Killington Snow Guarantee

[RootDKJ]

Does anyone know if Killington still offers the snow guarantee vouchers under the new management / owners? It always seems that when I make a trip up to K, I use it at least once...

thanks
Root

 

[OppositeGeorge]

I'd call Customer Service up there to see what their official policy is. Also maybe try one of the forums @ killingtonzone.com (be forewarned that the signal/noise ratio on that board, esp. on the topic of current management, can be kind of low.)

 

[RootDKJ]

I was thinking about cross-posting there...

 

[OppositeGeorge]

I hope I didn't discourage you -- the folks who post there and know what they're talking about are right on the money. Just be prepared to wade through a bunch of "P0WDR PUFF $UX0RZ" and "K1LL!NGT0N R00LZ" replies from haters and fanboys.

Don't miss their "Ask Killington" forum. Management does reply to posts there (though perhaps a bit erratically.)

 

[RootDKJ]

For some reason, I can't seem to log in over there. Not discouraged at all.

 

[SpinmasterK]

Does anyone know if Killington still offers the snow guarantee vouchers under the new management / owners? It always seems that when I make a trip up to K, I use it at least once...

thanks
Root

The snow guarantee is similar to what it was last season. However, it is only available before 10 a.m. and it only applies to 1- and 2-day tickets as 3+ day tickets have a grace day already built in. All snow guarantees are issued at the Snowshed guest service desk.
But … I must ask why you inquire? New England resorts are off to their best start in more than 20 years and the conditions are outstanding!

 

[OppositeGeorge]

But … I must ask why you inquire? New England resorts are off to their best start in more than 20 years and the conditions are outstanding!

Aw, come on... Root didn't say he was going today -- if he's got my kind of luck his trip will be the day after the biggest ice storm in history. The biggest in the East shouldn't need to get so defensive (or maybe you aren't quite the master of spin yet -- but keep trying; practice makes perfect!)

Seriously, thanks for hopping in. Getting the answer from the source is always a good thing (even when it isn't what you want to hear.)

 

[RootDKJ]

Spin,

Every January, I take a long trip to Killington. It seems that w/o fail, every year there's one day with less then optimal precipitation. Every year. Well anything has to be better then last January when it was 60 on my first day up there.

thanks
Root

 

[OppositeGeorge]

Well anything has to be better then last January when it was 60 on my first day up there.

No doubt. Last season personal circumstances kept me off the slopes until after the new year. Early-season snow had me stoked, but I didn't keep up with the weather in the intervening weeks. Sure as stoners like nachos, the first week I had a chance to go there was nothing but dirt and hay in the Manchester area where my ski club has its house.

Of course, a couple/three weeks later came the epic VD dump and it didn't stop snowing 'til April. Yeah, this is way off topic but my point is anybody familiar with NE skiing, especially somebody into it enough to be posting on this board, knows things can turn around faster than a dog with a flea on his butt.

Most people probably find Spin's answer less than satisfying. The thing is, it was a GREAT answer -- informative, factual and considerate to the potential customer -- until the very end (paraphrasing: "why would you possibly need to know such a thing when things are so perfect, always?") IMO that was kind of an amateurish move and really shot the whole thing down. Even if it was intended in good humor, that intent didn't make it over the DSL line (nuance in text is tough.) So on my end, the response fell flat and verged on insulting (but I'm sensitive -- my Mom says it's low self-esteem.)

I don't know what good can come from asking an intelligent, informed potential customer why he might think things might not be perfect, always. The negative risks far outweigh the positives. Pantywaists such as myself might find it verging on insulting, even if there was no malice intended (and I'm sure there wasn't.) I am one of the few idiots stupid or naive enough to point out how irritating things like that can be, but remember that for every person who bothers to complain there are probably 10 to 100 feeling the same way. The thing is, every ski area is fighting for every penny these days, and the color of oppositenancyboy's cash (and his 100-strong silent shrinking-violet cohort) is the same as everybody else's.

Good communications people don't leave the potential customer who asks sincere questions feeling that he needs to be on guard. Great communications people leave you with a smile on your face, even if they have to give you an answer you didn't want to hear. World-class ones do all the above and leave you feeling like you're smarter than they are. Some folks in the ski industry lose track of that (and hey, if I'm not going to get world-class or great I'll settle for good, even.) Heck, if they would just stick with the facts, (okay, maybe with a little puffery thrown in -- flacks gotta eat too) we'd all get along just fine.

All of us who want to be the best at our jobs should be learning all the time. Hopefully Spin will not take this the wrong way, and see my hypersensitivity to his reply as an opportunity to fine-tune his style. I wouldn't have spent the time hammering in this rant if I didn't want to see him, and every ski area in the NE succeed, and succeed amazingly.

And that's my Bicentennial Minute (damn, I'm old.)

 

[andyzee]

But … I must ask why you inquire? New England resorts are off to their best start in more than 20 years and the conditions are outstanding!

Gee, I guess today would be a great example of why a person would inquire, taking into consideration the whole mountain is on wind hold. And contrary to Powdr's belief, people do not really like to stand around waiting for a lift to open or being stuck on a lift for half an hour.

 

[RootDKJ]

I'm totally satisfied with Spin's answer on both a communications level (I understand the policy) and on a personal level (suits my needs).

My trip last Jan interesting to say the least.

1/6/07 - 60 degrees. Torrential downpour in the afternoon kicked off when I was on Skye Peak Quad.
1/7/07 - Downpour continues. Turns into sleet in the afternoon.
1/8/07 - All high speed lifts are iced over and closed. A few lifts open around 11am. Bars opened around 12:30
1/9/07 - Sleet turns to snow overnight. A great day of skiing followed.

That's why I asked. I appreciate Spin's answer and I can make the policy work for my needs should the weather go wacky.

On a side note I was back for the St. Patty's day storm and that was maybe the best 3 days of skiing I ever had a Killington.

 

[OppositeGeorge]

1/8/... Bars opened around 12:30

Comedy GOLD (LMAO.)

 

[SpinmasterK]

Spin,

Every January, I take a long trip to Killington. It seems that w/o fail, every year there's one day with less then optimal precipitation. Every year. Well anything has to be better then last January when it was 60 on my first day up there.

thanks
Root

Yes indeed, last year was quite a challenge. Hopefully this January we'll still be sporting the current conditions!

 

[SpinmasterK]

No doubt. Last season personal circumstances kept me off the slopes until after the new year. Early-season snow had me stoked, but I didn't keep up with the weather in the intervening weeks. Sure as stoners like nachos, the first week I had a chance to go there was nothing but dirt and hay in the Manchester area where my ski club has its house.

Of course, a couple/three weeks later came the epic VD dump and it didn't stop snowing 'til April. Yeah, this is way off topic but my point is anybody familiar with NE skiing, especially somebody into it enough to be posting on this board, knows things can turn around faster than a dog with a flea on his butt.

Most people probably find Spin's answer less than satisfying. The thing is, it was a GREAT answer -- informative, factual and considerate to the potential customer -- until the very end (paraphrasing: "why would you possibly need to know such a thing when things are so perfect, always?") IMO that was kind of an amateurish move and really shot the whole thing down. Even if it was intended in good humor, that intent didn't make it over the DSL line (nuance in text is tough.) So on my end, the response fell flat and verged on insulting (but I'm sensitive -- my Mom says it's low self-esteem.)

I don't know what good can come from asking an intelligent, informed potential customer why he might think things might not be perfect, always. The negative risks far outweigh the positives. Pantywaists such as myself might find it verging on insulting, even if there was no malice intended (and I'm sure there wasn't.) I am one of the few idiots stupid or naive enough to point out how irritating things like that can be, but remember that for every person who bothers to complain there are probably 10 to 100 feeling the same way. The thing is, every ski area is fighting for every penny these days, and the color of oppositenancyboy's cash (and his 100-strong silent shrinking-violet cohort) is the same as everybody else's.

Good communications people don't leave the potential customer who asks sincere questions feeling that he needs to be on guard. Great communications people leave you with a smile on your face, even if they have to give you an answer you didn't want to hear. World-class ones do all the above and leave you feeling like you're smarter than they are. Some folks in the ski industry lose track of that (and hey, if I'm not going to get world-class or great I'll settle for good, even.) Heck, if they would just stick with the facts, (okay, maybe with a little puffery thrown in -- flacks gotta eat too) we'd all get along just fine.

All of us who want to be the best at our jobs should be learning all the time. Hopefully Spin will not take this the wrong way, and see my hypersensitivity to his reply as an opportunity to fine-tune his style. I wouldn't have spent the time hammering in this rant if I didn't want to see him, and every ski area in the NE succeed, and succeed amazingly.

And that's my Bicentennial Minute (damn, I'm old.)

I was just trying to be a bit whitty! Should I have ended it with one of these :wink:

 

[OppositeGeorge]

Yes, that's what God made smilies for!

Sorry if I got a little harsh before, but the 'net gives one plenty of opportunity to regret one's words (I'm speaking from far too much personal experience.) Anyway, no harm no foul.

Think snow (and not the ice cubes we're getting here at my Dad's place in NY!)

 

[RootDKJ]

The snow guarantee is similar to what it was last season. However, it is only available before 10 a.m. and it only applies to 1- and 2-day tickets as 3+ day tickets have a grace day already built in. All snow guarantees are issued at the Snowshed guest service desk.
But … I must ask why you inquire? New England resorts are off to their best start in more than 20 years and the conditions are outstanding!

I thought I'd post a quick update. I've been up at K for almost a week now, and while the first few days were fantastic, the January thaw out (that seems to always plague me) has impacted my ski schedule. This is the reason why I asked in the first place...no matter how good the start is, you really can't forcast the whole season. I haven't needed to use the voucher though, since I bought an Express Card.

 

[ckofer]

More importantly than the snow guarantee: are the sushi bars still open?

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Just freaking ski..if you drive all the way to Killington and it's raining or icey or whatever..it's still worth skiing..if you're not out skiing there's really nothing to do except drinking and chilling in Rutvegas..lol

 

[RootDKJ]

Oh I'm skiing as much as my legs can handle.

How have the conditions at Blue been lately?

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Oh I'm skiing as much as my legs can handle.

How have the conditions at Blue been lately?

Hero snow early in the week and more solid crud the past two days..not bad..I only skied 14 runs today...9 days till jackson Hole..I hope they offer a guarentee because I only ski packed powder..lol