VAIL SUCKS

[thetrailboss]

From LiftBlog:

“We’re always going to be upgrading lifts; we announced a new lift for next year and that’s critical. But I think we need to realize also as a company and as an industry that it can’t just be about lifts. It’s not the only thing that matters to people. And in our minds we think there’s technology that can make a big difference. How people use technology in the digital experience, how it makes it easier for them to rent skis, how it makes it easier for them to connect with their ski instructor, how it makes it easier for them to get food, how it makes it easier for them to get around a resort or overall book a vacation. I think these are all things that are critical that really speak to the entirety of the guest experience when they come to us. Those are things where we really have a unique advantage because we own and operate all our resorts. They’re all on a common platform. And it’s where you invest dollars that actually impact everyone’s experience with all of our resorts rather than a singular lift, which affects one resort for some people who use that lift. Now that said, we have to keep investing in lifts. When you look back historically, you’ve seen us spend a lot of money on lifts over the last four years. So that’s continuing. We’re still going to keep proposing lifts. But I think the differentiator is going to be in this other area which is not as capital intensive as trying to replace every lift on Vail Mountain or something like that. That’s where we’re putting our focus.”

 

[cdskier]

From LiftBlog:

WTF... easier to rent skis, connect with an instructor, and get food? That's a more important focus than lifts? I've never heard of any of those being "critical issues that need to be addressed".

 

[deadheadskier]

"And in our minds we think there’s technology that can make a big difference. "

Have you heard of snowmaking Bobby? Pretty swell technology that makes a big difference here in the East.

 

[thetrailboss]

WTF... easier to rent skis, connect with an instructor, and get food? That's a more important focus than lifts? I've never heard of any of those being "critical issues that need to be addressed".

Critical issues when revenue is lower......that's my guess.

 

[kbroderick]

WTF... easier to rent skis, connect with an instructor, and get food? That's a more important focus than lifts? I've never heard of any of those being "critical issues that need to be addressed".

When's the last time you rented skis?

From what I've seen--and I admittedly don't spend much time around rental shops--the pain in the ass factor is relatively high, and it happens before you get to the fun part. Making that process as quick and pleasant as possible goes a long way towards creating a good overall experience for guests who are most likely not particularly committed to the sport (or they're traveling without their stuff).

Not that on hill infrastructure doesn't matter, but if the guest has a crappy experience before they get on snow, that's not good either.

 

[thetrailboss]

"YOU UNGRATEFUL ASSHOLES! I WOULD NOT HAVE TO MAKE SUCH TOUGH DECISIONS IF YOU M'FER'S READ YOUR EMAIL AND BOUGHT MORE EPIC PASSES!"

“The results from this past season were below expectations and our season-to-date pass sales growth has been limited,” noted Rob Katz, Vail’s newly-returned CEO. “We recognize that we are not yet delivering on the full growth potential that we expect from this business, in particular on revenue growth, in both this past season and in our projected guidance for fiscal year 2026. However, we are confident that we are well positioned to return to higher growth in fiscal year 2027 and beyond.” Vail acknowledged an outsized focus on email for attracting guests and a drive toward season pass sales at the expense of lift ticket revenue. “Our approach to engaging with guests has not kept pace with shifting consumer behaviors and as a result, we have not been able to fully capitalize on our competitive advantages or adapted our execution appropriately to respond to shifting dynamics,” Katz said. “While email was for many years our most effective channel, its impact has declined significantly in recent years, and we’ve been slow to shift to new and emerging marketing channels. We also believe we need to shift more focus to marketing our lift ticket business, which has not received the same level of focus, creativity, and resources as pass penetration increased.” Commenting on recent pass sales, Katz noted the company is seeing lower renewal rates from less-tenured passholders and fewer new passholders. Renewal rates are better for people who’ve held a pass for many years. ” We continue to see long-term opportunity to further expand the reach of our pass program,” Katz said.

Vail Resorts Eyes Park City Lift Projects in 2026 and 2027

Rendering of the proposed Canyons Village gondola set for construction next year at Park City Mountain. Vail Resorts today released its fiscal 2025 fourth quarter and full year earnings report, inc…

liftblog.com

 

[thetrailboss]

"....AND MAY I REMIND YOU WHO YOU ALL ARE FUCKING WITH!!!!!"

Rob Katz Is the Most Powerful Man in the Ski Industry

Since becoming the CEO of Vail Resorts in 2006, Katz has led the company in the acquisition of many properties, discounted the cost of season passes, and persuaded his customers to market the brand. What does he have planned next?

5280.com

 

[chuckstah]

One new lift next year for 42 ski areas and what, a thousand lifts? Epic. All lifts will be replaced by the next millennium at this pace

 

[JimG.]

Those Katz headshots get creepier every year.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Tech spend making it easier to buy food, connect with a ski instructor, and rent skis are more important than replacing lifts for skiing?

Ummmmm.....no. What those things all are, are ways in which Vail believes it can make more money. Good grief, the gaslighting........

 

[cdskier]

When's the last time you rented skis?

From what I've seen--and I admittedly don't spend much time around rental shops--the pain in the ass factor is relatively high, and it happens before you get to the fun part. Making that process as quick and pleasant as possible goes a long way towards creating a good overall experience for guests who are most likely not particularly committed to the sport (or they're traveling without their stuff).

Not that on hill infrastructure doesn't matter, but if the guest has a crappy experience before they get on snow, that's not good either.

Several years ago (albeit not at a Vail resort, so maybe they managed to find a way to screw this up). It was quite painless. Out in under 10 minutes. You put your info in a computer to setup a profile at the start with all your vitals (age, height, weight, skier type, etc). For future visits you wouldn't even need to re-enter that info. And now (at least at the resort where I happened to rent skis) you can even reserve online ahead of time. Seems like this all should be basic stuff at any larger resort. And it should not be a major tech investment.

 

[thetrailboss]

Those Katz headshots get creepier every year.

Right? Now that he is back in the CEO seat I imagine that his first order of business was to get.....more photoshoots scheduled.

 

[thetrailboss]

Tech spend making it easier to buy food, connect with a ski instructor, and rent skis are more important than replacing lifts for skiing?

Ummmmm.....no. What those things all are, are ways in which Vail believes it can make more money. Good grief, the gaslighting........

I guess nobody else finds the "nobody reads marketing Emails anymore" excuse completely funny.

 

[deadheadskier]

Maybe to sell more Epic passes, Bob will consider going back to the basics and traditional marketing means with a good ole billboard ad campaign featuring.....Bob Katz.

 

[jimmywilson69]

Maybe to sell more Epic passes, Bob will consider going back to the basics and traditional marketing means with a good ole billboard ad campaign featuring.....Bob Katz.

they should definitely post a billboard of katz with his cheesy rich boy smile skiing in jeans...

 

[thetrailboss]

Maybe to sell more Epic passes, Bob will consider going back to the basics and traditional marketing means with a good ole billboard ad campaign featuring.....Bob Katz.

they should definitely post a billboard of katz with his cheesy rich boy smile skiing in jeans...

“ALL RIGHT BOYS, THAT’S ENOUGH.”

 

[jimmywilson69]

Thats the look of "they know I ski in jeans"

 

[deadheadskier]

I was kinda hoping for a billboard of Bob using his ski blades.

 

[thetrailboss]

I was kinda hoping for a billboard of Bob using his ski blades.

Now THAT would be funny!

 

[ThatGuy]

“Alright boys simmer down, you’re just jealous I could beat you down K27 in jeans. Don’t forget I learned to ski at Huntah”