Peak Resort Acquisitions

[doublediamond]

There are other mountains that have only 3 runs served by a HSQ but not many without this lift to the summit like Attitash. None of the summit runs come anywhere close to narrow. The permitting for an in place replacement would not be insurmountable. Operational costs could be partually offset by removing Top Notch. Not having a high speed lift there is the number one reason why their user base will not increase and why many dislike the mountain.

None with trails as narrow or as steep. Seriously, we can complain all we want, but the economics aren't there.

 

[Newpylong]

Off top of my head:
K-1 at Killington.
Rocket at Crotched.

Each only offer one easier route the rest being steeper blacks and none are particularly wide.

No one is complaining, just making conversation about what seems to be requested most there.

 

[steamboat1]

Pico would be another. Often when there isn't sufficient natural snow there is only one route off the top (49'er). Other times when they're dependent on snowmaking trails only it's KA ( pretty steep & narrow) & 49'er. Pike usually doesn't come on line until later in the season & that trail isn't intermediate friendly either, neither is Sunset. Really is no easy route off the top of Pico with 49'er being an advanced intermediate trail & all others rated black.

 

[doublediamond]

Off top of my head:
K-1 at Killington.
Rocket at Crotched.

Each only offer one easier route the rest being steeper blacks and none are particularly wide.

Crotched's trails are significantly wider and the top of Killington is very crowded.

 

[Jully]

Off top of my head:
K-1 at Killington.
Rocket at Crotched.

Each only offer one easier route the rest being steeper blacks and none are particularly wide.

No one is complaining, just making conversation about what seems to be requested most there.

Rocket at Crotched I'd say is more similar to Wachusett than it is to the attitash summit. Not at all ragging on Crotched, great mountain, but it's summit isn't comparable to Attitash. K-1 maybe, but the main trails there again, especially when comparing the blue trails don't compare to attitash.

On the economics side too, Attitash doesn't get those summit trails open for awhile. Their snowmaking budget would also have to change with an HSQ there.

I'd think it'd be great to remove the Double and then just install a carpet on the triple. I love those trails and would like to be able to tolerate skiing them more.

 

[Newpylong]

Both of you make good points. If not a detachable, at least look at some way (carpet we will say) to make the ride more tolerable. I think the best skiing on either peak is off the top.

 

[Jully]

Both of you make good points. If not a detachable, at least look at some way (carpet we will say) to make the ride more tolerable. I think the best skiing on either peak is off the top.

Oh the best skiing is definitely there. I don't go to Attitash often because its just not worth it when all I want to do is lap the triple. I wish they'd replace the triple, I just don't think its likely.

 

[deadheadskier]

I enjoy lapping Bear terrain too. Wish they didn't ruin two good trails in Mythmaker and Kachina with terrain parks. They should use lower Ptarmigan for a park and that's it.

 

[jaytrem]

How about getting rid of the lower half of the triple. Make it an upper mountain lift and maybe upgrade and shorten the double to the top of Ptarmigin. Then at least half your ride up is fast.

 

[john1200c]

I enjoy lapping Bear terrain too. Wish they didn't ruin two good trails in Mythmaker and Kachina with terrain parks. They should use lower Ptarmigan for a park and that's it.

100% agree with this. It was fine on Thads too for all those years.

 

[Newpylong]

I think many mountains ruin some of their best terrain with parks. I say this as both a snowboarder and skier.

 

[BenedictGomez]

I think many mountains ruin some of their best terrain with parks. I say this as both a snowboarder and skier.

Yup. I cant wait until the parks phase runs its' course. I've definitely seen declining usage over the last 5 years.

IMO, at this point I think it's sortof like coupon programs. There are some companies who undoubtedly think perhaps they should stop them, but they're afraid of what might happen to sales if they do, so it continues.

 

[Jully]

Yup. I cant wait until the parks phase runs its' course. I've definitely seen declining usage over the last 5 years.

IMO, at this point I think it's sortof like coupon programs. There are some companies who undoubtedly think perhaps they should stop them, but they're afraid of what might happen to sales if they do, so it continues.

Many mountains are already cutting back on the super expensive features, like full size super pipes which no one can use properly.

 

[deadheadskier]

The reality is, how many jumps, rails, boxes etc, do you really need? It's all basically the same. I liken it to my love of moguls. I really only ask for one dedicated bump run at a ski area as long as it's good. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with a variety of bump trails too if a ski area wishes to offer that. However, I've got no problem lapping one bump run for a large portion of the day if they're good.

 

[yeggous]

Yup. I cant wait until the parks phase runs its' course. I've definitely seen declining usage over the last 5 years.

IMO, at this point I think it's sortof like coupon programs. There are some companies who undoubtedly think perhaps they should stop them, but they're afraid of what might happen to sales if they do, so it continues.

The parks still draw the families with 12-17 year old boys. Those kids will scream if the family doesn't go to their desired mountain. Ultimately the quest for that family revenue is what I think drives a lot of the investment in the parks.

There are mountains that have already forsaken the park. Wildcat has no real park. They will put a few features in mid-season for vacation week, but it is the last thing that they focus us, and they break it down to farm snow very early. Bretton Woods throws in a few small features on the side of Bretton's Wood, but their terrain park on Coos Caper is also the last trail to see snowmaking. I don't recall seeing a park at MRG. Black Mountain of NH has no park. There have got to be more. Who am I missing?

 

[ss20]

Mohawk in CT is probably the biggest player without any park features in their inventory. Gonna stay that way for quite some time as well, I'm sure.

 

[yeggous]

Mohawk in CT is probably the biggest player without any park features in their inventory. Gonna stay that way for quite some time as well, I'm sure.

Did you just use the words "biggest" and "Mohawk" in the same sentence? I never thought I would see the day. Amazingly I have actually skied there. Mellow. Very mellow. It reminded me of a tiny version of Bretton Woods.

 

[steamboat1]

There are mountains that have already forsaken the park. Wildcat has no real park. They will put a few features in mid-season for vacation week, but it is the last thing that they focus us, and they break it down to farm snow very early. Bretton Woods throws in a few small features on the side of Bretton's Wood, but their terrain park on Coos Caper is also the last trail to see snowmaking. I don't recall seeing a park at MRG. Black Mountain of NH has no park. There have got to be more. Who am I missing?

Don't recall seeing a park at Pico, Middlebury or Magic either. Not sure about Smuggs, Jay or Burke.

 

[ss20]

Did you just use the words "biggest" and "Mohawk" in the same sentence? I never thought I would see the day. Amazingly I have actually skied there. Mellow. Very mellow. It reminded me of a tiny version of Bretton Woods.

"Biggest player" as in a mountain with good infrastructure, great snowmaking, and proximity to metropolitan areas. Very unusual not to have a terrain park since they have those three factors. Biggest is not referring to size.

Context, context, context...

 

[BenedictGomez]

Don't recall seeing a park at Pico, Middlebury or Magic either. Not sure about Smuggs, Jay or Burke.

Smuggs and Jay have park areas. The uber tiny players often dont. At a lot of places, they're becoming near "ghost town trails".