No skiing at Peaks?

[SIKSKIER]

Seems rather strange that Peaks has no skiing for Thanksgiving given their broad area of mountains.I called them out a little last year for the late Wildact opening and was busted for it.I would think they would want to try to get one mountain open as early as possible to compete with Boyne that currently has 3 open.I don't understand why they would not try to get Wildcat open early given its northern location and high elevation.The target date is not till Dec 9.I would not be happy if I was a Wildcat homey.

 

[thetrailboss]

I agree. Wildcat would be the logical choice to open early. Heck, they probably could have opened a while back with the Nor'Easter. As to the "we don't have lodging at Wildcat line," sell some deals with Attitash lodging and Wildcat tickets. Make it a good deal. People would come.

Maybe with the IPO, and being short on cash, they are taking less risk? BTW SAM just released info on the IPO.

 

[Riverskier]

I am especially surprised Mt. Snow didn't make an effort to get open. Virtually all "major" New England resorts are open, or opening for the weekend. I can understand not getting into the early season game, but not trying to get open for Thanksgiving weekend, especially given the favorable snowmaking weather this past week? Glad I don't ski Mt Snow.

 

[thetrailboss]

I am especially surprised Mt. Snow didn't make an effort to get open. Virtually all "major" New England resorts are open, or opening for the weekend. I can understand not getting into the early season game, but not trying to get open for Thanksgiving weekend, especially given the favorable snowmaking weather this past week? Glad I don't ski Mt Snow.

Could it be because the Six Pack project is not done yet (or is it)?

 

[Riverskier]

Could it be because the Six Pack project is not done yet (or is it)?

I really have no idea. I am just surprised, as I would think it would be important for them to try to get open for the holiday weekend, especially seeing that all of there major competitors are opening.

 

[deadheadskier]

IMO

The place this hurts Peaks the most is not with lost revenue over the weekend, but upsetting some pass holders. Their mult-mountain pass is a fairly compelling alternative to the Boyne pass for Boston area skiers. Having a season that is close to a month shorter than Boyne doesn't help Peaks.

 

[frozencorn]

I know Attitash targeted this weekend, but didn't anticipate this storm before they pushed the date back. Wildcat wasn't slated to open until early next month anyway.

 

[Glenn]

I am especially surprised Mt. Snow didn't make an effort to get open.

They did; they started blowing snow last weekend. On Sunday, at our place, a bit east of the mountain, it was 63F. You just can't win with those temps. They've made the effort, the temps haven't cooperated.

 

[frozencorn]

Just got the call. Attitash opening Friday. Just Moat though.

---------------------------

Attitash Mountain Resort will open and spin the Flying Yankee quad on Friday, November 25 to offer skiing and riding.

Open 1 Lift (Flying Yankee located at Attitash Mountain side) to public 9am – 3:30pm (Opening for Friday 11/25)
Open 1 Trail: Moat (Opening for Friday 11/25)
Ticket rate: $15 (all ages for lift-service ticket, no snow guarantee, rentals/lessons not available)

Cans or Cash @ The Tash Rail Session - Opening for Friday 11/25 at the Attitash base area and scheduled to be set-up for Saturday 11/26 too
***Special ticket rate to hike the rail/box set-up only: Donate 3 canned goods or $3 to local food pantry

Attitash Mountain will resume making snow again this evening (and likely to be tonight only) on Moat to support natural snow. Conditions on Moat trail fro Friday will be natural and no grooming. Operations after Friday will be conditions permitting and updates will be made at that time.

Mountain Coaster to open as previously planned for Friday, 11/25 thru Sunday 11/27 10 am – 3:30 pm
Ticket prices will be $12 for one ride, $30 for three rides (w/out season pass) OR $10 for one ride, $25 for three rides (w/ pass).

Full food service in ABL from 10am-3pm
Season Pass office will be open from 9am-3:30pm

Wildcat Mountain, appears to have received a little less total snow accumulation than the lower elevations and at this time, has no scheduled changes to their planned opening date of Friday, December 9. The one thing I’m sure of now is that tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I wish you a happy holiday!

 

[SIKSKIER]

Good for Peak pass holders

Wow,I didn't know I had that much clought.1 thread and an hour later results.I still don't understand having Wildcat at the bottom of your opening schedule of the big ski areas.

 

[frozencorn]

Wow,I didn't know I had that much clought.1 thread and an hour later results.I still don't understand having Wildcat at the bottom of your opening schedule of the big ski areas.

I think the thought is that they'll keep them open later, so sacrifice the early crowd for the late crowd, which is really the better one anyway, right?

 

[SIKSKIER]

I guess.It just seems that the Cat is better suited for early snow and snowmaking.I can understand not trying to open WC in October but to target 12/9?I wouldn't be happy if that were my mt.

 

[thetrailboss]

I think the thought is that they'll keep them open later, so sacrifice the early crowd for the late crowd, which is really the better one anyway, right?

Well.......demand is WAY higher in early season. Pent up demand at that too.

 

[Newpylong]

I am trying to think of what opportunities that Mount Snow had for opening. I can't think of any. It has been WARM. The temperature difference even 40 miles north in the Stratton/Okemo region has been vast.. they have gotten totally screwed on the temperatures, but that's the price you pay when you're so far south.

They said they would have opened without the 6 pack if they could - still have two High Speed quads out of the base. The only thing left on the lift basically is a load test and certification.

I can't make excuses up for any of their other resorts though...

 

[millerm277]

I guess.It just seems that the Cat is better suited for early snow and snowmaking.I can understand not trying to open WC in October but to target 12/9?I wouldn't be happy if that were my mt.

Except for the problem of Wildcat having a pretty weak and damaged snowmaking system prior to the acquisition. While Peaks replaced a ton of pipe this summer, hopefully making it work better, I haven't heard of much in upgrades to the actual system.

 

[thetrailboss]

Except for the problem of Wildcat having a pretty weak and damaged snowmaking system prior to the acquisition. While Peaks replaced a ton of pipe this summer, hopefully making it work better, I haven't heard of much in upgrades to the actual system.

What components need to be replaced? Compressors? Pumps? All of the above? Are they going to install fan guns ala Mount Snow, Crotched, and other places they own?

 

[drjeff]

I am trying to think of what opportunities that Mount Snow had for opening. I can't think of any. It has been WARM. The temperature difference even 40 miles north in the Stratton/Okemo region has been vast.. they have gotten totally screwed on the temperatures, but that's the price you pay when you're so far south.

They said they would have opened without the 6 pack if they could - still have two High Speed quads out of the base. The only thing left on the lift basically is a load test and certification.

I can't make excuses up for any of their other resorts though...

Agree. Mount Snow wise, I'm really not even sure if they've had more than 36 hours total in the last few weeks where they've had the temps to even consider making snow, and over that same time frame they've had far more hours with the temps in the 50's. Fan guns are great things when the temps permit, but without the temps that their southern latitude hasn't given them, they just make great sprinklers. The fact that nobody in South of Okemo will be open this weekend goes to show you what a difference a few degrees of latitude can make with respect to snowmaking temps. Heck even the Woodbury had a good chunk of their frozen grass melt out and needs another night of snowmaking to reice their grass for tubing

 

[threecy]

I can understand not getting into the early season game, but not trying to get open for Thanksgiving weekend, especially given the favorable snowmaking weather this past week?

Even in the Whites the snowmaking weather hasn't been that favorable in the past week. Snowmaking production is somewhat logarithmic, in that marginal temperatures result in low yield, while as the mercury and humidity drop, production multiplies.

Yesterday, for instance, the base area of Waterville Valley (close to 2,000' in elevation) didn't even have a ground frost.

 

[Glenn]

These night time temps need to drop! The next few days arent looking that good for making snow.

 

[darent]

hope mt snow gets some weather or our dec 14th trip will be in jeopardy. we have had some good skiing there in december