VAIL SUCKS

[thetrailboss]

$16 asking price for a beer tonight at the Deer Valley World Cup Moguls. Apparently IKON rapes people on the brew pricing as well.

And I’m willing to bet that the food and beer options are garbage compared to pre-IKON. That’s what we saw in July 2022 when we went to the last DV Concert Series event. RIP Classy Deer Valley.

 

[4aprice]

Same thing, just with State of New Jersey. It was getting more and more cray-cray with each passing year. Soon they'll be telling NJ residents how many times per day they can flush the toilet. And they were getting aggressive/insane in the public schools telling your kids s**t they have NO business "teaching" them.

I didn't even care about my wife's theoretical pension, because I'm good with the maths & 100% know there's no way State of New Jersey can make all its future retirement plans whole with the financial crisis it's in, especially with all the people with....ummmm..... jobs leaving every day and getting replaced with more poor and/or illegal aliens that Trenton's enthusiastically supporting. And that's sad, because there a LOT of people only staying in NJ because they genuinely believe they're going to get a great retirement plan. That reckoning day won't be fun, give it 10 - 15 years.

Per UHAUL 2023 data (least and most moved to states).

View attachment 60931View attachment 60932

Just waiting for the entire state to implode. But the people here continue to vote for this so I have very little sympathy for them. While my escape is planned family requires a toe hold here in NJ. Just trying to make sure its something I can jettison quickly when it all falls apart.

 

[BenedictGomez]

That’s pretty much what you pay at a pro sports event nowadays.

Not at one I've ever been to, and I feel like I've been to quite a few. The Devils, for instance, charge $12, which I already thought was insane.


EDIT: I literally woke up this morning thinking about the price/sales volume economics of $16 beers.

You'd assume they have a handle on this, but I genuinely think they're losing more money in lost volume than making money via grotesque margin. And if last night was an indication, I think I'm onto something. Park City is a very wealthy town, it's Deer Valley on top of that, it's a raucous ski racing crowd, it's nighttime, and literally almost nobody was drinking save for the VIP area, but those VIP tickets came with drinks, so that doesn't count.

 

[kingslug]

Even when they charge 11.25 for a beer...I look at it like... I'm not paying that...
But if it was 9.00.....well..I might have 2.
Pretty simple math.

 

[zyk]

Even when they charge 11.25 for a beer...I look at it like... I'm not paying that...
But if it was 9.00.....well..I might have 2.
Pretty simple math.

At my side work we kept the price at $8 but reduced the cup size. I think it's something mentally about crossing the $10 mark. Companies promote product at $99.99 instead of $100 for a reason.

 

[NYDB]

We need more Arthur Blanks

 

[thetrailboss]

Not at one I've ever been to, and I feel like I've been to quite a few. The Devils, for instance, charge $12, which I already thought was insane.


EDIT: I literally woke up this morning thinking about the price/sales volume economics of $16 beers.

You'd assume they have a handle on this, but I genuinely think they're losing more money in lost volume than making money via grotesque margin. And if last night was an indication, I think I'm onto something. Park City is a very wealthy town, it's Deer Valley on top of that, it's a raucous ski racing crowd, it's nighttime, and literally almost nobody was drinking save for the VIP area, but those VIP tickets came with drinks, so that doesn't count.

The people who knew “how” to run DV are all long gone.

 

[thetrailboss]

How Vail Resorts Sparked the Great Northeast Ski Revolt

The ski giant has purchased dozens of regional resorts, but when the mountains didn’t receive a Park City-like upgrade, the backlash began.

www.bloomberg.com

"I'M STILL FUCKING PISSED OVER THIS! 'HEY MIKEY, NICE PRESIDENTIAL RUN IN 2020! YOU NEVER EVEN PLACED IN THE PRIMARIES!' YOU'RE A FUCKING LOSER!!!!!"

 

[thetrailboss]

In other news.....

Chairlift challenges continue at Park City Mountain as PayDay shuts down for most of Monday

The six-person PayDay Express chairlift — one of the two main lifts out of Park City Mountain Village — was shut down due to an unspecified mechanical issue most of the day on Monday with resort officials promising to “resolve the issue before re-opening PayDay Express to the public.”

www.parkrecord.com

 

[BenedictGomez]

Even when they charge 11.25 for a beer...I look at it like... I'm not paying that...
But if it was 9.00.....well..I might have 2.
Pretty simple math.

It's really not simple math though.

I think we're right that this is costing them money, but it's quote possible we're the ones who are wrong, hence my fascination.

Yes, I would have two or three beers at $8, and zero at $16. So they're losing $16-$24 on me, but for everyone who does buy just one $16 beer they're "recouping" 1/3 to 1/2 of the money they "lost" on me. The key then becomes, just how many people are buying these $16 beers, and crucially, multiple $16 beers. It seems hard for me to believe the economics of the $16 pint works given the decreased unit economics from what I'm observing in "real life", but WTH knows. You need several years of prior beer sales data, which they have, which is why one would presume they're acting rationally with the $16 pricing, but that doesn't jive with the fact I'm seeing far fewer drinkers and less people hanging out at resort apres bars than I'd expect with my own eyes.

 

[thetrailboss]

It's really not simple math though.

I think we're right that this is costing them money, but it's quote possible we're the ones who are wrong, hence my fascination.

Yes, I would have two or three beers at $8, and zero at $16. So they're losing $16-$24 on me, but for everyone who does buy just one $16 beer they're "recouping" 1/3 to 1/2 of the money they "lost" on me. The key then becomes, just how many people are buying these $16 beers, and crucially, multiple $16 beers. It seems hard for me to believe the economics of the $16 pint works given the decreased unit economics from what I'm observing in "real life", but WTH knows. You need several years of prior beer sales data, which they have, which is why one would presume they're acting rationally with the $16 pricing, but that doesn't jive with the fact I'm seeing far fewer drinkers and less people hanging out at resort apres bars than I'd expect with my own eyes.

There is ONE factor that you are not considering--we are in Utah, with a DUI limit of .05. Most folks, me included, are not going to drink more than one beer because of the Zion Police.

But you are right that they are trying to cash in on the "image" of Deer Valley and make people pay for that idea that it is somehow premium. It isn't anymore. We were quite disappointed with the DV Concert Series a couple of years ago. It was always a well-done, chill event that had good food and good drinks. But like other things IKON, it has turned into rent-a-cops harassing attendees about chair height and bringing BYOB (it USED to be BYOB), "theft" deterrence, bad food and drinks at outrageous prices, and not a fun experience.

Edgar Stern is rolling in his grave.

 

[kingslug]

Also consider that after you have 1 beer...you get a but of a buzz...and order more...
But you have to have that 1 beer to get started.
And at 16 bucks...not happening for most.

 

[eatskisleep]

This line is a gem!

"But in acquiring Masshole-reachable resorts such as Attitash, Vail was also now in business with a particular type of customer who’s intensely demanding despite living in a region notorious for less glamorous conditions."

I couldn’t believe that was a real line… but sure enough it’s there!

 

[deadheadskier]

I think the idea behind the $16 beers is that the majority of skiers are only going what, 6 days a season? Often on vacation.
When I'm on vacation or at an infrequent big concert or something, I don't really think about price. I just swipe the CC. I know I'm getting screwed.

But, as a skier with two young kids who gets out 35-40 times a year, I very much do think about it. I think we have about 18 days in and I doubt I've spent over $100 on ski resort F&B. I'll bring my own, thanks. Even on our vacation to Saddleback.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Also consider that after you have 1 beer...you get a but of a buzz...and order more...
But you have to have that 1 beer to get started.
And at 16 bucks...not happening for most.

Maybe, but I know what he's saying. Normally I'll have 2 pints and drive home, as at my sex, age, weight, tolerance, etc.... 2 pints does absolutely nothing to me. But in Utah I hand my wife the keys as they have a BAC of only .05, the lowest in the entire nation, which is literally about 2 beers. It's because almost all the politicians here creating the alcohol laws are Mormon, and have never had a drink in their life. Imagine a large panel of virgins educating people about sex, it's the same thing.

 

[kingslug]

It's why when in utah I stay right near the lifts...
I like IPA's....in PC at The Farm they have some good 8% ones for 10 bucks each...
I'll have 2...and good to go!

 

[joshua segal]

...I'll bring my own (food), thanks. Even on our vacation to Saddleback.

I do recommend the whoopie pies at SB (assuming they haven't changed bakers under Arctarus).

 

[BenedictGomez]

It's why when in utah I stay right near the lifts...
I like IPA's....in PC at The Farm they have some good 8% ones for 10 bucks each...
I'll have 2...and good to go!

The Farm is owned by Vail Resorts. My Canyons go-to is DBB = independently owned.

BG Family spend at Vail Resorts so far ex EPIC pass & youth lessons = $0.00. Surprised we've been able to keep it up so far. I think I'll eventually submit & try the meatball sub at R.P.L. though, it looks pretty good.

 

[ThatGuy]

I think I'll eventually submit & try the meatball sub at R.P.L. though, it looks pretty good.

The meatball sub is surprisingly good for lodge food but its very messy

 

[kingslug]

They had a great pastrami melt for 20 bucks...Best sandwich on the mountain.