More good news for Killington skiers.

[amf]

I was just thinking that. I wonder if they will add an asterisk on their vert stat, i.e. *Weekends Only

My feeling exactly... I alway thought the kmart vertical was way hyped anyway. When I did go (which was ONLY midweek), I always liked to use the stage 1 access. One more reason to never go back.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

My feeling exactly... I alway thought the kmart vertical was way hyped anyway. When I did go (which was ONLY midweek), I always liked to use the stage 1 access. One more reason to never go back.

Killington has 1700' of solid vertical. That's it, imo. Yes... you can ski more than that. But the most solid continuous skiable vertical is about 1700'.

 

[millerm277]

I'm again go against the mainstream and say let's wait and see how it works out. I have used Stage 1 midweek - it's a savior on really cold days. That said, the terrain there is not Killington's best. There's more than enough beginner terrain throughout the rest of the mountain with no crowds midweek.

What beginner terrain are you referring to? Killington has very little decent beginner terrain.

Caper, Great Northern and Frolic all have large flat sections that make it difficult for beginners to ski/ride, and Great Northern is horrible for beginners with the trail intersections every 50 feet.

The Snowshed area isn't bad, but beginners get bored with it quickly.

Other than that, all you've got is Falls Brook, which, while scenic, is almost completely flat for much of the middle portion.

Great Eastern is a unique run, and is what most beginners and families spend a large portion of time on.

Also, they're still running Stage II, so how much could it really cost to run midweek? Not much I'd guess....one patroller, two people for the base station, and electric costs.

 

[threecy]

Killington has 1700' of solid vertical. That's it, imo. Yes... you can ski more than that. But the most solid continuous skiable vertical is about 1700'.

At best even...most of the pods are ~1000...one of the reasons I don't like to ski there, because you can ski 1000' vert pretty much anywhere, why deal with all of the crossovers and traffic.

 

[threecy]

What beginner terrain are you referring to? Killington has very little decent beginner terrain.

Caper, Great Northern and Frolic all have large flat sections that make it difficult for beginners to ski/ride, and Great Northern is horrible for beginners with the trail intersections every 50 feet.

The Snowshed area isn't bad, but beginners get bored with it quickly.

Other than that, all you've got is Falls Brook, which, while scenic, is almost completely flat for much of the middle portion.

Great Eastern is a unique run, and is what most beginners and families spend a large portion of time on.

Great Eastern is still skiable via the Snowshed Crossover. Don't forget, most families are skiing on weekends and holidays, not quiet midweek periods. First time skiers have Snowshed, beyond that there's Rams Head and Great Northern. Personally, I don't think I'd take a beginner to Killington if I wanted them to stick with the sport

Also, they're still running Stage II, so how much could it really cost to run midweek? Not much I'd guess....one patroller, two people for the base station, and electric costs.

I'm not sure how that lift was built - are thre two separate drives? I didn't pay close attenion last time I was there, but since there is a turn in the lift, I assume it's two separate cables and drives...not sure if they can route the cabins back uphill at the midstation, but if they can, they save big time on power. Regardless, they save on electric costs (ie less people on the line), labor (lift ops, lodge workers, patrol), and grooming costs.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

I'm not sure how that lift was built - are thre two separate drives? I didn't pay close attenion last time I was there, but since there is a turn in the lift, I assume it's two separate cables and drives...not sure if they can route the cabins back uphill at the midstation, but if they can, they save big time on power. Regardless, they save on electric costs (ie less people on the line), labor (lift ops, lodge workers, patrol), and grooming costs.

Stage 1 and Stage 2 each have a separate 900hp drive and separate tensioning system. They can each be operated independently, each as a single top drive lift, or they can be run together with a single set of controls. They are essentially two completely separate gondolas that happen to be connected at the Stage 1 drive/Stage 2 return.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Skyeship Stage I will now be closed Monday to Thursday (other than the peak holiday weeks), making the Skyeship Base lodge inaccessible during the week as well as making the following inaccessible during the week. Home Stretch, Lower Juggernaut, Touch Down, Valley Plunge, and the Lower section of Great Eastern.

Big mistake in my opinion, that will chase even more people from the mountain, especially families, as GE is really the only beginner trail on the mountain that people like to ski.

But that's all flat terrain..no harm at least for me..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

these guys don't have a clue what this mtn is all about. absolutely disgraceful!

But it's expensive for them to operate that area when crowds are slim..you still have the other 95%...quit complaining..Powder is a business..don't you want them to be successful?

 

[threecy]

Stage 1 and Stage 2 each have a separate 900hp drive and separate tensioning system. They can each be operated independently, each as a single top drive lift, or they can be run together with a single set of controls. They are essentially two completely separate gondolas that happen to be connected at the Stage 1 drive/Stage 2 return.

Certainly a BIG savings then - running a 900 HP drive + the detach track equipment is a big expense. Closing the bottom of Skyeship will save Killington tens of thousands of dollars a week.

 

[millerm277]

Great Eastern is still skiable via the Snowshed Crossover. Don't forget, most families are skiing on weekends and holidays, not quiet midweek periods. First time skiers have Snowshed, beyond that there's Rams Head and Great Northern. Personally, I don't think I'd take a beginner to Killington if I wanted them to stick with the sport

Ever used the Snowshed Crossover? Most of it is perfectly flat, it crosses busy trails, and unless you're going to Snowshed (which is unlikely if you were capable of skiing GE), you've still got to pole a long distance after it to get to the SS Quad or K1.

But that's all flat terrain..no harm at least for me..

You don't have to pole/hop at any point on GE, and Valley Plunge is a fairly interesting expert trail, if they were to actually clear it so it can open again. (The main section hasn't officially opened in 2 or 3 years due to too much brush and downed trees.).

 

[deadheadskier]

But that's all flat terrain..no harm at least for me..

shocking, looking at the situation pretty much only as it pertains to you

I don't think many will miss the terrain, it's mainly the access. Back in High School when I skied K, I'd almost always park at Sunrise and head up from there. When it was not open, I would opt for the Gondola. The main access road is a pain the ass. Bear isn't so bad, but the Gondi was that much easier, plus it drops you in a more central location.

If I owned a condo in that area, I'd be PISSED about this. The decision not only lowers the rental value, but also the resale value as many have pointed out. I'd honestly probably elect to ski at Okemo or the Bush with all the cut backs. The Pico situation is what would bother me the most.

 

[bvibert]

But it's expensive for them to operate that area when crowds are slim..you still have the other 95%...quit complaining..Powder is a business..don't you want them to be successful?

GSS == Voice of reason??

 

[threecy]

Ever used the Snowshed Crossover? Most of it is perfectly flat, it crosses busy trails, and unless you're going to Snowshed (which is unlikely if you were capable of skiing GE), you've still got to pole a long distance after it to get to the SS Quad or K1.

Snowshed Crossover is flat...but there are flat stretches of GE too...especially if you're a beginner. Busy trails - not so much midweek non-holiday. Probably even a little less with the lower stage closed.

If they can see only a minimum loss of midweek skier visits by closing Stage 1, I say good move. Killington is already way too big - especially during empty days. Simply a waste to have that much open for no reason other than stats.

The bigger question is will they maintain the snow reports accurately when that section is closed, or will they still try to say 100%?

 

[millerm277]

Snowshed Crossover is flat...but there are flat stretches of GE too...especially if you're a beginner. Busy trails - not so much midweek non-holiday. Probably even a little less with the lower stage closed.

Other than the spot at the top of Bear, you should never have to pole on the trail, unless you stop in a bad location.

If they can see only a minimum loss of midweek skier visits by closing Stage 1, I say good move. Killington is already way too big - especially during empty days. Simply a waste to have that much open for no reason other than stats.

Rather than do that, why not just try to boost midweek visits? Offer some decently priced packages, and lots of families will come up.

 

[FridayHiker]

I don't think many will miss the terrain, it's mainly the access. Back in High School when I skied K, I'd almost always park at Sunrise and head up from there.

We've only skied there once, but that was where we parked. Convenient for those coming from the east, and the shortest walk from car to lift of nearly anywhere we've been, which was a pleasant surprise for Killington. If we go back this year, I'll be sorry not to be able to park there.

 

[threecy]

Other than the spot at the top of Bear, you should never have to pole on the trail, unless you stop in a bad location.

Typical beginners stop a lot, in bad locations, and do not have the ability or confidence to maintain speed into flats. I doubt the impact of midweek beginners not choosing KMart because of a few novice trails being closed will be felt. Even without Stage 1, Killington is still a massive area. It's not like they're eliminating it completely like they did with most of Sunrise and part of Ram's Head.

Rather than do that, why not just try to boost midweek visits? Offer some decently priced packages, and lots of families will come up.

Pretty much everyone in the industry has been trying to boost midweek visits for a looooong time. So far, no one has cracked the code (other areas minutes from population bases).

Killington's current layout was not designed with efficient midweek operations in mind.

 

[threecy]

We've only skied there once, but that was where we parked. Convenient for those coming from the east, and the shortest walk from car to lift of nearly anywhere we've been, which was a pleasant surprise for Killington. If we go back this year, I'll be sorry not to be able to park there.

I've never parked there (Skyeship) when I've skied there, but just about every midweek non-holiday I've never been to K-Mart (not including POW days), there's been room to park near all of the lodges.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

shocking, looking at the situation pretty much only as it pertains to you

Duh I have no empathy for condo owners..they can drive to the KBL on weekdays..

 

[threecy]

Duh I have no empathy for condo owners..they can drive to the KBL on weekdays..

Actually, I think I read somewhere KBL is going to be closed midweek non-holiday

 

[Hawkshot99]

The bigger question is will they maintain the snow reports accurately when that section is closed, or will they still try to say 100%?

That is not a midweek trail, so on a Wednesday 100% of midweek trails will be open.;-)

Its all in how it is worded.