VAIL SUCKS

[abc]

They also made it unaffordable for those that just want to ski a day here and there, or a handful of days. Now they have to buy a sEpitic Pass.

Is that so? Isn't there some "epic day pass"? How much is it per day?

 

[catskillman]

They didn’t inherit anything. They purchased what they have and should have identified any deficiencies during the due diligence process. Sounds to me like they didn’t/don’t have a plan. I see the same issues mentioned about Vail properties in other parts of the country as well, not just NH.

exactly. who did the due deligence on these resorts. They should have reviewed not only the age of everything, maintenance records, life of the asset left after depreciation left on the books, not to mention a physical and active inspection of all lifts, stability of all lift towers and all infastructure, I can go on and on.

And - any major acqusition these day, would certianly include all customer satisifaction survey info, customer date, CRM.... and definitely local published opinions.

They did buy all Peak Resorts at fire sale value, so did they know / care / ignore all the isues in the peak resorts???

This is a mess in all resorts. They can blame covid, lack of J1's etc. and I know from years of observation , and those of you on these pages that issues were inherated, as in all M&A, but they existed in long owned resorts.

What a mess, and itw won;t be fixed anytome soon

 

[abc]

They did buy all Peak Resorts at fire sale value, so did they know / care / ignore all the isues in the peak resorts???

Of course they know! But do they care?

We can see the answer as clear as day!

 

[thetrailboss]

View attachment 53152


Your turn Vail

Still not enough to afford living in Aspen or anywhere close by.

 

[chuckstah]

Sunapee has a new strategy. Please ski the shitty freeze day and skip the perfect Saturday ski day. We don't have room for you....

 

[Kingslug20]

Wow....

 

[eatskisleep]

Is that so? Isn't there some "epic day pass"? How much is it per day?

I meant they are forced into buying a epic season pass since the “deal makes cents”

 

[eatskisleep]

BINGO!!!! That is what is most sad here. I used to enjoy trying out different areas, but now those days are gone, except for the little indy areas that still don't soak you for day tickets. This is a terrible direction for the industry.

Yep!!!!!

 

[Smellytele]

I meant they are forced into buying a epic season pass since the “deal makes cents”

only cents not dollars?

 

[catskillman]

Today lifts down at Hunter. Check out the lines in the video posted by Hi Hey on the Facebook "Hunter Ski Bums" page. And people are still coming in on the live web cam and many leaving just as fast. Lines are down significantly now as people leave.. Wonder if the north and west lifts are running, if not there are going to be a lot of angry people who have no way back to their car.

 

[Edd]

Parking lots full at Wildcat. Shuttling from Great Glen parking, per Twitter.

 

[pinion]

Parking lots full at Wildcat. Shuttling from Great Glen parking, per Twitter.

Crazy here. Bobcat running so crowds are dispersed nicely across the mountain. Long lines. Amazing spring conditions.

 

[Mainer]

Never seen the parking lots overflowing at wildcat like yesterday. Almost turned around, but sneaked into c lot, was not getting involved with a shuttle. Skiing was nice, great to have bobcat open again. People said it took over a hour to buy tickets. The gm was working crowd control, I harassed him a bit about not having tomcat open. Trails never seemed too crowded, warm spring skiing and pocket beers made for a nice day.

 

[doublediamond]

There are people here blaming the sorry state Peak left the mountain in for troubles today…

I’m not sure how you can blame Peak for snowmaking issues in 2022 at Wildcat. Peak replaced close to 11 miles of water pipe on the mountain. Vail owned the place for 2 years and the new booster pumps Peak put in broke and the new pipe Peak put in on Lynx failed. I’m sorry that’s not a Peak issue. That’s a Vail maintenance issue.

If it was the first year you might have a point. But Vail came in and slashed salaries and cut positions and this is what happens: deferred maintenance rearing its head.

Even if the mountain was in shambles, Vail has had TWO FULL summers to ID issues and replace them: pumps, pipe, etc.

No snowmaking on Bobcat or even running that lift until recently? Again, Peak made snow there, and ran Bobcat even on weekdays mid-season. Again these are consequences for Vail decisions; it’s not on Peak.

Should Upper Wildcat have snowmaking back? Maybe. But 3 core routes (hard green Polecat, medium blue Catapult, hard blue Lynx) is sufficient and UWC provides an “easier” natural black from the top. And with the limited water it’s better to put that water lower on the mountain and on core trails. Should Peak have put more money into the snowmaking system? Possibly but is there an economic benefit? They need a bigger electric grid through the notch. They need more water. That’s A LOT of money — we’re talking West Lake money if not more because of the grid costs — for an area that gets ~15% of the skier visits. You’re X-year return is now a 7X-year return.

 

[pinion]

For the most part I think you are preaching to the choir? Maybe I have selective memory, but most of the convo here concerning WC points the finger directly at Vail’s ownership from what I recall.

And with the limited water it’s better to put that water lower on the mountain and on core trails.

Amen. Skiing with my kids off Bobcat lift this past weekend brought back all the feels and I really wish those lower mountain blues would be available for more of the season.

 

[deadheadskier]

I'd never expect a major snowmaking investment with new transmission lines up Pinkham, expanded reservoir etc. Just maintain the pipes, pumphouse and gun fleet. And SPEND on labor and take risks early season when the temperature windows are small. The reality is they only have maybe 125 acres of terrain they need to cover.

Peak was also often guilty of the latter. They shared snowmaking staff with Attitash too and often didn't turn the guns on with short windows. But Vail takes it to a whole nother level. And the place is busier than ever from what I saw last year and am reading about this year.

It's not like they're a mom and pop that need the money to come in throughout the season and fund snowmaking with current operational profits. They sell a zillion passes. They've got all the money they need up front to go for it. Just do it like the competition is.

 

[catskillman]

Today lifts down at Hunter. Check out the lines in the video posted by Hi Hey on the Facebook "Hunter Ski Bums" page. And people are still coming in on the live web cam and many leaving just as fast. Lines are down significantly now as people leave.. Wonder if the north and west lifts are running, if not there are going to be a lot of angry people who have no way back to their car.

now today, sunday, north side left down. Scheeching,

 

[BenedictGomez]

The turkey chili (idk $$) was REALLY good at one of the DV lodges too.

$12 last I had it, which was 2019, and worth every penny.

 

[BenedictGomez]

who did the due deligence on these resorts. They should have reviewed not only the age of everything, maintenance records, life of the asset left after depreciation left on the books, not to mention a physical and active inspection of all lifts, stability of all lift towers and all infastructure, I can go on and on.

Vail isn't buying "resorts", Vail's buying geographical population.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Amazing how he cut Epic prices, boosted revenues, and then resigned. Looks like pump and dump.

All part of the typical boom & bust process that roll-up companies like Vail go through some years before it all comes crashing down. The guilty CEO flees with the accolades of success for his next venture, whicle the successor(s) take the blame.