Re: Killington's feedback on several kzone topics

Stache · Post by **Stache** » Mar 29th, '14, 09:18

Split from original Resort Management thread

Ayup, sometimes you just have to stop and catch your breath.
GREAT job this Season, especially considering what you were dealt, and how you played the cards.

FWIW we still want a SR lift back.
http://thestache.tripod.com/id26.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

MrsG · Post by **MrsG** » Mar 29th, '14, 15:04

Thanks for the update - had not seen this before posting my comment in another thread - thought I'd put here too . . .

"Had lunch at Sunrise today after being 'shut out' at The Yurt today . . . website showed that open Saturday/Sunday this weekend - usually Friday/Saturday/Sunday . . . decided to call yesterday to confirm that they would be open today since we had the potential for a rather large group today and was informed that this was the last weekend. Double-checked on the website this morning and still showed Saturday/Sunday. Showed up shortly after 11:00 am to find another person waiting for his group and nothing was happening - he had checked out the 'kitchen' et al, and no life - we waited awhile until our group arrived - the other group arrived and headed out to Sunrise . . . tried to call the same number that informed me of the opening - it was a Killington number and it was a recording with a "good bye" at the end - no choice to speak to anyone - as we headed out, another couple arrived to have their "special" lunch . . . we were quite disappointed, but had an awesome lunch at Sunrise and an after drink at The UBar . . . Killington, you've done a great job, but this was not good:(

Actually, think I'll send this along to Mike Solimano . . . I know it is the end of the season, but feel this was a real flaw in their advertising for The Yurt . . . and, while I'm at it . . . I tried to check on the Vermont Tasting, which Killington has been advertising for the Nor'Beater for over a month at Killington today, Pico tomorrow . . . stopped in the base lodges the past three days and could not get any information on time and location at Snowshed. Arrived this morning to find a "cart" at the base of Snowshed - really?!?!?!?!?!

OK, rant over

Skiing was great today

"

Edit to add: Guess this is a "first world problem" . . . but needed to rant

Knut · Post by **Knut** » Mar 29th, '14, 16:40

Thank you and your team for all the hard work!
I really appreciate the effort by all.

Sgt Eddy Brewers · Post by **Sgt Eddy Brewers** » Mar 29th, '14, 17:46

Fantastic post.

Most of us don't expect miracles... just something close to honesty....and you have been spectacular on that account. It really helps to get a reasonable idea of the kind of challenges the resort is facing and the strategy management is trying to implement.

You are the best administrator I have ever been aware of in any context. If Killington admins had been this honest in the past decade we would have had a lot smoother sailing.

Again....thanks.

junior · Post by **junior** » Mar 29th, '14, 18:21

Sgt Eddy Brewers wrote:Fantastic post.

Most of us don't expect miracles... just something close to honesty....and you have been spectacular on that account. It really helps to get a reasonable idea of the kind of challenges the resort is facing and the strategy management is trying to implement.

You are the best administrator I have ever been aware of in any context. If Killington admins had been this honest in the past decade we would have had a lot smoother sailing.

Again....thanks.

Truer words never spoken.

Thanks Michael, Jeff, and Killington.

You've brought us almost all the way back. Little, just a little, to go.

Thanks again for another wonderful season. Great job.

JJR · Post by **JJR** » Mar 29th, '14, 19:16

This has been a great season. I, for one, appreciated the efforts made to recover twice at the most inopportune times. I strongly support the idea that improving trails during the heart of the season is a priority over an extended spring.

Kudos to staff and management for a wonderful season.

MrsG · Post by **MrsG** » Mar 29th, '14, 22:16

Cannot thank Killington's customer service enough ... Mike and your crew are awesome

Can't thank you enough

steamboat1 · Post by **steamboat1** » Mar 30th, '14, 00:11

"Superstar – will stay open as long as possible. To me this means, if we can still charge guests for skiing, then we will stay open. If you have to walk through three water bars and the experience is not something we can charge for, it is time to close. We followed this plan last year (and gave free skiing the last day since walking was required)."

Doesn't sound at all like Pres. Smith.

Carried my ski's on & off the lift & did plenty of walking in the past.

Even payed for the privilege of doing so.

skiadikt · Post by **skiadikt** » Mar 30th, '14, 07:48

steamboat1 wrote:"Superstar – will stay open as long as possible. To me this means, if we can still charge guests for skiing, then we will stay open. If you have to walk through three water bars and the experience is not something we can charge for, it is time to close. We followed this plan last year (and gave free skiing the last day since walking was required)."

Doesn't sound at all like Pres. Smith.

Carried my ski's on & off the lift & did plenty of walking in the past.

Even payed for the privilege of doing so.

thanks mike for the communique and a great season under some difficult conditions.

steamb, at least he's defined the parameters. and yeah i did that many times in the past as well, both as a passholder and pre-passholder. pres was able to do it because he only had to answer to pres. not sure that's a reasonable expectation anymore.

skiersleft · Post by **skiersleft** » Mar 30th, '14, 08:24

steamboat1 wrote:"Superstar – will stay open as long as possible. To me this means, if we can still charge guests for skiing, then we will stay open. If you have to walk through three water bars and the experience is not something we can charge for, it is time to close. We followed this plan last year (and gave free skiing the last day since walking was required)."

Doesn't sound at all like Pres. Smith.

Carried my ski's on & off the lift & did plenty of walking in the past.

Even payed for the privilege of doing so.

This is true. This sounds more like Nyberg's last year than Pres. What do you mean that if you have to walk then you'll close? The beast loves "walking required" signs. And Kzoners used to take that as a sign of beastliness. And now zoners have caved. May 4th closing. This isn't what we expected and people here have simply been duped. Bean counters making calls again. You will start calling them out soon. In about a month or so. Until then, bash me all you want. You will come around. This isn't good.

Big Bob · Post by **Big Bob** » Mar 30th, '14, 08:48

skiersleft wrote:
steamboat1 wrote:"Superstar – will stay open as long as possible. To me this means, if we can still charge guests for skiing, then we will stay open. If you have to walk through three water bars and the experience is not something we can charge for, it is time to close. We followed this plan last year (and gave free skiing the last day since walking was required)."

Doesn't sound at all like Pres. Smith.

Carried my ski's on & off the lift & did plenty of walking in the past.

Even payed for the privilege of doing so.
This is true. This sounds more like Nyberg's last year than Pres. What do you mean that if you have to walk then you'll close? The beast loves "walking required" signs. And Kzoners used to take that as a sign of beastliness. And now zoners have caved. May 4th closing. This isn't what we expected and people here have simply been duped. Bean counters making calls again. You will start calling them out soon. In about a month or so. Until then, bash me all you want. You will come around. This isn't good.

Your both a couple of f**nk assholes!!!! Where did Mike mention May 4th SL??? Due to conditions well beyond their control they made decisions to cut back on snowmaking for Superstar, after they made considerably more snow on the rest of the mountain. Way over their normal amount of acre-feet, let alone with much higher energy costs. They should be commended for there business decisions, not ridiculed. He will keep the mountain open as long as the weather allows, no set date.

And as far as the walking goes, I am sure with an uphill travel pass you can haul your butts up Superstar under your own power once the lifts do close.

tt431 · Post by **tt431** » Mar 30th, '14, 09:16

I have family members and friends coming to Killington the week of the 12th through the 21st, which BTW, is vacation week for many schools in the NY area. I don't know if you are aware of it. It would be very disappointing for them if there were no intermediate/beginner terrain open. They all made reservations at the Grand. No Ramshead, no K1 gondola, no Peak Lodge, and no Yurt? Adding to what MrsG said about lunch at the Yurt, we tried to make reservations for dinner at the Yurt this weekend, it was booked. Everybody knows how difficult it is to get a table and eat at the Peak Lodge as well. Why would you close such successful eating establishments early? IMO, closing key features at Killington early creates a vicious cycle.
Other than that, congratulations on a great job this season so far.

RENO · Post by **RENO** » Mar 30th, '14, 10:06

Good job K! This has been an incredibly tough season everywhere in the east. Amazing the job K has done to keep things at least in reasonable shape during some really awful weather events. Ignore the whining about stuff that doesn't impact 99.9% of the customers. Don't care about a 100ft patch of slush and mud in May with lift served with walking? Ridiculous!

Also, Pres Smith would be doing the same things if he still owned K. Different world than when he was owner. Do you people remember how cheap gas, electricity, etc... was back then? Then again, F Pres!

Don't understand why people still worship the guy like he was a god? He bailed when he sold K and skipped town to Florida and put the resort, customers and town in a shitty position...

shortski · Post by **shortski** » Mar 30th, '14, 10:09

I think it's shortsighted to close the Peak. I'd upload/download to get a couple of brews and something to eat. If it's out of a safety concern (people without the ability skiing down on marginal snow) just don't let people load with ski equipment.

Had a good season so far but the best part of the season is spring. If they cut that short after making the commitment to June (conditions permitting) which I took as they would blow enough snow to make June baring a warm/wet spring, and not because of budget constraints. You talk the talk you better walk the walk. This ain't Obamacare, if you like spring skiing, you can keep your Super Star until June.

If they don't make Memorial Day I'll have to make a decision as to how much more of my money they'll get other than the cost of my season pass. So far this year (not counting Beast Bucks) I've spent over $1500 on food and beverage this season. Won't be a problem to go back to brown bagging beer and food like during the Nyberg years.

Andy J · Post by **Andy J** » Mar 30th, '14, 10:32

Photograph taken at Superstar trail on Friday May 7, 2004. We had to remove our skis to ride the lift and then walk a few meters down the headwall before clicking back in... Nice spring day at Killington!