The NEW Magic Mountain

[deadheadskier]

I have no idea what the number is, but I'm going to trust that the new ownership has done their research and give them time to try and succeed before being critical of their plans. The Magic faithful have shown themselves as a very loyal group, but they're also not at all afraid to express criticism when things aren't going well. If in a couple years it's still the same old, same old, then I think it would be appropriate to look back and say bad plan.

New ownership, new energy, they deserve the full support of anyone who is passionate about skiing that they succeed.

 

[BodhiMax]

As someone who was pessimistic about a deal getting done, this is great news! Looking forward to skiing there this season and supporting this change however I can.

 

[bdfreetuna]

I figure if I'm only gonna be there 2-3 times in a season anyway might as well go on pow days. Money is money right?

 

[slatham]

I figure if I'm only gonna be there 2-3 times in a season anyway might as well go on pow days. Money is money right?

Yeah sure but being a bit more aggressive in supporting Magic will help assure its there for you on those powder days. And Magic is always cheaper than the mega resorts. Money is money, right?

 

[WoodCore]

I figure if I'm only gonna be there 2-3 times in a season anyway might as well go on pow days. Money is money right?

That's one of the premonitions (that Magic is only good on powder days) that IMHO the new management wants to change. I enjoy any day I'm skiing at Magic but actually prefer the non powder days. There's always plenty of untracked snow to be found days after storms and you can do it without the the throngs of "bros" in slay mode. The lift and beer lines are shorter too.

 

[slatham]

$1 to maybe $2 million investment over 5 years isn't going to cut it.

You'd be surprised what $1 to $2mm would do to help Magic get over the hump to having reliable lifts and significantly more snowmaking, earlier, deeper, on more terrain.

But no amount of money will counter poor management, and that's what we've had for several years. A little capital and good management will go a long way. And if properly managed that "invested capital" will generate a return which will then be reinvested.

And let's remember that Magic is not aiming to compete with the big guys so multi million dollar high speed lifts, 1000 HKD tower guns and a sushi bar are not in the plan. If that's what you expect you might as well move on now.....

 

[Whaleback-Mountain]

From up here at Whaleback Mountain we wish the new owners and operators the best of luck - it is exciting to see local hills get a breath of fresh air and a new lease on life!

 

[bdfreetuna]

Yeah sure but being a bit more aggressive in supporting Magic will help assure its there for you on those powder days. And Magic is always cheaper than the mega resorts. Money is money, right?

I don't pay full price for tickets anywhere so not really a factor. I hear what you're saying but consider that Magic is already my most skied mountain in Southern VT... I could ski at Stratton just as cheap but go to Magic to avoid crowds and have a solid ski day. I also like to switch it up so I'll probably do a day at Mount Snow, maybe one at Stratton, other than that it's Killington and points north for better snow and (on average) better terrain.

I don't always go on a powder day but I do like Magic best with a couple inches of freshies

 

[sull1102]

Have to disagree with Magic being cheaper than the big boys, at least last year. If you know what you're doing you can ski Mt. Snow, K-ton, or even Stratton for cheaper than Magic with Liftopia and other deals. I hope the team coming in looks at the competition and realizes there needs to be a good hard look at ticket pricing.

 

[gmcunni]

Have to disagree with Magic being cheaper than the big boys, at least last year. If you know what you're doing you can ski Mt. Snow, K-ton, or even Stratton for cheaper than Magic with Liftopia and other deals. I hope the team coming in looks at the competition and realizes there needs to be a good hard look at ticket pricing.

there are always deals at different places.

with CT ski club you can (last season) ski Magic any sat/sun for $50 day. special days @ $45. other places you mention have similar special days +/- $5 but not every weekend. if they have the same offers this year i'm sure i'll be there a few times despite my season pass @ Peak Resorts

 

[slatham]

Have to disagree with Magic being cheaper than the big boys, at least last year. If you know what you're doing you can ski Mt. Snow, K-ton, or even Stratton for cheaper than Magic with Liftopia and other deals. I hope the team coming in looks at the competition and realizes there needs to be a good hard look at ticket pricing.

Last years management charged full holiday rates for one top to bottom WROD. Full price. It was insane, and no indication of the new management.

 

[ss20]

$1 to maybe $2 million investment over 5 years isn't going to cut it.

Completely agree. Even if every hour of labor was free from volunteers I have trouble seeing how $1 million could fix Black and get snowmaking up to the 70% threshold. And is this same $ figure also covering basic year-to-year maintenance? Stretching $200,000-$400,000 a year to do maintenance and get (essentially) an entire snowmaking system rebuilt and rebuilding a lift that has not ran for 2 seasons sounds like a hefty task.

 

[Smellytele]

I got stuck with a few groupons that I couldn't use (never wanted to ski the WROD) also Mountain sports clubnever sent me the 2 I was supposed to get from them because Magic never sent them the tickets. Also I asked MSC to refund me they kept saying they were going to but never received that either. Glad there are new owners and won't join MSC again. Once bitten twice shy.

 

[chuckstah]

I got stuck with a few groupons that I couldn't use (never wanted to ski the WROD) also Mountain sports clubnever sent me the 2 I was supposed to get from them because Magic never sent them the tickets. Also I asked MSC to refund me they kept saying they were going to but never received that either. Glad there are new owners and won't join MSC again. Once bitten twice shy.

You should still be able to use the Groupon for the value that you paid. The promotional value expires but not the price paid. You should be able to apply the amount paid toward a ticket. However, the recent sale could possibly void this, as the business technically no longer exists. I would also call MSC again when/if vouchers become available and ask for some for this season.

 

[slatham]

Completely agree. Even if every hour of labor was free from volunteers I have trouble seeing how $1 million could fix Black and get snowmaking up to the 70% threshold. And is this same $ figure also covering basic year-to-year maintenance? Stretching $200,000-$400,000 a year to do maintenance and get (essentially) an entire snowmaking system rebuilt and rebuilding a lift that has not ran for 2 seasons sounds like a hefty task.

There has already been significant work on Black. It is not a "complete rebuild" by any means. There is work to be done but the lift specialists are on site with a plan that the lift inspector has reviewed.

Same with snowmaking. Pipes technically cover 70%. Lots of repair work to be done to get to 70% coverage, but the core 30-50% is ready to go and the rest requires welding repaire, not "rebuilding". We just need Do Work to, well, do some welding work!

And to be clear, they have more than $1mm....

 

[steamboat1]

Didn't the hopeful Saddleback co-op say they needed $3m-$6m just to be able to open this season. $20m over 4 years.

 

[drjeff]

I think the largest hindrance to Magic getting 70% functional snowmaking capacity isn't leaky pipes, but lack of water supply to cover 70% of the mountain. From what I understand, their snowmaking pond isn't very large and doesn't have the greatest refill rate

 

[steamboat1]

I think the largest hindrance to Magic getting 70% functional snowmaking capacity isn't leaky pipes, but lack of water supply to cover 70% of the mountain. From what I understand, their snowmaking pond isn't very large and doesn't have the greatest refill rate

Yeah they should rip off some EB-5 investors to increase capacity.

Oh wait someone's already doing that.

 

[mtl1076]

refill rate is actually pretty darn good with a couple options to give it a boost when needed. That said, at some point rebuilding the dam to the old height will be needed.

 

[deadheadskier]

People keep referencing 70% snowmaking, but the article clearly states that the goal is to bring snowmaking from 30% to 50% by the fifth year. That's not a major increase / expense for a small ski area like Magic. I'm sure some of that expense will be upfront with initial investment and some with reinvestment of profits.

Get the Black going, manage the place better, hope for some average to above average winters and hopefully things work out. This is Magic we're talking about. It doesn't sound like they want to change things all that much, just offer a bit more consistent of a product.