VAIL SUCKS

[oldfartrider]

Wow, just wow.

It’s not surprising at all. Letting go of all the unvaxed staff was a mistake. Most businesses are hurting for employees and that move eliminated some good people. I can’t imagine the pay is great and also not permanent, so what is the draw to working that job? I’m amazed they have been able to open at all.

 

[2Planker]

Wow, just wow.

WC will be next.
Lift Ops are already covering both places....
Not a good sign

 

[thetrailboss]

Yeah, that’s the point that I throw a proper fit as a weekday skier. I’ll call for a refund, get denied (I’ve used one day at Sunapee), and just hate Vail a lot I guess.

I was going to say--discounted Epic or not, the deal was 7-days a week during season. If Crotched was one's home mountain that would be B.S. I am not sure which is worse--closure a couple days a week or limping along like Snowbird who does not have enough staff to run all the lifts so whole sections of the resort remain closed.

 

[thetrailboss]

So while crotched is cutting hours and have very few runs open, pats peak right up the road has 86% of their terrain open and all lifts running. The place has been mobbed this week when I have been there( just skinning up). Lift lines don’t look too bad but the parking lot has been over full. Coverage has been decent. Today was soft like spring skiing. It’s fun to be going up breeze (green off the top) and seeing all the beginners coming down. Tons of L1A’s(level 1 Asians). Saw a few boarders with pillow pets strapped to their asses. People carrying their skis down. Multiple skier pileups.

I agree that Pats Peak is awesome. It is a good mountain for its size. There are some great steep runs off the top. The facilities are nice and the management is great.

 

[thetrailboss]

But wait folks! In appreciation of your patience during these trying times, we are going to drop next year's pass price by ANOTHER 10%!!!

That's EXACTLY what they will do.

 

[thetrailboss]

It’s not surprising at all. Letting go of all the unvaxed staff was a mistake. Most businesses are hurting for employees and that move eliminated some good people. I can’t imagine the pay is great and also not permanent, so what is the draw to working that job? I’m amazed they have been able to open at all.

Let's not go down the vax/anti-vax rabbit hole again.....

 

[oldfartrider]

I was going to say--discounted Epic or not, the deal was 7-days a week during season. If Crotched was one's home mountain that would be B.S. I am not sure which is worse--closure a couple days a week or limping along like Snowbird who does not have enough staff to run all the lifts so whole sections of the resort remain closed.

Rumor is Okemo won’t be able to open entire mountain either cause short staffed.

 

[RH29]

CROOKS!

 

[xlr8r]

I think we are going to see a lot of staffing issues in the coming weeks at Vail and non Vail mountains, covid is surging right now.

 

[Mum skier]

I was going to say--discounted Epic or not, the deal was 7-days a week during season. If Crotched was one's home mountain that would be B.S. I am not sure which is worse--closure a couple days a week or limping along like Snowbird who does not have enough staff to run all the lifts so whole sections of the resort remain closed.

Yes, the assumption was 7 days a week and many people bought restricted passes because they only planned to ski mid week (I’m not one, but sure there are many).
If they announced back in the spring Crotched (and Wildcat??) would be limited days and others 7 days you can factor that in to your plans. But changing after people have purchased is not acceptable.

It actually makes some business sense, I did one midweek day at Crotched last year and was super quiet. I went in to get lunch. The lady on the door took my details for Covid contact testing, then seeing there was no one in the cafe she came round behind the counter and got my bowl of chili. Then she went to the till and took the payment. Then she headed back to the door to wait for the next person. So its probably a sensible plan, BUT it needed to be announced before people forked out their $$ for their passes.

 

[thetrailboss]

I think we are going to see a lot of staffing issues in the coming weeks at Vail and non Vail mountains, covid is surging right now.

Alta had to cancel its Annual NYE Parade due to an outbreak.

 

[thetrailboss]

Yes, the assumption was 7 days a week and many people bought restricted passes because they only planned to ski mid week (I’m not one, but sure there are many).
If they announced back in the spring Crotched (and Wildcat??) would be limited days and others 7 days you can factor that in to your plans. But changing after people have purchased is not acceptable.

It actually makes some business sense, I did one midweek day at Crotched last year and was super quiet. I went in to get lunch. The lady on the door took my details for Covid contact testing, then seeing there was no one in the cafe she came round behind the counter and got my bowl of chili. Then she went to the till and took the payment. Then she headed back to the door to wait for the next person. So its probably a sensible plan, BUT it needed to be announced before people forked out their $$ for their passes.

Right. Unless it was announced beforehand it is not right.

 

[deadheadskier]

Here's the real kick in the pants. The employees they have will be forced to work Wednesday though Sunday and the mountain will be closed on their days off. MAYBE they get one day off Wednesday through Friday to ski, but at the cost of reduced hours. So they're going to have even bigger hiring issues in the future.

If I were a Crotched employee right now, the second that communication came out, I'd be filling out applications at Pats or Ragged.

A bigger problem than lack of confidence in a business by consumers is a lack of confidence in potential workers.

 

[Zand]

So while crotched is cutting hours and have very few runs open, pats peak right up the road has 86% of their terrain open and all lifts running. The place has been mobbed this week when I have been there( just skinning up). Lift lines don’t look too bad but the parking lot has been over full. Coverage has been decent. Today was soft like spring skiing. It’s fun to be going up breeze (green off the top) and seeing all the beginners coming down. Tons of L1A’s(level 1 Asians). Saw a few boarders with pillow pets strapped to their asses. People carrying their skis down. Multiple skier pileups.

Wachusett had the "world's largest lesson" last week and I can confirm that it was just like this. Lol

 

[snoseek]

I'm seriously paranoid this will happen at Wildcat. I don't care if they shut the bar, food, lessons, whatever just keep that fucking quad spinning 7 days and roll out the obvious stuff. Maybe make some more snow? Even then, just spin the quad.

The biggest draw for Crotched in the past is so many could make an easy drive, get a fun little hill worth a 4 hour session and move on with your day. Pretty much if you wanted to ski it was there and open...except Sunday PM. That is gone now and I bet it never comes back under Vail.

Gunstock on a multi mtn pass like the White Mtn Superpass would get alot of people to make the switch. Gunstock would fill that Crotched slot nicely

 

[thebigo]

I'm seriously paranoid this will happen at Wildcat. I don't care if they shut the bar, food, lessons, whatever just keep that fucking quad spinning 7 days and roll out the obvious stuff. Maybe make some more snow? Even then, just spin the quad.

The biggest draw for Crotched in the past is so many could make an easy drive, get a fun little hill worth a 4 hour session and move on with your day. Pretty much if you wanted to ski it was there and open...except Sunday PM. That is gone now and I bet it never comes back under Vail.

Gunstock on a multi mtn pass like the White Mtn Superpass would get alot of people to make the switch. Gunstock would fill that Crotched slot nicely

Ski ragged next year, I got your first five beers and probably many more.

 

[snoseek]

Ski ragged next year, I got your first five beers and probably many more.

I had that pass two years ago and what a goddamn gem that place is. I had bought the Powderhorn Pass the year before and found myself in NH so it became a Ragged Pass! The price is right. Its that or Gunstock midweek and Cannon

 

[deadheadskier]

I'll be skiing Gunstock tomorrow afternoon with my son. I couldn't be happier with my decision to go Gunstock plus Indy Pass given all that we are seeing unfold with Epic Fail. I believe Gunstock has more terrain open right now than any Vail NH ski area.

Ragged is the better hill, but not by much when the trees aren't in play. I had a pass there 2008-9-10 and loved it.

But it's 1:30 to Ragged vs 1:05 to Gunstock for me. That makes a big difference with early AM seasonal lesson programs for the kids.

 

[abc]

Given they specifically sell a mid-week value pass how are they able to do this without offering a refund for people who bought that option.

I bet you'll get it (refund) if you do ask. It's a "non-performance" that voids the contract.

Yeah, that’s the point that I throw a proper fit as a weekday skier. I’ll call for a refund, get denied (I’ve used one day at Sunapee), and just hate Vail a lot I guess.

That's how big corporation can get away with such shit. Their customer just moan about it but not DEMAND their money back.

You don't even have to be impacted. They have no way to tell who's impacted and who's not. But the impacted skiers have legitimate cause to get a refund. As such, everyone living in the northeast would qualify.

 

[Smellytele]

Here's the real kick in the pants. The employees they have will be forced to work Wednesday though Sunday and the mountain will be closed on their days off. MAYBE they get one day off Wednesday through Friday to ski, but at the cost of reduced hours. So they're going to have even bigger hiring issues in the future.

If I were a Crotched employee right now, the second that communication came out, I'd be filling out applications at Pats or Ragged.

A bigger problem than lack of confidence in a business by consumers is a lack of confidence in potential workers.

I heard that a lot of ex Sunapee instructors are already at pats this season.