Sugarbush's Projected Opening Day

[madskier6]

The Bush recently announced on their website that their projected opening day is November 22, which is Thanksgiving Day. That's a few days later than what they've done the last few years but not by much (the previous Friday or Saturday the last few years). I know this date is always subject to change based on Mother Nature and maybe they'd open earlier if a lot of natural fell early.

http://www.sugarbush.com/

I can't say that I blame them for pushing it out a bit, especially in light of Killington's new approach to opening early. Is this year the beginning of a slow creep in the Eastern ski market towards no opening days in November in 5-10 years? Your thoughts?

 

[danny p]

Is this year the beginning of a slow creep in the Eastern ski market towards no opening days in November in 5-10 years? Your thoughts?

I sure hope not. I think not as well. I believe there is a sizeable market for skiing thanskgiving weekend and I'm sure that some mountains will always be open for that reason. In fact, it may be one of the guaranteed crowded holidays. People are much more picky in regards to conditions on xmas, pres and mlk wknd. People will ski frost on the turkey day lol.

 

[Newpylong]

If the temps are there, you will see places open as soon as they can I guarantee.... : )

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I sure hope not. I think not as well. I believe there is a sizeable market for skiing thanskgiving weekend and I'm sure that some mountains will always be open for that reason. In fact, it may be one of the guaranteed crowded holidays. People are much more picky in regards to conditions on xmas, pres and mlk wknd. People will ski frost on the turkey day lol.

I totally disagree....it's not one of the holiday black out dates for good reason. The last few years the weather has been very sketchy for Thanksgiving. One season a few years ago the Bush got a huge storm in early October and opened up 75% of the terrain then came warm weather and rain, the Bush tried to hold on but ended up shutting down the day before Thanksgiving....lesson learned.

 

[WWF-VT]

I think that Thanksgiving weekend is not a money maker with a high percentage of season pass holders on the slopes. Limited open terrain contributes to the illusion that there are big crowds at the mountain. Let's hope for cold weather and snow to open up as much terrain as possible early this season.

 

[threecy]

I can't say that I blame them for pushing it out a bit, especially in light of Killington's new approach to opening early. Is this year the beginning of a slow creep in the Eastern ski market towards no opening days in November in 5-10 years? Your thoughts?

I think you'll see places with real estate potential/lodging try to keep Thanksgiving in the mix.

A lot of this depends upon long term weather forecasts too - if there are no warm ups in the forecast into December, it doesn't hurt them to start making snow (so long as they don't risk higher electrical rates and trigger certain unwanted unemployment insurance terms). There's also the question of foreign labor - a large amount of NE ski areas now use at least some imported help - it's hard to keep the kids happy if you have no work for them due to a November thaw - they have bills and expectations and will leave if they aren't making enough money early on.

 

[millerm277]

I totally disagree....it's not one of the holiday black out dates for good reason. The last few years the weather has been very sketchy for Thanksgiving. One season a few years ago the Bush got a huge storm in early October and opened up 75% of the terrain then came warm weather and rain, the Bush tried to hold on but ended up shutting down the day before Thanksgiving....lesson learned.

Yes, but if they're open...even with one half-covered trail, they get massive numbers of people.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I totally disagree....it's not one of the holiday black out dates for good reason. The last few years the weather has been very sketchy for Thanksgiving. One season a few years ago the Bush got a huge storm in early October and opened up 75% of the terrain then came warm weather and rain, the Bush tried to hold on but ended up shutting down the day before Thanksgiving....lesson learned.

That was 99-00 and the big storm was in mid November, not early October. In October of 1997, Sugarbush had Jester to Downspout open for a week to 10 days in late October before opening permanently in mid November.

 

[Lostone]

Last year we opened the day before Thanxgiving. The plan was Thanxgiving, but there was enough cold to get a good base down. It was a last minute notice, thing, with Win announcing on the skimrv forum. (My skis were waiting by the door, the boots were in the bag! ;-) )

On that weekend, the temperatures rose. All staff passes were blocked to give the guests the best possible conditions.

We got one day after the weekend, and then had to close again.:-(

11-22

11-27

Last year was a hard start!

Hopefully, this year will be a lot easier start and a lot easier middle, followed by a finish... just about like last year's!

 

[ski_resort_observer]

That was 99-00 and the big storm was in mid November, not early October. In October of 1997, Sugarbush had Jester to Downspout open for a week to 10 days in late October before opening permanently in mid November.

Yup...meant November. The worst part was that folks were already headed up to a resort that was shut down but they didn't find out until they arrived. It was a tough night for staff and arriving guests.

 

[JPTracker]

One reason many resort have Thanksgiving as there opening date is that if they want to be in decent shape for Christmas week then they need to start there snow making around Thanksgiving.