Killington Snowmaking Contest on Facebook

[skiadikt]

Yup, and it was called a completely different business philosphy/model.

If you think about it, what seemed to be the turning point where the season length mentality switched from "as long as we can" more to a model of "as long as it's consistently economically profitable" happened around the time that many ski areas took a large commitment becoming real estate developers. Obviously that's not the only reason, but the season length shortening and the general base area real estate explosion seem to have happened at about the same time

actually thought the downfall for late season skiing at k was when asc introduced first the all-east and then later the very cheap all-for-one. pretty much took the guts out of any walk-up day ticket sales as you had folks from all those asc owned ski areas skiing "free" at k late season. couple that with the ultimate financial implosion of asc (an implosion that had nothing to do with late season skiing), and late season skiing was no longer a "luxury" they could support/afford. on a good memorial weekend, the kbl lot could be full with people parked down the access rd. those weren't only pass holders. even as recently as '03 they skied to may 26 and '02 was june 1. powdr hasn't shown any signs of thinking outside "their" box and trying to rebuild that business.

 

[Greg]

Not running Superstar until there is an unrepairable edge-to-edge break in the surface is absurd. Even if some hiking is required, they should stil stay open if 80% of the trail is skiable. The best point anyone ever made was the fact, that they'll shut down Supe for skiing, only to open the K-1 for mountain biking 4-6 weeks later. If the snow is there, the lift should spin. Where's that dead horse icon, Brian?

I'd much rather be skiing in early May than late October, although I actually haven't done either. No doubt there is more marketing value in early season. However, I do think there is an opportunity to sell next year's passes early if you're the only one open for a few weekends.

All this aside, I'm excited about the the walkway and hope I can ski next month, even though towards the end of last season, I promised myself I wouldn't waste days on WRODs. I could spare one October and one November day though.

 

[2knees]

All this aside, I'm excited about the the walkway and hope I can ski next month, even though towards the end of last season, I promised myself I wouldn't waste days on WRODs. I could spare one October and one November day though.

I feel the same way. I'm just not sure that they really have it in them to try for october. Like I said previously, i believe the walkway is more an insurance policy for crappy november weather. As mondeo pointed out, they opened in november with marginal temps last year. Although, i dont believe that was the point he was trying to ram down my throat.

 

[mister moose]

Not running Superstar until there is an unrepairable edge-to-edge break in the surface is absurd. Even if some hiking is required, they should stil stay open if 80% of the trail is skiable. The best point anyone ever made was the fact, that they'll shut down Supe for skiing, only to open the K-1 for mountain biking 4-6 weeks later. If the snow is there, the lift should spin. Where's that dead horse icon, Brian?

I'd much rather be skiing in early May than late October, although I actually haven't done either. No doubt there is more marketing value in early season. However, I do think there is an opportunity to sell next year's passes early if you're the only one open for a few weekends.

All this aside, I'm excited about the the walkway and hope I can ski next month, even though towards the end of last season, I promised myself I wouldn't waste days on WRODs. I could spare one October and one November day though.

You crack me up.

"Yeah, I could stop any time I want to.... I just don't want to...."

WROD isn't a waste. It's the gym, it gets you ready for the coming season. Plus, its way more fun than the gym.

The water's fine, Greg, c'mon in.