Granite Pass

[joshua segal]

A pattern: If you buy a Killington season pass, you get Pico as an add-on; but not vice verse. Pico has a Pico-only ticket. It appears that Crotched is an "add-on" to the Wildcat-Attitash pass, but Crotched has a "Crotched-only" pass. If I remember right, Sugarbush has an "all-area" pass and a "Mt. Ellen-only" pass.

 

[drjeff]

I'm not sure I understand.

Mount Snow pass don't include any other mountain (except the new comer of Hunter during early season). All the other mountains are just discounts.

The NY trio (Bell/Gore/WF) are more like a multi-mountain pass without a single mountain alternative (something like $20 cheaper for the single mountain option). Except if I recall, the price for the trio were about the same as the single mountain THE YEAR BEFORE.

More specifically, did PEAK raise pass cost significantly in their past acquisitions?

There is no unrestricted, Mount Snow only pass (I wouldn't mind if there was though ) The only unrestricted option that I have as a Mount Snow regular is the Nor'easter Pass which gives me all of the Peak Resorts in the Northeast (including Hunter now).

The Mount Snow only pass products that Peak sells all have restrictions (mid week only, the Classic pass with holiday periods blacked out, etc)

Yup, Peak raised pass prices initially for us Mount Snow folks when they bought it. Then again prior to that we had the under market value ASC passes, and pretty much all of the medium to larger areas in New England upped their pass prices once ASC ceased to exist, so some of it is relative. We also saw immediate and since then continuous investment in the mountain, that doesn't go unnoticed. Also since Peak did the initial pass price bump up, pass prices have been relatively unchanged, and that's now over 6 or 7 seasons

 

[yeggous]

A pattern: If you buy a Killington season pass, you get Pico as an add-on; but not vice verse. Pico has a Pico-only ticket. It appears that Crotched is an "add-on" to the Wildcat-Attitash pass, but Crotched has a "Crotched-only" pass. If I remember right, Sugarbush has an "all-area" pass and a "Mt. Ellen-only" pass.

Killington and Sugarbush passes are not comparable. Both of them are areas that immediately border each other. You could *maybe* argue that it's the same thing as buy Wildcat and get Attitash. A better analogy would be buy Cannon and get Mittersill. But Crotched is nowhere near Attitash or Wildcat. You are getting a mountain that is two and a half hours away. Mount Snow is significantly closer to Crotched than Attitash or Wildcat.

Pass prices at AttiCat initially did not increase, but they have been going up about 5% per year for the last couple of years. The increase isn't too bad yet, but it's gotten to the point where they are catching up on the competition. Without Crotched on the pass, I'd give serious consideration to the Super Pass.

 

[joshua segal]

I don't know about Attitash, but CM offers private-lessons-only for that age group.

So while the short answer is, "yes". there is more: You must be aware that at that age, it can be a real crap shoot (depending heavily on the child) whether or not the child gets anything out of it. It can quickly turn into a very expensive baby sitting session. I saw one kid who after 15 minutes of clinging to mom's leg, the parent realized they just wasted a pile of money; more often, I'll see a child tire in about 15 to 20 minutes and the instructor spends the rest of the hour playing games with the child; children are much more sensitive to the cold, so be careful of the temp or the instructor may spend half the lesson time inside letting the child warm up; etc.

After checking around, I note that my earlier reply was incorrect: Private lessons are not the only option at Crotched for a 3 year old. CM offers a program for 3 year-olds (and 4) called Radical kids which can be morning-only (3 hrs.), afternoon-only (3 hrs.) or full-day. With that kind of time, there is a better shot at success, because breaks can be worked in without losing half the lesson time.

 

[thebigo]

After checking around, I note that my earlier reply was incorrect: Private lessons are not the only option at Crotched for a 3 year old. CM offers a program for 3 year-olds (and 4) called Radical kids which can be morning-only (3 hrs.), afternoon-only (3 hrs.) or full-day. With that kind of time, there is a better shot at success, because breaks can be worked in without losing half the lesson time.

Thanks Joshua, she did a half dozen runs on the carpet at whaleback last week but grew frustrated when her tips kept crossing. We are going to crotched sunday afternoon, maybe look into a lesson depending on how she does.

Crotched shows a buy five get two lessons free on the website. May spring for it if they let you use some of the lessons at attitash or roll some to next year.

 

[joshua segal]

...

Pass prices at AttiCat initially did not increase, but they have been going up about 5% per year for the last couple of years. The increase isn't too bad yet, but it's gotten to the point where they are catching up on the competition. Without Crotched on the pass, I'd give serious consideration to the Super Pass.

Just curious: Do you think that this price rise is specific to the bundling of Attitash with Wildcat or is it just consistent with overall industry price rises? (My perception is the latter.)

 

[xwhaler]

Was $660 the early buy price for the no blackout Granite pass?
CM only was $419 I think as an early buy?
Trying to evaluate all options for pairing a pass with a multi-day/seasonal lesson program for my son next season.

 

[yeggous]

Was $660 the early buy price for the no blackout Granite pass?
CM only was $419 I think as an early buy?
Trying to evaluate all options for pairing a pass with a multi-day/seasonal lesson program for my son next season.

Something like that? It was $600-something.

 

[deadheadskier]

I've got a "skiing" folder in my Outlook that I just dump any skiing related email in. Just looked up my purchase confirmation. I bought my no black out Granite Pass on 5/22 for $659. Something tells me this goes up a fair bit this year due to the Hunter purchase and tough financial year. I wouldn't be surprised if the early price is $699 for next season.

 

[thebigo]

I've got a "skiing" folder in my Outlook that I just dump any skiing related email in. Just looked up my purchase confirmation. I bought my no black out Granite Pass on 5/22 for $659. Something tells me this goes up a fair bit this year due to the Hunter purchase and tough financial year. I wouldn't be surprised if the early price is $699 for next season.

Was there a Granite Blackout? Any idea on the cost and number of blackout days?

 

[deadheadskier]

It was about a $100 cheaper IIRC. Maybe 14 days? Xmas to New Years, MLK, President's week

 

[yeggous]

It was about a $100 cheaper IIRC. Maybe 14 days? Xmas to New Years, MLK, President's week

Yes, $100 cheaper with standard holiday blackouts

 

[prsboogie]

I've got a "skiing" folder in my Outlook that I just dump any skiing related email in. Just looked up my purchase confirmation. I bought my no black out Granite Pass on 5/22 for $659. Something tells me this goes up a fair bit this year due to the Hunter purchase and tough financial year. I wouldn't be surprised if the early price is $699 for next season.

I am hoping despite the additional mountain they hold to last year (15/16) pricing to entice people to ignore this etrosious season

 

[Quietman]

Was $660 the early buy price for the no blackout Granite pass?
CM only was $419 I think as an early buy?
Trying to evaluate all options for pairing a pass with a multi-day/seasonal lesson program for my son next season.

I looked mine up, CM was $439 early buy this season.

 

[xwhaler]

I looked mine up, CM was $439 early buy this season.

Thanks! That's definitely a compelling price...especially if they threw in rest of season. Nice making turns with you on Sunday as well!

 

[Quietman]

Thanks! That's definitely a compelling price...especially if they threw in rest of season. Nice making turns with you on Sunday as well!

I enjoyed Sunday also, it was fun trying to keep up with you!