Wait for a great opening, or open with what ya got?

[Greg]

Hunter opened today with undoubtedly great conditions and a lot of terrain for an opening day (main line, Belt, stuff on Hunter One). Some would argue they probably could have opened this past weekend, maybe with downloading.

Sundown is taking a similar approach waiting until later next week to open. They might have been able to pull off this weekend, but certainly with limited terrain, base depth, and terrain park features, and certainly no moguls.

Which approach do you favor? I guess if I didn't get out last month, or didn't plan to go to Vermont tomorrow, I'd be ready to ski on just about anything, but since that's not the case, I can wait until Sundown opens with a good base, and more importantly, bumps.

You?

 

[drjeff]

Better to open with quality over (limited) quantity in my book. In this day and age of almost live reports via smart phones and mega pics from a days trip all over the internet, the news of questionable conditions can do a bit of damage to the drive up, day ticket buying that supports many an early season effort. On the flipside, a bunch of stellar reports will sell more early season day tickets

 

[Glenn]

I'd rather wait an extra week for a bit of extra coverage. It's nice to have a few top to bottom runs with edge to edge coverege on the first day out. And to look and think: "Wow...not bad for an opening day!"

 

[bvibert]

I'd rather get out on something now then wait for better opening conditions down the road.

 

[hammer]

I'd rather get out on something now then wait for better opening conditions down the road.

+1...this will be my latest first trip out in several years...:-(

 

[deadheadskier]

I'd rather get out on something now then wait for better opening conditions down the road.

agreed

I was very grateful now two months ago that Sunday River opened when they did with limited terrain.

That said, I completely respect mountain/business owners decision to not open unless they think the ROI is worth it.

 

[speden]

I like to see places open as early as possible, and with reduced ticket prices if the number of open trails will be small.

But that's not enough for me to actually take advantage of it. Pat's Peak says they got one foot of snow yesterday, and now they are going to open tomorrow with only one(!) trail. And that's after almost a week of good night time snow making opportunities. I can't understand how they didn't get more trails ready for their open. I was thinking of going up there tomorrow, but for one trail it's just not worth the drive.

 

[4aprice]

Camelback's opening Saturday. If I didn't have a pass I would either head far north (I'd be tempted to go the Snow Ridge NY where they are getting pummeled) or bag but since its there I'll be out. On one hand I'm happy that they are opening but on the other I don't think I'd be too bummed if they waited.

Alex

lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[St. Bear]

I'd rather wait an extra week for a bit of extra coverage. It's nice to have a few top to bottom runs with edge to edge coverege on the first day out. And to look and think: "Wow...not bad for an opening day!"

My sentiments exactly.

 

[abc]

Depends on the prospective.

- For people who has to travel quite a way to get to the snow, I'd say not to bother.

- But if I live next door to the mountain and have a season pass, I wouldn't hesitate to take a few turns.

- Given the above, for resort owners, probably a money loser to open with very limited terrain. You only get local pass holder who don't have to pay for lodging and don't buy anything else... (Even more so if ticket price has to be reduced)

 

[JimG.]

Hunter opened today with undoubtedly great conditions and a lot of terrain for an opening day (main line, Belt, stuff on Hunter One). Some would argue they probably could have opened this past weekend, maybe with downloading.

Sundown is taking a similar approach waiting until later next week to open. They might have been able to pull off this weekend, but certainly with limited terrain, base depth, and terrain park features, and certainly no moguls.

Which approach do you favor? I guess if I didn't get out last month, or didn't plan to go to Vermont tomorrow, I'd be ready to ski on just about anything, but since that's not the case, I can wait until Sundown opens with a good base, and more importantly, bumps.

You?

The fact I skied at Belleayre on 1/2 a trail tells you how I feel about this.

I admit it was the jones more than anything else.

 

[polski]

I vote "both." As long as some places open with what they've got (the extreme example being the aforementioned Sunday River in mid-Oct. - hard to believe that was almost two months ago), I'm fine with others holding back a bit.

Of course this can lead to strange situations like my local 248' vert hill Ski Bradford down here near the coast projecting to open Sunday with presumably very limited terrain, while my fave MRG currently doesn't expect to open until next Friday ...

 

[mondeo]

If you've got the snow down and can pull enough business to be profitable, I don't see why you don't open. Just be honest about conditions.

 

[Madroch]

Im in the open sooner camp...I don't mind flat WRODs with barespots...I know it will only get better so it is kind of like going to the beach on a warm spring day... it ain't summer and is often chillier than you would like but it sure is nice to feel the ocean breeze and dream of hot days to come.

 

[polski]

I'll stop with the MRG fanboyism after this but I answered the question "both" and that's exactly what MRG will be doing in a few minutes -- opening as soon as they had enough snow but with 37 out of 40 main mountain trails, including the toughest blacks, praise be unto Ullr.

 

[billski]

AZ Ski Resort Consulting at your service! We'll advise you when and what to open, how much to charge, hours to keep, lifts to spin and rates to charge!

 

[neil]

I have a pass to Wachusett and I'm more than happy with the 2 trails I used last week (although they were also good quality), but there's no way I'm driving 3+ hours and paying $45 to go on 3 or 4 trails.

 

[4aprice]

If you've got the snow down and can pull enough business to be profitable, I don't see why you don't open. Just be honest about conditions.

I was a little surprised at how busy Camelback was this weekend. I'm used to the early and late season being the realm of pass holders but from the parking lot, ticket lines etc they did a healthy walk up business this weekend including Sunday where the weather moved in by 10 am.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[RootDKJ]

I was a little surprised at how busy Camelback was this weekend. I'm used to the early and late season being the realm of pass holders but from the parking lot, ticket lines etc they did a healthy walk up business this weekend including Sunday where the weather moved in by 10 am.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

I think CBK had a great and $ucce$$ful day on Saturday. They had 5 ticket windows open at 8:30 in the morning, with at least 50 people waiting in line.

Saw a good number of people with rentals as well. I'd have to spot the Season Pass to Day Ticket ratio at 30/70.