MRG Shareholders Enter Here

[MRGisevil]

I am toying with the idea of buying a share at Mad River Glen. Tim is not. I ask that you kindly convince him otherwise.

What are the benefits of being a shareholder? Can’t seem to find much information on the website. Any cons we should be on the lookout for? Thanks for any information you can provide.

 

[Paul]

I am toying with the idea of buying a share at Mad River Glen. Tim is not. I ask that you kindly convince him otherwise.

What are the benefits of being a shareholder? Can’t seem to find much information on the website. Any cons we should be on the lookout for? Thanks for any information you can provide.

You will first need to change your screen name.

 

[bvibert]

You will first need to change your screen name.

It's evil in a good way... I know, most other people don't get it either... Me included...

 

[Paul]

It's evil in a good way... I know, most other people don't get it either... Me included...

Kids and their darned lingo!

 

[MRGisevil]

You will first need to change your screen name.

Don't go hatin' on today's slang just because you're old and bitter, jive turkey.

 

[Paul]

Don't go hatin' on today's slang just because you're old and bitter, jive turkey.

Get off my lawn!!!

Sit on it, Potsie!

 

[wa-loaf]

Oh, here you guys are . . .

I don't think you get much other than a good feeling and some kind of voting rights. Not even much of a discount on passes.

 

[Paul]

Oh, here you guys are . . .

I don't think you get much other than a good feeling and some kind of voting rights. Not even much of a discount on passes.

That's the impression I get as well. Not only that, it seems that in the long run it costs you more to be a shareholder. Unless I lived there, and went every day, or quite often at least, I don't see it as a terribly good investment.

 

[severine]

I know there's a required minimum $ amount you have to spend annually.

Looked into it a few years ago. Decided that unless we lived nearby, it wasn't a good idea for us.

 

[BLESS]

That's the impression I get as well. Not only that, it seems that in the long run it costs you more to be a shareholder. Unless I lived there, and went every day, or quite often at least, I don't see it as a terribly good investment.

I get the feeling that those who are members don't view it as an "investment", more so a"privilege". I could be wrong, but that's how it seems to me...I'm not a member, never even skied it. So, it seems if your in it for economical reasons, it's not a great choice....?

 

[MRGisevil]

Actually, I'm more in it for the "fuzzy" feeling you get for being a member. No, really- just want to contribute to the betterment of the mountain. Annual contribution is 200 bucks. That's a weekend there. I don't really see that as a big deal.

 

[billski]

I get the feeling that those who are members don't view it as an "investment", more so a"privilege". I could be wrong, but that's how it seems to me...I'm not a member, never even skied it. So, it seems if your in it for economical reasons, it's not a great choice....?

Agreed. From what I know, nobody looks at this for "return on investment." You are preserving a lifestyle, that's the mantra. I suggest you read this piece for the vibe: http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/lyonspress/madriver.htm Especially read the part about Betsy Pratt - that spirit of the place lives on. http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/lyonspress/madrive5.htm

You have to commit to an annual minimum purchase, can be used for anything, but it's another way of financially guaranteeing the sustainability of the operations.

 

[madskier6]

Actually, I'm more in it for the "fuzzy" feeling you get for being a member. No, really- just want to contribute to the betterment of the mountain. Annual contribution is 200 bucks. That's a weekend there. I don't really see that as a big deal.

Agreed. It's pretty easy to spend that much during the course of a season at MRG. As you said, you can probably spend that much in one weekend.

But couple that with the purchase price for one share of $1,750 (it may even have increased) & I don't get that warm fuzzy feeling anymore. Don't get me wrong. It's a great cause & I love MRG but with my other financial commitments, I just can't justify it.

I know they have payment plans & all but it would be difficult for me to tell one of my children that I can't buy them some new equipment (or something else they want) because I've purchased an MRG share.

 

[polski]

I first skied MRG just over a year ago, immediately fell in love with the place and within a couple months I bought a share. Some comments:

• There is a lot of information at the http://www.madriverglen.coop site. It says shareholders-only but I'm pretty sure none of it is password-protected. You can learn much about MRG by reading the minutes of the meetings of the coop's board of trustees and other governing committees. Seeing how MRG is collectively run helped persuade me to buy a share.
  
• As has already been noted, this is not something you do as an investment or to "save money," although you do get a 15% discount on lift tickets and season passes and there are deals in the gear shop etc. I figure I've saved probably $20 so far this season ... but I feel really, really good about helping preserve a skiing environment far unlike any other I've experienced.
  
• The annual purchase requirement is $200. The share price increased last spring from $1750 to $2000. You can do a $50/month payment plan with no interest but you do pay an extra $150 up front.
  
• If you have kids 12 and under they get free season passes when you pay your advance purchase requirement. But you don't need to be a shareholder to buy a Mad Card (three ticket vouchers) for $119 and get free kids' season passes that way, so here too there isn't really a big financial incentive to become a shareholder.
  
• You get to vote for the board of directors. You could even run yourself.
  
• The one downside I see is if you need to redeem your share. First, you can't sell it yourself -- as a cooperative, MRG would have SEC trouble if there were a secondary market in the shares. Second, the bylaws (which you definitely should read carefully before you buy) make clear you get back the purchase price or the book value of the share, whichever is less -- and currently book value is considerably less than the purchase price, as I understand it mainly because of debt related to the single chair rebuild. Finally, the coop directors may suspend share redemptions because of tight cash flow (due to poor winters, capital projects or whatever) and such a suspension was only recently lifted but a redemptions backlog remains. Again, you can read all about it in the minutes.

 

[Paul]

I get the feeling that those who are members don't view it as an "investment", more so a"privilege". I could be wrong, but that's how it seems to me...I'm not a member, never even skied it. So, it seems if your in it for economical reasons, it's not a great choice....?

Agree totally. I was offering my perspective, and I think of any money spent as an investment. Whether its an investment that will eventually offer a monetary return, or an investment in my mental health and well-being. That said, and thanks to polski for a really good summation, I would not see it as a good investment of my money, as I would not be able to spend enough time there to get a worthwhile "return" If'n ya catch my drift. ;-)

Now, Margie, OTOH, may see things differently.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

The cool thing about becoming a shareholder is that you can contribute to keeping the mountain boarder-free..

 

[snowmonster]

There was an article in Skiing's January 2007 about Mad River Glen and the different perspectives on ownership there. Interesting story and it gives different insights into the different points of view within the cooperative.

 

[riverc0il]

I ponied up for a share last year. Total no brainer in my opinion. The installment plan is only $50. Skip eating out once a month and you've covered the expense. Couple of years and its paid. Definitely don't look into a share if you are looking for "benefits" or discounts. You of course do get a small discount on tickets and shop stuff but it certainly does not factor into the share price, IMO. The APR of $200 can easily be paid off with a Mad Card and eating at the mountain all three of those days. Maybe you have some left over for an extra ticket, ski tune, hat, whatever. To me it is all about being part of the effort to preserve a unique experience. Same reason I donated to the Single campaign. Just putting my money where my mouth is.

 

[MRGisevil]

Thanks for all of the input, everyone! I guess I am thinking along the same lines as River- I am more interested in preserving the mountain than gaining on an investment. It's good to know there are some small things you get out of ownership, such as the lift ticket discount, etc. I'll have to check out the minutes in the co-op section and do some reading.

Thanks again

 

[severine]

Not to be pessimistic in this thread, because this was something I truly was interested in. I agree with the idea of preserving the mountain versus investment. But we're also in a position that there needs to be some kind of return on our money right now. SOMEDAY when we move to the MRV, I'll probably consider MRG shares more seriously.