Mount Snow changes Snowmaking plan!

[Newpylong]

As posted by VCunning on Mountsnowzone, Mount Snow has decided to stop wasting resources in the political battle over the Somerset pipeline and is going ahead with their contigency plan.

They have withdrawn their Act 250 motion.... in the spring construction will begin on "West Lake" off of Coldbrook Road in Wilmington. It will hold 120 million gallons, on top of what they get now from Snow Lake and Haystack, bringing the total capacity to 350 gallons. They would have had 400 with Somerset... This will be done for next season, with 100% snowmaking capacity.

Better than nothing....

 

[roark]

It's a shame to see them withdrawing from the Somerset plan for now, but I'm very happy to see them moving forward immediately with an alternate plan. The new management seems to have done everything right so far!

 

[vcunning]

Deerfield Valley News Article

And in case you thought I was making this up, here is the article from the Deerfield Valley News.

Once again, I am very impressed with the leadership of Mount Snow. Especially given all the comments I see on the KillingtonZone.

Oh, and by the way, they served Mimosas in real glasses to the season passholders this morning. About 400 in attendance (based on my best guess). Very classy!

 

[Greg]

And in case you thought I was making this up, here is the article from the Deerfield Valley News.

Once again, I am very impressed with the leadership of Mount Snow. Especially given all the comments I see on the KillingtonZone.

Oh, and by the way, they served Mimosas in real glasses to the season passholders this morning. About 400 in attendance (based on my best guess). Very classy!

I was there as well although I was a bit late. Great to get some one on one time with Tim Boyd after the Q&A session. A real down to earth guy!

 

[Greg]

I got an advanced copy of the official press release due out tomorrow:

http://news.alpinezone.com/18380/

 

[snowman]

I think this is kind of funny. The environmentalists who opposed the Somerset project are taking it up the you know what by forcing them to have to switch to another project which is much more environmentally destructive. Go Sierra club, you rock! If those morons didn't oppose EVERYTHING, they would have a lot more support. They should put signs on the fence surrounding the new pond which read "This massive eyesore brought to you courtesy of the Sierra Club". Kudos to Mount Snow on having a plan B and for sticking it to those jack asses.

 

[Greg]

The thing about the opposition to the somerset Project was that it was mostly just the principle of it. As I understand it, the 6,600 feet of pipeline from the base of TNF and the proposed Somerset intake was basically already cleared so the opposition groups were just trying to maintain a precedent at the expense of the commercial success of the Mount Snow area. Kudos to Peak Resorts for identifying this as such an uphill battle early on and making the call to go with the contingency in the interest of progress.

Another interesting thing is how Haystack is only going to let them draw 50% of their water this season despite the fact that Haystack doesn't even need any. I asked Tim personally what their reason was and he basically responded with, "you'll have to ask Haystack." My feeling is, again for the greater good of the Mount Snow Valley, you would think the neighbor would jump at an opportunity to help make Mount Snow a success. Remember, a rising tide lifts all boats.

Anyway, rest assured, Mount Snow is in good hands. They are very confident that you will see that in their snow quality this season. I, for one, am interested in seeing it first hand too.

 

[Newpylong]

regardless of what they actually are doing, I simply like the tone that he speaks in. In this industry, and in business in general, it is such a growing trend to just not be honest, to sugar coat and spin everything. These people don't seem to be about that...

Anyway, having a plan B is key. It could be the first of never before they let them put that pipeline in. You're right too, it sounds like a battle of principle (economic growth at the expense of the environment).

 

[drjeff]

Bravo! I still wouldn't be half suprised if Somerset gets done after the VLT looks at the bigger picture. I could easily forsee some type of land designation for conservation/land swap by Mount Snow in return for the sign-off by the VLT for the Somerset Project.

If this was a poker game, the VLT was holding the equivalent of 3 aces and had no clue that Mount Snow/Peak had a royal flush.

Plus, now I won't have to look at the Mount Snow base area without seeing Snow Lake Although that is probably the biggest looser in this announcement since removing the dam and returning it to its original stream state which would have restored mininal winter flow levels would have been a great thing to be able to do.

 

[millerm277]

regardless of what they actually are doing, I simply like the tone that he speaks in. In this industry, and in business in general, it is such a growing trend to just not be honest, to sugar coat and spin everything. These people don't seem to be about that...

I agree, and I'm planning on skiing Mt. Snow at least a few times this year.

Anyway, having a plan B is key. It could be the first of never before they let them put that pipeline in. You're right too, it sounds like a battle of principle (economic growth at the expense of the environment).

Very good planning on Mt. Snow/Peak's part, I think they'll wind up building the pipeline, and giving the land for the lake to the VLT...but that's just my guess.

 

[threecy]

regardless of what they actually are doing, I simply like the tone that he speaks in. In this industry, and in business in general, it is such a growing trend to just not be honest, to sugar coat and spin everything. These people don't seem to be about that...

I'd actually suggest that Peak has one of the most efficient spin machines out there. If this were an SP/Powdr situation, I'm confident it wouldn't be greeted with the same reception here.

 

[Greg]

regardless of what they actually are doing, I simply like the tone that he speaks in. In this industry, and in business in general, it is such a growing trend to just not be honest, to sugar coat and spin everything. These people don't seem to be about that...

There was a point towards the end of the session were someone complained about the increased cost of the season pass. It was almost rant-like and a bit embarrassing to listen to, really. Eventually, Tim says something to the effect of, "If you can guarantee our expenses won't increase, I can guaranteee our prices won't increase." :lol: He followed up with something like (paraphrasing), "I can't promise prices won't go up. I'd be lying if I did." I was so tempted to make a comment about how the All For One created this sense of entitlement. After all, folks 5 years ago were paying $1,200 for a pass. I actually think Peak's early pricing on the Mount Snow pass was perfect. I also know for a fact that they are extremely satisfied with pass sales. They have just about met their target already. The final comment was made by a women that started in very passionate tone how she's been a pass holder for 30 years, that her kids are pass holders and her grandkids will also likely be pass holders for the next 30 years. Then she says, "my only complaint is that you didn't buy this place 5 years ago. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." If that's not a demonstration of how a customer that feels good about their purchase, nothing is. Perfect way to end.

I'd actually suggest that Peak has one of the most efficient spin machines out there. If this were an SP/Powdr situation, I'm confident it wouldn't be greeted with the same reception here.

I don't know how you can say this (perhaps just baiting?), but I disagree 1 million%. Call it "spin" if you want; I call it good PR, creating a buzz, effective marketing, whatever. But since almost day one of their acquisition of of Mount Snow, Peak Resorts has done so many things right in terms of getting people excited about the new ownership. Same with Boyne. Powdr has done the complete opposite. Perhaps just two different means to an end, but if I were a betting man, I'd put my chips on the success of Peak and Boyne. Tim Boyd said yesterday that they could have the best marketing team in the world, but you need something to market or they will never be successful. They are determined to let their product (i.e. snow quality) speak for itself.

 

[threecy]

I don't know how you can say this (perhaps just baiting?), but I disagree 1 million%. Call it "spin" if you want; I call it good PR, creating a buzz, effective marketing, whatever.

It can be one in the same...I'm not faulting Peak for it at all...it takes good spin though to get people in favor of this - it could just as easily been seen as environmental destruction (building a new reservoir instead of waiting for one already in place). Environmental impact, vertical drop measurements, trail counts, etc. - it's all spin. Pretty much everyone in the biz does it, to varying degrees of success.

 

[Greg]

It can be one in the same...I'm not faulting Peak for it at all...it takes good spin though to get people in favor of this - it could just as easily been seen as environmental destruction (building a new reservoir instead of waiting for one already in place). Environmental impact, vertical drop measurements, trail counts, etc. - it's all spin. Pretty much everyone in the biz does it, to varying degrees of success.

I disagree that it's all the same. "Spin" has a negative connotation and to me implies a certain degree of lying, or at best half-truths. I don't see any instance of Peak doing that. We're just arguing semantics here though. The bottom line is the lift-serviced ski industry is far from an environmentally friendly endeavor as it is, and any real skier that sees this project as a negative due to any environmental impact is a hypocrite in my opinion. I applaud Peak for going forward with the contingency plan. Here's to the success of Mount Snow and the region!
:beer:.

 

[threecy]

I disagree that it's all the same. "Spin" has a negative connotation and to me implies a certain degree of lying, or at best half-truths. I don't see any instance of Peak doing that. We're just arguing semantics here though. The bottom line is the lift-serviced ski industry is far from an environmentally friendly endeavor as it is, and any real skier that sees this project as a negative due to any environmental impact is a hypocrite in my opinion. I applaud Peak for going forward with the contingency plan. Here's to the success of Mount Snow and the region!
:beer:.

I think Bill O'Reilly probably gets a lot of credit in making "spin" sound like lying. That, and the whole "spin room" element to Presidential debates...if you look it up, some entries say "ingenious twist" but others say something like "a special point of view, emphasis, or interpretation presented for the purpose of influencing opinion." Environmentalists will likely try to spin the new reservoir as even more damaging to the environment (depends upon of course which way you look at it, as it also creates a new wetlands area), while Peak will spin it was improving the skier experience, compromise, etc. Neither of them are lying. Peak has built up a steady base of loyal supporters since they first came to New England with a good PR campaign and has shown they're not afraid to spend money to try to do things right.

 

[Greg]

Peak has built up a steady base of loyal supporters since they first came to New England with a good PR campaign and has shown they're not afraid to spend money to try to do things right.

Glad you finally see it my way.

 

[threecy]

Glad you finally see it my way.

Never said I didn't see it that way This has been the case since they first started taking down the trees at Crotched about half a decade ago.

 

[trtaylor]

I disagree that it's all the same. "Spin" has a negative connotation and to me implies a certain degree of lying, or at best half-truths. I don't see any instance of Peak doing that. We're just arguing semantics here though. The bottom line is the lift-serviced ski industry is far from an environmentally friendly endeavor as it is, and any real skier that sees this project as a negative due to any environmental impact is a hypocrite in my opinion. I applaud Peak for going forward with the contingency plan. Here's to the success of Mount Snow and the region!
:beer:.

+1

 

[Tin Woodsman]

I'd actually suggest that Peak has one of the most efficient spin machines out there. If this were an SP/Powdr situation, I'm confident it wouldn't be greeted with the same reception here.

If this were an SP/POWDR situation, such a decision would have been preceded by the following moves:

1) Closing Sunbrook area midweek

2) Running the Canyon quad on weekends and holidays only (after all, it's redundant)

3) Firing a substantial portion of Mt. Snow's year-round employees

4) Increasing pricing for children's programs by 25-200%, depending upon usage

5) Shortening the season to December 1 through April 1


Oh yeah - the whole discussion is moot b/c going to "Plan B" would imply that SP/POWDR was actually commiting real capital dollars in its first year of operations and that a "Plan A" and "Plan B' existed at all. As we well know, that's a silly dream with those characters.

 

[snowman]

If this were an SP/POWDR situation, such a decision would have been preceded by the following moves:

1) Closing Sunbrook area midweek

2) Running the Canyon quad on weekends and holidays only (after all, it's redundant)

3) Firing a substantial portion of Mt. Snow's year-round employees

4) Increasing pricing for children's programs by 25-200%, depending upon usage

5) Shortening the season to December 1 through April 1


Oh yeah - the whole discussion is moot b/c going to "Plan B" would imply that SP/POWDR was actually commiting real capital dollars in its first year of operations and that a "Plan A" and "Plan B' existed at all. As we well know, that's a silly dream with those characters.

I'm really get sick and tired of people bitching about Killington and it's problems. I don't read the Killington threads because it's the same people repeating the same things over and over again. HOWEVER, this is NOT a killington thread and the Killington crap is leaking into this one. The Killington thing is simple. If you don't like what they're doing, don't ski there. Enough said! :smash: