The Average Skier is the Enemy!

[Greg]

[rant]

I've been in a major funk after the realization that our little local hill will likely be closing either after this weekend or next, despite enough snow to last well into April. I certainly can't blame them. If skier visits are dropping off than it's not good business sense to continue to operate at a loss. It's essentially just a local feeder hill and the "average" skier demographic down here is most likely looking towards warm weather activities already. The fact that Killington is shutting off the lights in less than 4 weeks is another, perhaps even more disturbing example.

Obviously AZ represents the more passionate skier demographic and some of us will ski even after lift serviced is done. It's kind of ironic though that the "average" skier seems to be the one that keeps the industry afloat financially despite being far less passionate. Yet, ski area/resorts are forced to cater to them. They are the reason for a lot of things that many of the die hards don't like - overgrooming of trails, early closures, etc.

They are the enemy!



I guess the bigger question is what can we do about it? Probably nothing. The only chance is to hope the number of truly passionate skiers somehow increases. Once the temps warm and the snow softens everywhere, we'll be into one of the most enjoyable part of the season - soft snow, warm temps, sunny skies. Is there any way to get skiers to come out and enjoy spring on the slopes more? Was it always like this, or has the average skier gone soft? Am I just being pissy?

[/rant]

 

[deadheadskier]

Perhaps having bikini contests every day the temp is north of 40 in the spring. :lol:

 

[Greg]

Perhaps having bikini contests every day the temp is north of 40 in the spring. :lol:

Good one! :lol: Nice way to think outside the box. What else ya got?

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

But alot of people here on AZ are winding down as well..I've accepted the fact that the local ski hills close when there's still great coverage..everybodies dying to ski in November and December on a couple icy trails but this time of year people are in spring mode. Skiing to most people is a winter activity..not a lifestyle. We're lucky that alot of places in the east like Belleayre, Mount Snow, Sugarbush, Stowe, Sunday River, Wildcat, and Sugarloaf will be open until late April or even early May..

I know some passionate skiers who are married with kids and after neglecting their families all winter..their wives have told them their ski season is over..some people are into yard work and others golf..

If I owned Blue mountain..I'd stock pile snow on one or two trails adjacent to the lifts ala Superstar in the 90s...and offer skiing into May..even if it was just limited hours or days..But there's no way in hell I'd want to own a PA ski area..too risky..

 

[o3jeff]

How about for the seaon pass holders? If we see snow and paid the money up front don't the owe it to us to be open?

 

[tekweezle]

i was thinking about this on my last trip this past weekend to Okemo as i saw the amount of skiers dwindle on the sunday. in fact, the group i was with decided to quit at about 2:00 and get a head start home in spite of the weather being clear. we skied and snowboarded hard enough but i was a little dismayed at their lack of dedication......

part of the issue is that the "average" skier/snowboarder doesn;t exactly enjoy "spring conditions" and the mixed bag it brings. now this weekend was hardly a bad one. it could have been worse. we got the whole array of weather conditions. atleast the base was pretty thick. i just couldn;t help but think about why the mountain was so empty. i guess it;s always emptier on sundays.

i don;t know the answer to it. for some reason, i;d rather be skiing in sub 32 degree temps on hard pack than bashing through soft mushy snow. maybe i had the wrong skis on. i had my shortish narrow east coast skis and it was alot of work keeping them focused on the lower mountain. on my next trip to stratton in a couple of weeks, i might break out my west coast skis that seem to excel in crud busting.....hope there are not too many bare spots....

 

[David Metsky]

How about for the seaon pass holders? If we see snow and paid the money up front don't the owe it to us to be open?

No. But you retain the right not to buy a season's pass next year.

Buy a pair of skins and keep skiing.

 

[KingM]

I agree with some, but not all of your premise.

It's kind of ironic though that the "average" skier seems to be the one that keeps the industry afloat financially despite being far less passionate. Yet, ski area/resorts are forced to cater to them. They are the reason for a lot of things that many of the die hards don't like - overgrooming of trails, early closures, etc.

The first part, yes, but if you go to the mountain on any given day, 80% of the skiers are skiing on 20% of the terrain. Blacks, moguls, woods, etc. are all overrepresented based on what the majority of the skiers are looking for. Given where the skiers congregate, I think we're lucky that more of the mountain isn't given over to big, wide blues and greens groomed to within an inch of their lives.

 

[deadheadskier]

How about for the seaon pass holders? If we see snow and paid the money up front don't the owe it to us to be open?

See, I think that's the primary problem. The only one's out skiing are season pass holders.

If I were a mountain ops manager, I'd probably try and preserve costs by opening only on weekends from Easter on and probably reduce the schedule in general to say five days after mid - march.


But......have a kick ass contest every Saturday and Sunday.

All day ticket holders are entered into a raffle, 500 tickets minimum. The winning ticket gets a free season pass for the following season. If there's 500 tickets sold on each day, a season pass per day will be given away. If not then 1 for the weekend. Heck you might even get a few season pass holders buying a day ticket. 500-1 is not great odds, but you never know. At the very least it will probably get season pass holders to bring along a friend skiing for the day.

It's the day ticket money that's needed for a place to stay open in the spring.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

for us its time....durning the winter there arent sports for our 5yrs old, but in the spring its soccer and Tball on the weekends...and Easter being early this year I think has folks already in the "spring" mood...dont discount gas prices, that's swaying alot of folks as well ..... I'll still grab a day here or there, but cant foresee anymore than 1 more day....

 

[bvibert]

I haven't read the whole thread, I'm too bummed with the prospect of my local hill closing soon to concentrate on reading a whole lot. Sundown is like a second home to me, especially this season. I'm really going to miss going there to ski and work.

 

[tekweezle]

i agree. i;d sum up my experience at Okemo this weekend as "plain vanilla". all the trails skied the same and they were all basically cruiser trails. it was actually a real confidence booster to some of the weaker skier/riders in our group. they did the black trails as well as the blues and greens.

well then again, Okemo is one of the few ski resorts that seems to be reporting a profit and risin attendence so they must be doing something right....

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

The vast majority of AZers are average skiers, but I guess I'll stay off that.

I think tailgate parties in the parking lot are alot of fun in spring. Ski areas usually don't promote them cause they want you siting on their deck buying their beer and food. If they did some sort of tailgate tie in it might bring more people out longer. Sunshine, warm temps, family & friends, music, pinic atmosphere, but first buy the lift ticket.

 

[Greg]

The vast majority of AZers are average skiers, but I guess I'll stay off that.

Pretty broad brush stroke there, HPD. And exactly how do you know this?

Of course this thread was started with tongue in cheek. Also, by "average" I meant based on skier days, length of season, etc., not ability. I believe an intermediate or even beginner skier from a technique standpoint can be more passionate than some more advanced skiers...

 

[Vortex]

The average skier is repsonsiblie for day tickets, but many resorts with land ....the focus is going after people who can buy big houses. Even better if you can make it have a 4 season feel.

Staying open gives folks a reason to buy a place ie enjoy a long season.

 

[SkiDork]

Greg - didn't yet read every reply, but here's my 2 cents...

Skiing like any other sport is seasonal.

People that love to play baseball aren't playing it during the winter. But they start it up in the spring.

Same with football - its a fall sport.

Skiing is a winter sport, and people just think of doing it in winter.

Now, OTOH - lets look at Basketball. That a winter sport, but people play it all year round.

So whats the diff between skiing and Basketball?

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Pretty broad brush stroke there, HPD. And exactly how do you know this?

Of course this thread was started with tongue in cheek. Also, by "average" I meant based on skier days, length of season, etc., not ability. I believe an intermediate or even beginner skier from a technique standpoint can be more passionate than some more advanced skiers...

I wasn't talking about ability at all.

My neighbor belongs to a country club and is a 5 handicap.
My friend plays in a Friday after work golf league and is a 17 handicap.
My cousin plays whenever he can get away from the family and doesn't have a handicap.
The local pro, who gives lessons to earn his living is not an average golfer, IMNHO the first 3 are.

Some guys have more opportunity, money, ability, etc., but they're in it for recreation.

Glen Planke said it best, "Recreational skiing isn't a sport, it's a great past time".

 

[Paul]

Greg - didn't yet read every reply, but here's my 2 cents...

Skiing like any other sport is seasonal.

People that love to play baseball aren't playing it during the winter. But they start it up in the spring.

Same with football - its a fall sport.

Skiing is a winter sport, and people just think of doing it in winter.

Now, OTOH - lets look at Basketball. That a winter sport, but people play it all year round.

So whats the diff between skiing and Basketball?

Basketball sucks?

 

[SkiDork]

Basketball sucks?

OK, kinda agree with this, especially since the Knicks suck... And I'm not really interested in March Madness as much as some are...

 

[tekweezle]

part of the problem is that us "expert" skiers tend to not buy food at the lodges or rentals. we only ski on discount tickets where possible.

it's the "regular" skiers keep the mountain going. they haven't the appreciation for spring conditions....

what could be done? maybe some aggressive marketing where they have a combo lift ticket/rental and food voucher? discount season passes that are good for next season?

ugh....i said the word marketing which implies costing the ski resort money....