Put it together or get left behind

[KingsFourMan]

I ski PICO 40+ days a year as I am a condo owner. Pico is a magical place when it is good. Over the last 10 years I have seen a decrease in grooming and open slopes. Yes I know about the water issue but there are days when say Outpost or the knomes knoll area could be open but it is not. It is not open because the volume does not justify it. If you ski the weekdays it is open then you have the mountain for yourself. That is great for those who ski it but I am afraid that will not support the long term viability of the mountain and the capital investments that they will need to make in the future. If you look throughout Mass and VT, there are a lot of closed small mountains.
I am from the tristate area. Most skiers from this area have never heard of PICO. They heard of Killington, Okemo, Stratton, Snow and Stowe. That is it. Many skiers come to Killington just because it is the biggest

The one thing that Kiliington has is it is the biggest and it has the best diversity of terrain. This will attract high end skiers who are usually younger. Families want ski in and ski out. If you have small children, you want the ability to bring them back home and then hit a few more runs yourself. Families spend more money and they are the ones that buy condos. Other than the Sunrise area, there is not much ski in-ski out at Killington.

Building the interconnect would ensure the long term viability of PICO, add intermediate terrain to the Killington mix and possibly add more area to add slopeside accommodations

The snowmaking and grooming quality and quantity seemed pretty good this year based on my one day there so far which was Saturady, Feb 2nd. The parking lot was nice and full that day too and the lodges were packed, seemed like they were having a good day bisiness wise but I have no doubt that midweek is a ghost town. If I'm skiing a midweek non-holiday day, I'm skiing at Killington. But from now on, if I'm skiing Saturday or a holdiay period which is the bulk of my skiing, I'll be at Pico provided the snowmaking and grooming is as good as it was 2 weeks ago when we were there. I think in years past I tried that but the snowmaking and grooming wasn't that good and kept me from coming back.

[deadheadskier]

For those in favor of the interconnect, what if it means major changes to the trails at Pico?

The influx of people coming from the West starting their day at Pico plus people coming over on K will have a big impact on crowds. Killington might decide there's not enough trail capacity. They could turn KA into Skylark, Sunset into Bittersweet, clear Summit Glades of the tree stands and add snowmaking, blast and regrade Upper Giant Killer and A Slope so they can be easily winched like Dipper or Ovation at K.

These are the things that concern me. It's not so much the added people the interconnect brings, but what they do to the trails at Pico to handle the crowds. Those trails I've listed are the reason why snow conditions being equal, I prefer Pico to K. Classic, old school New England skiing. K used to have more of it in the 80s before the Superstar and Canyon areas got reworked.

I'd hate to see that happen to Pico. My fear with the interconnect is that's exactly what will eventually happen.

[madhatter]

For those in favor of the interconnect, what if it means major changes to the trails at Pico?

The influx of people coming from the West starting their day at Pico plus people coming over on K will have a big impact on crowds. Killington might decide there's not enough trail capacity. They could turn KA into Skylark, Sunset into Bittersweet, clear Summit Glades of the tree stands and add snowmaking, blast and regrade Upper Giant Killer and A Slope so they can be easily winched like Dipper or Ovation at K.

These are the things that concern me. It's not so much the added people the interconnect brings, but what they do to the trails at Pico to handle the crowds. Those trails I've listed are the reason why snow conditions being equal, I prefer Pico to K. Classic, old school New England skiing. K used to have more of it in the 80s before the Superstar and Canyon areas got reworked.

I'd hate to see that happen to Pico. My fear with the interconnect is that's exactly what will eventually happen.

most of us will be too old to ski by the time any interconnect is built...if it ever gets built at all...

[Kpdemello]

I agree it would really be a shame if Killington decided to alter the trails at Pico in the ways you suggest. That's the potential downside that I really hope would not happen. If they do an interconnect with added terrain, condos, and maybe an additional base area with parking, I would hope there wouldn't be a need to alter Pico.

Honestly, I don't think Pico would see that big of an increase in traffic if they did the interconnect properly. You'd be spreading people over a ton of new terrain, and people who start their day at Pico would likely spread out to other areas just as people who started in other areas might make their way to Pico.

It's all kind of water under the bridge though because I think it's really unlikely that Powdr will spend that kind of money. I think the capital improvements we saw last year were largely due to temporary tax benefits for capital write offs, and you won't see that kind of spending in a single year again. I hope I'm wrong about that, and it's possible they could do it incrementally I suppose, but it doesn't seem likely to happen any time soon.

[hillbangin]

It's all kind of water under the bridge though because I think it's really unlikely that Powdr will spend that kind of money.

Lots to do before the interconnect.

New K1, 6 Pack at Rams, etc.

Plenty of terrain at Killington on everything but the new economy Saturdays. It's the only time I miss 2009....

[Skivt2]

For those in favor of the interconnect, what if it means major changes to the trails at Pico?

The influx of people coming from the West starting their day at Pico plus people coming over on K will have a big impact on crowds. Killington might decide there's not enough trail capacity. They could turn KA into Skylark, Sunset into Bittersweet, clear Summit Glades of the tree stands and add snowmaking, blast and regrade Upper Giant Killer and A Slope so they can be easily winched like Dipper or Ovation at K.

These are the things that concern me. It's not so much the added people the interconnect brings, but what they do to the trails at Pico to handle the crowds. Those trails I've listed are the reason why snow conditions being equal, I prefer Pico to K. Classic, old school New England skiing. K used to have more of it in the 80s before the Superstar and Canyon areas got reworked.

I'd hate to see that happen to Pico. My fear with the interconnect is that's exactly what will eventually happen.

Nailed it right there!!! Summit glade and sunset 71 in particular are wonderful ungroomed no snowmaking trails. They are 2 or my favorite trails in the whole Killington/Pico complex. If the interconnect ever happens summit glade will be cut, blasted, regraded and will no longer be the classic fun natural bump run that it currently is. There are days when we just ski it over and over because it is so much fun. I know many others who do the same. Summit glade is sort of the heart of Pico. Build the interconnect, ruin summit glade and you have basically ripped the heart out of the place. That’s one of the main reasons that I assume most people advocating the interconnect do not actually ski Pico regularly. Because if they did they would understand the summit trails can not handle the traffic in their current state.

And a note about snowmaking and folks thinking an increase in water capacity is some wonderful magic bullet.....trails were very icy last weekend, the pond was full, but no snow was made all weekend. So having water does not mean they will suddenly make tons of snow. In fact every time they have made snow this year it was so wet while it was being made that the trails were dangerous under the guns.

Oh and The trail Lasso was a huge mistake. It’s uphill to Bronco. What a joke.

[deadheadskier]

Well, with decent luck with my health, my hope is to still be skiing for another 40-45 years and drop dead the day I can no longer do it. Probably won't be skiing Upper Giant Killer in my 80s, but I'm sure there are people well into their 70s still skiing it.

[madhatter]

Well, with decent luck with my health, my hope is to still be skiing for another 40-45 years and drop dead the day I can no longer do it. Probably won't be skiing Upper Giant Killer in my 80s, but I'm sure there are people well into their 70s still skiing it.

in 45 yrs I'll be like almost 100...maybe you'll ski an interconnect but I doubt I ever will...

[Skivt2]

Well, with decent luck with my health, my hope is to still be skiing for another 40-45 years and drop dead the day I can no longer do it. Probably won't be skiing Upper Giant Killer in my 80s, but I'm sure there are people well into their 70s still skiing it.

in 45 yrs I'll be like almost 100...maybe you'll ski an interconnect but I doubt I ever will...

Mmmmm.....I was thinking I might ski it today lol

[boston_e]

For those in favor of the interconnect, what if it means major changes to the trails at Pico?

The influx of people coming from the West starting their day at Pico plus people coming over on K will have a big impact on crowds. Killington might decide there's not enough trail capacity. They could turn KA into Skylark, Sunset into Bittersweet, clear Summit Glades of the tree stands and add snowmaking, blast and regrade Upper Giant Killer and A Slope so they can be easily winched like Dipper or Ovation at K.

These are the things that concern me. It's not so much the added people the interconnect brings, but what they do to the trails at Pico to handle the crowds. Those trails I've listed are the reason why snow conditions being equal, I prefer Pico to K. Classic, old school New England skiing. K used to have more of it in the 80s before the Superstar and Canyon areas got reworked.

I'd hate to see that happen to Pico. My fear with the interconnect is that's exactly what will eventually happen.

This is an interesting point, and as has been discussed at other points recently on these boards, the runs off the summit lift are not particularly blue square friendly. 49'er is the easiest way down, and has two pitches which are steeper than many of the other blue square runs in the Killington / Pico complex.

Where does the interconnecting trial connect for skiers coming into Pico? Most likely right through summit glades. Imagine the rams head crowd arriving somewhere 3/4 of the way up summit glades? What a way to destroy that trail. I'll pass on killing summit glades as we know it and on the interconnect thanks.

[deadheadskier]

Yup. Summit Glades is a very unique trail. Can't think of another trail like it in the East. Main Street on Spruce was kinda similar, but wider and no where near the amount of tree stands. Stowe ruined it with the Spruce development. Same thing probably happens at Pico with an interconnect

[RustyK]

Couple of thing we were wondering about yesterday while skiing Pico.

How does the Tuesday/Wednesday closing affect the condo rental/real estate mid week there?

Have they ever rented the place yet? SBF mentioned it was rented this past Tuesday...


PRIVATE MOUNTAIN RENTAL AVAILABLE ON NON-HOLIDAY TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS
Pico Mountain is closed to the public non-holiday Tuesdays and Wednesdays but available for private rentals to host your next fundraiser, corporate event or family & friends outing. It’s an unforgettable experience and a guaranteed way to get you first chair, fresh snow and no lift lines.

The private rental starts at $6,500 and includes base lodge and mountain access for up to 250 people from the Golden and Summit Express Chairlifts. Additional guests are $15 each. Contact the group sales department for more information on discounted lodging, rentals and lessons and available food and beverage services.

Contact the group sales department at groups@picomountain.com or 800-752-2005.


And if were voting, I vote NO for the inter connect. It would ruin the place.

[machski]

For those in favor of the interconnect, what if it means major changes to the trails at Pico?

The influx of people coming from the West starting their day at Pico plus people coming over on K will have a big impact on crowds. Killington might decide there's not enough trail capacity. They could turn KA into Skylark, Sunset into Bittersweet, clear Summit Glades of the tree stands and add snowmaking, blast and regrade Upper Giant Killer and A Slope so they can be easily winched like Dipper or Ovation at K.

These are the things that concern me. It's not so much the added people the interconnect brings, but what they do to the trails at Pico to handle the crowds. Those trails I've listed are the reason why snow conditions being equal, I prefer Pico to K. Classic, old school New England skiing. K used to have more of it in the 80s before the Superstar and Canyon areas got reworked.

I'd hate to see that happen to Pico. My fear with the interconnect is that's exactly what will eventually happen.

I too think Summit Glade is a keeper. I would hope they could do something to keep that if they ever build the interconnect. The old plan may have been to plow it and widen/snow make it, but that was ASC days. Hopefully newer thoughts could create an alternate plan. I would think that keeping Pico mostly as is would be a draw, not a negative. Sign the interconnect basin lift appropriately that guests heading to Pico will find a more classic New England trail layout on the main side. They can make wider, blue cruisers on the back side of the link. Is there room to create a new trail beyond Summit Glade that wraps back around to the Pico base?

[ANGUS]

I ski PICO 40+ days a year as I am a condo owner. Pico is a magical place when it is good. Over the last 10 years I have seen a decrease in grooming and open slopes. Yes I know about the water issue but there are days when say Outpost or the knomes knoll area could be open but it is not. It is not open because the volume does not justify it. If you ski the weekdays it is open then you have the mountain for yourself. That is great for those who ski it but I am afraid that will not support the long term viability of the mountain and the capital investments that they will need to make in the future. If you look throughout Mass and VT, there are a lot of closed small mountains.
I am from the tristate area. Most skiers from this area have never heard of PICO. They heard of Killington, Okemo, Stratton, Snow and Stowe. That is it. Many skiers come to Killington just because it is the biggest

The one thing that Kiliington has is it is the biggest and it has the best diversity of terrain. This will attract high end skiers who are usually younger. Families want ski in and ski out. If you have small children, you want the ability to bring them back home and then hit a few more runs yourself. Families spend more money and they are the ones that buy condos. Other than the Sunrise area, there is not much ski in-ski out at Killington.

Building the interconnect would ensure the long term viability of PICO, add intermediate terrain to the Killington mix and possibly add more area to add slopeside accommodations

[Skivt2]

For those in favor of the interconnect, what if it means major changes to the trails at Pico?

The influx of people coming from the West starting their day at Pico plus people coming over on K will have a big impact on crowds. Killington might decide there's not enough trail capacity. They could turn KA into Skylark, Sunset into Bittersweet, clear Summit Glades of the tree stands and add snowmaking, blast and regrade Upper Giant Killer and A Slope so they can be easily winched like Dipper or Ovation at K.

These are the things that concern me. It's not so much the added people the interconnect brings, but what they do to the trails at Pico to handle the crowds. Those trails I've listed are the reason why snow conditions being equal, I prefer Pico to K. Classic, old school New England skiing. K used to have more of it in the 80s before the Superstar and Canyon areas got reworked.

I'd hate to see that happen to Pico. My fear with the interconnect is that's exactly what will eventually happen.

I too think Summit Glade is a keeper. I would hope they could do something to keep that if they ever build the interconnect. The old plan may have been to plow it and widen/snow make it, but that was ASC days. Hopefully newer thoughts could create an alternate plan. I would think that keeping Pico mostly as is would be a draw, not a negative. Sign the interconnect basin lift appropriately that guests heading to Pico will find a more classic New England trail layout on the main side. They can make wider, blue cruisers on the back side of the link. Is there room to create a new trail beyond Summit Glade that wraps back around to the Pico base?

No dice on a trail wrapping around. The fall line falls away from the mountain on the side of summit glade and sunset schuss. I dont see how those trails survive an interconnect. And that is exactly why I believe the majority of regular Pico skiers hate the interconnect idea. Of course unless they own a condo at a mountain that is only open 65 days a year LOL.