Globalization, COVID-19 and skiing

[Edd]

If you are a business are you going to locate in Georgia, Texas, New York or California? The states that have opened up will reap the financial rewards for a long time.

I’d rather not have a business than live in FLA or TX but that’s just me. You want to move there?

 

[VTKilarney]

I’d rather not have a business than live in FLA or TX but that’s just me. You want to move there?

You aren't really addressing my point. If a business is looking to invest a few hundred million or more in a worksite, don't you think that they are going to want to use that money in a state that managed to find the right balance between its economy and health outcomes? All while Cuomo crippled his economy and killed senior citizens. And while Cuomo pretended that upstate New York and New York City were the same thing.
Or are you suggesting that the fundamentals of economics do not apply to heavily capitalized businesses?

 

[skiur]

Deaths are simply a lagging indicator of new cases, so new cases are declining.

Yes, and I would think the lag is more than 3 weeks....is there any info out there saying how long on average between catching covid and death for the unfortunate?

 

[Edd]

You aren't really addressing my point. If a business is looking to invest a few hundred million or more in a worksite, don't you think that they are going to want to use that money in a state that managed to find the right balance between its economy and health outcomes? All while Cuomo crippled his economy and killed senior citizens. And while Cuomo pretended that upstate New York and New York City were the same thing.
Or are you suggesting that the fundamentals of economics do not apply to heavily capitalized businesses?

Indeed, you’re providing a lot more context here, sorry I’m not a mind reader.

Nah, I’ll pass on literally any southern state. Sounds like you’d be a good fit, though. Just move down there man. VT is no doubt taking your liberty away. Can’t stand for that.


Sent from my iPad using AlpineZone

 

[VTKilarney]

Indeed, you’re providing a lot more context here, sorry I’m not a mind reader.

Nah, I’ll pass on literally any southern state. Sounds like you’d be a good fit, though. Just move down there man. VT is no doubt taking your liberty away. Can’t stand for that.


Sent from my iPad using AlpineZone

Somebody is cranky!

 

[deadheadskier]

Somebody is cranky!

LOL that's rich.

Since this all began, you've been just about the most bitter and confrontational member of this forum with anyone carrying a different opinion than yours regarding Covid response. Full on lawyering up

But you're right, Edd is obviously the cranky one here.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[Edd]

Somebody is cranky!

That so? I’m not taking your various liberties away. Say it with me: THE SOUTH IS WHERE ITS AT. You’re way too smart for a dumb state like VT, right?

 

[BenedictGomez]

Yes, and I would think the lag is more than 3 weeks....is there any info out there saying how long on average between catching covid and death for the unfortunate?

Obviously it varies by person, but I once heard something like 8 or 9 days to almost a month, so a wide dispersion. I dont know if they've established an "average" yet, but it doesn't matter in the case of Georgia, they're already 3 full weeks into reopening & there's no bump in deaths, let alone the dramatic increase in death the media "promised" us. It aint happening.

 

[jimk]

Here in Utah I am getting the impression that next season there will be plenty of locals available to do seasonal work at the ski areas. A lot of folks are out of work here. Anecdotally, I see them picking up new jobs at groceries, home improvement stores, etc. Curbside pick-up is big right now.

Utah is lagging well behind East and West coasts in moving past peak covid infection rates and achieving declining rates. We've sort of plateaued at 150-200 new cases each day for a while now. Total deaths are still quite low, 92. They say this is because the population is relatively young and healthy here.

I may drive up to Beartooth Basin (8 hr drive) in early June for a couple days of skiing. It will be interesting to see how other parts of the country are coping.

 

[chuckstah]

Here in Utah I am getting the impression that next season there will be plenty of locals available to do seasonal work at the ski areas. A lot of folks are out of work here. Anecdotally, I see them picking up new jobs at groceries, home improvement stores, etc. Curbside pick-up is big right now.

Utah is lagging well behind East and West coasts in moving past peak covid infection rates and achieving declining rates. We've sort of plateaued at 150-200 new cases each day for a while now. Total deaths are still quite low, 92. They say this is because the population is relatively young and healthy here.

I may drive up to Beartooth Basin (8 hr drive) in early June for a couple days of skiing. It will be interesting to see how other parts of the country are coping.

Post pictures. I want to go!

Sent from my moto e5 cruise using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[VTKilarney]

LOL that's rich.

Since this all began, you've been just about the most bitter and confrontational member of this forum with anyone carrying a different opinion than yours regarding Covid response. Full on lawyering up

But you're right, Edd is obviously the cranky one here.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using AlpineZone mobile app

Someone else is cranky too!

 

[VTKilarney]

That so? I’m not taking your various liberties away. Say it with me: THE SOUTH IS WHERE ITS AT. You’re way too smart for a dumb state like VT, right?

Typical leftist ad hominem attack. I may not be subtle, but I always employ facts rather than logical fallacies.

Bt really it’s a distraction from how badly Democrats like Cuomo have botched this. I get the game. The playbook is old and tired.

 

[deadheadskier]

Typical leftist ad hominem attack. I may not be subtle, but I always employ facts rather than logical fallacies.

Bt really it’s a distraction from how badly Democrats like Cuomo have botched this. I get the game. The playbook is old and tired.

A. Chill on the politics

and

B. You truly believe it's others who are the cranky people? Again, that's rich.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[WoodCore]

Actually enjoying the politics of this thread, from both sides! No matter our political affiliation or viewpoint, the key to making our great country work is communication. We need to have lots of it, especially comunication without accusatory back and forth between viewpoints. In the words of the immortal Detective Jack Webb.... "Just the facts ma'am"

 

[machski]

Here is the latest update from Mount Ruapehu in NZ. Both areas are two of the largest (by size) resorts in NZ. While they have issues unique to NZ (NZ relies on a lot of skilled labor from Europe/North America for it's ski resorts), may give some ideas into what a 20-21 ski season here may look like.



Firstly, we wish to thank you for your patience as we worked through the implications of Covid-19 on our financial and operational goals for winter 2020.



We now have the green light to make some announcements on what you can expect at Mt Ruapehu this winter.



We were able to have limited maintenance staff working on mountain preparing the ski areas when we moved to Alert Level 3, and the numbers were increased at Alert Level 2. We are now preparing to open both Turoa and Whakapapa Ski areas on 1st July 2020.

This will be subject to snow conditions.



There is still a lot of work to be completed to make Mt Ruapehu a safe and healthy place for our guests and staff, and obviously still some unknowns in the mix regarding Alert Levels and required protocols at time of opening.

We have been saying for some time that winter 2020 will not look like a normal winter at Mt Ruapehu so what does this mean?



Ticketing
All ticketing will be online. There will be a very limited opportunity to purchase on-site but there will be no cash on the mountain this year.  Any payments will be card only in all of our outlets including retail and food and beverage. We ask that you please jump online and purchase your lift passes before you reach the mountain, and use the Click and Collect machines on-site to collect your lift passes.



Lift Operations

Due to the time lost through lockdown, alongside the inability to bring in overseas expertise to work on some of our lifts, this means we will not be able to open every lift this season. Our focus has been on offering top to bottom skiing at both ski areas, with a beginner focused offering at Whakapapa’s Happy Valley.



At Whakapapa, the following lifts will be in operation:

•Happy Valley Carpets•Rangatira (Weekends and inclement weather days)•Sky Waka•Knoll T-Bar



At Turoa, we will be operating:

•Movenpick•Giant•High Noon



The Valley T-Bar and Parklane/ Wintergarden may open later in the season dependent on demand.



Whilst we recognize this might be some disappointing news for some of you, we had to make decisions based on a number of factors including:  top to bottom skiing, reliability of the lift, ability to complete maintenance required and length of season we get from each lift.



As a result of not every lift operating, we anticipate that our maximum daily capacity will be lower than usual so we can still account for physical distancing and spacing on the ski area and in our cafes. We will be releasing more information on this as we get closer to the season, but do not anticipate this will have much of an impact on Season and Life Pass holders. We are also encouraging mid-week skiing as much as possible to avoid those inevitable bluebird Saturday crowds!



First Tracks

First Tracks will not go ahead this season. For those of you who have purchased this upgrade as part of your Season Pass, our team will be in touch regarding a credit or refund. We have listened to your feedback on this product, and whilst we still see some merit in offering a Fast Track pass first thing each morning, we will be reviewing this for 2021.



Night Skiing

Night Skiing was introduced at Whakapapa a few years ago, and whilst the feedback has been positive, the take up of this experience has been very low. We have decided to not proceed with it for winter 2020 due to the fickle nature of our weather and inability to offer a reliable night ski product, and the subsequent pressure this adds to our financial position. This will be reviewed again for 2021.



Transport & Shuttles

RAL will not be offering customer shuttles for this season. With the reduced capacity on the mountain, we see little need for a scheduled large capacity service, so will instead be recommending the local operators who can coordinate smaller numbers when the road is restricted.

Details can be found here: Visit Ruapehu Shuttles



Staff and employment

Sadly, with the borders closed, we won’t be joined by our overseas ski whanau this season – so this will naturally leave some gaps in our teams. Fortunately, we have been able to retain all of our permanent and summer staff through the lockdown, and we have a great bunch of returning staff who will be able to fill some other vacancies. Anyone who had an existing application with us prior to the COVID-19 lockdown will be contacted before positions are re-advertised to reconfirm your interest in employment. There may be some gaps however, and these will be advertised on our Jobs page on the website as soon as we have confirmed our returning staff for winter 2020.



Our permanent team have all made sacrifices through lockdown, accepting a reduction in pay and hours, in order to ensure we have a winter season and it’s important we acknowledge their continued efforts to provide a great experience on the maunga this year. It hasn’t been an easy few months for them or our company, but we’re really pleased to be able to confirm winter 2020 will go ahead and we’re looking forward to welcoming you here soon.



We’ll have more information to announce to you over the next few weeks as we edge closer to our opening date. We’re looking forward to winter 2020 and aim to provide you with as much skiing and riding as possible across both ski areas for as many days as the weather allows.

A heartfelt thank you for hanging in there with us, we know this has been an uncertain time for you all as pass holders at Mt Ruapehu, and we really do value your loyalty.



Kind regards

Jono Dean and the team at RAL



Sent from my Pixel 3 using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[JimG.]

Glad he made a short mention about how they will try to limit any impact on season passholders. Hope that's a focus here in the US.

As a retiree I'm not happy to hear anyone encouraging midweek skiing even if that is intuitive.

If I can ski regularly and get somewhere near my normal season goal of 50 days I'll be happy.