Signs some areas have written this season off already

[drjeff]

I just had an add for booking golf outings at Sugarbush pop up on my FB page....

 

[gmcunni]

read that a small mountain, Big Tupper, in upstate new york has thrown in the towel, they were never able to open this year.

We are sorry to announce that the ARISE Board has made the difficult decision to not open Big Tupper this season. While the weather has worked against our efforts this year, let’s keep our eye to a brighter future. Please know that this decision did not come easily and that your efforts are greatly appreciated. There are a lot of discussions taking place about the future operation – all very positive. We will make every effort to keep you updated as things unfold.

 

[cdskier]

I just had an add for booking golf outings at Sugarbush pop up on my FB page....

I've been seeing those since December I think...

 

[Warp Daddy]

read that a small mountain, Big Tupper, in upstate new york has thrown in the towel, they were never able to open this year.

This formerly great venue will always be a challenge to operate ,they simply lack so much in infrastructure , investment and lack of snowmaking . What a shame , this was always a great place to ski , but now it is but now it strictly a labor of love by volunteers . Titus Mountain to their benefit has filled the vacuum created by this situation

 

[Smellytele]

This formerly great venue will always be a challenge to operate ,they simply lack so much in infrastructure , investment and lack of snowmaking . What a shame , this was always a great place to ski , but now it is but now it strictly a labor of love by volunteers . Titus Mountain to their benefit has filled the vacuum created by this situation

Next year plan on hitting Lake Placid up again and was wondering about Big Tupper.

 

[JDMRoma]

Cannons blowing snow like crazy. Not going down without a fight !
Epic here today.


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone

 

[Puck it]

cannons blowing snow like crazy. Not going down without a fight !
Epic here today.


Sent from my iphone using alpinezone

rub it in

 

[Tin]

Cannons blowing snow like crazy. Not going down without a fight !
Epic here today.


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone

Looking at next week's system they are going to need every inch to survive.

 

[Highway Star]

Diesel fuel is cheap this year, there is pent up demand for skiing, snow on the ground in the cities, and 2 months left for most major resorts. Why wouldn't they be making a push to do as best they can right now?

 

[jaybird]

No towel throwing anywhere in sight on SuperStar.
...although they should throw a blanket over the eyesore on the StuperPipe.

The pride of lions will shows up in a few weeks.
All is not lost...just misplaced.

 

[Newpylong]

Looking at next week's system they are going to need every inch to survive.

Too far out to tell but every model I have seen shows snow mixed with r*in (if it stays mild) on Tuesday, nothing like we just went through. It won't be fun to ski but it won't effect the snow pack at all.

 

[Smellytele]

Too far out to tell but every model I have seen shows snow mixed with r*in (if it stays mild) on Tuesday, nothing like we just went through. It won't be fun to ski but it won't effect the snow pack at all.

some I have looked at show all snow in Northern areas. Not So VT but anything Killington and north

 

[BenedictGomez]

Diesel fuel is cheap this year

Is that what most places use?

Why wouldn't they be making a push to do as best they can right now?

Well, if the analyst at Macquarie is correct, he estimates SKIS revenue is only at 50% of what it normally would be. If true (and we don't know that it is yet, but the stock has been crushed due to this), that's a pretty good reason for ski areas to either go into "play it somewhat safe" mode at best, or "self-preservation" mode, at worst.

 

[SIKSKIER]

Too far out to tell but every model I have seen shows snow mixed with r*in (if it stays mild) on Tuesday, nothing like we just went through. It won't be fun to ski but it won't effect the snow pack at all.

Agree.I have not seen a tropical blowtorch forecast at all.

 

[Smellytele]

Agree.I have not seen a tropical blowtorch forecast at all.

some one posted this on the weather forum -

 

[BenedictGomez]

Agree.I have not seen a tropical blowtorch forecast at all.

Tuesday is about as bad as it gets if the models dont change. And all 4 of them are in agreement right now, which is never good.

EDIT: For instance....... yellow isnt good.

 

[drjeff]

Agree.I have not seen a tropical blowtorch forecast at all.

Exactly, rain and say 36 degree weather is a lot different in what it does to a snow pack than say rain and 50 degree weather.

This system the middle of next week is looking much more wet that white unfortunately, however it's not looking like it has "blowtorch" warmth associated with it as of now

 

[drjeff]

Is that what most places use?



Well, if the analyst at Macquarie is correct, he estimates SKIS revenue is only at 50% of what it normally would be. If true (and we don't know that it is yet, but the stock has been crushed due to this), that's a pretty good reason for ski areas to either go into "play it somewhat safe" mode at best, or "self-preservation" mode, at worst.

On the flip side of that, purely from a marketing perspective, as we approach the rolling out of next years season passes, if you've got an area or in the case of multi-resort passes, areas, that have a GOOD quantity of terrain open, even if the weather pattern stays unfavorable more than not for the duration of the season, that extra acreage that is open at one area vs another can shift peoples opinion about where to buy a pass and/or switch mountains. Throwing in the towel early can have negative consequences not just on this years numbers, but also next years as well.

Where you very well could see changes in plans, is even if we stay "seasonable" temperature wise the next 6-8 weeks, especially with Easter being early this year, you're much more likely to see areas that may typically shoot for say an April 15th closing date pencil it in for April 1st this year instead. Through St Patrick's Day it's not that difficult, if the weather is nice, to get some BIG crowds out on the mountains any weekend, so there is some definite incentive to keep working at the product they're putting out there, regardless of what the "bean counters" are telling them

 

[xwhaler]

On the flip side of that, purely from a marketing perspective, as we approach the rolling out of next years season passes, if you've got an area or in the case of multi-resort passes, areas, that have a GOOD quantity of terrain open, even if the weather pattern stays unfavorable more than not for the duration of the season, that extra acreage that is open at one area vs another can shift peoples opinion about where to buy a pass and/or switch mountains. Throwing in the towel early can have negative consequences not just on this years numbers, but also next years as well.

Where you very well could see changes in plans, is even if we stay "seasonable" temperature wise the next 6-8 weeks, especially with Easter being early this year, you're much more likely to see areas that may typically shoot for say an April 15th closing date pencil it in for April 1st this year instead. Through St Patrick's Day it's not that difficult, if the weather is nice, to get some BIG crowds out on the mountains any weekend, so there is some definite incentive to keep working at the product they're putting out there, regardless of what the "bean counters" are telling them

+1 As we head into pass vs free agent voucher decision mode for next season and as I evaluate ski lesson options for my son I am keeping a close eye on what mtns do the next 2 mos to earn my $ for next season.

 

[drjeff]

Jim Cantore's FREEZING RAIN accumulation estimates for next week's storm - This may not be a snow event, but's its not going to be a blowtorch event either