Yup...they got rid of rental compressors because they simply don't need them with the newer more efficient snowguns. In reality, even their permanent compressors weren't all needed this year. At times they were able to run the system to full water capacity while only using 1 or 2 of their 3 compressors at LP for example (going off memory of the numbers, but I think those were what was said).
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Season Pass Economics (For the Resorts)
- Thread starter Zermatt
- Start date
Yup...they got rid of rental compressors because they simply don't need them with the newer more efficient snowguns. In reality, even their permanent compressors weren't all needed this year. At times they were able to run the system to full water capacity while only using 1 or 2 of their 3 compressors at LP for example (going off memory of the numbers, but I think those were what was said).
As someone that skis there quite a bit, they've earned back lift credibility in my book with their recent investments. I've seen steady improvement the past 2-3 years.
Also, Stowe's vert per lift isn't that much more than SB (400-500' more on average...and if it is terrain at the bottom that I would rather not ski if I don't have to, does it really matter?). If Stowe had a lift serving just the upper half or even 2/3 of the mountain, then they would have a kick-ass lift system.
I'm not sure what you mean by reduced capacity by building large hotels near the snowmaking plants. The water capacity is limited by the diameter of the pipe coming up from the pond by the Mad River from what I heard...is that not the case? Air capacity was already mentioned is not being maxed out with their current compressors...
I wouldn't compare to SR (SR has a distinct goal of being an early early season player and has a snowmaking system built to support this), but Stowe, yes and I already pointed out in my last comment that the numbers this year didn't support what you're saying. I can't get to the MRV forums from work, but I could look up the terrain numbers and dates later if you don't believe me.
Anyway...I think we're getting a bit off topic. I don't think much of what we're currently talking about has much to do with season pass pricing strategies...
My disappointment was that SB always used to be competitive for early and late season. Not necessarily October-June, but pretty much mid-November through May. When they built Claybrook they moved the snowmaking plant to the eastern end of the parking area and took out the rental compressors. For a few years their reduced air capacity was an issue on LP side.
BenedictGomez
Well-known member
Cant say I've heard that complaint before. I've definitely never had the urge to only ski the top 1/2 of Stowe and then wish I could get right back on a lift.
KustyTheKlown
Well-known member
Yea the forerunner is pretty much top to bottom good stuff, and the Mansfield side has a run out but I'm not dying for a chair. an upper mountain lift basically already services spruce
Exactly. Topography doesn't make sense for upper and lower mountain lifts on Mansfield. Where the topography makes sense on Spruce they have them.
And while I'm sure SB snowmaking is adequate, Stowe has invested HUGE amounts of money in their system in the past ten years. Maybe the most in New England
And while I'm sure SB snowmaking is adequate, Stowe has invested HUGE amounts of money in their system in the past ten years. Maybe the most in New England
WWF-VT
Well-known member
I have always thought that Stowe was a big tax write-off in the accounting shell game that AIG plays. "Spruce Peak at Stowe" is still part of AIG's Global Real Estate portfolio. My guess is that AIG probably has 10 different corporations involved in operating Stowe.
Their goal still is mid-November through May as long as weather cooperates (prior to this year they met that goal 2 seasons in a row). I'm not going to focus on a problem in the past with air capacity for a couple years as today it is not an issue. I'd love to see them find a way to increase water capacity so they can blow snow on more trails at once...but not sure if that is even feasible.
I recall feeling like I was wasting time on the lower third of the mountain off the Forerunner... Maybe it is just a pet peeve of mine, but I absolutely hate being forced to ski back to the base every run. Maybe the days I was there in the past were just abnormally crowded...not sure.
Not going to deny that...they certainly have. Has Stowe ever publicly posted any of their snowmaking system stats? I remember a while back I tried looking and couldn't find anything saying how many GPM they could pump, etc. Would be interesting to see how far apart or close the systems actually are between the resorts.
Do they still close the 2nd or 3rd week of April regardless of how much snow they have left? Or have they changed that recently?
Usually the third weekend in April is it. SB definitely gets the kudos there.
I'm not sure I see much point in comparing Stowe and Sugarbush regarding pass pricing. Stowe is clearly going after the top of the market.
If you look at Colorado, Epic pass is cheap, Aspen similar to Stowe. Is Aspen better than Vail to charge what they do? Depends who you ask.
I'm not sure I see much point in comparing Stowe and Sugarbush regarding pass pricing. Stowe is clearly going after the top of the market.
If you look at Colorado, Epic pass is cheap, Aspen similar to Stowe. Is Aspen better than Vail to charge what they do? Depends who you ask.
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