The NEW Magic Mountain

[ss20]

I was surprised when I saw that too, I figured there would be a riot if that happened. I’d happily contribute $ to a MRG-style rehab if the time came.
Here’s where I saw it: https://www.skijournal.com/magic-mountain-vermont-indy-pass/

It's sounds more like reporter confusion on replacement vs rehab...

Built in 1971, Magic’s iconic Red Chair, which carries skiers 1,500 vertical feet to the summit, was slated for replacement two years from now, but inspections bumped the timeline to begin repairs earlier this year.

“It truly is a soulful lift,” Hatheway said. “But it is 50 years old and we need it to last another few decades.”

 

[skithetrees]

Highly doubt that. I doubt they ever fully replace red and do something similar to the MRG single major overhaul in the mid 00s. Too iconic a lift.

Agreed. That said, I am a bit frustrated about the black lift. I have two young kids that I would like to ride with me and am a pass holder. Can’t put them both on red with me. Is what it is, but will be somewhat annoyed if black doesn’t run this year. That said, I give the team a lot of credit. What they accomplish each year with a small crew is commendable and deserves recognition. They have moved the mountain forward far more than any previous recent owner and I am appreciative. That said, need to be realistic about how much they can do at once and when it will get done.

 

[ne_skier]

My opinion on the recent Black debacle: Do I think that Magic PR has been overzealous with their optimism and opening projections, and do I think that they should avoid making promises to avert any PR embarrassments? Yes. Do I think that Magic PR is purposefully deceiving and lying to their clientele, and that rather than making hard to meet promises they are being intentionally dishonest to people? Hard no.

 

[ThatGuy]

My opinion on the recent Black debacle: Do I think that Magic PR has been overzealous with their optimism and opening projections, and do I think that they should avoid making promises to avert any PR embarrassments? Yes. Do I think that Magic PR is purposefully deceiving and lying to their clientele, and that rather than making hard to meet promises they are being intentionally dishonest to people? Hard no.

I think they get just as excited as us and want to share the news, and it ends up biting them in the butt sometimes

 

[Hastur]

no summit lift access until at least 12/29. Bummer.

 

[Newpylong]

This argument has come up before. Green they worked on quietly and when it was ready, they gave two weeks notice. Black has been "just around the corner" for a looooong time. If they just installed it at their own pace and didn't promise any completion dates similar to green I'd be fine. I'm fully in the boat with @AdironRider that Magic has gotten a few too many passes on Black... not so much that it's taken this long, but that there's been a ton of missed deadlines that had been communicated to the public.

Sorry this is rather revisionist. There was nothing quiet about the work or communication that went on with Green either.

There were just as many "promises" (if you want to call them that) about that lift being ready and then slipping as well. Far more work than was anticipated, the original installer passing away, and the Pjister again being pulled to other clients, etc and so on. I am fairly sure the Magic folks are having deja vu with Black.

The difference is how the communication is being interpreted. Are they really promising something or are they just confident and announcing a date, only to have it slip? My guess is not many actual customers see it as the former or pass sales wouldn't be off the charts.

I think the lesson would be take a more realistic assessment before committing and communicating dates for capital projects. When those dates are communicated, pad them sufficiently.

Don't forget it's been a while since Ski Magic LLC took over but they are still relatively new at operating the area. Running a ski area and all its nuances is quite unique.

 

[hughconway]

Amazing to see how surprised some seem that the information I have provided is, once again, more timely and accurate than Magic's official PR BS that most seem to be gulping down with large quantities of kool-aide.

I think an 'I told you so....again' is appropriate here.

 

[skiur]

Amazing to see how surprised some seem that the information I have provided is, once again, more timely and accurate than Magic's official PR BS that most seem to be gulping down with large quantities of kool-aide.

I think an 'I told you so....again' is appropriate here.

Why do you feel like you need a pat on the back. There is something very disconcerting about you and your obsession with magic.

 

[machski]

Amazing to see how surprised some seem that the information I have provided is, once again, more timely and accurate than Magic's official PR BS that most seem to be gulping down with large quantities of kool-aide.

I think an 'I told you so....again' is appropriate here.

You may well have wound up being correct, but your arm chair quarterbacking attitude you present causes many to discredit you (and the fact you are not the one running the place and trying to make it work this time around).

 

[Hastur]

 

[slatham]

Slightly off topic but I heard that Magic had been planning on replacing Red in 2 years until they got word of necessary repairs this summer. Wonder what they would have put in.

This was the haul rope. They expected another season or two but got word in June (or thereabouts) that they needed a new haul rope this year. So they got thrown a major curveball in the midst of planned work on Red and of course Black install. Then they had to pay extra to assure they could get the haul rope delivered this year, and even then it was late due to supply chain issues.

But I am sure to Hugh all off this was obvious............

 

[JoeB-Z]

As to 60 days for an Act 250 permit. Have you looked at the file? It is public. Vernal pools, little alpine birds etc. And a lot more. Magic could have stayed in the old Black footprint and saved a lot of time I suppose.

 

[icecoast1]

As to 60 days for an Act 250 permit. Have you looked at the file? It is public. Vernal pools, little alpine birds etc. And a lot more. Magic could have stayed in the old Black footprint and saved a lot of time I suppose.

But then it wouldn't have been a true 2nd summit lift

 

[skithetrees]

But then it wouldn't have been a true 2nd summit lift

Yes and no. Can’t really access anything additional off new black versus the old black. That said, it goes to the top so it makes sense. What would have been amazing would have been to get the bottom terminal about 200 ft lower so it sat between the lodge and maintenance shed. Would have been more convenient to get to, but probably a big hassle to do.

 

[ThatGuy]

One of my friends works at Bromley and told me about how a couple years ago some guy showed up at their ticket window yelling about how Magic sucks and his skis got ruined there. Starting to think it might’ve been hughconway

 

[IceEidolon]

As far as it goes, the current management has a line of credit that extends pretty much as long as a summit lift spins for serious natural snowfall (they got lucky this year) and as long as reasonable snowmaking efforts continue (regular upgrades - Vertigo is the second trail open!) and as long as food beer and good vibes are present at the BLT.

I do think the marketing has been overly honest - IMO it would be far better to keep the completion timeline vague and surprise guests with an early opening, in much the same way that there's no announced opening day for a particular skill trail until the snowmaking window is well in progress.

At the end of this process there should be a pair of reliable summit lifts fresh out of overhauls, and then we can all go back to debating snowmaking again instead. s/

 

[urungus]

Wow, over 4 feet of snow in the last day, must be a Christmas Miracle

 

[ne_skier]

woah…got a little excited there for half a second

 

[slatham]

Snow reporter must be working remotely from the Sierra!

F'd up thing is we'd all rejoice at just 5" new.

Unfortunately its not even 0.5".

 

[Newpylong]

I think the continuous thaw-freeze cycles are even worse than the lack of snow. Decent man-made on less terrain is tolerable, but the freeuroy and east coast boiler so far at every mountain is rough!