Sugarbush's New Pass Aims to Capture the '20 something' Market

[steamboat1]

one of the biggest concerns among 20/30 year olds i know is the lack of nightlife at sugarbush. i know skihouse people that went from killington up to the bush for a change of pace but returned after a season because it was too quiet. also i have brought dozens of people to the bush and they all commented on the lack of nightlife. i know the castlerock pub was open sat nights last year - a step in the right direction.

and if a decent amount of 420 passes are sold the mt will have to figure out what to do for happy hour - the pub is a zoo already. imagine another 50-75 regulars in there on a saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not all that familiar with night life in the Mad River Valley area but I do know a popular night spot, the Blue Tooth, which was right on the Sugarbush access road closed several years ago. I guess business wasn't that good. Another spot (forget the different names) at the intersection of rt.100 & rt.17 has changed names & I assume ownership several times recently so how good can it be? I don't think Sugarbush attracts the weekend crowds that are more concerned about partying than skiing like Killington does. Sugarbush also doesn't have a nearby large town (Rutland) that draws people to it's night life like Killington does. Selling an affordable pass to young people won't change these facts. Season passholders of any age in any area aren't the type to be more concerned with partying. This is a good thing in my opinion.

 

[thetrailboss]

I'm not all that familiar with night life in the Mad River Valley area but I do know a popular night spot, the Blue Tooth, which was right on the Sugarbush access road closed several years ago. I guess business wasn't that good. Another spot (forget the different names) at the intersection of rt.100 & rt.17 has changed names & I assume ownership several times recently so how good can it be? I don't think Sugarbush attracts the weekend crowds that are more concerned about partying than skiing like Killington does. Sugarbush also doesn't have a nearby large town (Rutland) that draws people to it's night life like Killington does. Selling an affordable pass to young people won't change these facts. Season passholders of any age in any area aren't the type to be more concerned with partying. This is a good thing in my opinion.

The Blue Tooth was actually owned by Win and the Resort for a few years. It's long gone now.

The Local Folk Smokehouse (IIRC) is still there.

As to Killington, it has its own scene. No need to drive to Rutvegas.

One big issue that I have heard repeatedly is that restaurants and bars in the Valley feel that the State Police and County Sheriffs are harsh on DUI enforcement and scare folks away.

 

[steamboat1]

The Blue Tooth was actually owned by Win and the Resort for a few years. It's long gone now.

The Local Folk Smokehouse (IIRC) is still there.

As to Killington, it has its own scene. No need to drive to Rutvegas.

One big issue that I have heard repeatedly is that restaurants and bars in the Valley feel that the State Police and County Sheriffs are harsh on DUI enforcement and scare folks away.

You think Killington doesn't have the same problem with the state police? If anything it's worse. I know of at least one night spot on the Killington Road, maybe more, offers a free shuttle van just for this reason. It doesn't seem to have affected their business to much. The two areas cater to a different class of people.

As far as Rutland I meant the opposite. People from Rutland drive to Killington for the night life & to mingle with the tourists, not the other way around.

 

[deadheadskier]

One big issue that I have heard repeatedly is that restaurants and bars in the Valley feel that the State Police and County Sheriffs are harsh on DUI enforcement and scare folks away.

That's the entire State.

Stowe PD is reknown for tagging tires at the local bars. If the officer sees a tagged tired up the road later in the evening, the driver is guaranteed to be pulled over.

 

[thetrailboss]

Interesting, re: other places have strict enforcement in Vermont and yet Vermont has the highest rates of teen drinking and drug usage. Hmmm.....

 

[massbmx]

Never been to sugarbush but I'm thinking very seriously about buying this pass, the bush is about 4.5 hours away from me but if the day pass $80 you only have to go 5 days to make it worth it.

Now the question is will this attract 20 something females to the bars, or will it be all sugar bushes?

 

[Black Phantom]

Never been to sugarbush but I'm thinking very seriously about buying this pass, the bush is about 4.5 hours away from me but if the day pass $80 you only have to go 5 days to make it worth it.

Now the question is will this attract 20 something females to the bars, or will it be all sugar bushes?

Beers are about $5 each.

 

[xwhaler]

http://www.sugarbush.com/for20s-events-activities

Looks like this pass is back again next season...just annouced today along with SB's other pass options. I turned 30 in January so technically if I buy before May 2nd I could get this....definately worth considering. I loved SB the 2 days I was there this season and at $88 for a day ticket I only have to go 4 times to make this worthwhile.

I generally play the discount game (warren miller, rsne card, liftopia, etc.) and can ski for an avg of $30/day for the season. If I set $30 as my goal I'd need to ski SB 10x which still seems possible.
Hard part is day tripping from Southern NH but I have a place to stay near Ludlow and drive from there doesn't seem to terrible.
Decisions, Decisions.....

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

time to find my old fake id....

 

[gmcunni]

can we start a class action lawsuit for age discrimination?

 

[xwhaler]

Actually jut re-read the fine print haha, you need to be 29 before May 2nd 2012 and buy before May 2nd to get this.
I turned in Jan so I'm SOL

Okemo/Mt Sunapee interestingly also annouced this same pass. $499 if purchased thru Okemo and $529 if going thru Sunapee :???:

 

[HowieT2]

I'm curious as to how the 4-20 pass program fared. anecdotely, I noticed a lot more 20 somethings at the mountain this season. Obviously it worked well enough to try again.

 

[Cannonball]

You're right on target o3jeff...more accurately...a 40-to-Senior Pass..IF below 50k-salary.

I don't understand bringing salary into it. Work hard make money = no deal. Goof off = discount. How about a 40-to-senior hard working, high tax paying, barely able to use the pass discount?

 

[ScottySkis]

http://www.sugarbush.com/for20s-events-activities

Looks like this pass is back again next season...just annouced today along with SB's other pass options. I turned 30 in January so technically if I buy before May 2nd I could get this....definately worth considering. I loved SB the 2 days I was there this season and at $88 for a day ticket I only have to go 4 times to make this worthwhile.

I generally play the discount game (warren miller, rsne card, liftopia, etc.) and can ski for an avg of $30/day for the season. If I set $30 as my goal I'd need to ski SB 10x which still seems possible.
Hard part is day tripping from Southern NH but I have a place to stay near Ludlow and drive from there doesn't seem to terrible.
Decisions, Decisions.....

Go for it, you can only get that price this year unbelievable skiing their and not bad rode from south NH probably 3 hours, i give a lot to be that close to the Bush, and great owner too.

 

[wawawawawa]

Is there a cut off date for this pass? Awesome deal.

 

[WWF-VT]

Is there a cut off date for this pass? Awesome deal.

Best deal is $299 by May 2nd. The price will go up in price after that date.