Vail buys Stowe

[RENO]

Bring back the bronze pass!

[skibikeclimbguy]

This is an awesome opportunity for Killington to increase pass prices, Nyberg's failed dream. Stowe will become the low margin high volume product negating it's elite status. Killington can become the high margin low volume luxury option.

As a Killington homeowner, I'd gladly pay up for a Killington pass to reduce traffic and liftlines in their aged and failing infrastructure.

[SnoBrdr]

This is an awesome opportunity for Killington to increase pass prices, Nyberg's failed dream. Stowe will become the low margin high volume product negating it's elite status. Killington can become the high margin low volume luxury option.

As a Killington homeowner, I'd gladly pay up for a Killington pass to reduce traffic and liftlines in their aged and failing infrastructure.

Dumb, dumb, dumb idea.

[freeski]

My guess, K pass drops to $1,100.

Killington doesn't have the infrastructure to go low volume high rent.

[SnoBrdr]

My guess, K pass drops to $1,100.

Killington doesn't have the infrastructure to go low volume high rent.

Uhm, the early season pass was below that line last year.

[freeski]

My guess, K pass drops to $1,100.

Killington doesn't have the infrastructure to go low volume high rent.

Uhm, the early season pass was below that line last year.

Did I say discounted early season? I thought a pass was $1,270 or so.

[brownman]

Nobody will pay that for a full K pass next season.
They're scuttling their opportunity to grab market share.

We're all over the MC. Best bet for our use case.
Praying for a 2018 Snow Bonanza in Cottonwood/Jackson.

[SnoBrdr]

My guess, K pass drops to $1,100.

Killington doesn't have the infrastructure to go low volume high rent.

Uhm, the early season pass was below that line last year.

Did I say discounted early season? I thought a pass was $1,270 or so.

Does anyone here NOT buy a early season pass?

[SnoBrdr]

From WCAX:

Another big competitor to Stowe is Killington. While Killington hasn't announced their season pass price for next winter, they tell WCAX they are closely monitoring how other ski areas are reacting to the purchase of Stowe by Vail.

Places with a more local vibe, like Mad River Glen, aren't planning to change a thing. Their passes this year, if bought early, were under $800.

"The second that we start adapting to what other people do, that's the nail in the coffin for us. We have to be proud of who we are, what we're about," said Eric Friedman, Mad River Glen.

[boston_e]

Looks like the plan is indeed to have Stowe as part of the Epic pass...

http://news.vailresorts.com/corporate/v ... -stowe.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So a Stowe season pass will be $859.00.

Wonder how Killington will respond?

[wannabeskibum]

Looks like the plan is indeed to have Stowe as part of the Epic pass...

http://news.vailresorts.com/corporate/v ... -stowe.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So a Stowe season pass will be $859.00.

Wonder how Killington will respond?

My $639 Epic local pass is looking quite nice (includes 10 days Stowe, Vail, BeaverCreek) -

[SnoBrdr]

Looks like the plan is indeed to have Stowe as part of the Epic pass...

http://news.vailresorts.com/corporate/v ... -stowe.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So a Stowe season pass will be $859.00.

Wonder how Killington will respond?

My $639 Epic local pass is looking quite nice (includes 10 days Stowe, Vail, BeaverCreek) -

Does this mean you can only ski 10 days at Stowe total?

Will there be a Stowe only pass or are you SOOL after the 10 days and you have to pay the daily rate ?

The pages says " unlimited, unrestricted access to Stowe Mountain Resort for the 2017-2018 winter season" but then it mentions the 10 days.

[hillbangin]

Looks like the plan is indeed to have Stowe as part of the Epic pass...

http://news.vailresorts.com/corporate/v ... -stowe.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So a Stowe season pass will be $859.00.

Wonder how Killington will respond?

My $639 Epic local pass is looking quite nice (includes 10 days Stowe, Vail, BeaverCreek) -

Won't be crowded there on the weekends..........

Let the war begin

[da Pimp]

I expect them to respond with their typical arrogance, feeling that they have a superior product and hoping that a longer season will negate their crappy lift performances and ancient lodges. Walk up to the K window with $105 and you see a huge line at the K1 which is currently stopped, then you look at the ancient old triple next to it which looks like the crappy chairs at your local and much cheaper tidbit hill, and then you take a gander at the throwback K1 lodge but you can't actually get there without sliding around and feeling at risk on the crappy uncleared walkways.

All of these things would not exist at a Vail Resorts property, or would exist for a very short time before being permanently corrected. Under POWDR, this scenario repeats year after year. "But wait, we invest a lot of capital every year, you just do not see it". Sure we see it. Every time the K1 and Snowdon quad stop and hold on a calm dry day we see their "investment". Time to stop complaining about the poor handling by ASC and start actually making a difference in the lifts. How many years has POWDR been in charge? Lose the South Ridge lift and area, and gain more Magic Carpets and a wooden walkway. Both the carpets and the walkway are good things, but small in comparison to 6-pack bubble canopy chairs down the street. Sorry you lost Park City, how about growing Killington with the K profits?

[Bubba]

I expect them to respond with their typical arrogance, feeling that they have a superior product and hoping that a longer season will negate their crappy lift performances and ancient lodges. Walk up to the K window with $105 and you see a huge line at the K1 which is currently stopped, then you look at the ancient old triple next to it which looks like the crappy chairs at your local and much cheaper tidbit hill, and then you take a gander at the throwback K1 lodge but you can't actually get there without sliding around and feeling at risk on the crappy uncleared walkways.

All of these things would not exist at a Vail Resorts property, or would exist for a very short time before being permanently corrected. Under POWDR, this scenario repeats year after year. "But wait, we invest a lot of capital every year, you just do not see it". Sure we see it. Every time the K1 and Snowdon quad stop and hold on a calm dry day we see their "investment". Time to stop complaining about the poor handling by ASC and start actually making a difference in the lifts. How many years has POWDR been in charge? Lose the South Ridge lift and area, and gain more Magic Carpets and a wooden walkway. Both the carpets and the walkway are good things, but small in comparison to 6-pack bubble canopy chairs down the street. Sorry you lost Park City, how about growing Killington with the K profits?

Chris Nyberg, year one of Powdr ownership: "We eat what we kill", and most people believed him. Since then, the reality of corporate ownership and management has struck home. Capital allocations are made from corporate headquarters and local profitability, while important, is not the driving factor. Overall corporate performance is key. If returns on invested capital are better elsewhere, that's where the capital will flow.