Jay Peak Starts On Thursday

[SnowRider]

Jay Peak reving up the guns on Thursday!?

http://www.jaypeakresort.com/en/jay_peak/

 

[riverc0il]

this is nice to see. jay would be smart to capitalize on the great base they already have. it might not last if they let it be, but it will surely make a great base layer and stay if they cover it with man made and groom it down. opening a weekend sooner than planned is news to my ears!

 

[SnowRider]

With Jay so far north with colder temps and a decent base already there could they ever be one of the first if not THE first mountain to open? Or will they wait opening due to there tricky location and possible loss of money?

 

[thetrailboss]

With Jay so far north with colder temps and a decent base already there could they ever be one of the first if not THE first mountain to open? Or will they wait opening due to there tricky location and possible loss of money?

Here's the thing. Killington used to open early because they had a layout that allowed them to download or truck folks to the upper mountain lifts. The Glades...err...North Ridge Triple is pretty high up the mountain. Now yes Jay is up far north, but it's base is still pretty low...lower than Killington's upper part and they don't have any "upper mountain" lifts. In fact, now that I think of it, all of Jay's lifts start at either State Side or Tram Base...which means they start at the BOTTOM. Now if they had some sort of upper mountain lift that they could get people to, then they'd be in business.

 

[riverc0il]

not a chance, jay has nothing at the base and they would recieve no financial benefit from opening that early. as it is, they are only just now talkng about pushing opening up one week to what, the weekend before thanksgiving? as always, opening dates do not depend on snowfall or snow making, but rather when skiers will start showing up and when the ski area can have the area fully staffed and operating at a profit or at least a reasonable loss. it is never an issue of cold, snow, or snow making or else stowe would have opened last week and kmart would already be spinning the glades triple with a truck driving people up. but it isn't about opening first, it is about opening profitably, or at least not opening extremely in the red.

 

[thetrailboss]

not a chance, jay has nothing at the base and they would recieve no financial benefit from opening that early. as it is, they are only just now talkng about pushing opening up one week to what, the weekend before thanksgiving? as always, opening dates do not depend on snowfall or snow making, but rather when skiers will start showing up and when the ski area can have the area fully staffed and operating at a profit or at least a reasonable loss. it is never an issue of cold, snow, or snow making or else stowe would have opened last week and kmart would already be spinning the glades triple with a truck driving people up. but it isn't about opening first, it is about opening profitably, or at least not opening extremely in the red.

And this is the second part...MSSI is pretty tight when it comes to operating the place. I have skied there very early though....in Nov 2002 they opened on Nov. 9th for skiing. But they have more of a midseason following. Not many diehards who want to ski one trail. Their location also deters some folks from making the hike for one or two trails. They have an opening routine and stick to it.

 

[56fish]

Yup

not a chance, jay has nothing at the base and they would recieve no financial benefit from opening that early. as it is, they are only just now talkng about pushing opening up one week to what, the weekend before thanksgiving? as always, opening dates do not depend on snowfall or snow making, but rather when skiers will start showing up and when the ski area can have the area fully staffed and operating at a profit or at least a reasonable loss. it is never an issue of cold, snow, or snow making or else stowe would have opened last week and kmart would already be spinning the glades triple with a truck driving people up. but it isn't about opening first, it is about opening profitably, or at least not opening extremely in the red.

Yer on it dude. Rode a chair w/ some close to Bill Stenger. Fiscal responibility is a Jay hallmark.

 

[meat]

With Jay so far north with colder temps and a decent base already there could they ever be one of the first if not THE first mountain to open? Or will they wait opening due to there tricky location and possible loss of money?

one small factor is the job fair is today and their is hardly any staff available, can't get organized quick enough.

however it is great news that the mountain plans on opening a week early and begins making snow tonight. I don't think their is a chance in hell that jay would blow snow and plan on having most of it melt away before the lifts spin, probably means its not going to get too warm. this is good!

 

[riverc0il]

the other aspect is going to be this: when jay opens, who is going to drive to jay to ski the jet and haynes? locals and pass holders. why would metro skiers drive four hours for two trails? especially when closer mountains have better november offerings. perhaps once jet and haynes have a base, i could see jay opening earlier than expected if we get a super november dump and they have staff available, trained, and in place. but november epic dumps seem almost more rare than october epic dumps (okay, short term memory, whatev).

 

[koreshot]

the other aspect is going to be this: when jay opens, who is going to drive to jay to ski the jet and haynes? locals and pass holders. why would metro skiers drive four hours for two trails? especially when closer mountains have better november offerings. perhaps once jet and haynes have a base, i could see jay opening earlier than expected if we get a super november dump and they have staff available, trained, and in place. but november epic dumps seem almost more rare than october epic dumps (okay, short term memory, whatev).

I agree. Making a serious driving effort to ski groomers in Jay Peak is just silly. Their snow conditions and grooming on the trails are usually bad compared to other VT resorts, even during regular season.