Magic's Red Chair down again!

[abc]

I have never skied Magic, and therefore have no comment on a number of points here. However, if I ran a mountain with only 2 lifts, having them both inspected and in running order prior to the start of the season would me my #1 priority. Having your mountain shutdown during a holiday period is catastrophic, and I can't imagine anything else (snowmaking included) being more important than mitigating that risk.

Likely, I don't know enough about the ski hill business to say for sure. But I too, would guess the lifts are more important than snow making. After all, skiers only pay for LIFT ticket, not snow tickets.

Sure, no snow means no one will buy lift ticket. But snow without lift still means no LIFT tickets!

More over, Magic is a speck in a crowded sea of other southern mountains that makes a whole lot more snow, AND running lifts. So it would seems to me adding more snowmaking merely make it like other mountains. It would take a whole bucket load of money to compete there.

Not having running lifts, that's no competition. It's a failure incomparable to any other failures.

That said, I do understand lifts are machines and machine sometimes do break. And it's conceivable to just have "bad luck" when the main lift is broken during a period when the "spare" happens to be unoperable. But it's really bad timing when that happens to be the most important week of the year!

 

[riverc0il]

I don't think saying that Magic can't control the inspection schedule is a valid point. If that was a major issue in the ski industry, we would see a lot of lifts not ready to spin. But, in fact, a lift not being ready to go into service when needed is rare. Extremely rare. Clearly this is not an issue for almost all other areas that have their lifts spinning when called upon season after season.

I don't think making up excuses for Magic is going to help smooth things over. skithetrees is doing a great job calling a spade a spade while also pointing out his passion for the area. Magic needs to get Black running and make sure it is good to go when that inspector visits again and ensure it is good to go for opening day every season going forward, just like Red. It is a contingency they can't afford not to make, given their lost profit during a holiday period, free skiing they extended through vouchers, and bad PR they are getting.

 

[skiNEwhere]

I don't know about maintenance operations, but I'd imagine getting your lift inspected, when you want to by the state involves a certain degree of politics. Larger resorts don't have a problem with this, but I could see Magic having an issue with this because of their size and number of operations/management staff members

 

[skithetrees]

Sure, no snow means no one will buy lift ticket. But snow without lift still means no LIFT tickets!

More over, Magic is a speck in a crowded sea of other southern mountains that makes a whole lot more snow, AND running lifts. So it would seems to me adding more snowmaking merely make it like other mountains. It would take a whole bucket load of money to compete there.

Exactly my point! You can make all the snow in the world but nobody is paying you to skin up it. Magic needs to realize its niche and fulfill it. That nitch is expert skiers and families. Expert skiers, alone, will not sustain it. Magic will not compete on blown snow any time soon. Instead, it delivers a second to none family and expert experience that will rely, in large part, on natural snow to be successful. One day it may have the means to blow more snow, but for now that is not the case. The priorities need to be reliable lifts and getting the original beginner area - one of the best in Vermont, back up and running.

 

[skithetrees]

I don't know about maintenance operations, but I'd imagine getting your lift inspected, when you want to by the state involves a certain degree of politics. Larger resorts don't have a problem with this, but I could see Magic having an issue with this because of their size and number of operations/management staff members

I may be remembering incorrectly, but I believe inspectors have been out same day in the past when emergency maintenance has had to be performed. Scheduling a full inspection may be a different story. That said, if everything is in properly functioning condition, an inspection should not be something to fear.

 

[skiNEwhere]

I may be remembering incorrectly, but I believe inspectors have been out same day in the past when emergency maintenance has had to be performed. Scheduling a full inspection may be a different story. That said, if everything is in properly functioning condition, an inspection should not be something to fear.

I was referring to Magic not having the black lift inspected yet, just to clarify, my b

 

[skithetrees]

I was referring to Magic not having the black lift inspected yet, just to clarify, my b

Totally understand. My comment may have been a bit vague but generally applies to both. If you are ever in VT give Magic a shot, you won't regret it! Stay safe and get home soon.

 

[twinplanx]

This whole saga makes me sad doesn't everybody love the underdog? Hopefully lady luck will smile on our beloved very soon...

 

[abc]

This whole saga makes me sad doesn't everybody love the underdog? Hopefully lady luck will smile on our beloved very soon...

Not just because they're underdogs. There're other nitch mountains that have devoted followings. MRG being the most famous one. And Plattekill another I know of and ski from time to time.

There're a small percentage of fans who love the low key mountains for the simple pleasure of skiing natural trails without all the fancy grooming and expensive trappings. Plus the families from surrounding areas who let their children run free on the mountain.

Magic is a "family" resort that also attracts advance skiers. It is a nitch that has some following. Whether that's enough following to make it work or not remains to be seen except, only if the mountain is actually operating.

 

[snoseek]

This whole saga makes me sad doesn't everybody love the underdog? Hopefully lady luck will smile on our beloved very soon...

Yeah it's pretty sad.

Some food for thought. Just imagine if it had been the K-1 gondy at K or maybe the Superstar chair at K. There would surely be a k=fail thread....im sure of it and you would still have 25 or so lifts left to take. People plan shit on weeks like x-mas week, they buy passes, the mountain needs to do what it takes to accomodate those customers. No excuses. Period.

All we can hope for is that the curious aren't turned off. The loyal will stay loyal but its the fringe people (hint, hint, the vacation week crowd) are what's gonna make or break this mountain.

We can also hope the powers that be learn a little something from this. Bad luck? Hell no! This is something that can't happen again if they plan on being in it for the long haul and if they want those things like snowmaking and upgrades that they so desperately need then they're gonna have to get savvy. Grass roots feel good shit aint gonna get it done, smart mgmt is. It's like walking into a casino with a 20 and having to win a grand to pay rent...

So yeah, I'll jump on the Magic Mountain tough love bandwagon. Sorry guys, I know you post here sometime but this is a forum and it connects you to skiers, customers and potential customers. Best skiing south of Sugarbush IMO. When there's snow it's unmatched in southern VT and it's a mountain that DOES need to be open for the sake of goodness and would leave a giant hole in southern VT if closed. I'm rooting for you magic, figure it out!

And yes I am aware of the shoestring budget and hard hard work thats gone into it so far

 

[bdfreetuna]

Well said abc and snoseek.

I think if this winter stays snowy Magic is still in a position to have an excellent season. Hopefully more people will check them out. I agree it's the most fun place south of Sugarbush.

For advanced skiers who love natural conditions and gnarly trails.. and could care less about some new $10 million lodge and all that junk, Magic is such a gem. And for $59 on weekends for adults that's the cheapest ticket around, strikes me as a no-brainer if the snow is good.

Around these parts I think if anything this buzz is probably making more people interested in trying the mountain because people are always saying how awesome it is... once the lifts are up and running again of course.

 

[thetrailboss]

snoseek and abc nailed it. What is the difference between a NELSAP area and an operating one? The lifts are spinning. Yeah, you can skin up Magic, but that does not translate into money. Period. I know that they may make some money in the bar, store, blah, blah, but most folks are not going to want to hike for turns.

And I agree with what snoseek said about how the place is being run. skithetrees probably is expressing the sentiment of a lot of folks who have invested in the place. The real shame is that the folks who worked their asses off during the past three years to sell shares and get their friends to invest are being let down by the folks who are running the mountain. If I was one who lobbied folks to invest I might be pretty embarrassed actually by this situation.

 

[steamboat1]

WOW!!!

We have a lot of experts in this thread.

 

[Masskier]

This is indeed bad news. I haven't skied Magic in years, but it use to be one of my favorites. Back in the early 70's we use to call Magic, Bromley and Stratton the Golden Triangle. That was before Stratton became a mega resort.

There is no question that Magic has a group of the most loyal skiers that any ski area could have. However it seems that the mountain really needs a substantial investment to keep it viable.

 

[marcski]

Too bad the red chair isn't a Hall. Old Halls just don't seem to breakdown as frequently as Magic's Heron-Poma and seem to be workhorses that don't breakdown.

What make is the black chair?

 

[thetrailboss]

Too bad the red chair isn't a Hall. Old Halls just don't seem to breakdown as frequently as Magic's Heron-Poma and seem to be workhorses that don't breakdown.

What make is the black chair?

A Pohlig (only lift of its kind in the US) later converted to a triple by Yan.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Guess I'll be crossing Magic off my "new mountains to hit" list for this season. Hopefully management gets their collective house in order as it certainly sounds like a terrain gem from the numerous posters on this board.

 

[riverc0il]

Guess I'll be crossing Magic off my "new mountains to hit" list for this season. Hopefully management gets their collective house in order as it certainly sounds like a terrain gem from the numerous posters on this board.

I wouldn't take it off your list. In a matter of fact, this incident is a good reason to put it back on your list as you can guarantee the brake system will work after it gets inspected again after this failure. With an excellent base down already, I bet Magic is going to have several off the hook days this season.

 

[MadMadWorld]

I wouldn't take it off your list. In a matter of fact, this incident is a good reason to put it back on your list as you can guarantee the brake system will work after it gets inspected again after this failure. With an excellent base down already, I bet Magic is going to have several off the hook days this season.

If there is a silver lining, they may see a ton of skiers because they will probably have the best snow in the region because of upcoming weather forecasts!

 

[billski]

I'm in marketing, albeit high tech. If I put that hat on for a minute, you've got a huge sunk cost that needs revenue ASAP. I'm not going to wait until next year. You've got two more shots at big revenue, MLK weekend, and President's day.

As soon as you have confidence in the lift being operation, pull out all stops at marketing. Deals, events, demo days, races, barbeque, live bands, bond fires, PR, whatever it takes to get people here. Make this place rock after the lifts close. Not just for the bar, but everyone, all ages.

At first, I was going to offer that they keep pumping snow out while the lift is down, but that is too big a risk to take. So I'd take the marketing approach first. Once the wheel is spinning, start blasting snow again, so you have a season that lasts longer.

A couple other points. I have a daytrippers event going on February 2nd. I'm not calling it off. The more newbies, the better. I'm still going to promote it. Jim and I have been planning some events, such as organized tours. Perhaps we'll even ratchet it up a bit.

Magic lovers need to work hard to get their newbie friends here. Most newbies will undoubtedly only ski Magic once this year. Enough to plant the seed to come back.

With regard to parts, it is pretty common for resorts to horse-trade and simply help out those they do not compete with for old parts.

If I recall, the red lift had an issue I think a year or two ago; it was some sort of gear I think. and the inspector got right out here, it turned out to only require a brief re-inspection. What concerns me is the lift's ability to operate under full load. If I recall, that was the same problem it had last time. Sounds like an extended stress test is in order.

Lastly, regarding politics. Everyone should start writing and calling the safety board and the responsible VT legislators and push them to expedite re-inspection. Stressing how you'd like to bring money to this economically challenged area and grow taxable revenue should at least open a few eyes.