killington cancelling lifetime passes

[tree_skier]

When Loons passes were messed with I moved and I am selling my place near Loon.

.

Where did you move to Bob? A great move would be over to sneaux

 

[JPTracker]

This week we have seen all this bad publicity which has come as a result of this decision. Resorts spend thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars to create an image which is impacted by a decision like this, which may save what, a few dollars?

Besides the message boards where else have you seen this mentioned. The number of people that read these boards compared to the number that visit Killington in a year is pretty small. So unless this hits one of the major news sources I doubt it will do much damage to their image.

 

[JimG.]

Besides the message boards where else have you seen this mentioned. The number of people that read these boards compared to the number that visit Killington in a year is pretty small. So unless this hits one of the major news sources I doubt it will do much damage to their image.

Word...talk about making a mountain out of a molehill.

Again, I sympathize with the people who lost out on this deal.

But these are the realities of investing in corporations, and make no mistake, this was at least a benefit attached to an investment. It got cashed out because the company who offered it sold out.

And all you K regulars, exactly how will you all benefit by suing your home mountain?

 

[thetrailboss]

Besides the message boards where else have you seen this mentioned. The number of people that read these boards compared to the number that visit Killington in a year is pretty small. So unless this hits one of the major news sources I doubt it will do much damage to their image.

I don't think that you can minimize the number of folks who read these boards. If this place is not visited by many, then why do resorts spend money advertising here? Why do industry insiders from Sugarbush and other resorts come here? I am surprised that you and Jim G downplay the significance of this site. Is it the NY Times? No. Of course not.

You also need to know that the type of person who reads this is a serious skier/rider. Word spreads. The folks who come here are the most committed members of the market. They ski/ride the most. Spend the most $$$ on it, etc.

So is this going to lead to a news article from AZ alone? No. So far almost 1,800 people have come to this thread alone. You may not think that is much, but in my book any bad PR is not good. Especially for new ownership.

 

[SkiDork]

I got my passes from the vault. This is the wording:

=======================================

Killington Ltd.

SHERBURNE VERMONT

PASS

This certifies that SkiDork is the owner of record of Pass Number XXXX, entitling the holder to the free use of all ski lifts operated by Killington Ltd. at Killington Ski Are so long as the corporation shall operate in that area under an agreement with the State Of Vermont.

The Ownership of the pass may be transferred not more than once during the life of the pass. The transfer must be made upon the books of the corporation in person or by attorney, by surrender of this certificate properly endorsed.

Signed by Allen Wilson

 

[ski_resort_observer]

TB..I agree with everything you have said except in this case I don't think they are punishing anyone nor are they acting unethically. The company that sold these bonds does not exist anymore. This is what happened at several similar situations in the past.

I seem to remember when Crotched Mt reopened a few years ago they too did not honor "lifetime passes". Anyone remember that?

If they are sued and the new owners lose then they are dumber than ASC. All the kmart loyalists are waiting with baited breath regarding the new season pass prices. This is the major PR situation coming up.

 

[thetrailboss]

And for the record another "Ski Chat Room" has almost 5,000 hits on this very same thread alone. I think that is pretty significant.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

And for the record another "Ski Chat Room" has almost 5,000 hits on this very same thread alone. I think that is pretty significant.

Yawn. How many unique viewers?

 

[millerm277]

Yawn. How many unique viewers?

I would guess, from the three forums I know this to be posted on. (Here, SJ, and K-Zone), 1000+ would not be out of the question.

 

[MikeTrainor]

I got my passes from the vault. This is the wording:

=======================================

Killington Ltd.

SHERBURNE VERMONT

PASS

This certifies that SkiDork is the owner of record of Pass Number XXXX, entitling the holder to the free use of all ski lifts operated by Killington Ltd. at Killington Ski Are so long as the corporation shall operate in that area under an agreement with the State Of Vermont.

The Ownership of the pass may be transferred not more than once during the life of the pass. The transfer must be made upon the books of the corporation in person or by attorney, by surrender of this certificate properly endorsed.

Signed by Allen Wilson

Well it looks like in the letter sent out [Sherburne] in parentheses was added as their interpretation.

 

[MikeTrainor]

Yawn. How many unique viewers?

You would be surprised how many people read these forums and don't post. I have talked to a number of people that browse this website.

 

[snoseek]

You would be surprised how many people read these forums and don't post. I have talked to a number of people that browse this website.

i hear what your saying. plus people that read and post in these forums are apt to discuss this with other skiers that don't. this all adds up i'm sure.

 

[jerryg]

i hear what your saying. plus people that read and post in these forums are apt to discuss this with other skiers that don't. this all adds up i'm sure.

Exactly. It's like customer service; if you have a good experience, you may or may not tell someone. If you have a bad customer service experience, you tell an average of 5 different people.

 

[jerryg]

Well it looks like in the letter sent out [Sherburne] in parentheses was added as their interpretation.

It would be interesting to see a copy of the exact letter (minus names and addresses) in here somehow. Is it actually on ASC letterhead and signed by someone from ASC or is it frmo Killington and sent out by someone from there. That could make a difference.

 

[SkiDork]

I'll type it in tomorrow

 

[dmc]

Yawn. How many unique viewers?

Exactly... People crack me up with internet self importance.... this is a great chat board but it's JUST a chat board...

I've setup up programs to inflate post counts before on KChat - I just tested it and I can still do it... Not here though..
I used to do it on KChat to mess with one of the characters over there.. I've also setup "bots" to post multiple times too to go after one of the moderators that I hate with a passion.. Probably one of the reasons I got put on the "troll" list... But it was worth it...

Like I said before I feel sorry for a couple of the KChaters...
But most that are pissed... Well.. It's karma catching up with their lame asses and I could give a rats ass...
One hand hand bitching about a lifetime pass on the other bragging about owning Corvettes, owning houses up there and blasting others who believe in intitlement just to survive...

I'm actually enjoying this from that respect..

 

[dmc]

Whether they can do it legally or not I don't know but it is going to cost them in the end from negative comments, and lost customers. I don't know how many have lifetime passes, but if they all are pissed and give lots of negative advertising about Killington it will lose a lot more money in lost ticket sales than it would ever gain by making these people buy passes!

I don't understand that...

If you love a mountain.. And you dig the terrain... Why stop going? BEcause you want to punish some jerk in a suit? What does that solve? All it does is punish local businesses...

This isn't MY fight... It's the fight of a few people that took a risk... It doesn't concern me except I'm bumbed for Dork and Ty... I doubt it's going to stop them from going to K either.. They have a lot invested there...

I know this won't stop me from going to K...

 

[riverc0il]

Alot of negitive vibes this year with passes. Loon, Burke,ASc Pwdr. Interesteing, but not comfortable.

What are the bad vibes with Burke? Prices went up slightly but nothing too big and still within market value based on local competition. Did I miss something?

 

[riverc0il]

I don't think that you can minimize the number of folks who read these boards. If this place is not visited by many, then why do resorts spend money advertising here? Why do industry insiders from Sugarbush and other resorts come here? I am surprised that you and Jim G downplay the significance of this site. Is it the NY Times? No. Of course not.

You also need to know that the type of person who reads this is a serious skier/rider. Word spreads. The folks who come here are the most committed members of the market. They ski/ride the most. Spend the most $$$ on it, etc.

The average skier/rider/family that the ski industry counts on probably never visits these types of forums. The few that do probably do not read during the off season and especially not during mid-May when there is boating, golf, home improvement, and kids baseball games to attend. While there certainly are a lot of dedicated skiers on this forum, I don't see that as having much effect on the general population.

How much bashing has Kmart taken in the past? I certainly chuckle a little bit when thinking that a little more Kmart bashing is going to make much different in the big picture. The place already takes a ton of heat. How much ranting and raving on the forums have changed the early/late season at Kmart? Nothing. In a matter of fact, both ends of the season continue to get shorter. Wider trails, less character? Doesn't matter. Bad Customer Service? People were still lining up for the A41. Bumps getting mowed down? Some posters may be hating on the forums, but it hasn't changed anything. In a matter of fact, it is really easy for a casual viewer of a dedicated forum with "hard core" people to dismiss a few hot heads spotting off opinion about an issue that personally effects a few people. How many people does this actually impact? Someone give me a number here. It seems many folks in this thread are jumping on the hating band wagon just because it is so called "bad PR." But as someone else mentioned, whereas are you seeing bad PR? Any where else but a few online forums that a very very small percent of the market follow and even less follow during the off season? This thread may have gotten a lot of hits (as the other ones on other sites), but also as mentioned, probably not a lot of unique visitors. Personally, I have browsed this thread at least once sometimes twice everyday since it was created.

I just don't see this being the issue that it is being played up to be. Sorry for the people that are effected, but as previously stated, the investors rolled the dice on an investment. Hopefully they got their monies worth and some return on their investment, some may have lost out. Most people don't get this worked up when any other investments work out or fail through legitimate and accepted practices. But it seems easier to emphasize with investors loosing out in this case because we are all skiers/riders and share the activity. And as far as the bad PR issue, I say good idea for getting it out of the way with up front. If they wanted to do it, nice to be done with the issue and now they don't have to worry about something in the closet. They can start focusing on some good PR with the ugly stuff done right out of the gate.

 

[thetrailboss]

What are the bad vibes with Burke? Prices went up slightly but nothing too big and still within market value based on local competition. Did I miss something?

Yes you did. A 250% increase is not a "slight" increase. That is how much Burke expects students, College, University, Law, Med, etc. who are over 24 to pay (up from $199-$525).