VAIL SUCKS

[snoseek]

Last update from Attitash was that it was a power issue.

It looks like they're running the flying bear and abenaqui. I would honestly take that trade off and lose avenger/illusion. In a perfect world midwinter all these lifts would turn

 

[MogulMonsters]

It looks like they're running the flying bear and abenaqui. I would honestly take that trade off and lose avenger/illusion. In a perfect world midwinter all these lifts would turn

Bear is broken. It's definitely not spinning today.

 

[2planks2coasts]

Whether or not it's been firmly established that Vail does indeed suck, seems like the amount of coverage their operational issues + another year of increased crowding at their resorts will lead to some level of defection from Epic in 2022/2023. Which begs the question: will these people just jump ship to Ikon? Or leave the sport? Ski independent mountains? Some combination?

Best case for Vail but worst case for the industry is that the "just be happy you can ski at all" crowd - getting more vocal on social media by the day - sticks with Epic, procreate, teach their spawn that "this is the way skiing is", and through generations spend even more money in the base lodge and various perks and upgrades. This will introduce the world to a new super gaper more dangerous than previous generations of gapers. It's like really bad science fiction for the ski crowd.

Oh the Hunanity!!!!!!!

 

[jimmywilson69]

Last update from Attitash was that it was a power issue.

No one working there knows where the power switch is?

 

[snoseek]

Bear is broken. It's definitely not spinning today.

My bad I meant flying Yankee. Yeah I'll take that trade off.

 

[abc]

Best case for Vail but worst case for the industry is that the "just be happy you can ski at all" crowd - getting more vocal on social media by the day - sticks with Epic, procreate, teach their spawn that "this is the way skiing is", and through generations spend even more money in the base lodge and various perks and upgrades. This will introduce the world to a new super gaper more dangerous than previous generations of gapers. It's like really bad science fiction for the ski crowd.

What the f*k is so "dangerous" about them "gapers"?

 

[Apple Country]

For me I look for 4 things in a pass

1. A convenient quick hitter that also offers night skiing. On Epic that was Crotched. Replaced it with Gunstock.

2. 1 or more destination areas with ample natural snow and tree skiing. On Epic that was Stowe and Wildcat. Replaced with Indy and Saddleback, Jay, Cannon, Bolton and Magic.

3. Decent variety of Mountains that have good snowmaking and cruisers. On Epic that was Okemo, Sunapee and Attitash. On Indy that's Waterville, Pats and Cannon.

4. Price. I paid quite a bit more for Gunstock + Indy, but not so much that I had any pause in my decision.

Ikon lacks #1 from my location, so that's out for me. I'd consider replacing Indy with Ikon if I had western skiing plans.

Really the only negative to my choice is none of the mountains on my passes really get going until early December. But once they did, they've pretty much blown the Epic Pass mountains I would have been skiing out of the water. No regrets at all. I certainly miss Wildcat and Stowe, but not how they're being run.

Great assessment. I'm a total free agent coming from Mass.

Got Epic to ski Utah this winter...didn't happen.

Likely do Wachusett next year and indy/scrum for daily tickets - REI, ski and stay at Burke. I don't mind.

 

[pinion]

It's the super gapers you gotta be careful of @abc. We're all used to normal gapers already.

 

[abc]

It's the super gapers you gotta be careful of @abc. We're all used to normal gapers already.

I'm sorry, but what's so wrong about them gapers? I'm probably one.

You'd rather I don't ski? And you have the means to bankroll your favorite mountain's operation without the wallet of people like me? I bet not. Or you wouldn't need to tolerate all the gapers who invade your playground.

 

[pinion]

I'm sorry, but what's so wrong about them gapers? I'm probably one.

You'd rather I don't ski? And you have the means to bankroll your favorite mountain's operation without the wallet of people like me? I bet not. Or you wouldn't need to tolerate all the gapers who invade your playground.

I'd rather the stalwarts of ski culture stick around on their local/preferred hills so that the "gapers" have something to look up to. Double edge sword of the Vail/Alterra system: the side that gets the most press is that they push these resorts to their limit with cheap passes. The other side - the more valuable side - is bringing more people to the sport. Maybe there's a future balance.

Just because I make a comment here that sounds less than pleasing doesn't mean I won't show people a good line down the mountain, point them in the direction of better terrain if they struggle, or help pickup their shit after a yardsale.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

What the f*k is so "dangerous" about them "gapers"?

people who have no fucking clue what they are doing and get in over their heads are a danger to themselves and the staffs of the resorts they visit. pretty obvious. two weeks ago at sugarbush there were gaggles of them failing their way down castlerock run. it makes it treacherous and not fun to ski for the people who are actually capable to ski it.

there is nothing wrong with new people learning how to ski. there is something very wrong with people getting in way over their heads without the skills, knowledge, or experience to do it

its a snicker and an eye roll on castlerock. its dead people when they duck ropes or go thru backcountry gates out west.

 

[jaytrem]

Just because I make a comment here that sounds less than pleasing doesn't mean I won't show people a good line down the mountain, point them in the direction of better terrain if they struggle, or help pickup their shit after a yardsale.

I heard you pick up their skis and toss them in the woods. "Want your ski, go get it".

 

[abc]

Just because I make a comment here that sounds less than pleasing doesn't mean I won't show people a good line down the mountain, point them in the direction of better terrain if they struggle, or help pickup their shit after a yardsale.

My apology for my harsh tone.

I'm just saying the gapers are just skiers. I'm no fan of the current version of Vail. But it's not the fault of the Epic pass holders.

 

[ThatGuy]

My apology for my harsh tone.

I'm just saying the gapers are just skiers. I'm no fan of the current version of Vail. But it's not the fault of the Epic pass holders.

ABC I doubt you are a true gaper, you seem like a competent skier. They are the people falling their way down black diamonds, snowplowing fresh snow, laying down in the middle of the trail, standing on the trails watching people go by them, or other assorted buffoonery.

 

[ThatGuy]

While you may not be a gaper you are definitely a contrarian who likes to get people going though.

 

[kendo]

ABC I doubt you are a true gaper, you seem like a competent skier. They are the people falling their way down black diamonds, snowplowing fresh snow, laying down in the middle of the trail, standing on the trails watching people go by them, or other assorted buffoonery.

They were all at Stowe yesterday.

Also 'advanced' gapers, a special breed, usually only found at Hunter ...

Dude skiing right edge of Upper lord, I'm skiing left edge, gaper decides at very last second to hook a dogleg left at speed to cut to Liftline. Not sorry I almost took him out.

 

[snoseek]

Anyone up at wildcat today? It looks special.

 

[pinion]

Anyone up at wildcat today? It looks special.

Not there, but drooling over the webcam. May get there for Thursday. Vail getting bailed out by Mother Nature... not fair, but I'll take it.

 

[snoseek]

Not there, but drooling over the webcam. May get there for Thursday if there's anything left.

View attachment 53104

I have a doc appt so I too am drooling. I'm all over it tomorrow

 

[abc]

While you may not be a gaper you are definitely a contrarian who likes to get people going though.

I'm not trying to "get people going". It's just there're some under current that I don't get.

I'm a half way decent skier... now. But I haven't always been one. I wasn't born with skis attached to my feet. So there was a long period of time I didn't ski all that well, got in over my head etc. (the famous saying of you don't know what you don't know) It's a process.

Unlike many others, I choose not to forget what it was like, and don't look down on those people even though I'm no longer like that.

I don't live in the mountains. I live in the city and go skiing on weekends for the most part. So in many ways, I still resembles a typical "gaper" even though I had learned to be a less obstructive one.