Killington Ministar & Superstar Ski School Prices!!!

[Ski-N-Sail]

I voted with my feet.

Hi All,
I am in the same boat with everyone else. Just wanted to suggest www.killingtonzone.com as a good forum for everyone to discuss this issue. We have been discussing it there since the announcement last week.
Thanks,

I sent this email to the ski school group today.

you want a finders fee for the new registrants?

Standard fee is 10%.....so, 10% of zero is, uh,....zero.....sweet

Just figured this is a better forum than all the emails that are flying around.

[Steve]

Tom sounded off in the email thread.

oof. Jerseyguy would have a field day with this. If I had a dollar in this fight, I would go sh*t on this response. But my dollars went elsewhere. So I just sit back and watch, amused at this blatant insult on people's intelligence.

Ken,
Thanks for your message!
As a new company, our business strategy is significantly different than the business model used under the American Skiing Company. Yes, prices did increase across the board and we must now deliver a quality product that includes not only the snow surface - from snowmaking to grooming (and hopefully Mother Nature will assist here as well!) - to outstanding customer service, food, après, rentals, ski school programs and lodging accommodations.
This summer we have spent $3.3 million in improvements. We must be honest here, there really isn't a lot of sexy stuff! Basically, we're putting a major effort into improving the assets we have from lifts and lodge facilities, to "back of house" items such as computer systems and snowmaking pipe replacement. In addition, we have purchased 30 additional Low Energy snowguns, which brings our total arsenal of Low E guns to 309 of our 1,435 total guns. We have also added new environmental initiatives, including a co-mingle recycling program.
Moving forward, we plan on investing the profits back into the resort, so the next 3-5 years will yield significant improvements.
As for our kids ski and snowboard school programs, we have introduced our new Max 3 and Max 5 programs which will greatly increase the participants overall experience and enjoyment. In addition, the price this year includes a lift ticket for most programs, last year's produce didn't include lift tickets. We have also introduced a Frequent Kids Discount Card offering increased savings over the regular rates, including:

*
20% discount card available with a $1500 minimum purchase. It provides a retail value of $1875
*
35% discount card available with a $3000 minimum purchase. It provides a retail value of $4616

With the 35% Frequent Kids Discount Card, the $180 rate drops to $117 per day. Cards may be purchased at any time during the season at any value starting with the $1500 minimum. The cards may be used for up to two children per day and may also be used for the Pico Ministar and Lowrider programs. Also, unused dollars may be rolled over to the next season! The idea is to plan your family needs and buy in at the best level suited for those needs.
Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Best regards,
Tom

Tom Horrocks
Communications & Public Relations Manager

Killington Resort

(802.422.6237 (office)

(802.770.8985 (cell)

* thorrocks@killington.com

By the way, when he said this:
"In addition, the price this year includes a lift ticket for most programs, last year's produce didn't include lift tickets. "

That is actually not true. If Rufus (who is doing great, BTW - thanks for asking!) wasn't supposed to get on lifts after I took him out of first tracks, then policies were not being followed.



I kind of, sort of, feel for Tom. He must have the worst job in the world right now. I'd honestly rather be a jizzmopper than do Tom's job. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. oof.

[Bubba]

Tom sounded off in the email thread.

oof. Jerseyguy would have a field day with this. If I had a dollar in this fight, I would go sh*t on this response. But my dollars went elsewhere. So I just sit back and watch, amused at this blatant insult on people's intelligence.

Ken,
Thanks for your message!
As a new company, our business strategy is significantly different than the business model used under the American Skiing Company. Yes, prices did increase across the board and we must now deliver a quality product that includes not only the snow surface - from snowmaking to grooming (and hopefully Mother Nature will assist here as well!) - to outstanding customer service, food, après, rentals, ski school programs and lodging accommodations.
This summer we have spent $3.3 million in improvements. We must be honest here, there really isn't a lot of sexy stuff! Basically, we're putting a major effort into improving the assets we have from lifts and lodge facilities, to "back of house" items such as computer systems and snowmaking pipe replacement. In addition, we have purchased 30 additional Low Energy snowguns, which brings our total arsenal of Low E guns to 309 of our 1,435 total guns. We have also added new environmental initiatives, including a co-mingle recycling program.
Moving forward, we plan on investing the profits back into the resort, so the next 3-5 years will yield significant improvements.
As for our kids ski and snowboard school programs, we have introduced our new Max 3 and Max 5 programs which will greatly increase the participants overall experience and enjoyment. In addition, the price this year includes a lift ticket for most programs, last year's produce didn't include lift tickets. We have also introduced a Frequent Kids Discount Card offering increased savings over the regular rates, including:

*
20% discount card available with a $1500 minimum purchase. It provides a retail value of $1875
*
35% discount card available with a $3000 minimum purchase. It provides a retail value of $4616

With the 35% Frequent Kids Discount Card, the $180 rate drops to $117 per day. Cards may be purchased at any time during the season at any value starting with the $1500 minimum. The cards may be used for up to two children per day and may also be used for the Pico Ministar and Lowrider programs. Also, unused dollars may be rolled over to the next season! The idea is to plan your family needs and buy in at the best level suited for those needs.
Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Best regards,
Tom

Tom Horrocks
Communications & Public Relations Manager

Killington Resort

(802.422.6237 (office)

(802.770.8985 (cell)

* thorrocks@killington.com

By the way, when he said this:
"In addition, the price this year includes a lift ticket for most programs, last year's produce didn't include lift tickets. "

That is actually not true. If Rufus (who is doing great, BTW - thanks for asking!) wasn't supposed to get on lifts after I took him out of first tracks, then policies were not being followed.



I kind of, sort of, feel for Tom. He must have the worst job in the world right now. I'd honestly rather be a jizzmopper than do Tom's job. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. oof.

Could somebody put the pricing and discount program in plain English? I've read that three times and still have no idea what the discount/minimum purchase/retail value commentary is all about.

[boston_e]

Dave Rathbun <drathbun>

Another name to email for what it's worth.

I sent a complaint email to "info@killington.com" and this is who responded. Title was "marketing and sales".

[laseranimal]

As a new company, our business strategy is significantly different than the business model used under the American Skiing Company. Yes, prices did increase across the board and we must now deliver a quality product that includes not only the snow surface - from snowmaking to grooming (and hopefully Mother Nature will assist here as well!) - to outstanding customer service, food, après, rentals, ski school programs and lodging accommodations.
This summer we have spent $3.3 million in improvements. We must be honest here, there really isn't a lot of sexy stuff! Basically, we're putting a major effort into improving the assets we have from lifts and lodge facilities, to "back of house" items such as computer systems and snowmaking pipe replacement. In addition, we have purchased 30 additional Low Energy snowguns, which brings our total arsenal of Low E guns to 309 of our 1,435 total guns. We have also added new environmental initiatives, including a co-mingle recycling program.
Moving forward, we plan on investing the profits back into the resort, so the next 3-5 years will yield significant improvements.

FINALLY

That sounds to me like the beginning of a PLAN! Now if you guys had done that in................lets say APRIL you could have saved yourself some some severe hand wringing and us a lot of headaches.

Now if you'd just drop some vague, non specific hints as to what the "improvements" over the next few years could be, you'd begin to see a whole lot more positive vibe.

No disrespect to Spin(who I think DOES get it), but the people above him have GOT to get a clue when it comes to marketing and PR.

Powdr guys let spin do his damn job already, he's obviously head and shoulders above you guys in terms of competent marketing

[boston_e]

unless their plan works and people will pay a premium for their product

and since when has skiing EVER been accessable to the lower class?

I would imagine that thier pricing structure will eliminate a lot more people than the lower class and I can't imagine that many people will be willing to pay the overall price structure they are putting together here.

Imagine a family with two childern even if they own a house in the area.
$76 x 2 (lift tickets)
$130 (friendly penguin)
$180 (lesson)

= $462 for one day of skiing before you buy any overpriced lunch, waffle haus waffles etc etc.

Most of the families we ski with are making above average salaries and not many of them are willing to spend $500 for a day of skiing at Killington.

[rogman]

This summer we have spent $3.3 million in improvements. We must be honest here, there really isn't a lot of sexy stuff! Basically, we're putting a major effort into improving the assets we have from lifts and lodge facilities, to "back of house" items such as computer systems and snowmaking pipe replacement. In addition, we have purchased 30 additional Low Energy snowguns, which brings our total arsenal of Low E guns to 309 of our 1,435 total guns. We have also added new environmental initiatives, including a co-mingle recycling program.

3.3 million and that's all you have to show for it? Bad shopping job...

[XtremeJibber2001]

Moving forward, we plan on investing the profits back into the resort, so the next 3-5 years will yield significant improvements.

This is definitely the best line. Charging customers more for ANTICIPATED improvements. Sounds like more of the same bait and switch used in the past.

IMHO, Tom's response is going to make things worse.

[whiteout]

unless their plan works and people will pay a premium for their product

and since when has skiing EVER been accessable to the lower class?

I would imagine that thier pricing structure will eliminate a lot more people than the lower class and I can't imagine that many people will be willing to pay the overall price structure they are putting together here.

Imagine a family with two childern even if they own a house in the area.
$76 x 2 (lift tickets)
$130 (friendly penguin)
$180 (lesson)

= $462 for one day of skiing before you buy any overpriced lunch, waffle haus waffles etc etc.

Most of the families we ski with are making above average salaries and not many of them are willing to spend $500 for a day of skiing at Killington.

anyone who owns a house in the area has a pass, as i'm sure their kids do. agree the pricing for the kid's programs is prohibitive though.

[HelmetCam]

a new reply on the email list this morning:

Tom
I think you have missed the point. Every Mountain has a season pass for the
kids program. The cost are different but they range from $1000 to $2000 per
kid including lift ticket. My son skied 45 days last year. With this being
said, the cost is not just a small increase. For him to ski in the program
it would cost me close to $6000 for the year with your discount. I also
have a 1 year old, who would use the daycare, so you can see how a fixed
cost of a season pass would help. I'm looking for you to try to bring back
a season pass for the kids even if it is a little higher than all the
mountain's in the area.

[SkiDork]

AFA "price included lift ticket" - thats worthless for kids under 6, as they ski free anyway.

[millerm277]

Moving forward, we plan on investing the profits back into the resort, so the next 3-5 years will yield significant improvements.

This is definitely the best line. Charging customers more for ANTICIPATED improvements. Sounds like more of the same bait and switch used in the past.

IMHO, Tom's response is going to make things worse.

True, but what else can he really say there...he can't say, "we're charging you more, and not planning on ever giving you any benefit for the additional cost."

[XtremeJibber2001]

Moving forward, we plan on investing the profits back into the resort, so the next 3-5 years will yield significant improvements.

This is definitely the best line. Charging customers more for ANTICIPATED improvements. Sounds like more of the same bait and switch used in the past.

IMHO, Tom's response is going to make things worse.

True, but what else can he really say there...he can't say, "we're charging you more, and not planning on ever giving you any benefit for the additional cost."

I probably wouldn't have said that at all. If anything, I'd try to hype the paved road a little more and talk about the changes they'll see this year ... maybe ever layout a plan detailing the next x amount of years.

No doubt, he's in a rough spot.

[HelmetCam]

more....

Just a little more two cents worth... I have either worked at and/or held a pass to Killington since 1978. My husband and I have two children who would have begun the mini star program this year and due to all of the increases, we are now leaving Killington and moving to Sunday River. It was a hard decision but, I am appalled at the price increases. Unfortunately, Killington will price itself right out of the market. I only feel sorry for those people who do not have the choice of another mountain and will be stuck at Killington. Hopefully, Killington will learn its lesson this year and will come to its senses so we may return. Good luck to all who will be skiing there!


PS For those of you who might not know it, the new owners also laid off many of the full time employees in order to save money. These people, some of them, have worked for the mountain since it's beginning (or close to it) and now have either no job or a job which is considered seasonal so they no longer receive any benefits.

[boston_e]

unless their plan works and people will pay a premium for their product

and since when has skiing EVER been accessable to the lower class?

I would imagine that thier pricing structure will eliminate a lot more people than the lower class and I can't imagine that many people will be willing to pay the overall price structure they are putting together here.

Imagine a family with two childern even if they own a house in the area.
$76 x 2 (lift tickets)
$130 (friendly penguin)
$180 (lesson)

= $462 for one day of skiing before you buy any overpriced lunch, waffle haus waffles etc etc.

Most of the families we ski with are making above average salaries and not many of them are willing to spend $500 for a day of skiing at Killington.

anyone who owns a house in the area has a pass, as i'm sure their kids do. agree the pricing for the kid's programs is prohibitive though.

I have a house in the area with no pass, as do a couple of other families I know. Even if you do have a pass and get in say, 20 days (which is would be a lot if you factor in school days, and kids other activities outside of skiing), it would still work out to $50 / day for your "lift access" for the day so it is still $400+ for one day of skiing.

There are not many days that are worth $400 at Killington.