killington closing day - sunday 4/25

[bvibert]

I was just thinking that it's been a really long time since SpinmasterK has posted here.

Give him a call. Let's hear his side of the story.

 

[Geoff]

I know that we'll never see the data, but I'd bet that even if K stayed open 1 more week, that the conversion rate from spring pass holder to 2010-2011 K full season pass holder wouldn't be that great, and this action likely won't decrease those numbers very much (if at all)

Given the minimal cost to spin one lift for a week, you don't have to lose many season pass sales to turn it into an incredibly stupid business decision.

Here are the traffic counter numbers for the Killington Access Road for January & February. If I ran a business and my owners saw that, I wouldn't be employed very long. As a friend of mine points out, "Nobody ever intentionally goes out to lose market share".

You can pull the sales, lodging, meals, and alcohol sales data out of the Vermont Dept of Taxes site. It is consistent with the traffic counter data.

 

[Geoff]

Give him a call. Let's hear his side of the story.

Killington marketing is in "Duck & Cover" mode right now. Not exactly the brightest thing to do when you are trying to sell 2011 season passes.

 

[Riverskier]

It's hard to say from, just reading words, just how bent out of shape you were. I felt a reminder was in order, so I gave it. Yes, as a whole people have been behaving fairly well in this thread, and I'm trying to keep it that way.

Not at all actually, simply suggesting others do the same.

 

[RootDKJ]

Give him a call. Let's hear his side of the story.

I really don't care either way. I voted with my wallet this season and was no worse off because of it.

 

[bvibert]

Not at all actually, simply suggesting others do the same.

Cool. :beer:

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Not only was the statement not true, I understand Judge Sessions has been critical of the defendents' approach in the case.

The class action suit is definately still in play, bet the lawyers are making a killing.

There were two previous lawsuits filed by individuals which Powdr won. I remember WCAX interviewing the couple who filed the lawsuit after the judge made its ruling.

Per my post, lawsuits were filed previous to the current class action suit, Powdr came out on top, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I will find some documentation.

 

[thetrailboss]

Give him a call. Let's hear his side of the story.

 

[WWF-VT]

Who cares about closing early when you have next season to look forward to ?

Thanks to the most extensive snowmaking system in the world, the largest modern snow grooming fleet in the east, Killington will offer an extended season from early November 2010 through early May 2011, weather and snow conditions permitting.

I'm betting that there will be a thread started no later than November 10th bitching about Killington not opening the first day the temps are below freezing

 

[ski_resort_observer]

While searching for info on the lawsuits, not the big class action lawsuit, I have read countless articles in the Rutland Herald and came across this tidbit of info regarding skier/rider visits for 07/08. From 1.2m a few years ago to 640,000, that's a bunch. Until I see a definition of "profit", could be EBITDA which is gross profit, I'm personally taking that part of the sentence with alot of grains of salt. Course, this was 2 seasons ago. Has the visits gone up the past two seasons(including the one almost coming to a close) remained the same or gone down further?

Staff Writer
Date: July 13, 2008
Publication: Rutland Herald (VT)

KILLINGTON - If the end justifies the means, then count Killington/Pico's first season under new ownership a success.

Under Powdr Corp. the resort made a tidy profit with combined skier visits at both ski areas topping 640,000.

 

[campgottagopee]

How much is a Greek season pass compared to Kmart..?

Don't know how much K is, but the Peak is 299 bucks!!!!

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I just got notice about the Facebook page Killington=EPIC FAIL, looks like it was put up yesterday afternoon. 42 members so far, no photos, discussion topics or events listed yet but it's a start. I was also sent a link to shortski's vid.

 

[campgottagopee]

Were you at the party Sunday?

Seems like a lot of GP'ers like to hit up K on the shoulders of the season for sure.

Nope, I know of a few guys who head there---if I go north it's to WF or Gore

 

[ozzy]

I just got notice about the Facebook page Killington=EPIC FAIL, looks like it was put up yesterday afternoon. 42 members so far, no photos, discussion topics or events listed yet but it's a start. I was also sent a link to shortski's vid.

Actually, I just uploaded 9 photos from today's adventures. I apologize in advance for the shitty blackberry photos.
Powbmps was sem getting his filth on as well

 

[RootDKJ]

I'm betting that there will be a thread started no later than November 10th bitching about Killington not opening the first day the temps are below freezing

+1

 

[Black Phantom]

Nope, I know of a few guys who head there---if I go north it's to WF or Gore

Nope? Half the race program was up a couple of weeks ago. I meet GP'ers up there every weekend. Sure they go other places as well.

Pirko loves K.

 

[campgottagopee]

Nope? Half the race program was up a couple of weeks ago. I meet GP'ers up there every weekend. Sure they go other places as well.

Pirko loves K.

I don't go, but again, mucho peeps do go there. I don't have anything against K, in fact, used to spend a fair amount of time there (mid- late 80's), but now just not my scene for me and the crew I ski with is all. Like the vibe/vert better at WF, that, and the beer at PJ's friggin ROCKS!!!!:beer:

 

[thetrailboss]

Here's a thought: use honey instead of vinegar, or in this case nitric acid.

 

[bigbob]

The problem that I have is that over the years Killington was relied upon as the area that would open first and close last. Year after year they strived to have the longest season in the east. A lot of people here who are complaining are coming to the realization this will be gone for ever, unless you are within driving distance of Sugarloaf/ Sunday River. I can drive there in 3 hours. Tough for a day trip, but doable. People from the NY metro area are losing this late season option, some of which who have real estate in central Vermont, so they are losing some of the value of their investment. Powdr Corp is a privately held co, and can do as they please. I would think that if they had said May 2 nd is not looking good right now, we plan on closing midweek to preserve the snow base and will reevaluate by Thursday, I would think the reaction from their customers would of been more positive than the flaming they are receiving.
This has turned into yet another bad PR move on their part and as Geoff has stated, they will lose more money than what was saved by their recent announcement.
I hope John Cummings is reading all this "free customer feedback" and learning from these decisions.
If this involved a Boyne resort I am sure SK would of chimed in by now and set things straight...

 

[deadheadskier]

The problem that I have is that over the years Killington was relied upon as the area that would open first and close last. Year after year they strived to have the longest season in the east. A lot of people here who are complaining are coming to the realization this will be gone for ever, unless you are within driving distance of Sugarloaf/ Sunday River. I can drive there in 3 hours. Tough for a day trip, but doable. People from the NY metro area are losing this late season option, some of which who have real estate in central Vermont, so they are losing some of the value of their investment. Powdr Corp is a privately held co, and can do as they please. I would think that if they had said May 2 nd is not looking good right now, we plan on closing midweek to preserve the snow base and will reevaluate by Thursday, I would think the reaction from their customers would of been more positive than the flaming they are receiving.
This has turned into yet another bad PR move on their part and as Geoff has stated, they will lose more money than what was saved by their recent announcement.
I hope John Cummings is reading all this "free customer feedback" and learning from these decisions.
If this involved a Boyne resort I am sure SK would of chimed in by now and set things straight...

'change' is always tough. I agree completely with pretty much everything you're saying and understand why many are upset.