What the heck is going on at Magic?

[farlep99]

I think that the faithful and the volunteers would disagree with you on that one. Pretty sure that the Volunteer Days would constitute some form of a charity.

No matter what, I always like to throw out some posts that come from a business owner's perspective. What I have found in this thread, as well as numerous other threads, are posters overall disconnect between the "mountain" and what operates the "Ski Resort" I do not look at them as two separate entities, but most people on here do. Its as if, because its a mountain there is a certain right to ski it and belief that patrons have a say in how it is operated as a resort. That is the nice thing about capitalism and freedom in this country, if you don't like it, take your dollars elsewhere. Instead, what I see on here and FB is the typical beaten puppy syndrome. Keep getting hit with the newspaper and still comeback and lick the owners hand.

No one that gives a shit about the mountain wants it to end up on NELSAP. Anyone with 1/2 of an ounce of business sense (or common sense for that matter) can see that that's where this ship is headed under current mgmt. I agree with you on the capitalism bit- I'd rather not take my dollars elsewhere. But I certainly will if they charge too much. And I've simply asked them privately and publicly how much they will be charging this weekend. I've gotten no response, or even an acknowledgement of the question. That's unprofessional in any business.

 

[PearlJam09]

No one that gives a shit about the mountain wants it to end up on NELSAP. Anyone with 1/2 of an ounce of business sense (or common sense for that matter) can see that that's where this ship is headed under current mgmt. I agree with you on the capitalism bit- I'd rather not take my dollars elsewhere. But I certainly will if they charge too much. And I've simply asked them privately and publicly how much they will be charging this weekend. I've gotten no response, or even an acknowledgement of the question. That's unprofessional in any business.

They responded to someone else on the location of Talisman Traders this morning....

 

[farlep99]

They responded to someone else on the location of Talisman Traders this morning....

Yes, thank god they're responding to insanely sarcastic questions

 

[prsboogie]

It was said the potential buyer was ready and one of the selling parties backed out saying the investment and upgrades would change the spirit and vibe of Magic so he backed out. That really sound like a rational person to me

 

[mbedle]

Maybe I'm a little confused, but is Tom Barker running the show at Magic or Jim Sullivan?

 

[drjeff]

Maybe I'm a little confused, but is Tom Barker running the show at Magic or Jim Sullivan?

Jim Sullivan is now coaching at Mount Snow Academy

 

[69skier]

Jim Sullivan is now coaching at Mount Snow Academy

JS? LOL- he may be looking at a cement wall instead of a ski mountain very soon...

 

[drjeff]

JS? LOL- he may be looking at a cement wall instead of a ski mountain very soon...

Lol!

His brother Ben is the head coach at Mount Snow Academy. He and his daughter (who is one heck of a skier and races in the same age group as my daughter) are now associated with Mount Snow Academy

 

[mbedle]

No one that gives a shit about the mountain wants it to end up on NELSAP. Anyone with 1/2 of an ounce of business sense (or common sense for that matter) can see that that's where this ship is headed under current mgmt. I agree with you on the capitalism bit- I'd rather not take my dollars elsewhere. But I certainly will if they charge too much. And I've simply asked them privately and publicly how much they will be charging this weekend. I've gotten no response, or even an acknowledgement of the question. That's unprofessional in any business.

So what is it about this mountain that you and others are so attracted to? I'm just having a hard time understanding why its so important to know what they are going to charge. Given what surrounding resorts are offering, you obviously are choosing to ski at Magic for something other than the skiing product. Maybe I am missing something and Trick and Showoff are the most amazing ski trails in southern Vermont. My guess is you want to ski there for open day at the home hill, friends and good food and beer, etc. How do you put a price on those reasons? At what number do you cut it off and go somewhere else? In my case, I was skiing at Stowe in early January and it didn't really matter what they charged or what they had open. Why? because I just wanted to be at Stowe to not only ski, but to reconnect with friends from last season, enjoy some good food and drinks.

All that said, I don't want to see this place go under or any other resort for that matter. As far as not telling people yet what they plan on charging, I will agree that is not a good business move, since obviously there are people that care.

 

[mbedle]

Jim Sullivan is now coaching at Mount Snow Academy

If that is the case, than isn't this resort operated by the majority owner of the land?

 

[VTKilarney]

So what is it about this mountain that you and others are so attracted to? I'm just having a hard time understanding why its so important to know what they are going to charge. Given what surrounding resorts are offering, you obviously are choosing to ski at Magic for something other than the skiing product. Maybe I am missing something and Trick and Showoff are the most amazing ski trails in southern Vermont. My guess is you want to ski there for open day at the home hill, friends and good food and beer, etc. How do you put a price on those reasons? At what number do you cut it off and go somewhere else? In my case, I was skiing at Stowe in early January and it didn't really matter what they charged or what they had open. Why? because I just wanted to be at Stowe to not only ski, but to reconnect with friends from last season, enjoy some good food and drinks.

You are seeing this as binary when it is not. What's wrong with saying, "I really want to support the mountain, so I'm willing to pay money to ski there even though the skiing product will be much worse than other nearby mountains are offering. All I ask in return is that they don't screw me over at the ticket window."

For reference, it is not the norm for a ski area to charge full price when they have only trail open.

In other words, it's like saying, "I'm willing to get screwed on terrain as long as they just act within reason on price."

I'm failing to see how such a person would not be considered a supporter of the mountain. Supporters come in all flavors.

 

[Wheeler]

It was said the potential buyer was ready and one of the selling parties backed out saying the investment and upgrades would change the spirit and vibe of Magic so he backed out. That really sound like a rational person to me

The potential buyers were ready to invest in the mountain. The majority landowner and the minority landowner/operator together caused the deal to fall through - not because of their concern for the vibe but because they overvalue the mountain and because they have hubris.

 

[ShadyGrove]

It's hard to admit your 'investment' is not paying off and being upside down can make it difficult to be willing to sell. The minority owner wouldn't take the financial hit and backed out of the sale. Of course that decision likely lead to no additional $$ being put into the mountain for this season, which may lead to a devaluation of the business which can create another downward spiral of the value....

 

[Magic]

Is the mountain going to be open tomorrow or not? Still no notification that red is ready!!!!

 

[farlep99]

In other words, it's like saying, "I'm willing to get screwed on terrain as long as they just act within reason on price."

Exactly this. I'm willing to pay more than skiing Trick to Showoff is worth to most people. But $67? Come on. Don't treat me like an asshole.

 

[VTKilarney]

How crazy is it that less than twenty-four hours before opening they have yet to state that the Red Chair has passed inspection. And it's not like they are opening because of a freak October snowstorm.

 

[zoomzoom]

"In all fairness the tram board acknowledges that they are working with TB."

this is pure speculation (duh!) but am wondering if magic is promising to pay the fee due after they open?

 

[VTKilarney]

We've gotten to the point when people want to get in their cars and drive to the mountains for the weekend... and still radio silence.

 

[PearlJam09]

I just got off the phone with the VT Tramway board. I was told that Magic's lifts (aka the Red Chair) have not been certified yet. According to the lady that I spoke to, they had parts delivered today, they are hoping to get them in tonight, and open tomorrow (not sure where the inspection comes in, but maybe tomorrow morning?). Mike Nellis (the inspector for our area) is happy to take phone calls and told her to give out his number (802-777-2242). He may be able to give you more up to date or more specific information than that. I plan to call him on my drive up, and will update if I speak to him. If someone else speaks to him first and wants to update here, that would be appreciated.

 

[VTKilarney]

Epic fail.

I be they are really proud of the fact that they diverted work to other projects because of the warm weather. (As if that story is believable in the first place.)

Let's hope that the parts were not shipped COD.