KILLINGTON: The 2008 AlpineZone Ski Area Challenge

[Greg]

Time to kick off the AZ challenges for 2008. Tom Horrocks, the Communications Manager for Killington Resort has agreed to take the 2008 AlpineZone Challenge! This is your opportunity to ask questions, offer suggestions, or say some praise to the men and women who are in charge of the Northeast’s Ski Areas. Please post some suggested questions in this thread and we'll select ten to present for official responses.

Also please don't be offended if we edit/change your question for grammar, tone, or some other minor thing. In order to get in all of the questions we MAY merge some questions but we'll do our best to keep the substance of your question. If we don't get your question in, feel free to post a follow up after we get the results...we are encouraging the representatives follow the threads. :wink:

As always, please be respectful of Tom and keep it civil. Also, please refrain from asking specifics about skier visit numbers, financials, demographic information, etc. Killington needs to be discrete about certain information.

Ask away!

Killington’s Profile
Killington’s 2004 Responses
Killington’s 2005 Responses
Killington’s 2007 Responses

 

[deadheadskier]

What is your long term vision for Pico absent of an interconnect with Killington proper? New lifts, trails and or glades? Do you ever foresee a return to seven day a week operations at Pico?

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Do you plan on staying open into May this year?

 

[Geoff]

I refuse to participate in this charade.

 

[skiadikt]

Do you plan on staying open into May this year?

they've already announced their closing date.

 

[Greg]

I refuse to participate in this charade.

So, did you buy your season pass yet?

 

[powhunter]

um... who should be the new king of spring ?? Mt. snow or Sugarbush?

steve
(former passholder of 9 years

 

[deadheadskier]

gettin' ugly already :lol:

I hope that doesn't detract from legit questions like mine. I've purchased two tickets to Pico for the upcoming season and I'm looking forward to riding there again. A slope, the Outpost, Upper Giant Killer were all great back in High School, so I'm looking forward to a couple of return visits.

 

[Geoff]

So, did you buy your season pass yet?

I own property there. It's not like I have much of an option in the short term.

 

[Greg]

I own property there. It's not like I have much of an option in the short term.

Sure you do:

 

[SkiDork]

Why is it financially feasible to stay open over the 4th of July weekend for mountain biking with the Bay 2 parking lot only half full, and run the K1 and keep the K peak restaurant open but not feasible to stay open into May and only run the SS quad when there would surely be much more of a crowd.

 

[deadheadskier]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/ve...08/killington_has_new_manager_after_32_years/

perhaps not the thread for it, but Killington related

 

[andyzee]

When will Killington be sold again, my original prediction was 5 years, one down, four to go. Am I in the ball park?

 

[andyzee]

There appears to be a bit of resistence from the town of Killington in regards to what they will allow Powdr and Powdr's real estate partner (forget the name) to do with regards to expansion. How will this effect your plans? Will Killington be sold again?

 

[andyzee]

When will Powdr be able to afford another vowel?

 

[wa-loaf]

gettin' ugly already :lol:

I hope that doesn't detract from legit questions like mine. I've purchased two tickets to Pico for the upcoming season and I'm looking forward to riding there again. A slope, the Outpost, Upper Giant Killer were all great back in High School, so I'm looking forward to a couple of return visits.

Huh, where's the question? :razz:


With limited to no discounts and greatly increased ski school rates and a shorter season why should I choose Killington over Sugarbush?

 

[Greg]

Why is it financially feasible to stay open over the 4th of July weekend for mountain biking with the Bay 2 parking lot only half full, and run the K1 and keep the K peak restaurant open but not feasible to stay open into May and only run the SS quad when there would surely be much more of a crowd.

I have to say that is a clever question. Nice one.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Are you going to open with Advanced terrain only like last season? I thought that was mad steezy yo!!!

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

they've already announced their closing date.

Last season they announced April 13th as their closing date and they stayed open until 4:20 to please the passholders..:idea:

 

[SpinmasterK]

What is your long term vision for Pico absent of an interconnect with Killington proper? New lifts, trails and or glades? Do you ever foresee a return to seven day a week operations at Pico?

The long term vision is to continue to improve upon the current assets of Pico Mountain, including the great terrain, family friendly atmospher and outstanding value. Last season was the first in a long time that Pico Mountain actually made money. We want to continue to see the resort turn a profit so those funds can be re-invested back into the mountain. Last season we spent close to $600,000 on snowmaking improvements at Pico, and over the past year more than $100,000 has gone into the Pico Sports Club in terms of new equipment, upgrades to the pool, hot tub area and overall facility.
We will continue snowmaking improvements, trail cutbacks and trimming heading into next season.
As for returning to a seven-day a week operation? That may happen down the road. However, for the 2008-09 seaosn, Pico will continue to operate Thursday through Monday.