for the discount.

Last year...my first Stratton experience was terrific! Regular ticket window, discounted lift ticket...bingo-bango. Not enough "O"s in smooth!

i get 25$ tickets with my pass early and late season at stratton but is still went to mt snow. i stayed at the gran hotel for like a 100$ and my tix where like 30 bucks. the staff there was pretty laid back.

 

[madskier6]

What benefits does the Sugarcard offer?

In past years, you get a discounted lift ticket: savings of anywhere from $10-15 per day depending on when you go (weekend vs. mid-week). Also no waiting in ticket lines after you get the card: it looks like a season pass with your picture on it. You go straight to the lift & they scan it just like a season pass. You have to set it up with a valid credit card on file so that when you get scanned in the lift line, you're credit card is automatically charged the applicable day rate.

 

[4aprice]

Last winter, I got suckered into taking our nephew to Camelback (his friends ski there...). This was 2 days after I got back from a 9 day Killington trip. I wanted to shoot myself. Anyway, that process sucks. They have a bogus "buy online" scheme, but all that does it allow you to print out a voucher and take that to the "special" window where they print out our ticket.

Yea the lines at Camelback are bad and it's not like they have a lack of Ticket windows. The only suggestion I would have is if it is on a weekend try the Sun Bowl lodge ticket window. Maybe they will put in new windows when the hotel is finished but rumors I've heard is that the opening is being pushed back to next year.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ