The "Sugarbush Thread"

[benski]

Not that I have a selection of WRODs in Colorado to try side by side. I see why Alterra prefers the easier terrain first. It is just less of a mess when the trail is naturally a bit slow.

 

[Plowboy]

Yesterday they were blowing Jester, Bravo off-load, top of Murphy's, HG Traverse and Valley House Traverse.

 

[foofy]

Sugarbush reps at Snowbound Expo hinted opening might be at ME this year.

 

[thetrailboss]

Sugarbush reps at Snowbound Expo hinted opening might be at ME this year.

I highly doubt that.

 

[vtski802]

Why oh why is their marketing so bad? They should be hyping the shit out of opening weekend (less than 7 days away folks!), but all we get is a jumpy/shitty "opening day loading" short video and a crappy clip-art post about the Boston snow expo. Their snow report hasn't been updated since last Sunday.

Tell us *more* about how all the lifts are inspected, and in perfect working order for this season. That slidey B -will- run this season! Walt's is stocked and ready to go! So many things they can highlight with multiple social media posts and drive engagement.

Come on!

 

[cdskier]

I highly doubt that.

Agreed. They've already said the plan is to open at LP as usual with lower mountain terrain off GH and the option to pivot to use HG if needed if temps down low don't cooperate. So unless there was some last minute catastrophic issue at LP, there's 0 chance they'd suddenly pivot to open at ME first.

 

[thetrailboss]

Agreed. They've already said the plan is to open at LP as usual with lower mountain terrain off GH and the option to pivot to use HG if needed if temps down low don't cooperate. So unless there was some last minute catastrophic issue at LP, there's 0 chance they'd suddenly pivot to open at ME first.

And it is a real disservice to be telling people at THE Boston Ski and Ride Show that Mount Ellen is going to open first. It just shows that the communications/marketing team at Sugarbush is not at all in-sync. Add to it the other comment about no recent marketing/messaging also confirms that it's amateur hour. I just don't understand why Alterra is not giving them more resources (or maybe management is not asking for it). Doing accurate messaging on their OWN channels is relatively cheap and easy.

IMHO having two big destination resorts in Vermont should be a major draw for Alterra. They are moving to keep more of their IKON pass money at their own resorts. Seems like a no-brainer here. Folks from NYC and Boston go up to Stratton, then when they want more of a challenge, go to Sugarbush. IMHO Sugarbush to Alterra should be what Stowe is to Vail in terms of a premium brand option. But I am a truly a Sugarbush homer at heart even though I have not skied there in a long time.

 

[AdironRider]

Except they didn't actually. "Hinted at" on a message board means fuck all but don't let that stop you from being outraged.

 

[ducky]

Wonder if last year's snow making debacle will result in fewer passes this year. At the time, many said they would not be back.

 

[urungus]

Except they didn't actually. "Hinted at" on a message board means fuck all but don't let that stop you from being outraged.

According to post above by @foofy it wasn’t on a message board, it was in person by Sugarbush reps at Snowbound Expo

 

[1dog]

And it is a real disservice to be telling people at THE Boston Ski and Ride Show that Mount Ellen is going to open first. It just shows that the communications/marketing team at Sugarbush is not at all in-sync. Add to it the other comment about no recent marketing/messaging also confirms that it's amateur hour. I just don't understand why Alterra is not giving them more resources (or maybe management is not asking for it). Doing accurate messaging on their OWN channels is relatively cheap and easy.

IMHO having two big destination resorts in Vermont should be a major draw for Alterra. They are moving to keep more of their IKON pass money at their own resorts. Seems like a no-brainer here. Folks from NYC and Boston go up to Stratton, then when they want more of a challenge, go to Sugarbush. IMHO Sugarbush to Alterra should be what Stowe is to Vail in terms of a premium brand option. But I am a truly a Sugarbush homer at heart even though I have not skied there in a long time.

This. After the experience at K-Mart yesterday -illustrates local ownership has it's benefits.

 

[cdskier]

This. After the experience at K-Mart yesterday -illustrates local ownership has it's benefits.

Sure...but it is not easy to find local ownership with pockets that deep...

 

[urungus]

Sure...but it is not easy to find local ownership with pockets that deep...

In the last 2 years, Ragged and Burke have done it as well as Killington, so it is possible

 

[1dog]

Sure...but it is not easy to find local ownership with pockets that deep...

 

[1dog]

right- completely agree. Just remember how Bush was purchased- day after 9/11 and a fraction of the amount paid and then invested in Capex by ASC- buy low, sell high. For that to occur again, we need a painful recession. No one looking or wishing for it but its an inevitable 'when, not if'.

 

[oldfartrider]

They really should of opened this weekend

 

[AdironRider]

According to post above by @foofy it wasn’t on a message board, it was in person by Sugarbush reps at Snowbound Expo

Yeah and that is super believable. But hey, get pissed with TB it is the internet after all

 

[Smellytele]

I was researching where to ski next weekend and their opening day is $129. Well and above anywhere else and what will they actually have open compared to others?