Whither the midweek ticket?

[billski]

Maybe I've been under a rock. Resorts are now announcing their 06-07 ticket prices. Many are doing away with full-day midweek pricing and moving to multi-day only. Sugarbush, Waterville, Loon, Mount Snow on a cursory check.
Cannon is a nice holdout.
My midweek skiing strategy is going to have to change. Hmmm

 

[mlctvt]

Mount Snow will still sell 1-day mid-week tickets, but at $63.00/day or $47.00 for 1/2 day it's kind of steep. They call these "value" tickets. Oh well at least there won't be any crowds.

http://www.mountsnow.com/lifttickets.html

 

[thetrailboss]

You're right billski. Burke is now going to a "one price" format IIRC. But this opens up the doors for more promos.

If you think about it, the people who ski midweek are diehards, and probably the resorts figure that these folks will know how to get the promos anyways. They are probably trying to get the most $$$ out of those who take a day off to go skiing and don't know how to get the deals.

 

[riverc0il]

wonder if this will work. is there any president from any other ski areas doing this else where? the reason for a lower mid-week ticket i supply and demand. this certainly creates a huge opportunity for ski areas retaining mid-week pricing structure that are nearby to areas going to a one price every day ticket structure for a 1 day ticket. these areas probably don't see much full price day ticket customers mid-week would be my guess.

 

[billski]

depends

It really depends on your market. I've been surveying prices of ski areas in NE today and make a couple of generalizations:
1. Most areas going for equal pricing are high(er) end resorts or resorts targeting themselves to higher end customers. They want the multi dayers so they can grab all their money when they sleep They are the ones saying "go away day trippers. Shudder, even Jay is doing it.

2. Mid market areas lower their midweek prices by only a few bucks, not the 10-20 I have been used to.

3. Lower-market areas and areas with low overhead retained the traditional significant midweek discount. Magic, Bromley, Pats Peak, Berkshire East.

4. Most places offering half-day tickets give you about a 10-15% break off a full day, making it hardly worth it. It's a marketing schtick, not expected to be sold.

The DEAL OF THE YEAR seems to be TENNY at $15 for midweek.
The RIPOFF of the year goes to LOON at $67 midweek, as much as I enjoy skiing there.

all comps are against non holiday, full day adult tix.
more to come....

 

[billski]

supply

wonder if this will work. is there any president from any other ski areas doing this else where? the reason for a lower mid-week ticket i supply and demand. this certainly creates a huge opportunity for ski areas retaining mid-week pricing structure that are nearby to areas going to a one price every day ticket structure for a 1 day ticket. these areas probably don't see much full price day ticket customers mid-week would be my guess.

I don't see the high-market areas subjecting themselves to supply-side economics. They are not driving business based on price. It's no secret they are selling "the experience" and creating demand that way. If you let too many of us grubby good skiers, we'll spend on the average $1.60 per lodge seat versus $160.00 per lodge seat for the heated-garage market. And that's just for breakfast, lunch and drinks......................:flame:

 

[thetrailboss]

Tenney is only a good deal if there is snow....and you know that firsthand rather than relying on their shoddy snow report. :roll:

D'oh! Promised not to say that!

In all fairness, their management has changed. Maybe we should get them to do an AZ Challenge.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

For day tiks the Bush has always, last 11 years anyways, charged the same for an all mountain tik, weekend or weekday. In the past couple of years they have charged less for an Mt Ellen only day tik for midweek but that appears to be no more.

You can save $10-14 per day if you buy at lift tik at one of the numerous discount tik outlets around NE. When you buy one of these tiks you can use it on any day. Here's the list:
http://www.sugarbush.com/skiandride/cm.asp?pn=discounttickets&pid=132&nid=82