Will Killington Make it to the Weekend

[andyzee]

Great opening day on Sunday, see 2knees and crew had a good time. But already in his video you can see the snow thinning. Weather isn't looking to good for snow making either. Well hope at the very least Killington sees some benefit from opening early and continues this practice in coming years. Gotta figure at the very least it created a nice positive buzz for them. Nice buzz=ticket/pass sales.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

As glad as I am that Killington opened early..I doubt they made enough revenue in ticket sales to fund all the snowmaking and other operating costs for the early opening. I'm guessing that they won't make this weekend based on the forecast which includes several warm days..above freezing nights..and rain..

 

[Greg]

As glad as I am that Killington opened early..I doubt they made enough revenue in ticket sales to fund all the snowmaking and other operating costs for the early opening.

I've heard otherwise. As I understand the morale at Killington is high.

 

[2knees]

it would be awesome if they could but not sure the bottom can hold out.

they probably didnt earn their money back but you cant put a price tag on the good will and buzz it did create. There are people at my work who dont really ski that were talking about killington being open this past weekend.

 

[tjf67]

I've heard otherwise. As I understand the morale at Killington is high.

How many skiers do you think they had?/ the amount of money spent. I dont think they made money.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

no one made money this past weekend...what they got was a lot of free advertising and goodwill. Goodwill is hard to quantify, but its worth $$$...advertising is easier to quantify, and its expensive.

 

[Greg]

How many skiers do you think they had?/ the amount of money spent. I dont think they made money.

Just telling you what I heard. We'll never know exactly how the bottom line shook out, and how much they wrote off as a marketing/buzz expense. The end result seemed to be some positive feedback and they're excited about that. You just know that Powdr has to be psyched to read things like, "the Beast is back!" given all the negativity from last season. Hopefully, this experience translates into a later closing date too.

 

[andyzee]

no one made money this past weekend...what they got was a lot of free advertising and goodwill. Goodwill is hard to quantify, but its worth $$$...advertising is easier to quantify, and its expensive.

I think the goodwill is something that is greatly needed by Killington after last season's PR fiasco. It should help with season pass sales as well as mending fences with the town. The later being important for getting building permits.

 

[tjf67]

Just telling you what I heard. We'll never know exactly how the bottom line shook out, and how much they wrote off as a marketing/buzz expense. The end result seemed to be some positive feedback and they're excited about that. You just know that Powdr has to be psyched to read things like, "the Beast is back!" given all the negativity from last season. Hopefully, this experience translates into a later closing date too.

JJ was sending you PM wasn't he.

How many skiers do you think paid for tickets since they opened?

 

[Greg]

JJ was sending you PM wasn't he.

How many skiers do you think paid for tickets since they opened?

Ha! No. And no idea.

 

[andyzee]

JJ was sending you PM wasn't he.

How many skiers do you think paid for tickets since they opened?

That's irrelevant, more important is the buzz generated. If they continue this, it'll mean far more in the long run.

 

[ALLSKIING]

I think they will close Thursday...

 

[tcharron]

The PR was a beeeeelion times better then last years blitzkrieg of people in the parking lot. :-D

Someone learned from last year sounds like. They haven't gotten my tickets back yet, but they've defiantly changed their tune after last year.

 

[jerryg]

Great opening day on Sunday, see 2knees and crew had a good time. But already in his video you can see the snow thinning. Weather isn't looking to good for snow making either. Well hope at the very least Killington sees some benefit from opening early and continues this practice in coming years. Gotta figure at the very least it created a nice positive buzz for them. Nice buzz=ticket/pass sales.

I hope this buzz continues all the way to a really late closing, like in the past. Obviously the old K Peak option isn't the same, but at least the Superstar Glacier could be put back!

 

[tjf67]

That's irrelevant, more important is the buzz generated. If they continue this, it'll mean far more in the long run.

Irrelevant to who, You? Thanks for the marketing lesson

 

[2knees]

I hope this buzz continues all the way to a really late closing, like in the past. Obviously the old K Peak option isn't the same, but at least the Superstar Glacier could be put back!

totally agree. Jeff and I were reminiscing about the Killington of old i.e.: the spring skiing. honestly, when it gets late in the year, Killington has the perfect setup to offer a multitude of options off of only a couple of lifts. and then superstar till late may. nothing like Killington in the spring with huge mashed potato bumps everywhere.

 

[ALLSKIING]

nothing like Killington in the spring with huge mashed potato bumps everywhere.

As much as I love K in the spring I would pick MRG and Sugarloaf over it anyday.

 

[Greg]

As much as I love K in the spring I would pick MRG and Sugarloaf over it anyday.

Sugarloaf is great in the spring, but MRG doesn't go much beyond early April.

 

[2knees]

As much as I love K in the spring I would pick MRG and Sugarloaf over it anyday.

you're such a k hater. :razz:

 

[andyzee]

Irrelevant to who, You? Thanks for the marketing lesson

Hey, don't mention it

What I meant is that one day's sales don't mean crap, if it means an overall increase in sales for the season. Good PR goes a long way.