Whaleback - Buy A Chair

[Bkroon9175]

I just saw this at the "First Tracks" website. Things can't be good for them. How much cash could they realize from an endeavor like this...........

From First Tracks:
A year after former Olympic and World Cup mogul skier Evan Dybvig reopened New Hampshire's Whaleback Mountain, ski area officials have undertaken an effort to raise funds by "selling" chairlift seats.

"Whaleback is looking for strong support from our community," Dybvig explained today in an open letter. "Last season we worked hard to open the mountain, which had been dormant for four years, because we know how important it is to you as a community asset – the affordable family skiing, the lights at night, and adult race league, among so much more. Unfortunately, we were then hit with the worst possible winter weather, which hurt us."

In order to financially resuscitate the ski area, Whaleback has instituted a "Buy a Chair" program. No, you don't go home with a chairlift seat. Rather, you get to purchase either a dedication plaque for $325, or a plaque and the opportunity to apply a custom paint job to the chair for $500. "Anything goes as long as it's tasteful and family friendly," Dybvig says.

 

[thetrailboss]

I just saw this at the "First Tracks" website. Things can't be good for them. How much cash could they realize from an endeavor like this...........

Well, I don't think that they were rolling in cash, but I am getting :roll: hearing all the speculation. Other ski areas have instituted things like this before (MRG, Burke in the 1980's). I think it is a creative way to get capital considering that NOT many banks want to underwrite a ski area...especially a small one. We just had the resort owner do an AZ Challenge and he was honest about the situation...maybe you should have asked them about this idea or in general what their plans were.

 

[Vortex]

The patriots did this with season ticket holders. You could have you name put on your seat for a price. I chose not to do that.

 

[riverc0il]

this is an interesting and good idea. it requires absolutley no investment other than the plaques and paint, and they only purchase those after a financial contribution has been obtained, completely risk free with no up front investment. if it works, this will really help the area out during the snow off season. i have a feeling things would be different for the whale if the season had been better, but they need capital and would probably be doing this regardless of last season. i don't see this as whaleback being in trouble, just struggling a bit after a disappointing first season back due to the lack of snow.

 

[ga2ski]

Greg - $500 buys you some advertizing at the whale.

Come on Paintshop pros. Design us a chairlift.

 

[thetrailboss]

Greg - $500 buys you some advertizing at the whale.

Come on Paintshop pros. Design us a chairlift.

There you go...an official AZ Chairl!!!

:beer:

 

[Joshua B]

Rather, you get to purchase either a dedication plaque for $325, or a plaque and the opportunity to apply a custom paint job to the chair for $500. "Anything goes as long as it's tasteful and family friendly," Dybvig says.

The part about the opportunity to apply a custom paint job to a chair is a bit worrisome. I'm imagining a handful (or more) of different chairs with different color schemes among those with standard blue paint jobs. That might make the lift look terrible and might make the area seem run down.

I wish Whaleback all the best and I will buy a lift ticket if they can open a good percentage of their terrain this winter.

 

[thetrailboss]

The part about the opportunity to apply a custom paint job to a chair is a bit worrisome. I'm imagining a handful (or more) of different chairs with different color schemes among those with standard blue paint jobs. That might make the lift look terrible and might make the area seem run down.

Very good point. All or nothing.

 

[Phildozer]

I hope Whaleback is doing this chair sponsorship program in order to supplement their budget as opposed to a last-ditch effort to raise cash.

I'm willing to bet Trailboss' skis that they're in a big crunch after last season's dismal weather and are close to desperate. I would LOVE to be wrong but if there was ever a "Perfect Storm" season (In the bad sense) to launch a local mountain on, it would be 2005-2006.

 

[thetrailboss]

I hope Whaleback is doing this chair sponsorship program in order to supplement their budget as opposed to a last-ditch effort to raise cash.

I'm willing to bet Trailboss' skis that they're in a big crunch after last season's dismal weather and are close to desperate. I would LOVE to be wrong but if there was ever a "Perfect Storm" season (In the bad sense) to launch a local mountain on, it would be 2005-2006.

HEY I think you mean Sky's skis and not mine.... :wink:

It was a bad season and I think that banks are wary about supporting a ski area after this past season...

 

[Phildozer]

HEY I think you mean Sky's skis and not mine.... :wink:

It was a bad season and I think that banks are wary about supporting a ski area after this past season...

It is my understanding that smaller ski areas are not exactly high on the list of businesses banks like to support. Whaleback has an aging infrastructure and is in a small market. I'm not surprised raising operating capital is a challenge.

 

[thetrailboss]

It is my understanding that smaller ski areas are not exactly high on the list of businesses banks like to support. Whaleback has an aging infrastructure and is in a small market. I'm not surprised raising operating capital is a challenge.

Bingo!

 

[BeanoNYC]

We should chip in for an AZ paintjob