The "Sugarbush Thread"

[drjeff]

The one notable exception is Stratton from my POV. They’ve replaced lifts there and will do another one next season IIRC.

They seem to be operating Stratton as what it is, a cash cow, but they're actually pumping $$ back into the resort, rather than sending the $$ to capital improvement at their other resorts. Even Stratton's Summer ops have expanded quite a bit the last few years, and they arguably have the best, biggest production, regular non ski season concert series of any ski area in VT. Alterra has chosen to operate Stratton in a way that is trying to both support and build up year round activities and vistors at the resort

 

[Dezzy]

Early ups, I understand this is not something everyone agrees with. After watching Early Uppers pass by me waiting in line for the past several years this was the year I was thinking of paying the premium and signing up for the season. I cant find the add on anywhere, anyone know anything about it.

Back when it was first initiated I thought of all the ways to give a benefit to the big spenders, this was a great way to do it (since Castlerock and Heavens Gate chairs weren’t included). Not anywhere as disgusting as “Fast Tracks” at Killlington. But I also wouldn’t miss it much if I had previous access to it, how many lower mountain runs do most bush skiers want to lap anyhow.

 

[Newpylong]

They seem to be operating Stratton as what it is, a cash cow, but they're actually pumping $$ back into the resort, rather than sending the $$ to capital improvement at their other resorts. Even Stratton's Summer ops have expanded quite a bit the last few years, and they arguably have the best, biggest production, regular non ski season concert series of any ski area in VT. Alterra has chosen to operate Stratton in a way that is trying to both support and build up year round activities and vistors at the resort

They definitely are putting some money into the snowmaking system as I can attest.

 

[machski]

The one notable exception is Stratton from my POV. They’ve replaced lifts there and will do another one next season IIRC.

The spending at Deer Valley is excessive, although it’s not entirely clear who is spending that money (Alterra, Extel, or both). Again a lot of unnecessary lifts and HS lifts where they are not needed considering that there are other areas with lifts that can barely operate and need replacing.

I’m very sad for Sugarbush.

Well, Alterra did replace Lowell Thomas Triple to a HSQ at Tremblant and they did install a new FGQ this year (L'Hymms de Trebles) but that is mostly a real estate access lift with just a single return ski run to the Casino base (probably funded off the real estate developement I would think too). Like I said, the North Side Duncan Express is long and cold, a nice D-Line Bubble Heated 6 up that way is long overdue. And the South side TGV express could definitely use an upgrade to a 6. Huge choke point lift on weekends when I've been there. But I guess the revenue from up there is CAD so a lower USD ROI from their point of view.