Jay Peak Conceptual Development Plan (2011-2016)

[drjeff]

what is good for business doesn't have a direct correlation with what may be a good experience

And what constitutes a "good experience" for you may not be what constitutes a good experience for another

Jay just seems to be doing a GREAT job recently at trying to give it's customers, both existing, current, and future a WIDE option of things to do, that will make hopefully more of them than not WANT to come back, and not just during snow sliding season. One of the key areas of attention in the ski industry now IS how to make a resort a year round income stream source. And especially in Vermont these days, there's a BIG range of examples of this. Heck, even Magic has a pretty sweet looking ropes course now as a way to help attract some summer business.

 

[jimmywilson69]

And what constitutes a "good experience" for you may not be what constitutes a good experience for another

Jay just seems to be doing a GREAT job recently at trying to give it's customers, both existing, current, and future a WIDE option of things to do, that will make hopefully more of them than not WANT to come back, and not just during snow sliding season. One of the key areas of attention in the ski industry now IS how to make a resort a year round income stream source. And especially in Vermont these days, there's a BIG range of examples of this. Heck, even Magic has a pretty sweet looking ropes course now as a way to help attract some summer business.

Mid Atlantice "resorts" like my home hill of Ski Roundtop have been doing this for years. Ski Roundtop has a full slate of "adventure" attractions in the summer and they utilize the snow tubing area as the base including a resturant/bar that has live music on the weekends.

Year round revenue = more snow making and a reason for people to come back in the winter and/or summer!

 

[Nick]

I should know better than to wade into the swamp here. I'll add, only, that I agree with bits and pieces of everything--except for the Stowe envy which is equal parts adorable and uninformed. The conversation did spark a lovely memory I hold dear. I was at the first Highgate GD Show in 1994 (I believe) and, with 200 shows under my belt, was definitely a member of Deader-Than-Thou Nation, thumbing my nose at people who I perceived weren't there for the right reasons. I said something to the effect of 'All of these new people don't even appreciate what it used to be like.' My friend, with fewer shows under his belt but at least as much vigor says, 'What people?' Thanks for helping me remember this.

Kids these days. Back in my day....

 

[kingdom-tele]

Mid Atlantice "resorts" like my home hill of Ski Roundtop have been doing this for years. Ski Roundtop has a full slate of "adventure" attractions in the summer and they utilize the snow tubing area as the base including a resturant/bar that has live music on the weekends.

Year round revenue = more snow making and a reason for people to come back in the winter and/or summer!

the reason for coming back I thought had been established decades ago

I'm confused, its not about the amenities but it is about the amenities all at the same time.

@drjeff - no doubt. but it would be nice if not every place felt just like every other.

 

[BenedictGomez]

I'm confused, its not about the amenities but it is about the amenities all at the same time.

I think that's the tightrope they're attempting to walk.

The fact that some can see it both ways probably means they're doing an okay job of it so far. Time will tell. This Stateside business will be the next landmine for them to navigate.

 

[from_the_NEK]

Rendering complete.
The good view is from the middle of the parking lot now...

 

[riverc0il]

Something seems off with that angle. The Jet is way too prominent and the Peak and Bonnie seem way too distant. Probably just Google Earth not being perfect.

I'm not going to argue against the fact that Jay's business plan is genius. Nor that people will buy the product and eat it up. I'm in the minority. I'm not against resorts increasing the bottom line. But I do appreciate a more laid back experience. Just my preference.

I will say that seeing a bill board for the waterpark on the Tram access road was an eye opener. At first, I looked at the image (a crazy eyed kid enjoying the water) and thought "genius marketing". After I got home, I thought "damn, a billboard in VT".

The experience is different even if the mountain hasn't changed. You can argue for or against it. You can choose to overlook that aspect or perhaps it matters not to you. But the fact remains that the place feels different. And it is fine for folks not to see it that way as long as they acknowledge it is because they are looking through different glasses. Though it strikes me odd that people would comment without having actually been there. But lens and all maybe that wouldn't change opinion.

I am going to be happy to be able to take a leak Stateside without the pissers being so close that I'm rubbing elbow with someone else while taking a leak. That must might be worth it all right there.

 

[deadheadskier]

Haven't been in two years, but I did drive around from Stateside to Tramside to check out the changes when I was up there (we made turns together on Jet that day). I'll certainly acknowledge that it was a big change (and I know the changes now are probably double what I saw), but not a change that would even be in my mind if it were midwinter and I was skiing down Face Chutes or Everglade.

Same goes for Stowe. When I'm standing on the Chin or skiing down Goat, the behemoth lodging complex across the street is the furthest thing from my mind.

And at Killington this past weekend. This is different from auxiliary development, but I saw some world class douchebaggery at the base areas and in the parking lots. When I was lapping Julio and Anarchy all of that crap was the furthest thing from my mind.

I guess for me where I only get out on the hill 25 days per season on average, my mind is pretty dialed in on the skiing. I don't have time to worry about anything else. If the auxiliary stuff is what mountains feel they need to do, then it is what it is. It obviously affects other patrons more or should I say, differently than it does myself. It's maybe for the same reason that I don't go gaga over how "old school" MRG is. I enjoy the terrain tremendously and that's what I'm there for, not the "vibe".

 

[BenedictGomez]

I'm not going to argue against the fact that Jay's business plan is genius.

Find a Chinese or South Korean guy with $500,000 who wants a VISA. Repeat numerous times. Yup, it's pure genius, I'm not gonna argue against that one.

I will say that seeing a bill board for the waterpark on the Tram access road was an eye opener. At first, I looked at the image (a crazy eyed kid enjoying the water) and thought "genius marketing". After I got home, I thought "damn, a billboard in VT".

Is that legal now, I thought that wasnt allowed? I was just there too, dunno how I missed that, will have to look for it next week.

And at Killington this past weekend. This is different from auxiliary development, but I saw some world class douchebaggery at the base areas and in the parking lots.

Dont leave us hanging like that....

 

[deadheadskier]

In the parking lot when heading out for the day, there were a couple of SUVs (one from NY, the other GA) playing chicken with one another and yelling fighting words over who deserved to be first out of the parking lot. Plenty of people trying to skip others in line at the SPE and K1. Just numerous episodes of aggressiveness all around. Kind of sucked to see, but when I was skiing, none of it really mattered. The chicken match my wife and I found highly entertaining actually. :lol: Really wish they crashed into each other.

 

[riverc0il]

Is that legal now, I thought that wasnt allowed? I was just there too, dunno how I missed that, will have to look for it next week.

It is a gigantic sign on private property, I don't think they are running afoul of the law. I'm playing a little fast and loose with the definition calling it a billboard.

And when I referred to the business plan, I meant building up on mountain amenitities including lodging, concerts, waterpark, ice rink, food, spa, etc, etc, etc. EB5 is the financing part of the plan, I wouldn't consider that the genius part so much as the "duh" part.

 

[from_the_NEK]

If you imagine some tree in between you and the jet in that picture, it would make it look a little farther away.

 

[BenedictGomez]

EB5 is the financing part of the plan, I wouldn't consider that the genius part so much as the "duh" part.

I may be biased, but I consider the financing the genius part (even if I strongly disagree with it).

Without the financing, there is no "building up on mountain amenities".

 

[Sick Bird Rider]

Rendering complete.
The good view is from the middle of the parking lot now...

Well, at least if we sleep in we are assured of a parking spot with a view.

Did anybody else notice the sugar shack motif on the roofline of the new lodge? It's a nice touch.

Sorry for being mundane but it is hard to keep up with you guys.

 

[from_the_NEK]

I uploaded the model to the 3D warehouse (this one was a lot easier to build than the dual axised Mid-Burke). Feel free to download for Google Earth.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=484139a7e325942cabbd4f2282d3f160

A few more views.

 

[from_the_NEK]

And by the look of the contours on the plan. The Powerline HS6 will be a flat traverse from the top of the stairs.

The Taxi Quad will be 14 feet higher.

 

[riverc0il]

Wow, incredible. FTN FTW!

That is amazing how the intruding angle of the lodge brings it so much closer to the 6 Pack, eliminating a lot of trudging. I assume they'll also pave/walkway a big chunk of real estate in front of the building. Only 14 feet higher to the Taxi substantially reduces the uphill trudge BUT you have to climb three floors of stairs to get there, so you are climbing either way. Makes sense to climb stairs instead of hiking up the snow, that will be easier. Hopefully no escalator though.

I assume the section of the building furthest from the lifts and closest to the outside stairs is the day lodge and the rest is the hotel? Too bad, I'd love to be able to walk through their and cut out half the skate to the Jet. Looks like the hotel goes almost to the bridge to the Jet.

Where does JPSP go since it appears their building is gone?

 

[BenedictGomez]

Holy crap, that thing looks ridonculously huge.

 

[deadheadskier]

I question the logic all together of having hotel lodging over on Stateside. Wouldn't it make more sense to concentrate all the lodging at Tramside? I would think the restaurants/bars/waterpark/hockey rink would see maximum usage by concentrating all of the lodging guests within walking distance of those facilities. Maybe they lack space over there for more.

 

[BenedictGomez]

I question the logic all together of having hotel lodging over on Stateside. Wouldn't it make more sense to concentrate all the lodging at Tramside? I would think the restaurants/bars/waterpark/hockey rink would see maximum usage by concentrating all of the lodging guests within walking distance of those facilities. Maybe they lack space over there for more.

I think you're correct on both points. In fact, my assumption is they'll have to price the rooms a bit lower for this reason during most times of the year.