CROTCHED MOUNTAIN: The 2006 AlpineZone Ski Area Challenge Continues....

[thetrailboss]

Chris Bradford, the Director of Marketing for Crotched Mountain has agreed to take the 2006 Alpine Zone Challenge!!! This is your opportunity to ask questions, offer suggestions, or say some praise to the men and women who are in charge of the Northeast’s Ski Areas. 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 Chris and keep it civil. Also, please refrain from asking specifics about skier visit numbers, financials, demographic information, etc. Crotched needs to be discrete about certain information.

We are honored to have Chris participate in this challenge—Chris and Crotched’s third! :beer: Please take advantage of this special opportunity!

Ask away!

Crotched’s Profile
Crotched’s 2004 Responses.
Crotched’s 2005 Responses.

 

[Jonni]

Knowing that this question would most likely come up sometime in the future, but are there any plans of reopening the original Crotched Mountain (Crotched East)? I remember seeing the original summit trails on this year's trailmap. I know that that terrain would be a great addition to what Peak Resorts has already done to the mountain, what is the likelihood that we'll see the reopening of the summit trails with either another chair lift or a T-Bar?

 

[thetrailboss]

I think that they are close to reopening that T-bar.....

 

[jack97]

Is there a plan for more moguls? This was talk about this several times; Pluto’s Plunge is left ungroom for moguls to form, however it doesn’t form that well and sometimes they are barely tolerable. IMO it’s a combination of several factors; light natural snow, the snow towers not reaching that part of the trail and skier/boarder plowing down the bumps. Because of this, seeding moguls would be a great option for consistency. Wachusetts has a seeded run on the Tenth Mountain trail, it’s place under their snow towers. This past season, after a rain period before the February vacation, they reseeded them a week before the start. We saw a lot of school kids having a blast on them. Everytime we go, that trail is crowded, seems very popular.

Along with the two terrain parks and the great cruising trails, I was glad to see that a couple of glades and natural trails were open last season. Adding a decent mogul run would just make the place seem bigger than it is.

 

[Angus]

not much to add to this thread, except to echo the previous posters a) increasing the terrain and b) moguls.

Crotched is what it is and I think they do it very well. more terrain would be great and moguls would be nice as well. I just wish it was a bit more convenient from the w. suburbs of massachusetts. my compliments to the snow makers too (and groomers).

 

[Angus]

how about a question regarding the change in ownership structure - the mountain was sold and the former owner now will be a contracted operator. something about how does this change plans for mountain expansion, length of ski season (commitment to open early).

Also, a question regarding their target customer. how do they compete with wachusett, pats, sunapee, gunstock, ragged given the relative time get to bennington from the boston area is not significantly different (regardless of what the web site says) than those larger areas.

thanks

 

[djspookman]

I think that they are close to reopening that T-bar.....

yah, I'll post pics up tonight (I'm going there to hike in a few minutes) Last time I was there (about a month ago) they were clearing some trail(s) over in that direction.

dave

 

[thetrailboss]

Any more questions????? The Killington Challenge rocked, as did the Sunday River one. If we are going to do other resorts, we need some more questions and interest :wink: So keep them coming! :beer:

 

[MikeTrainor]

Some mountains are managed better than ASC mountains, which makes this more difficult.

 

[OldsnowboarderME]

Your snowmaking and grooming was the best this past season. I was a pass holder last season and already have my pass for this coming season. Oh my question .. can people hike your trails in the summer? If so, are there any rules?

 

[djspookman]

can people hike your trails in the summer? If so, are there any rules?

I hike it all the time, and last I knew it was fine to hike the trails (According to Chris-but I'd like to hear the "official" word)

dave

 

[thetrailboss]

Chris, how did the season go?

What plans do you have for the upcoming season?

Any more thoughts about a "regional" season pass program or exchange?

Have you considered having an AZ day at the mountain?

 

[djspookman]

Chris-

How much new terrain is going to be added?

and to ask the same question as another user asked: Are there any planned bump runs?

Dave

 

[Vortex]

I saw marketing promitions done with Dan Eagan and his Tv shows in the past. Very intertaining and informative. Anything like that planned again in the future?

 

[teachski]

Some areas have "women's clinics" does Crotched and if so when is it planned for next season?

Sometimes a key to attracting more than just the day skier, but not always done by the the mountain itself, is the development of lodging and night life in the area. Has this happened near Crotched?

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

The free ski day seemed to be a big hit. Any thoughts on doing that again? ("Free" is my favorite flavor)

 

[thebigo]

I skied the new crotched for the first time this past year. I was very impressed with the snow quality.

I showed up around 1:00 on the opening weekend looking to pay $15 - $20 for a few runs. When I stepped up to the ticket counter and found out the price was $34 I was shocked.

Have you guys considered discounted early and late season ticket prices? $34 is just too much money for a few hours on one run.

 

[thetrailboss]

No more questions?

If not, this will be done tonight....

 

[Bkroon9175]

Although I do not think they are owned by the mountain, what is happening with the motel across the street from Crotched. Having a place to stay like the motel after skiing until 3:00 Am would be great.