Wachusett Ski Watch

[wa-loaf]

I have not Bill, but if I had I wouldn't be that aggrieved if it went from free to costing some amount.

Most of aren't actually objecting to the free part and would be happy to pay a few bucks a night to keep the same system.

 

[Sky]

I spoke to one of my team members tonight after he ran into Wa Mgt, at of all places...Ski Watch. He was assisted in storing his skis, given an overview of the changes, the plans, etc...and he likes what he heard.

There is much more to this, and all I can offer is what I got from the phone call.

1) There IS still a free ski watch, although I believe it will become a supervised self-service lockable area.

2) You may buy one of the locks (since I'm not sure of the price I won't post it) OR you can rent the lock from the ski watch person.

3) There will be more storage capability. More to follow.

4) I am under the impression there will be more video coverage.

5) Wa is generating a response, so I'll stop here and wait to hear the real deal from them.

 

[hrstrat57]

I never used the ski watch, always choosing my handy dandy cable thingy instead as suggested by Billski.....quicker access to my boards, works for me.

I would miss the friendly hello from the super friendly ski watch guy as I stroll in first on there at 715 AM....I think it is a very cool feature of wa and really hope they reconsider.

It means a lot to folks clearly.

 

[askstowell]

My original gripe wasn't because it was free or I had to pay, it's just losing it as a convenience. I'll often pay a few bucks wherever I go for a ski watch service so the "free" isn't a big deal. I hate locking up skis and still worrying if they'll be there when I get back. The ski watch, whether free or paid, gives me an added feeling of security that our stuff will be there when I get back. Especially if we're changing out race skis, etc., you know your stuff is ok.

Pay or free, I don't care.

 

[hrstrat57]

More bad news for budget minded skiers from wa?

No more last minute decisions/wake up at 0400, check the weather channel and decide to go to wa expecting to use your wa card to get your AAA discount....and no more $8 off either.

Making it a bit more difficult to save money.......

Could be a Berkshire East season for me.....longer drive, much better and more hospitable place......
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

From AAA SNE web site this morning:

ATTENTION AAA Members who ski at Wachusett Mountain! The AAA member benefit at Wachusett Mountain has changed for the 2010-2011 Ski Season!

The 2010-2011 AAA Member benefits will include:

LIFT TICKETS (see wachusett.com for schedule)
AAA members save $10 off Prime and Spring Lift Tickets and $5 off Peak Lift Tickets when they purchase them in advance online at AAA.com/wachusett.

 

[billski]

I have not Bill, but if I had I wouldn't be that aggrieved if it went from free to costing some amount. Like I said, I can not imagine refusing to go to a resort based on that. Other things are of much higher importance to me, and I'm surprised this is a major issue to many.

Well, I don't ski there much any more, so for me it's an academic discussion.

I suppose it is similar to driving your brand new car into a rough neighborhood known for theft and vandalism, parking it at night and going off to dinner or whatever. The difference here is that you don't have to go into a rough neighborhood, but as far as hills are concerned, there is a limited quantity. To a certain extent, it's a captive audience who are going to come anyways.

I'm hearing most folks saying they'd pay rather than see it go away. It costs Wa little to nothing to maintain this service except the labor. I would think, given the amount of equipment I've seen in there, it would easily pay for itself. Besides, it would get one or more more people partially employed in this rotten economy.

I used to use ski lockers too until I realized the stuff I put in there was so disgusting nobody would want it anyways. :-o

 

[billski]

More bad news for budget minded skiers from wa?

No more last minute decisions/wake up at 0400, check the weather channel and decide to go to wa expecting to use your wa card to get your AAA discount....and no more $8 off either.

Making it a bit more difficult to save money.......

Could be a Berkshire East season for me.....longer drive, much better and more hospitable place......
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

From AAA SNE web site this morning:

ATTENTION AAA Members who ski at Wachusett Mountain! The AAA member benefit at Wachusett Mountain has changed for the 2010-2011 Ski Season!

The 2010-2011 AAA Member benefits will include:

LIFT TICKETS (see wachusett.com for schedule)
AAA members save $10 off Prime and Spring Lift Tickets and $5 off Peak Lift Tickets when they purchase them in advance online at AAA.com/wachusett.

That's too bad. I don' t know how many people use it, but I'll bet it's not many. I get the sense that the discount programs are going to migrate more towards social media and discount web sales (Liftopia) where they can cast their nets wider and get a much greater response. My $0.02, which is about all it's worth...:lol:

 

[Sky]

I just got a clarification on Wa's Ski Watch. There will still be a FREE ski watch. You will lock your own skis/board with a FREE key supplied by the Ski Watch person. There will be a system for getting a key/showing your key etc.

I recommend we all sit back and wait for the news to come from Wa. To my knowledge, based on my ONE visit there this year AND on my friend's visit thre last night...SO FAR it's still pretty much the same old Ski Watch...although the news last night was they are starting to use the key locks vs the little tags.

AS AN EXAMPLE...back in 99 when Wa first started the Century Pass deal (the current Bronze Pass), the way the deal was worded combined with the price...it sounded way too good to be true. Bottom line, it was everything it was touted to be and more...all for $149. It took Wa a few itterations of the announcement to word it such all the nay-sayers (including myself) stopped sniping and started buying and enjoying.

When Wa puts out the announcement, I'll share it here. The Race Department is supposed to publish something soon (before the league kick-off event next Thursday).

 

[wa-loaf]

I just got a clarification on Wa's Ski Watch. There will still be a FREE ski watch. You will lock your own skis/board with a FREE key supplied by the Ski Watch person. There will be a system for getting a key/showing your key etc.

I recommend we all sit back and wait for the news to come from Wa. To my knowledge, based on my ONE visit there this year AND on my friend's visit thre last night...SO FAR it's still pretty much the same old Ski Watch...although the news last night was they are starting to use the key locks vs the little tags.

AS AN EXAMPLE...back in 99 when Wa first started the Century Pass deal (the current Bronze Pass), the way the deal was worded combined with the price...it sounded way too good to be true. Bottom line, it was everything it was touted to be and more...all for $149. It took Wa a few itterations of the announcement to word it such all the nay-sayers (including myself) stopped sniping and started buying and enjoying.

When Wa puts out the announcement, I'll share it here. The Race Department is supposed to publish something soon (before the league kick-off event next Thursday).

I just don't get why they would change it. 1. it doesn't improve the experience with having to check out a lock and stow your own skis (or buying one). 2. It can't possibly be saving them money, they're still paying someone to "watch" the skis and they must have spent a fair chunk of change to buy locks and racks. However they want "word" this it sounds like a bad decision.

 

[Sky]

However they want "word" this it sounds like a bad decision.

Which is why they should put it out themselves as to what is being offered. According the the phone call I got last night...there "are" improvements. I agree that the info we have so far (rumor and inuendo) is not passing the sniff test. But I'm waiting to hear the rest of the story.

 

[WJenness]

Haven't watched yet, but just saw this posted to FB: http://www.wachusett.com/Default.aspx?tabid=204&EntryID=180

-w

 

[Sky]

Haven't watched yet, but just saw this posted to FB: http://www.wachusett.com/Default.aspx?tabid=204&EntryID=180

-w

Good link. Thanks Wayne.

 

[skimawk]

Ski Watch Good thing as is

Ski Watch is a good thing as is. Keep the personal touch, it is worth it. One suggestion is to have a second ski watch area on the deck near the entrance facing the Polar Express. Long live Dana!!!!

 

[xlr8r]

Ski watch is still free, now they hand out locks so that everyone can lock their skis on their own. This should keep the lines down as it seems to be more efficient, but it does lose the personal touch. .Security wise, it is just as secure as before if not more so.

 

[snoseek]

Uhhhhh can't you just split your skis up on the racks? I can almost promise theives won't bother looking for the other ski. Tell me why this wouldn't work.

 

[Sky]

Uhhhhh can't you just split your skis up on the racks? I can almost promise theives won't bother looking for the other ski. Tell me why this wouldn't work.

You are right.....theives "probably" won't bother looking for the other ski. But there is a "probably" slice to that....and splitting only works for skis. And families with kids having to scatter their gear then reconstitute it presents a prob.

 

[billski]

Uhhhhh can't you just split your skis up on the racks?

Doesn't work for me! I always managed to forget where one or the other was and spend 15 mins looking for it. Unless of course I'm the last one out of the lodge. That's why I go the cable route.
( I always have this problem when I put things away for "safekeeping." Safe from the thieves and safe from me!
:dunce:

 

[soulseller]

Much ado about nothing, from the TR forum:

The new ski watch is still free, they now hand out locks for you to use so that everyone can lock their skis on their own. I think this is to get rid of the long lines of 20+ people the old ski watch used to get when only 1 or 2 people were attending it.

 

[wa-loaf]

So they've gone back to the old style ski watch and moved the locking racks out. Maybe just a ploy to sell some locks?

 

[Watatic Skier]

Glad to hear that it's actually been improved by this change, I never liked waiting in line for the Ski Watch. Then again the way my skis usually look no one would really want to steal them :lol: