Eastern Cat Skiing -- Mt. Ellen makes the news!

[BushMogulMaster]

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=10205350


And I'm sure that's not the last we'll hear about the East's only cat skiing operation!

Win, must have been fun taking the dogs up with you! Glad to see everyone was enjoying it. I shared some photos with Clint Yant, GM of Ski Cooper (from whom we bought the cabin, for those unfamiliar). He thought it all looked fantastic, and is very pleased to see it put to good use!

 

[riverc0il]

Hardly the East's only cat skiing operation. There are operations in the east north of the boarder. Maybe New England's only. Even then, a claim that seems more worthy of disdain than acclaim, IMO, at $150 a head to ski at a resort.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I think it's pretty lame..$150 for spring skiing at Sugarbush North..no thanks..and I ski about 5 times faster than the snowcats travel so I'd be waiting alot..

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Hardly the East's only cat skiing operation. There are operations in the east north of the boarder. Maybe New England's only. Even then, a claim that seems more worthy of disdain than acclaim, IMO, at $150 a head to ski at a resort.

My mistake, I should have said New England.


$150 a head is very reasonable. It's not skiing at a resort. You're skiing on trails that happen to be cut, yes. But the ski area is closed. You're paying a premium to share the mountain with 11 other people, you're eating, you're having fun, etc. You're paying for an experience. That experience obviously doesn't appeal to you or GSS, but I know for certain that it does appeal to a lot of other skiers. It's different. And consider, perhaps, that maybe it's just a little foreshadowing of the future potential of cat skiing on a mountain comprised of well over 1000 acres of private land.................................... just a thought. The mountain acreage is there, undeveloped. Could be fun with a cat road, no?

 

[TheBEast]

Certainly is thinking outside the box! Lets see how successful it is before we judge. I agree a bit pricey, but for people who price isn't an issue could be one hell of a late season party!

 

[skimore]

. You're paying a premium to share the mountain with 11 other people, you're eating, you're having fun, etc.

That's not what this implies.....are they going to rent to more than one group

Rates: $1800 for up to 12 people and $75 per person over 12 (groups will rotate up the hill). Includes a Sugarbush guide, boxed lunch and refreshments

 

[riverc0il]

My mistake, I should have said New England.


$150 a head is very reasonable. It's not skiing at a resort. You're skiing on trails that happen to be cut, yes. But the ski area is closed. You're paying a premium to share the mountain with 11 other people, you're eating, you're having fun, etc. You're paying for an experience. That experience obviously doesn't appeal to you or GSS, but I know for certain that it does appeal to a lot of other skiers. It's different. And consider, perhaps, that maybe it's just a little foreshadowing of the future potential of cat skiing on a mountain comprised of well over 1000 acres of private land.................................... just a thought. The mountain acreage is there, undeveloped. Could be fun with a cat road, no?

:lol: You are addressing someone that earns turns at ski areas pre and post season (obviously not Sugarbush ). So I fully know and understand the experience of having a mountain to yourself. But even that IS skiing at a resort. If trails are cut and there is infrastructure and a patrol to offer rescue... it is a resort whether it is open for vertical assistance for 12 or 12,000 people.

One thing there is absolutely no doubt of... Sugarbush now has the most expensive lift ticket in New England.

 

[jerryg]

Cat skiing in the Chic Chocs, Mount Washington, or even Katadin would be far more impressive. I don't think it's a bad idea given that the cost to run both mountains is a lot, but for $150 to ski a closed ski area? I had most of the trails to myself at Sugarloaf and Sunday River this week and it cost me nothing above what I paid off a long time ago.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

That boxed lunch better be good!!!

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

It's like anything else, if you don't think it's worth it or are opposed for some other reason then just don't do it. If enough people want to do it and it's another profit stream for the ski area, why shouldn't they do it? It is a business after all.

 

[Newpylong]

$150 to ski the same stuff you've been skiing all winter? huh...

 

[riverc0il]

It's like anything else, if you don't think it's worth it or are opposed for some other reason then just don't do it. If enough people want to do it and it's another profit stream for the ski area, why shouldn't they do it? It is a business after all.

No disagreement here. Thems the facts, plain and simple. But if we didn't make commentary on the industry, this board would be a pretty dull place

 

[skiadikt]

having cat skied out west it's an awesome experience. this isn't out west but i guess harvesting the corn would be sweet. i'm wondering how many runs they get in 4 hrs. the one thing that struck me is that it says they hope to operate into may. kinda sad those trails have been closed to the public with all that snow. out of my price range. this sort of ties into those would you a premium threads. if had the money, i'd spend the winter heli-skiing in british columbia ...

 

[bigbog]

....pretty good idea...

Great idea...since that part of a mountain is going unused with good (enough) snow on it. Pricing may be a little ambitious..but just my pot stirring.

 

[WWF-VT]

Seeing all the snow on the video reminds me that Mt Ellen could go very late with lift served skiing via the Summit Quad......

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

It's 4 hours long, not the whole day? I'm guessing you ski alot more runs lift served since you have to wait for the car..plus skiing in a group of 12 can be slow..

 

[JD]

What a fucking JOKE!

 

[mondeo]

My mistake, I should have said New England.


$150 a head is very reasonable. It's not skiing at a resort. You're skiing on trails that happen to be cut, yes. But the ski area is closed. You're paying a premium to share the mountain with 11 other people, you're eating, you're having fun, etc. You're paying for an experience. That experience obviously doesn't appeal to you or GSS, but I know for certain that it does appeal to a lot of other skiers. It's different. And consider, perhaps, that maybe it's just a little foreshadowing of the future potential of cat skiing on a mountain comprised of well over 1000 acres of private land.................................... just a thought. The mountain acreage is there, undeveloped. Could be fun with a cat road, no?

I wouldn't do it. Cat and heli skiing to me mean backcountry untouched that you just can't get to with a lift. Cat skiing closed trails? Eh, just less crowded normal skiing. The lack of crowds isn't worth the premium and sacrifice of runs to me. But if SB can rake in some more dough by doing it, good for them. And if it's testing the concept in an effort to provide access to more of their terrain without adding a lift, that might start to make more sense to me.

 

[TheBEast]

It's 4 hours long, not the whole day? I'm guessing you ski alot more runs lift served since you have to wait for the car..plus skiing in a group of 12 can be slow..

Oh it's only 4 hours? Not the whole day? Well that changes the economics for me in my mind, but like others have said, it's a business and if it's profitable for them I don't see an issue. Obviously this is not for the average skier, but those with the bank role, might find this an interesting option to have a ski area all to yourself, while not having to "earn turns".

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

What a fucking JOKE!

a big times two!!!!!!