Wildcat on the block: Wildcat Sold to Peaks Resorts

[thetrailboss]

Black Mountain is expecting to see an increase in local skier visits due to the merger.

Was going to say that Black Mountain looks to benefit from the merger and the axing of the discounts. Black is the go-to place now for those looking for deals now.

 

[KD7000]

Black Mountain is fun, but isn't nearly big enough to satisfy those who would have otherwise spent the day at Wildcat.

 

[threecy]

Black Mountain is fun, but isn't nearly big enough to satisfy those who would have otherwise spent the day at Wildcat.

I don't think anyone is thinking Black Mountain would replace Wildcat as a destination resort.

Locally, though, Black Mountain is the last independently owned in the immediate area (Attitash-Black-Cranmore-Wildcat). What's also not mentioned in this thread thus far is that Cranmore is growing into more of a resort as well.

 

[KD7000]

I don't think anyone is thinking Black Mountain would replace Wildcat as a destination resort.

Of course. It was just commentary in regards to the statement that Black would be the new "go-to" place. Sure, it's a good target for deals, but not so good for a serious day of skiing or boarding. I suppose more families will go there, but there's still a gap.

 

[deadheadskier]

On a Powder day, I'd rather be at Black.......

though short, there is some great experet terrain and minimal competition to chew up the snow.

 

[KD7000]

You're far more likely to see that powder on Wildcat than on Black, though. The elevation increase makes a huge difference.

 

[tcharron]

I don't think anyone is thinking Black Mountain would replace Wildcat as a destination resort.

Locally, though, Black Mountain is the last independently owned in the immediate area (Attitash-Black-Cranmore-Wildcat). What's also not mentioned in this thread thus far is that Cranmore is growing into more of a resort as well.

I think the difference is in the definition of a 'destination resort'. Wildcat was a great place to go for a day trip for me. Depending on how corporate wildcat gets, I could easily see myself moving.

 

[Smellytele]

You're far more likely to see that powder on Wildcat than on Black, though. The elevation increase makes a huge difference.

First I want to say is Wildcat is my favorite place to ski in NH.
Then I think you are selling Black short. As DH said it has some great expert terrain for powder days. Does it get less than Wildcat? Yes but if both had powder on a given day and Wildcat was 70 clams and Black was 45 clams I may chose Black. Also just found this on Black's site.



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[tcharron]

First I want to say is Wildcat is my favorite place to ski in NH.
Then I think you are selling Black short. As DH said it has some great expert terrain for powder days. Does it get less than Wildcat? Yes but if both had powder on a given day and Wildcat was 70 clams and Black was 45 clams I may chose Black.

And to extend earlier conversations regarding a hotel and the such, if there where a hotel at Wildcat on a powder day, I'd rather be at Black where I don't have to deal with the hotelers.

 

[eatskisleep]

Additionally a hotel would just be the first step. Once they have something in there, they will always want more. It will attract the wrong crowd.

 

[tjf67]

Additionally a hotel would just be the first step. Once they have something in there, they will always want more. It will attract the wrong crowd.

The wrong crowd? You mean the people that keep the industry going?

 

[thetrailboss]

The wrong crowd? You mean the people that keep the industry going?

There is a point to this. As I have seen with Sugarbush, people complain about some "people" who have bought certain high end real estate at a premium, but the simple fact is that those folks allow for guys like me to have a place to ski (where I bring my brown bag lunch, drive up on weekend days, and have my season pass scanned).

 

[billski]

There is a point to this. As I have seen with Sugarbush, people complain about some "people" who have bought certain high end real estate at a premium, but the simple fact is that those folks allow for guys like me to have a place to ski (where I bring my brown bag lunch, drive up on weekend days, and have my season pass scanned).

+1!!!
Even places like Vail allow people like me to ski there!

 

[deadheadskier]

And to extend earlier conversations regarding a hotel and the such, if there where a hotel at Wildcat on a powder day, I'd rather be at Black where I don't have to deal with the hotelers.

Additionally a hotel would just be the first step. Once they have something in there, they will always want more. It will attract the wrong crowd.

There are aholes who stay in hotels, there are aholes who daytrip.

The day I start judging other skiers based upon perceived socio-economic class and allow that judgment to affect my personal enjoyment of the sport is the day I hang up the skis.

 

[drjeff]

There are aholes who stay in hotels, there are aholes who daytrip.

The day I start judging other skiers based upon perceived socio-economic class and allow that judgment to affect my personal enjoyment of the sport is the day I hang up the skis.

+10

 

[neil]

Always good to see some inverted snobbery.

 

[AdironRider]

How many people are really that upset they cant ski for 9 bucks on their birthday?

Were talking about 1 day a year, if you happen to have a birthday in the four month ski season back East.

25 dollar Sundays half day tickets? How many people on this board took advantage of this deal last year. Im sure you did Deadhead, but anyone else? Outside of less crowds you're getting sloppy seconds at the end of a weekend. Ive never been blown away by late day weekend conditions at any mountain. Sure its still nice to ride, but Im not writing a blog like some would about it.

39 dollar next day tickets assumes you will be staying in a hotel, or daytripping twice. Thats really not that great a deal when you add in the cost of a hotel or another 30-50 bucks in gas.

Jesus, this is nothing but good for Wildcat. More snowmaking, combo pass with Attitash, these are all good things.

I guess unless youre a cheap bastard and are super pissed you cant ski for 9 bucks on your birthday.

 

[threecy]

Jesus, this is nothing but good for Wildcat.

Quoted for posterity.

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

Additionally a hotel would just be the first step. Once they have something in there, they will always want more. It will attract the wrong crowd.

What crowd would that be? Were talking hypothetical here (cuz it won't happen) and I don't see how a small hotel that at most would perhaps add a hundred people, would attract the wrong crowd or ruin the place. At most this would add a hundred people to the hill that might wouldn't be there. You have to figure that the at least a portion of the people staying there would have been there with or without hotel.

 

[midd]

I've been an Attitash passholder for the last few years and have no complaints about the management. As a result, I'm confident that Wildcat is in good hands. I'll take a proven operator over financier/entrepreneur-turned ski resort owner. The latter introduces too much risk. For every success story like Win Smith, there are plenty more failures. and that sucks for the consumer.

I'm psyched to have Wildcat on the pass, and I'll probably end up skiing there one weekend day per trip when we move back from DC.