What Sort of Deals Get You to Book?

[deadheadskier]

mid-week discount to pass holders from other mountains might be a way to attract new customers.

 

[billski]

If cell phone service is marginal,the cell phone companies can now install femtocells that push phone calls down your broadband internet connnection. Verizon calls theirs "Network Extender". AT&T calls theirs "3G Microcell". Verizon gets $249.99 for theirs. I don't think the AT&T one is available in Vermont yet but I'm sure it's coming.

For a lot of people, known good cell phone service and good WiFi will have them pick your property over another midweek. It lets you call a midweek day a "work day".

Great enablers and spot on comments about "working from home". Applies any season

 

[hrstrat57]

If cell phone service is marginal,the cell phone companies can now install femtocells that push phone calls down your broadband internet connnection. Verizon calls theirs "Network Extender". AT&T calls theirs "3G Microcell". Verizon gets $249.99 for theirs. I don't think the AT&T one is available in Vermont yet but I'm sure it's coming.

For a lot of people, known good cell phone service and good WiFi will have them pick your property over another midweek. It lets you call a midweek day a "work day".

2 yrs ago Verizon Wireless did not work in the MRV = zero. Hopefully that has improved since.

I was in Poultney area 3 weeks ago visiting Castleton St and GMC. Verizon Wireless = zero.

8 bars in Rutland and 2 yrs ago 8 bars in Burlington.

Must be the mountains I dunno.....I never use a land line so it was very odd for me to be out of touch.

I've looked for a thread somewhere on the internet detailing up to date specs on what works where and haven't found one.

All the providers pretty much lie about it I have found.

 

[Bumpsis]

I'm also a thrifty snow chaser who monitors the weather so last minute deals (if they are to be had), especially midweek really do appeal to me. I have some work flexibilty and will take time off work if things are looking promissing (fresh snow). Perhaps if you'd consider setting up an e-mail alert system that would announce some last minute deals on lodging, I'd definitley sign up.

Any kind of a price break on the lift ticket is also something that's appreciated.

I typically stay at some inexpenisive motel off the highway in the Barre area and catch a quick breakfast at McD, but I'm willing to pay a bit more to stay in the valley and get a really nice breakfast on premises.

When I bring my family (two kids, wife, all skiers) along, that's ususally a weekend trip, so I definitely look for places with kitchenetts. Your place has them and the rates are not too bad, considering what a price of a dinner for 4 would be. So, what matters here is a discount on lift tics. Any discount is better than paying walk up rates for a family of 4, ouch!
However, it sounds like SugarBush is limiting your acess to those deals. So, that kind of stuation forces me (and other budget minded skiing families, I'm sure), to come up for just one night, since the overall expense for the ski weekend gets to be the limiting factor.

 

[ta&idaho]

This is a bit of a random question, but what are the matresses like at the Golden Lion? Hard/soft, old/new?

Thanks for the info!

 

[gladerider]

i've been to your place once. you have an awesome location for sugarbush. i probably wouldn't stay anywhere else if i am heading up to SB/MRG. you are already competitive in price, so i am not sure if that is going to be that much of a difference. i agree with talisman, you have a pretty good breakfast. if you add more to it, people will not forget.

 

[KingM]

This is a bit of a random question, but what are the matresses like at the Golden Lion? Hard/soft, old/new?

Thanks for the info!

Sorry I totally missed this question earlier. We replaced all the mattresses two years ago and I chose a medium-firm replacement of a higher (but not deluxe) quality of those hotel options available. You can't please everyone, of course, but I think most people prefer support to something too soft, so long as it's not too hard.

 

[ta&idaho]

Sorry I totally missed this question earlier. We replaced all the mattresses two years ago and I chose a medium-firm replacement of a higher (but not deluxe) quality of those hotel options available. You can't please everyone, of course, but I think most people prefer support to something too soft, so long as it's not too hard.

Thanks for the info! We plan on staying there at some point this season.

 

[C2H5OH]

KingM,

I find late checkout (an hour or two after skiing) option very convenient. I always ask for it and do not mind paying extra. It should not add much to your cost if room is not going to be occupied next day.

 

[darent]

I ski mostly on weekends because of my work schedule. I hate being gouged weekend rates so I look for ski and stay deals that include lift tickets with 2 or 3 day stay discounts. I will chase snow midweek if it is looking good, then I look for last minute deals. the e-mail suggestion sounds great. It has taken years to find special places that I always stay and it never hurts to hear of new lodging finds. skiing is expensive, cheap and clean and good value is what I look for. also discounted lift tickets really adds value

 

[jaywbigred]

Ski and stay packages, pure and simple. The more I get for the price of the room, the more I feel I have found a deal. Breakfast is a good example too, but you already offer that. I also like shuttles, both to the mountain and to apres ski. But I understand that the cost is prohibitive for most places, and that the valley already has a shuttle.

 

[snowmonster]

I'm very price sensitive. So, a discount (which you already have), a sale on room rates and not having to book multiple days (I usually just need a room for the night) would make me bite. This, of course, assumes certain things: reasonable distance to the ski area and clean accommodations. Discounts to lift tickets and breakfast are plusses, in that order.

 

[GolfingOwl]

I agree with price sensitivity on the overall package (lifts and lodging). Looking for most bang for the buck.

We are a family of 4 (two kids under 12) so I am looking for convenient clean lodging (we don't need fancy but kids do like access to a pool or at least hot tub, if possible). We have stayed in motels, condos, hotels, etc.. When up at Sugarbush, we have typically been able to get decent deals on condos (Glades) with lifts through the resort (we can deal with a one bedroom and sleep sofa); though one time we went through an agent and got a good last minute deal. But my view is SB doesn't always do the best job with pricing and discounts. I always start with SB as it is our preference but have not been there in two years because their packages are not competitive at times.

Recently, I've have been able to do better at Stowe and Stratton. Stowe does a good job discounting through off-moutain properties and Interwest will give away skiing if you buy a room at certain times. For example, last year in the spring, I looked for a deal (including the Lion) at SB and couldn't find anything close to what Stratton gave me ($450 for a 3 days/3 nights at a one bedroom condo in the village - skiing included).

SB should do a better job with the area lodging to bring people in, especially during off-peak times. SB is our favorite mountain but in a down economy, I'm going where the best deal is.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

King...you run a good Inn....clean rooms at a fair rate.

In regards to B'fast (and you arent the only one, they ALL are like this) why is b'fast's at 730 when 1st chair is 8?? this is one of my pet peves...make it 630 or 7 so I have time to eat, drive to the hill, get settled, gear up (esp if kids are in tow) and make 1st chair....with a 730 bfast, I'm making the chair by 830 and thats when i'm with the buddies....with kids you are now talking 9-930.....

 

[happyjack]

I agree with price sensitivity on the overall package (lifts and lodging). Looking for most bang for the buck.

We are a family of 4 (two kids under 12) so I am looking for convenient clean lodging (we don't need fancy but kids do like access to a pool or at least hot tub, if possible). We have stayed in motels, condos, hotels, etc.. When up at Sugarbush, we have typically been able to get decent deals on condos (Glades) with lifts through the resort (we can deal with a one bedroom and sleep sofa); though one time we went through an agent and got a good last minute deal. But my view is SB doesn't always do the best job with pricing and discounts. I always start with SB as it is our preference but have not been there in two years because their packages are not competitive at times.

Recently, I've have been able to do better at Stowe and Stratton. Stowe does a good job discounting through off-moutain properties and Interwest will give away skiing if you buy a room at certain times. For example, last year in the spring, I looked for a deal (including the Lion) at SB and couldn't find anything close to what Stratton gave me ($450 for a 3 days/3 nights at a one bedroom condo in the village - skiing included).

SB should do a better job with the area lodging to bring people in, especially during off-peak times. SB is our favorite mountain but in a down economy, I'm going where the best deal is.

as a family of 4 with 2 kids under 10, i'm pretty much right with you on all points. access to suites (separate room for the kids is a must) and a pool...especially for younger kids who are not going to ski 8 hours for 3 days straight...is also important...although not mandatory if other diversions are close by.

that said, both the wife and i are big fans of supporting smaller, local businesses over bigger resorts. last ski trip to VT we stayed at the inn at magic mountain and skiied magic and bromley rather than going to stratton.

i've never been to SB, but am starting to look for somewhere to go between April 1 - 11...does SB usually still have good snow then? i may be giving you a call King.

 

[KingM]

King...you run a good Inn....clean rooms at a fair rate.

In regards to B'fast (and you arent the only one, they ALL are like this) why is b'fast's at 730 when 1st chair is 8?? this is one of my pet peves...make it 630 or 7 so I have time to eat, drive to the hill, get settled, gear up (esp if kids are in tow) and make 1st chair....with a 730 bfast, I'm making the chair by 830 and thats when i'm with the buddies....with kids you are now talking 9-930.....

I've changed it this year. It's 7:00 weekends and 7:30 weekdays. Most days nobody comes in at that time, but when they want to come early, they *really* want to come early.

The reason I opened at 7:30 and 8:00 before was partly demand, but mainly because it's so damn hard to open earlier on a consistent basis. We don't close the office until 10:00, which means that if I open at 7:00, I have to get up at 6:00 to prepare and that means I have to go to bed right at 10:00 every night. It's tough to do that for 16 straight weeks. It sounds crazy, but the extra half hour makes a difference.

But I've succumbed to the demand and we're now open a half hour earlier.

 

[billski]

I've changed it this year. It's 7:00 weekends and 7:30 weekdays. Most days nobody comes in at that time, but when they want to come early, they *really* want to come early.

The reason I opened at 7:30 and 8:00 before was partly demand, but mainly because it's so damn hard to open earlier on a consistent basis. We don't close the office until 10:00, which means that if I open at 7:00, I have to get up at 6:00 to prepare and that means I have to go to bed right at 10:00 every night. It's tough to do that for 16 straight weeks. It sounds crazy, but the extra half hour makes a difference.

But I've succumbed to the demand and we're now open a half hour earlier.

It would be nice if you could find a compromise that works for both you and the guests. Is there a pattern, like do the people want early only if it's a powder day? Certain weeks of the year?

 

[KingM]

It would be nice if you could find a compromise that works for both you and the guests. Is there a pattern, like do the people want early only if it's a powder day? Certain weeks of the year?

The pattern is that AZers and other hard-core skiers want to be on the slopes first thing. I understand because I'm an early riser, too. It's really not that bad, I just need to be into the habit of getting up early. If I get too tired I'll take an afternoon nap. Or catch up on my sleep in April...

 

[JD]

On Mtn. Guides that rub your feet in the lodge and show you all the locals secrets...for free.

 

[deadheadskier]

i've never been to SB, but am starting to look for somewhere to go between April 1 - 11...does SB usually still have good snow then? i may be giving you a call King.

IMO, Sugarbush now offers the best April ski product in Vermont.