i guess she's singing-k closing

[skiadikt]

get it while you can. from the k website, the trialthon is canceled and the the closing day is may 1:

Due to snow and trail conditions, we regret that the 16th Annual Killington Triathlon scheduled for May 13th has been cancelled for this year.
Killington Resort, which averages 250 inches of natural snowfall annually, has only received 191 inches of snow this season. In addition, Killington usually receives more than 60 inches of snow after March 1st and this season has only brought 24 inches – the lowest amount in the past 20 years.
The final day for skiing and snowboarding at Killington Resort this season will be Monday, May 1st conditions permitting.

 

[riverc0il]

Oh how the mighty K has fallen. Blaming the early end of a season on lack of snowfall? This is not the mighty K that used to keep Superstar open to the end of May if not later due to man made snow. Not surprising, but still puts a nail in the coffin of what used to be.

 

[riverc0il]

according to this page....
http://www.killington.com/endless_winter.html

during the 1991-1992 season, kmart received a season total snowfall of 198" (only 7" more than the current season) but managed to stay open until June 14th. ouch!

 

[andyzee]

Oh how the mighty K has fallen. Blaming the early end of a season on lack of snowfall? This is not the mighty K that used to keep Superstar open to the end of May if not later due to man made snow. Not surprising, but still puts a nail in the coffin of what used to be.

What hurt them this year is blowing all that snow on Outer Limits which is now closed. As a result, they didn't blow as much on Super Star. But then again, they don't care anymore, it's strictly a financial decision.

 

[thetrailboss]

Yep, money and weather. No surprise. They made it until May though. No gripes there. Not June, but how many people pay for a day ticket to ski in June? Rather have them cut back a little bit and try to make a come back than go for it and then go bankrupt.

 

[andyzee]

Yep, money and weather. No surprise. They made it until May though. No gripes there. Not June, but how many people pay for a day ticket to ski in June? Rather have them cut back a little bit and try to make a come back than go for it and then go bankrupt.

On the one hand, bankruptcy might be good, a lot of long time regulars are hoping for this. On the other hand, you have to watch what you wish for, no telling who might take over.

 

[skiadikt]

some other factoids ... this will be the earliest close since 1973-74 when they closed april 30, a season in which coincidentally they received virtually the same snowfall 193" as this year but with a more limited snowmaking system. the lowest snowfall in the last 35 years was 1979-80 when they received a measely 138" but managed to stay open until may 23.

currently bretton woods is saying an early may closing so this could be the year when we crown a new, king of spring. pres smith must be rolling over in his florida beach chair.

 

[Zand]

Bretton Woods won King of Fall too. They opened on Veterans Day, a week before anyone else. Okemo, Sunday River, and Sugarloaf also beat K. I don't really count the October Snowicane, but even then K got beat by a day.

 

[AdironRider]

Yeah, but they only opened their bunny slope right by the lodge. Im sure K mart or any other resort couldve done that if they wanted to.

 

[riverc0il]

They made it until May though. Not June, but how many people pay for a day ticket to ski in June?

i am definitely not advocating for june, though going through may 1st is making may on technicality only, i think a lot of folks would appreciate having a may option. i really don't care, i will have a may option no matter what. i just find it interesting watching kmart cut back on their product while people flock ASC like never before. why should they stay open late or open early? they are making more money than ever with the all for one and people don't really care (care in the sense to put their money where their mouth is).

 

[loafer89]

Not that this is directly related to this post, but our waitress at the Sugarloaf Grand was very upset with ASC because they had asked her and the other full time employees to take a full week of unpaid vacation in May.

Sugarloaf has a crapload of snow on some trails and needs to only groom/push snow around in a few spots to easily make it into May. Unfortunatly it is a remote area and most of the snow there will melt without being skied again.

 

[ga2ski]

I am very disappointed, but given the weather this season I understand. I think it would be great if they opened Outer Limits in May as it looks to have a lot of snow, but ASC won't allow it.

 

[thetrailboss]

Hmmm....not sure how this is looking for us. Looking more and more like we are going to be coming to the Dark Side for next season :roll: Ms. TB did not like the idea of driving to SB for skiing and is a fan of Sunday River. K-mart and Pico are 30 miles from our door. This season, we frequented Sunapee because it was so close and easy to get to. Kmart is the same distance. We'd do Sunapee again, but they want an obscene amount of money for their 1400 vert :roll:

Seeing that all the ASC resorts are closing early is not really encouraging me to jump.

 

[2knees]

i am definitely not advocating for june, though going through may 1st is making may on technicality only, i think a lot of folks would appreciate having a may option. i really don't care, i will have a may option no matter what. i just find it interesting watching kmart cut back on their product while people flock ASC like never before. why should they stay open late or open early? they are making more money than ever with the all for one and people don't really care (care in the sense to put their money where their mouth is).

Just to expand on this thought, and hopefully this doesnt sound antagonistic, but....
People bought the all for one in voracious numbers. The break even point is like what, 5 days skiing or something. Lots of lost day ticket sales, less profit, less money for snowmaking etc. Yet, i've heard so many people complain elsewhere when they talk about raising the price of the all for one or limiting sales. Sometimes i want to slap people and say "YOU CANT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS!!!!" rant over.

 

[BeanoNYC]

Well the only people who can't complain are the All for One pass holders. (Myself Included) Others who pay for a lift ticket at an ASC resort can complain all they want. It's the price of doing business. Basically ASC is giving us an IOU. We inflate their profits for the end of this fiscal year in exchange for unlimited skiing next season. They already have my money for this season. They shorten the season because the majority of their spring skiers are the same enthusiasts that jump all over their pass offer before May 2nd. Not too many ticket sales this time of year. Killington is running in the red on a daily basis right now.

I realize that by purchasing this pass with the masses that I am part of the problem. On the other hand, this school teacher would not be able to afford to ski as much if he didn't buy it. I accept it for what it is, but I completely understand others exasperation.

TB, I'll hold your hand when you jump over to the dark side. :evil:

 

[ozzy]

Just to expand on this thought, and hopefully this doesnt sound antagonistic, but....
People bought the all for one in voracious numbers. The break even point is like what, 5 days skiing or something. Lots of lost day ticket sales, less profit, less money for snowmaking etc. Yet, i've heard so many people complain elsewhere when they talk about raising the price of the all for one or limiting sales. Sometimes i want to slap people and say "YOU CANT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS!!!!" rant over.

exactly. what do you expect for $349

 

[2knees]

BeanoNYC, I agree, that is exactly my point. You trade a lengthier season for a cheaper pass. You cant have your cake and eat it too. I think i was about the only person wearing a day ticket on saturday. EVERYONE had passes.

 

[andyzee]

Well the only people who can't complain are the All for One pass holders. (Myself Included) Others who pay for a lift ticket at an ASC resort can complain all they want. It's the price of doing business. Basically ASC is giving us an IOU. We inflate their profits for the end of this fiscal year in exchange for unlimited skiing next season. They already have my money for this season. They shorten the season because the majority of their spring skiers are the same enthusiasts that jump all over their pass offer before May 2nd. Not too many ticket sales this time of year. Killington is running in the red on a daily basis right now.

I realize that by purchasing this pass with the masses that I am part of the problem. On the other hand, this school teacher would not be able to afford to ski as much if he didn't buy it. I accept it for what it is, but I completely understand others exasperation.

TB, I'll hold your hand when you jump over to the dark side. :evil:

I agree with you 100%, no way I would have gotten 32 days in at K if it wasn't for the pass. I do believe if they got more creative they could still make some money at the end of the season, but this year they didn't even try. There was no Spring pass as in past years and they didn't reduce the price of their daily lift ticket until a couple of weeks ago. Who would want to pay $68 for limited terrain. Oh and TB, I'll hold Mrs, TBs hand when you jump to the Dark Side

 

[Vortex]

Beano Part of the problem..... ? How many here were buying late season tickets before the season passes were cheap?

Not many I would think. Just pass holders that paid the old ASC prises.
I went cause I bought the spring into March Pass prior to the bronze pass. Again a pass holder.
I never paid for a late season ticket. If I did not have a pass I did not go. They do not lose me they gained me.
The cheap passes may be part of the closing early. I'm not sure that is the major reason. Cost cost cutting across the board.

 

[BeanoNYC]

I'm not sure that is the major reason. Cost cost cutting across the board.

Sad but true, Bob. I really feel bad for those small businesses that rely on Killington staying open overlapping with golf season.