Cheese
New member
Date(s) Skied: 2.23.2012
Resort or Ski Area:Waterville Valley
Conditions:1" powder @ summit, machine groomed @ mid-mountain, rain @ base
Trip Report:
Maybe it's just me, but when a mountain does something that is an inconvenience to paying customers, I have to call them out.
If you haven't been to Waterville Valley, it has a 3 story lodge. As you arrive carrying your ski gear, you hit a patio of ski racks, ticket windows and an entrance to the basement of the lodge. These ski racks are nowhere near the slopes or lifts so basically just a resting point for ticket purchase, lessons or maybe a stop in the ski shop. The 2nd floor is basically the cafeteria and the third floor is where skiers go to put on their gear and then walk out directly at chairlift level. Regulars usually bypass the racks on the patio and instead climb the next set of stairs outdoors to place their skis in the racks by the lifts, enter the 3rd floor and gear up.
Yesterday, Burton showed up and set up demo tents outside of the 3rd floor entrance/exit between the lodge and the chair lifts. All the ski racks were gone. People were leaning their skis up against the waffle shack, railings, tossing them on the ground and making a complete disaster of this area which is normally very organized.
So, let me set the scene for people arriving at Waterville yesterday. The weather report shows snow for Waterville Valley. They drive all the way up to the mountain expecting snow. Weather report was a few Kfeet off so they arrive at the ski area parking lot and it's raining. Not just a mist, big ole drops of water. They make the trek with all their gear getting soaked only to arrive at a lodge that has no ski racks! Big fail Waterville management. Burton may have rented space to be there, but as a paying customer, I expect management to try to make my day at least normal when the weather is less than stellar.
On a positive note, half way up the White Peaks quad the rain turned to snow and the conditions were sweet!
Resort or Ski Area:Waterville Valley
Conditions:1" powder @ summit, machine groomed @ mid-mountain, rain @ base
Trip Report:
Maybe it's just me, but when a mountain does something that is an inconvenience to paying customers, I have to call them out.
If you haven't been to Waterville Valley, it has a 3 story lodge. As you arrive carrying your ski gear, you hit a patio of ski racks, ticket windows and an entrance to the basement of the lodge. These ski racks are nowhere near the slopes or lifts so basically just a resting point for ticket purchase, lessons or maybe a stop in the ski shop. The 2nd floor is basically the cafeteria and the third floor is where skiers go to put on their gear and then walk out directly at chairlift level. Regulars usually bypass the racks on the patio and instead climb the next set of stairs outdoors to place their skis in the racks by the lifts, enter the 3rd floor and gear up.
Yesterday, Burton showed up and set up demo tents outside of the 3rd floor entrance/exit between the lodge and the chair lifts. All the ski racks were gone. People were leaning their skis up against the waffle shack, railings, tossing them on the ground and making a complete disaster of this area which is normally very organized.
So, let me set the scene for people arriving at Waterville yesterday. The weather report shows snow for Waterville Valley. They drive all the way up to the mountain expecting snow. Weather report was a few Kfeet off so they arrive at the ski area parking lot and it's raining. Not just a mist, big ole drops of water. They make the trek with all their gear getting soaked only to arrive at a lodge that has no ski racks! Big fail Waterville management. Burton may have rented space to be there, but as a paying customer, I expect management to try to make my day at least normal when the weather is less than stellar.
On a positive note, half way up the White Peaks quad the rain turned to snow and the conditions were sweet!
