Killllington 🎿🏂🏂🎿🎿🏂🏂🎿😀

[machski]

The folks in the new ownership group have enough business experience to recognize that capital spending needs ROI to make business sense. I could see them perhaps making smaller investments on a "we don't need to calculate ROI because we know this will improve the skier experience" basis, but the interconnect is a whole different scale and will create ongoing operational costs as well as the capital outlay.

Perhaps, but they are spending capital on Skyeship and it's basin (new cabins/upgraded controls and storage barn for the lift, snowmaking infrastructure to include Valley Plunge). Given the low elevation here, one might think this would run opposed to ROI.

Also remember, some snowmaking infrastructure already runs in the interconnect. I believe the link to Pico from K runs thru the interconnect and up the Pico backside trail already cut. Yes, there would need to be expansion of snowmaking in there and at least 2 lifts. But that is high elevation terrain that would favorable natural snowfall and retention of snow. Given the transformative nature of the village and being more central to the interconnect than Skyeship, one could question why the new owners are doing anything on the far side of the resort. But, opinions are as plentiful as apples soon will be in New England.

 

[machski]

I think that some of the lack of new terrain acres, especially in the East, has to be tied to the massive amount of environmental regulations that have to be met (and often litigated through) to get to the point where a ski area can think about contacting a logging/land clearing/grading firm to get the project going

That really goes for anywhere that a ski area sits on public lands. Private lands however, just look how fast Pow Mow is expanding (granted, half is off limits to the skiing/riding public).
I think in the East, the slow pace has more to do with the intensive capital to cover any expansion with snowmaking. That is not as critical out west, especially for higher elevation developments. Though DV is probably a good case study on expansion into low snow zones out west.

 

[Newpylong]

The conspiracy theorists might argue that because one of the main partners lives off Great Eastern, that might weigh in on some of these decisions. I am in the other camp that sincerely thinks these guys have noticed firsthand the lack of capital investment and are simply doing what is prudent. Devil's Fiddle has inoperable snowmaking, so they fixed it. Valley Plunge had snowmaking until the mid 90s and has laid fallow since. It seems they intend to fix it. The Skyeship (despite Stage I being only open Christmas to end of March) is a vital piece of infrastructure that has been neglected. Not only is it critical as another weekend access point, but since the mountain started advertising the 3,000 vert "Peak to Creek" run, it sees a ton more traffic.

These are just two examples. Good owners ensure the entire resort is in good working order, not just the "in your face" portions. All POWDR seemed to care about is their shiny new lodges and the World Cup.

 

[mister moose]

The Skyeship (despite Stage I being only open Christmas to end of March) is a vital piece of infrastructure that has been neglected.

Christmas to end of March is the core season where the bills get paid. I'm not sure I'd characterize that as 'despite' - 'only'

 

[Newpylong]

Sure you can when it's all relative (to the other lifts being open 30-60 days more). I do agree that is the core season though which is why I was arguing it is a necessary investment.

 

[jimmywilson69]

and perhaps better snowmaking infrastructure can extend the season to skyeship if they want or business levels warrant.

Also doesn't hurt that the boss likes to ski in/out of his home