Ikon replaces MAX in 18/19

[Zermatt]

I know why Pico is not on the list.....because it is not opening next season. Can't run a ski area selling 50 tickets a day.

Either that or Killington will be full access and that would already include Pico. Can't wait for details on pricing and access.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

pico is "part" of killington. they can (and I assume do) operate at a loss, which is offset by killington.

 

[sankaty]

I know why Pico is not on the list.....because it is not opening next season. Can't run a ski area selling 50 tickets a day.

Either that or Killington will be full access and that would already include Pico. Can't wait for details on pricing and access.

Are you speculating here are do you have a source for this?

Thanks!

 

[sankaty]

I seems logical/likely that the Ikon Pass will replace the MAX pass, but has this been confirmed anywhere? I searched online and don't see any confirmation that the MAX pass won't be offered, and it's conceptually possible that both could exist.

Based on where we've been staying, not being able to ski Killington/Pico/Okemo on the same pass would be a major bummer.

 

[Zermatt]

Are you speculating here are do you have a source for this?

Thanks!

Highly educated speculation. Unlike other skiers, I don't live a in a dream world where ski areas just open because people like skiing. Most do intend to actually make money.

Reading through the FAQ they mentioned blackout dates, that would be a major change versus the MAX Pass.

I wonder where all the dropped areas are going to go. If they hated being on MAX or will miss the lost revenue.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

I seems logical/likely that the Ikon Pass will replace the MAX pass, but has this been confirmed anywhere? I searched online and don't see any confirmation that the MAX pass won't be offered, and it's conceptually possible that both could exist.

Based on where we've been staying, not being able to ski Killington/Pico/Okemo on the same pass would be a major bummer.

the FAQ clearly states that max will not be offered anymore.

 

[sankaty]

the FAQ clearly states that max will not be offered anymore.

I saw that right after posting. Sorry.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

Highly educated speculation. Unlike other skiers, I don't live a in a dream world where ski areas just open because people like skiing. Most do intend to actually make money.

Reading through the FAQ they mentioned blackout dates, that would be a major change versus the MAX Pass.

I wonder where all the dropped areas are going to go. If they hated being on MAX or will miss the lost revenue.

but its been this way FOREVER. pico has been associated with killington for as long as I can remember skiing at killington, and has always been empty. its where you could go on a crowded Saturday when killington is slammed and have ski on lift access all day. what about this year makes this any different? nothing in my opinion. it still gets lumped in with killington and any losses are offset by killingtons gains, allowing them to offer a more affordable product to locals etc

 

[Whitey]

For an east coast skier, this is a major letdown :evil:

No new areas, and we have lost:

If you are talking about east coast skiers from New England, I don't see this as much of a loss:

Pico = meh, still have Killington
Gore = Unless you are from NY - NBD
Whiteface = ditto
Belleayre = ditto
Okemo = meh
Sunapee = meh
Mont Sainte Anne = would like to go but probably too far
Mountain Creek = New Jersey only disappointed by this one
Stoneham = (see mt saint anne)
Wachusett = meh
Windham = (see Bellayre, whiteface, and Gore)

I LOVE the addition of Jackson Hole and this virtually garauntees that I will knock off another one of my "bucket list" mountains in the next 2 ski seasons.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

its a huge hit for the new york market, tho we only had these ny places involved for 1 year, so its sort of easy come easy go, but that is 20 days, 10 of which are under 2.5 hours from nyc

I'd wait for details before you start celebrating Jackson tho. right now my suspicion is that former mountain collective places will have the same shitty 2 day allotment, and then 50% off additional days if you're lucky. Jackson will still have you reaching deep into your pocket to ski an actual 5 day trip. I hope I am wrong.

 

[Smellytele]

If you are talking about east coast skiers from New England, I don't see this as much of a loss:

Pico = meh, still have Killington
Gore = Unless you are from NY - NBD
Whiteface = ditto
Belleayre = ditto
Okemo = meh
Sunapee = meh
Mont Sainte Anne = would like to go but probably too far
Mountain Creek = New Jersey only disappointed by this one
Stoneham = (see mt saint anne)
Wachusett = meh
Windham = (see Bellayre, whiteface, and Gore)

I LOVE the addition of Jackson Hole and this virtually garauntees that I will knock off another one of my "bucket list" mountains in the next 2 ski seasons.

If you don't travel much it is a let down for EC skiers.

 

[Edd]

This is a bummer not knowing price or # of days and seeing what we’re losing. Aspen and Squaw are excellent additions but not sure I can pull off a western trip next year.


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[benski]

I many of the max pass resorts not on the Ikon pass either keep the mass pass going or join another pass.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

and not knowing about blackout dates. the whole thing mostly stinks, at least for now. and I'm anticipating a higher price than max as well.

 

[sankaty]

Highly educated speculation. Unlike other skiers, I don't live a in a dream world where ski areas just open because people like skiing. Most do intend to actually make money.

Reading through the FAQ they mentioned blackout dates, that would be a major change versus the MAX Pass.

I wonder where all the dropped areas are going to go. If they hated being on MAX or will miss the lost revenue.

It doesn't seem like Pico would be profitable on its own, but Killington has been operating it this way for years, and presumably they have a business justification for it. I don't know if it's a good justification or if the facts that led to that justification are changing.

The FAQ is very cagey; it seems to me that there are still lots of negotiations and planning elements in the works. It does seem possible that they could rope in additional partners. It would be great if the Okemo/Sunapee/CB group could be included, but I have no idea if that would be attractive to either side.

I don't have a great feeling on the value of this relative to the MAX pass for skiers like me, but I suppose it needs to offer a value at least comparable to the Epic pass, which will cap the cost somewhat.

 

[benski]

The FAQ implies there will be tires and local passes.

 

[Whitey]

If you don't travel much it is a let down for EC skiers.

Corrected;

If you don't travel much it is a let down for NY skiers.

Sorry, I just can't get too busted up about losing Okemo, Sunapee, and Wachusett. I always bought my max pass for; day trips to Loon, weekends at Sunday River, and vacations/long weekends at Sugarloaf. And Killington. The 2 sugars (loaf & bush) are my favorite mtns in the northeast. Max pass gave me one of my favorites plus the other mtns. Other than that, if I did or didn't get to O/S/W - NBD. If I am going to make the 1 hr drive to WaWa, I'd go to Crotched instead for the extra 15 min drive. I've just never been a fan of WaWa.

 

[Smellytele]

Corrected;

If you don't travel much it is a let down for NY skiers.

Sorry, I just can't get too busted up about losing Okemo, Sunapee, and Wachusett. I always bought my max pass for; day trips to Loon, weekends at Sunday River, and vacations/long weekends at Sugarloaf. And Killington. The 2 sugars (loaf & bush) are my favorite mtns in the northeast. Max pass gave me one of my favorites plus the other mtns. Other than that, if I did or didn't get to O/S/W - NBD. If I am going to make the 1 hr drive to WaWa, I'd go to Crotched instead for the extra 15 min drive. I've just never been a fan of WaWa.

I was thinking of getting it next year but with Sunapee not being a close option now (25 mins from me) it might not be in the cards. A Winter park/ copper and Steamboat trip might still lure me in but need to weigh all options still.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

depending on pricing and days per resort, this (+skiVT 5-pack) is still the likely best option for me. but it's still a bummer. and I will be very surprised if the excellent additions are more than 2 days at each place, because mountain collective. that would necessitate some annoyingly long drives to put a trip together (alta/bird - Jackson, squaw-mammoth, winter park-aspen, etc).

 

[ss20]

Highly educated speculation. Unlike other skiers, I don't live a in a dream world where ski areas just open because people like skiing. Most do intend to actually make money.

Ahhh OK...so the mountain that has survived being in the shadow of Killington for 50+ years will shut down for good because of an "educated guess".


I think you're just late to the Pico Party seeing that the place is dead and you can get some great skiing in.