Peak Resorts Opinion

[tcharron]

Just wanted to start up a thread on what Peak is doing in general, without hijacking the Mt Snow upgrades thread. Any news on Attitash upgrades?

I was worried that they would put off upgrades in some locations and do like a one mountain at a time deal, but word from Crotched is, MORE GLADES! Hopefully, REAL glades, not that little hill with like, 4 trees on it. Glades simular to the cross areas at Pats Peak between some of the newer trails.

But regardless, they'll be working on Crotched all summer.

 

[thetrailboss]

You know, when these guys started I was :roll: and a bit :-? because of what I saw and heard. In 2003 I saw them at the Boston Ski Show and was not impressed by their display booth or their marketing efforts. Since then, good vibes. Very good ones.

In 2004 at the ski show, they had more people in the booth and were more assertive. A nice fellow came right up to me, asked if I had skied Crotched. Got a good conversation going...gave me a coupon. Got me into the booth. Made me feel welcome. Very nice.

In terms of service, I hear good things. In terms of product, I hear good things as well. Not a bad thing yet from Crotched skiers and riders. In fact, opening the place later this spring made a good impression. Real down to earth. I have never skied at a Peaks Resort, but am now quite interested.

I just hope that the Mount Snow and Attitash Resorts don't screw up their business model....which is no frills, good snow, and good service. From what I have heard and seen, they are very serious about these resorts and making them winners. No complaints here.

 

[riverc0il]

Peak Resorts runs a great product at Crotched. The only thing bad I can say about Crotched is there location which is nothing that can be done about. I expect only good things for Mount Snow and Attitash under Peak Resorts ownership. Just noticed some announcements recently about upgrades to Mount Snow. The Peak Resorts operational standard is pretty straight forward: lots of quality man made snow, high capacity ski areas, high capacity base areas, lots of people, and lots of dollars. It is a good business model and I wish them well entering the Resort market and hope they transition well from the smaller feeder/metro market.

Regarding glades at Crotched, not worth the effort, IMO. That area just doesn't get enough snow for good quality glades. Peaks is about snow making any ways, if anything I expect Peaks to open more trails up rather than glade trails out. Even if they did glade stuff out at the Crotch, it wouldn't be skiable many days of the year.

 

[tcharron]

Regarding glades at Crotched, not worth the effort, IMO. That area just doesn't get enough snow for good quality glades. Peaks is about snow making any ways, if anything I expect Peaks to open more trails up rather than glade trails out. Even if they did glade stuff out at the Crotch, it wouldn't be skiable many days of the year.

True, it wouldn't be 'seriouse' glades. As I said, I was hoping for something simular to the couple of 'in between trail' glades like Pats peak has. They're a blast to go thru with the kids.

 

[hammer]

True, it wouldn't be 'seriouse' glades. As I said, I was hoping for something simular to the couple of 'in between trail' glades like Pats peak has. They're a blast to go thru with the kids.

When it comes to glades skiing, one has to start somewhere...I think that the in-between glades that Pats and Crotched have are great for learning.

 

[Newpylong]

I have been trying to get some opinions on Crotched as well. I most likely will be leaving Western MA (and my home of Mount Snow) and moving closer to Boston. I have heard nothing but good things so far. I did a search on Google for Crotched and I found about 500 opinions everyone but one being positive. Will have to see for next year...

 

[SkiNow]

Word around Mt. Washington Valley is they are going to announce a large snowmaking upgrade.

 

[thetrailboss]

When it comes to glades skiing, one has to start somewhere...I think that the in-between glades that Pats and Crotched have are great for learning.

In the two seasons we had passes at Pats, we skied the glades in only one season...some got some snow blown into them and the others were au naturale. The former went all season. The latter, well, we got two maybe three weeks. Not bad. I had a blast.

 

[snoseek]

Attitash could use some serious lovin, as asc really did a number on the place. I think i heard something about extending the abenaqi quad down (i assume to cater to the $$$ homes at bearfoot creek) but i would love to see that friggen triple moves a little faster. also the snowmaking this year at attitash was pretty rough.

 

[thetrailboss]

Attitash could use some serious lovin, as asc really did a number on the place. I think i heard something about extending the abenaqi quad down (i assume to cater to the $$$ homes at bearfoot creek) but i would love to see that friggen triple moves a little faster. also the snowmaking this year at attitash was pretty rough.

You're right on the quad extending downslope. Nothing really said about the summit. They would need to do something with the terrain off the summit though....not enough to handle the increase in traffic, more snowmaking, etc. Those infrastructure needs would have to pass Fed approval because IIRC the summit area is in the WMNF.

 

[Newpylong]

Good luck for you all at Attitash, the last time I was there was in '95 or so and I thought it was a great mountain. Snowmaking was top notch.... its too bad it went downhill from what I hear from people.

FYI I was browsing the Attitash website today and work, and if you click the Winter site one of the scrolling items is: "Stay tuned for news on Snowmaking improvements for next winter".

 

[Jonni]

Attitash was in a bit of rough shape the two times that I skied it this year, but it was still a nice place to go as there really wasn't the crowds there that other ski areas had. Terrain is mellow for it's designations, but overall still a fun place to go.

 

[Greg]

Any news on Attitash upgrades?

http://news.alpinezone.com/16629/

 

[snoseek]

cool, all i ask is a commitment to make snow. i actually have enjoyed the mountain over the last couple of years because it's so quiet. folks may complain about how asc ran the other resorts, but i really think they could have done a lot more at attitash (i'm sure this is a budget issue and not a reflection of the staff). i hope i'm able to take a trip over there next year to see how different the joint is run.

 

[Greg]

I get a good feeling as well. They offered up compelling season pass options pretty much right out of the gate. Recently they announced several million dollars of upgrades at Mount Snow and Attitash. From a PR standpoint, they are doing everything right.

 

[tcharron]

Crotched regulars already know about PR level of commitment to snow making ... It will be good trust me.

Hell, it impresses me that Chris Bradford will offer to have coffee with people if they email him before they go. I know he is a PR guy, so it's partially just 'part of the job', but at the same time, he'll answer emails.

OOhhhh... I wonder if they'll try the midnight madness experiment at Mt Snow or Attitash........

 

[thetrailboss]

Does Attitash even have lit trails?

No. Neither does Mount Snow.

 

[Greg]

One thing I would have done is offered a Nor'easter pass with black out dates. Maybe even a 6 day Nor'easter at an early bird price of around $500. I have to imagine there would be a big market for it in Southern NH, NE Mass. Night ski at Crotched and day trip to Snow and Attitash. The $749 unlimited is still a good value, but I imagine a blackout version would've killed.

 

[tcharron]

I do know that in the past if you was a pass holder at one ski area you could purchase a day ticket for half price at another area. I believe this policy was still undecided if it was going to be continued or not.

Negative. They changed their policy so it only applies between New England ski areas, and their other mountains. It will NOT apply between Attitash, Crotched, and Mt Snow. :-( I was hoping it would, and have saved me some money as I know I wouldn't go to say, Attitash very much.

 

[tcharron]

Does Attitash even have lit trails?

QQ

Greg, DEFINATLY something to add for the challenges for Mount Snow AND Attitash.

Lights and night ski!

Nonono. Don't ask.. DEMAND!