The most EPIC KILLINGTON = FAIL of all time?

[drjeff]

all time - no way. What they've done to the BMMC in the past few years is a bigger fail in my book

Reality check here folks. *If* they were to be open this weekend, you'd be talking about maybe 1,000 people there (and I'm guessing that a very good chunk of them are passholders already and likely to have bought their K pass for next year at the early discount price) The day ticket people more than likely just use K as an early/late season way to augment the season of their own "home hill" and their purchase/lack of purchase of a K pass for next year not wieghing on their operation (or lack there of) this coming weekend(and I think that the logical potential K passholder is more impressed by K's early season snowmaking firepower, at a time of the year when there's much less other outside activities to do than in late April/May. Heck there may very well be more folks at Tucks this weekend than would have been at K had they been spinning a lift

Aside from maybe a thousand or so, folks with a serious ski-related intra-web addiction (read as AZ/KZ members ) - very few who would actually choose to voice their displeasure when push to come to shove in the way that really matters to K, economically, while not K's greatest moment by any means, this is by no means a big deal or an epic fail

 

[riverc0il]

The one reason (perhaps only reason) I can see this not being an epic fail is that the Killington pass holders are a glutton for punishment. As much as the Killington faithful like to rip on the place... they are still indeed faithful and will still buy a pass even if they don't like what the mountain did. This may be because of real estate commitments. But you don't see a wholesale shift to other mountains... you see the same pass holders complaining every year.

But how many people considering their season pass choices that are not committed to Killington are watching this debate closely? I would bet a significant few. I bet Killington would have made a generous profit had they opened this weekend (especially if it was anything like last weekend... probably SIGNIFICANTLY more crowded given the new snow!). Instead, they will likely lose some pass sales as some folks question K's commitment to early and late season. Especially when they see places like Jay going for it and the Boyne pass offering the best of both late and early season. You can't possibly have a longer season than Boyne's Gold with SR and SL.

And ultimately, it is just one more thing everyone can pick on Killington for. If they waited to make the decision (which they would have decided to open if they had waited) and closed on their scheduled date... their would have been the usual annual grumbling about how "it used to be" and people disappointed that they can only expect the first weekend of May. But instead, die hards are ripping them apart, and justly so, for bailing on their expected date prematurely.

They still could save themselves and reverse their decision ("Who could have guessed all that forecasted rain would suddenly be half a foot of fresh, WOW--original closing date IS ON!!!!") and salvaging both a profitable weekend and good will (and likely some pass sales). But I just don't see that happening. They probably laid off staff already and can't open to even run a bare bones operation, let alone when every powder hound in Ned England shows up.

Let's not forget, there are only two open locations in New England and the Loaf is a HAUL and Jay is a really long trip. Killington would be the only area close to metro areas and a no brainer. And let's not forget that Mount Washington is going to have high avi danger so earned turn skiers might be looking for lift serviced. This could be a big weekend for Killington. I bet Jet is going to be very crowded....

 

[deadheadskier]

you'd be talking about maybe 1,000 people there (and I'm guessing that a very good chunk of them are passholders already and likely to have bought their K pass for next year at the early discount price)

there was about that many there on Sunday even though the weather forecast was crap. I was told Saturday was even busier.

500 day tickets is 20 Grand. You can run 1 lift and be profitable at that figure. As mentioned before, it takes a commitment from salaried managers who are sitting on their asses this time of year to all pitch in and help with the operations.

 

[Bubbartzky]

They did a good job with what they were given??? Are you on crack???
They are getting a foot of snow. If they don't open for this weekend it will be the biggest failure of the decade.

I live here, at the 2,200' level, and I'm really looking hard for that foot of snow we're supposed to be getting. Couldn't see much higher up than Snowshed most of the day (if that far) but upper Snowshed was merely dusted over.

 

[Brownsville Brooklyn]

Free Da Dis!!!!!!

BAN HS from the inerwebz.....

That is all.

:grin::grin:

 

[Brownsville Brooklyn]

I live here, at the 2,200' level, and I'm really looking hard for that foot of snow we're supposed to be getting. Couldn't see much higher up than Snowshed most of the day (if that far) but upper Snowshed was merely dusted over.

Bubba u got nothing better to do then crap all over kzone & now azone....gggggggggeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[WWF-VT]

Just curious what you think has been the biggest K-Fail....this season? This past decade? Ever?

The biggest fail is that Killington hasn't pissed you off enough so you never go back and quit bitching about the place

 

[mondeo]

there was about that many there on Sunday even though the weather forecast was crap. I was told Saturday was even busier.

500 day tickets is 20 Grand. You can run 1 lift and be profitable at that figure. As mentioned before, it takes a commitment from salaried managers who are sitting on their asses this time of year to all pitch in and help with the operations.

Did over half leave by 2? Because I doubt there were 400 people there by the time I got there. I'd be surprised if there were 1000 people there Saturday, when it was nice.

Still, you don't say May 2 and then close because of lackluster ticket sales, one week early. Suck it up, close it Monday-Thursday, reopen for a marginal last weekend. That way people don't laugh when you advertise early November-early May again. Most epic though? Nah. Big scheme of things, just a stupid way to kill off a lot of goodwill generated through the season. Killing BMMC a few years ago is POWDR's biggest fail.

 

[Hawkshot99]

there was about that many there on Sunday even though the weather forecast was crap. I was told Saturday was even busier.

500 day tickets is 20 Grand. You can run 1 lift and be profitable at that figure. As mentioned before, it takes a commitment from salaried managers who are sitting on their asses this time of year to all pitch in and help with the operations.

Yea they could run 1 lift, but then they would have non-stop bitching about how only one lift was running.

500 tickets would not be sold. Maybe 500 people show up, but most of them will have season passes, so your not getting that $20g's.

 

[skiadikt]

Yea they could run 1 lift, but then they would have non-stop bitching about how only one lift was running.

500 tickets would not be sold. Maybe 500 people show up, but most of them will have season passes, so your not getting that $20g's.

spoke to an ambassador doing "greetings" on saturday and he was surprised by how many day ticket people showed up and how many had never skied k before. even sunday, maybe they sell 100-200 tickets.

have you ever seen the mid-week "crowd" during mtn biking season. literally a handful of people. yet they run the k1 (probably a more expensive lift to run than supe) and open the base lodge. can't tell me that opening on a spring weekend when the product you already payed for is on the ground isn't more profitable than that.

in the end doesn't really matter, you do it because you promoted may 2 and because of the expectations you built with the core clientele you cater to and ultimately it's the right thing to do for them.

 

[Brownsville Brooklyn]

spoke to an ambassador doing "greetings" on saturday and he was surprised by how many day ticket people showed up and how many had never skied k before. even sunday, maybe they sell 100-200 tickets.

have you ever seen the mid-week "crowd" during mtn biking season. literally a handful of people. yet they run the k1 (probably a more expensive lift to run than supe) and open the base lodge. can't tell me that opening on a spring weekend when the product you already payed for is on the ground isn't more profitable than that.

in the end doesn't really matter, you do it because you promoted may 2 and because of the expectations you built with the core clientele you cater to and ultimately it's the right thing to do for them.

biggest failure at k is that xxxxxxx lives in k & hasnt been shot yet....what a douche bag!!

 

[SkiDork]

wouldn't they make a bunch more money if they really cranked up the party, have a band out on the asphalt area they use as a deck, sell beer etc?

 

[Brownsville Brooklyn]

wouldn't they make a bunch more money if they really cranked up the party, have a band out on the asphalt area they use as a deck, sell beer etc?

thats how a "real" resort would do it....even Mxxxxxxxx could figure that out

 

[thetrailboss]

biggest failure at k is that xxxxx lives in k & hasnt been shot yet....what a douche bag!!

thats how a "real" resort would do it....even xxxxxxx could figure that out

Again, if you're having an issue with a member, work it out with them in person or via Email rather than trolling or flaming them on the boards.

 

[Brownsville Brooklyn]

Again, if you're having an issue with a member, work it out with them in person or via Email rather than trolling or flaming them on the boards.

no problem. lots of people in k & kzone hate this idiot.

 

[thetrailboss]

no problem. lots of people in k & kzone hate this idiot.

:roll: Sigh. OK, back on topic.

 

[RootDKJ]

wouldn't they make a bunch more money if they really cranked up the party, have a band out on the asphalt area they use as a deck, sell beer etc?

That sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[threecy]

How many of those X hundred ticket buyers were paying full price? How many weren't using any sort of coupon? How many were renting? How many were buying lessons?

Late season is not as much of a cash cow as it may appear to be. Disregarding the May date they advertised, if they thought they had a reasonable shot at making money, they'd still be open. Obviously the snowstorm makes a difference, but what if temperatures had ended up a few degrees warmer?

 

[Black Phantom]

How many of those X hundred ticket buyers were paying full price? How many weren't using any sort of coupon? How many were renting? How many were buying lessons?

Late season is not as much of a cash cow as it may appear to be. Disregarding the May date they advertised, if they thought they had a reasonable shot at making money, they'd still be open. Obviously the snowstorm makes a difference, but what if temperatures had ended up a few degrees warmer?

Handsome-

No instructors. Ticket prices are at a set rate. Seriously, rentals? You really are in the wrong crowd.

Looking like complete D*Bags to the community while attempting to push a real estate debacle down a towns throat= Epic Fail.

 

[Brownsville Brooklyn]

Handsome-

No instructors. Ticket prices are at a set rate. Seriously, rentals? You really are in the wrong crowd.

Looking like complete D*Bags to the community while attempting to push a real estate debacle down a towns throat= Epic Fail.

I agree!! get rid of powdr we need a new owner!!