VAIL SUCKS

[Edd]

My older daughter and i skied cranmore today. Had a good time, then went into town and refreshed her gear. We now plan to sit here for a week waiting for vail to give a shit about new hampshire.

Any word on if their HSQ will be running when they reopen? Tough for me to day trip there with only South Branch running.

 

[asnowmobiler]

Every ski are in the Poconos have their web cams running and they all are making snow except the two Vail owned resorts. Hopefully they are making snow but without the cams on, so I have no idea.

 

[Edd]

No opening date announcement from Sunapee. Fuck, this is going poorly.

 

[kingslug]

So Vail has ordered all these places to shut down their webcams. WTF?
Well the top cam at Hunter is on and they are blowing.
And Gore was fun...

 

[RichT]

So Vail has ordered all these places to shut down their webcams. WTF?
Well the top cam at Hunter is on and they are blowing.
And Gore was fun...

They must, you can view Hunter's base cam via Iplivecams.com, but not on Hunter's site. Vail=Shit Show! How I miss the Slutskey's!!!!!!!!

 

[asnowmobiler]

They must, you can view Hunter's base cam via Iplivecams.com, but not on Hunter's site. Vail=Shit Show! How I miss the Slutskey's!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the link, I never would have thought to look a their cams that way. Only one is working at my local hill and it's covered in snow so I guess they are making it.

 

[deadheadskier]

No opening date announcement from Sunapee. Fuck, this is going poorly.

Reservations were open for this upcoming weekend at Sunapee. I booked for Sunday. Hopefully they open

 

[jimmywilson69]

got on the ground confirmation they are making snow in southcentral PA at Roundtop.

 

[thebigo]

Any word on if their HSQ will be running when they reopen? Tough for me to day trip there with only South Branch running

The valley got almost no snow, the grass is still showing. The quad was running yesterday for maintenance but there was no snowmaking apparent from downtown yesterday afternoon. I would give them a call, the operation was very well run yesterday with some of the kindest staff I have encountered. They actually had people waiting to stand with your kids and gear while one person went in to get the tickets. Taking the kids to the playground downtown after lunch, will let you if I see snowmaking.

 

[JimG.]

Value is subjective, it varies depending on individual circumstance.

Price is price. It doesn't change.

Don't confuse value with price.

Epic pass is low in price. That's a fact.

Whether that's good value or not, it's up to the individual to decide. I wouldn't buy an Epic pass for 20/21 had it not for the credit I had carried over from 19/20. Nor am I asking for a refund even though I could qualify for one, because I want to ski the Vail mountains this season. And the price is just about justifiable, and better than any alternatives I can find.

Just like Walmart drives down price (and quality, some argue) of goods in some markets, Vail does pretty much the same. But on the other hand, there're markets where competition give them a run for their money. It depends whether you're in a position to change market or not. For those who can't, that's unfortunate.

Let's try this...

So since "price is price" but you have decided to NOT buy an epic pass this season, can I assume that you thusly consider it low in value for your specific circumstances?

 

[abc]

Let's try this...

So since "price is price" but you have decided to NOT buy an epic pass this season, can I assume that you thusly consider it low in value for your specific circumstances?

The short answer would have been a YES!

A slightly longer answer: I could ski Belleayre & Plattekill for less than $50 midweek. Using that calculation, the Epic pass even at $500 (with credit from last season), would only break even if I ski more than 10 times. And I've all along been clear I really dislike the crowds in many of Vail's mountains (Hunter/Okemo), which will be extra challenging this season. Do I expect to be able to ski 10 times? Probably. Will I enjoy skiing very crowded places for MORE THAN 10 times? Rather doubtful. Hence, I considered it not a good value. Was resigned to NOT buying a pass.

But that was 2 weeks ago. I've now bought a Northeast only pass 5 days ago.

Because my circumstance changed.

I've just got an invitation to stay at an empty house in VT part of January to February. So all of a sudden, I can legally satisfy the quarantine requirement. I can day trip from there to Stowe! Further, I've found out my favorite lodging in NH will be operating on a partial schedule, which happened to fit my work schedule like a glove. I will get to check in after it's empty for 2-4 days and stay in my own room the whole week/weekend! Wildcat has not been crowded the many times I was up there (last season). So I all of a sudden had a realistic expectation to ENJOY skiing probably more than 10 times in Vail mountains. In this new circumstance, the Epic pass's value is worth the price.

I was a bit "lucky" that Vail screwed up my 2019 credit. So they had to make it up by giving me the early bird sale price retroactively, plus the 2019 credit, which brings my pass cost to BELOW $500. That's a luxury not everyone has, to make a last minute decision while enjoying the early purchase price. (actually, I had to really push to get them to honor my credit & early season pricing, which I did AFTER I realize I wanted the pass given the new arrangements) Would I buy a pass WITHOUT the credit & early bird pricing? I probably won't! The value-to-price break even line was that thin.

I've never been a big Vail fan. But I get the Epic pass once in a while because their portfolio includes a couple of mountains I consider worth skiing occasionally. Rather than skiing Stowe a few day each year, I hope to ski it a bunch (ok, max 10 days on my pass) one year. And then turn my back on it for next couple years.

Maybe because I'm not locked in to Vail, I don't feel quite so up-in-arms against some of their practices. I simply shrug and go elsewhere.

 

[thebigo]

Did some reconnaissance this after noon:

Wildcat has a few guns running in the base area. Along with what appears to be middle lynx and the short steep stretch at the bottom of lynx. Best guess they got around 6" of snow. It was 22f on my dash in the notch.

Attitash appears to be blowing saco, there are also a number of fan guns running in the base area and learning terrain. Bear has a few guns running in the base area and the small park on that side. Also illusion top to bottom. Dash read 32 f at the base.

Both lodges are posted employees only, public not allowed or something to that accord. They told me to stop by and pick up my four year old's pass but did not attempt based on the signage. Was really trying to avoid the lodge on opening weekend but may have no choice.

If forced to guess wildcat open Friday with lynx. Attitash open Saturday with illusion and a small park on the bear side plus the learning area on the attitash side. I have not guessed a single thing correctly this fall.

 

[Smellytele]

Anyone know what time tomorrow tickets go on sale tomorrow for the unwashed?

 

[xlr8r]

Someone at Vail HQ finally realized the lack of communication was starting to hurt their brand. Looking at the Facebook pages, Wildcat is opening Friday, Sunapee, Attitash (Bear side), and Crotched are all opening Saturday.

 

[catskillman]

They must, you can view Hunter's base cam via Iplivecams.com, but not on Hunter's site. Vail=Shit Show! How I miss the Slutskey's!!!!!!!!

You are right, now the only cam that even shows on Hunter's site it the summit. Crazy as now that they are making snow at the base and it is no longer all brown and spotty you would think that they would want everyone to see.

What is their reasoning / thoughts on blocking these cams on their sites, when you can get them on livecam? Would love you hear that reasoning / excuse

 

[chuckstah]

Someone at Vail HQ finally realized the lack of communication was starting to hurt their brand. Looking at the Facebook pages, Wildcat is opening Friday, Sunapee, Attitash (Bear side), and Crotched are all opening Saturday.

I wouldn't give them that much credit. They communicated because day tickets go on sale tomorrow. They want to make more money.

 

[andrec10]

They must, you can view Hunter's base cam via Iplivecams.com, but not on Hunter's site. Vail=Shit Show! How I miss the Slutskey's!!!!!!!!

We all do!

 

[xlr8r]

I wouldn't give them that much credit. They communicated because day tickets go on sale tomorrow. They want to make more money.

True

 

[JimG.]

The short answer would have been a YES!

A slightly longer answer: I could ski Belleayre & Plattekill for less than $50 midweek. Using that calculation, the Epic pass even at $500 (with credit from last season), would only break even if I ski more than 10 times. And I've all along been clear I really dislike the crowds in many of Vail's mountains (Hunter/Okemo), which will be extra challenging this season. Do I expect to be able to ski 10 times? Probably. Will I enjoy skiing very crowded places for MORE THAN 10 times? Rather doubtful. Hence, I considered it not a good value. Was resigned to NOT buying a pass.

But that was 2 weeks ago. I've now bought a Northeast only pass 5 days ago.

Because my circumstance changed.

I've just got an invitation to stay at an empty house in VT part of January to February. So all of a sudden, I can legally satisfy the quarantine requirement. I can day trip from there to Stowe! Further, I've found out my favorite lodging in NH will be operating on a partial schedule, which happened to fit my work schedule like a glove. I will get to check in after it's empty for 2-4 days and stay in my own room the whole week/weekend! Wildcat has not been crowded the many times I was up there (last season). So I all of a sudden had a realistic expectation to ENJOY skiing probably more than 10 times in Vail mountains. In this new circumstance, the Epic pass's value is worth the price.

I was a bit "lucky" that Vail screwed up my 2019 credit. So they had to make it up by giving me the early bird sale price retroactively, plus the 2019 credit, which brings my pass cost to BELOW $500. That's a luxury not everyone has, to make a last minute decision while enjoying the early purchase price. (actually, I had to really push to get them to honor my credit & early season pricing, which I did AFTER I realize I wanted the pass given the new arrangements) Would I buy a pass WITHOUT the credit & early bird pricing? I probably won't! The value-to-price break even line was that thin.

I've never been a big Vail fan. But I get the Epic pass once in a while because their portfolio includes a couple of mountains I consider worth skiing occasionally. Rather than skiing Stowe a few day each year, I hope to ski it a bunch (ok, max 10 days on my pass) one year. And then turn my back on it for next couple years.

Maybe because I'm not locked in to Vail, I don't feel quite so up-in-arms against some of their practices. I simply shrug and go elsewhere.

I see why you like the megapass model. If I thought about skiing like you do I would feel the same way.

 

[Smellytele]

Day tickets are for sale at all but Mt Snow and Wildcat...
Even Attitash has tix for sale. Could I buy a Attitash one and use it at Wildcat or because of covid they won't allow that this year?