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Stratton Hype!!

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eastcoastshred
Posts: 75 - Karma: 10
Today I met with a representative from Stratton to discuss next year's terrain parks. He was the VP of operations and a really cool guy. He was receptive to all of our suggestions and was real chill. We discussed next year's terrain park situation and gave him feedback about what we wanted to see/what we liked and disliked from last year's park. Let me be the first to say, Stratton is stepping up its game next year and changing things up. Everybody should be really pumped, its going to be a great year.
Jul 10 2009 6:20PM
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RenegadeZ3
Posts: 452 - Karma: 38
Stratton stepping up its park game? That's not something they've been claiming every year for the past four years.... I would say that if they don't do something quick, they're going to lose the park scene forever, but I think that happened years ago....

Honestly, Stratton seems to care the least about their parks than any mountain I've ever been to. Their one chance at having a park with any sort of considerable length to it is Suntanner, but instead they thought it would be a good idea to have 4 of the shortest possible parks and turn Suntanner into another Lower Standard; a flat groomer. Because every mountain needs more flat groomers RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER. Not only are all their parks so short that it is impossible to have any form of rhythm, but they also don't build any jumps that are anywhere near what you could call "large."

So the parks are short AND small. But wait, how could we make this even worse? Here's an idea that someone apparently thought was a good one, "Let's never fix our features in the middle of the day. Never. No matter how crowded it is or how slushy and rutted the in-runs get, let's never send anyone with a rake to fix the lopsided rails. ESPECIALLY not on the most crowded park-rat infested week of the year the US Open." The ONLY two rails they had that were even halfway trickable (rollercoaster box and butter box to gap to down box) were closed the week of the US Open.

I stayed slopeside at Stratton every single weekend this year. And guess what, I drove to and rode at Okemo every single weekend this year instead of walking out my front door and riding at Stratton.

You guys could fix all these things next year, and I STILL wouldn't go back to Stratton. Okemo has won me over for good.
Jul 10 2009 11:23PM
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purps
Posts: 468 - Karma: 30

Hello RenegadeZ3.

Your opinion is oh so wrong because:

A. Okemo < Stratton.

B. You said that Stratton seems to care the least about their parks than any other mountain, even though the thread creator met with a representative from Stratton to discuss their park ideas. I suppose that shows no interest on their part.

C. They did not delete suntanner because they wanted another groomer. Nice try though.

D. If you prefer okemo, then I am left wondering what size jump you consider to be "large".

E. Features other than the roller coaster box and butter box to down rail were "trickable" haha. And you can go ahead and visit okemoment during the us open if you dont like stratton's setup during that time.

So there are my E reasons why you lose.

And stratton is gonna be ill next year.

Jul 11 2009 12:48AM
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RenegadeZ3
Posts: 452 - Karma: 38
hahahahahahahahahahaha
Jul 11 2009 10:35AM
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eastcoastshred
Posts: 75 - Karma: 10
If you want to continue waiting in 30 + minute lift lines to ride an average park with little flow (I have ridden the Okemo park actually and don't understand how you think it has any "flow" or "large features." By the way, I am in no way hating on Okemo, I actually enjoyed my weekend that I spent there last year, its just that the comparisons that you made with Okemo's and Stratton's parks are unfair and untrue). Anyway, I just made this thread to let people know that Stratton is gonna throw down next year and be one of the east coasts best parks. Next year it will be mentioned with parks such as Mt Snow and Loon, where in years past it may have slipped from its position as the East's top park. Lastly, Stratton is very committed to skier/rider feedback and is dedicated to customer service. This mindset seperates it from all other mountains on the east coast. What other mountain would meet with a 17 year old to discuss next years parks and actually be receptive to his advice as to what kind of features and terrain parks that he wanted to see??
Jul 11 2009 12:55PM
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cool.
Posts: 3457 - Karma: 1,724
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! the best news ive heard about stratton in yearsssss haha.
Jul 22 2009 12:04AM
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T_LEX
Posts: 149 - Karma: 110
It better actually happen. cause that would be sick.
Jul 27 2009 7:58PM
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currentwestman
Posts: 3292 - Karma: 330
hi kevin
Jul 28 2009 10:27PM
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eastcoastshred
Posts: 75 - Karma: 10
Yo, check it out:

Jul 30 2009 11:36PM
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RenegadeZ3
Posts: 452 - Karma: 38
I really really really hope I can eat my words and be proven wrong, but I'm still skeptical. At first, this sounds awesome, but then I realized that they're not adding more, they're just trading runs and completely getting rid of Old Smoothie and Byrneside parks. But that's OK, this could still turn out positive if they follow through with it and actually make good features. Lower Middlebrook seems a little flat, even for rails and jibs only. I would almost like to see a jib run on Lower Downeaster instead. I'm trying to envision the best, I'm just still not sure the parks will get the attention that they need. Prove me wrong, Stratton.
Jul 31 2009 9:50AM
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purps
Posts: 468 - Karma: 30
im glad to see that you still have some faith in stratton. they want to hear from people like you so try to contact them if you want your opinion to be heard
Jul 31 2009 2:09PM
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cool.
Posts: 3457 - Karma: 1,724
reading that does bum me out a little bit. they need to have their parks centralized, as in, all of it in the sunbowl, or all of it on the main mountain. if i get bored in the sunbowl, ill have to go all the way to the main side to hit some different rails? nah, id rather have like, the big park and a smoothie sized park on suntanner, and the mini park where it is.

i like the idea of having the big park on super-trail but i feel like that wont open until kinda late because the sun bowl always opens a bit later then the main mountain. i wanna be able to hit big jumps with big rails, a halfpipe, and a bunch of jibs in one run (give or take the half pipe)

i dont know, just gotta stay positive i guess.
Jul 31 2009 6:51PM
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eastcoastshred
Posts: 75 - Karma: 10
nah the large terrain park and large rail garden are both going to be in the Sun Bowl, accessible by the Sun Bowl lift. The only thing that will be left on the main mountain are the the small rails under Amex, the new boardercross, tyro, and the freeway little park. So really for the more advanced skiers and riders, this will be much better as the large terrain park will be much longer with also a better rail garden near it. Also, they will be lappable via the Sun Bowl lift which never has any lines! Believe me, things are going to be much better next year...
Jul 31 2009 8:25PM
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cool.
Posts: 3457 - Karma: 1,724
yea but if they are having mad rails on lower middlebrook i wanna be able to hit those and big jumps in the same run, you know?
Jul 31 2009 11:36PM
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purps
Posts: 468 - Karma: 30
there will still be plenty of rails on the supertrail i reckon
Aug 1 2009 12:59AM
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eastcoastshred
Posts: 75 - Karma: 10
yea in the large terrain park there is going to be lots of rails and jjumps. think suntanner, but longer and better. and the rail garden next to it will be extra with like jibs and rails and stuff to get creative/screw around on.
Aug 1 2009 12:14PM
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Shabangarang
Posts: 949 - Karma: 156
IF you want a good time go to mt snow!
Aug 1 2009 5:55PM
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Jacuse
Posts: 1792 - Karma: 1,549
I like this new plan a lot. I've always wanted a long trail dedicated to jibs to mess around on and practice on rails. And the park on sunriser supertrail should be really good as long as it has more jibs/rails than the us open course has. It its the same set up as the open course they should add more rails after the last jump. Then you have the halfpipe on skiers left, so basically a whole trail dedicated to park.

It also makes a lot of sense for stratton because they need to make a lot of snow for the open anyway, why not make it early on in the season and turn it into a park. Also since sunriser supertrail is sort of divided by trees they can still leave half the trail open for the public. I'm also really glad they're bringing back the skiercross on byrnside. If they follow through with this it will be the best setup they have had in several years.
Aug 2 2009 6:10PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51263 - Karma: 157,455
I hope they'll get their parks on track, but i'm not gonna get a pass based on hype.

Mount snow and Okemo were killin it last year. I'd say ms is gonna be the place to be next year.


Aug 2 2009 6:25PM
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eastcoastshred
Posts: 75 - Karma: 10
Yo, this basically describes what were lookin at in the Sunbowl next year. Your gonna have big jumps, rails/jibs, and a halfpipe all on sunriser supertrail. Then, if you get bored you get to go and shred in in the jib park which is also in the sunbowl. All of this, big jumps, halfpipe, and millions of jibs and rails all lappable by the never crowded sunbowl lift? yea, shits gonna be sick.
Aug 3 2009 10:25AM
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cool.
Posts: 3457 - Karma: 1,724
sounds dopee
Aug 3 2009 12:06PM
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Grimace.
Posts: 8345 - Karma: 25
stratton lost my support years ago.  I would rather ski bromley's shitty "park" glades for 30 dollars a day then drive the 20 less minutes pay a 100dollars for a ticket and wait in line all day.  fuck stratton
Aug 8 2009 6:09AM
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eastcoastshred
Posts: 75 - Karma: 10
Really?? haha. Stratton's lift tickets are definently not $100 and it does not have mad lift lines. But, if you wanna keep thinking that, its fine with me cuz it means even less people. Honestly, I don't think that I waited in a lift line for more than 5 minutes last year at Stratton. So have fun riding Bromley's "park" while I shred at Stratton's sick parks next year.
Aug 8 2009 12:12PM
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cool.
Posts: 3457 - Karma: 1,724
lines aren't usually too bad but don't forget holidays. lines suck on holidays
Aug 8 2009 4:42PM
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purps
Posts: 468 - Karma: 30
yeah but same with everywhere
Aug 9 2009 12:45AM
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_CC_
Posts: 3890 - Karma: 747
i think my job requires me to hate that place.
Aug 9 2009 9:49PM
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RenegadeZ3
Posts: 452 - Karma: 38
STOP defending Stratton to the death! I used to be the same way because it was my home mountain, but at some point you have to realize that Stratton IS in fact nearly a hundred dollars for a lift ticket, and they DO have enormous lines on the weekends and holidays.

Look, it's cool that they met with you and maybe they'll use your ideas and maybe they won't, and maybe you get to ride midweek all the time and don't have to see how bad the lines get, but I hope no one is buying season passes or planning big trips solely based on this hype.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'll be the first to praise Stratton if they pull through, but I'm still planning on driving much farther out of my way in order to go to Okemo or Mt. Snow.
Aug 10 2009 4:08PM
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Shabangarang
Posts: 949 - Karma: 156
well said
Aug 10 2009 4:24PM
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Jacuse
Posts: 1792 - Karma: 1,549
eh, you're making it sound worse than it really is.

I get a college pass for $299 for stratton/okemo/sunapee. No blackout dates, valid every day of the year. And any smart person who skis at stratton for several days a year would get an x2 card...$79 for the card, includes a free day of skiing, and $10-$30 of lift tickets every day. Making lift tickets roughly $45-$65 a day. Certainly not near a $100. And no need to buy lift tickets, they just scan the card before you get in line. And the most i have ever waited in a lift at the sunbowl on a non holiday weekend is 4 minutes. Most of the time there isn't a line at all.
Aug 12 2009 1:31PM
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bozdog
Posts: 30 - Karma: 10
Interesting tread. I worked for Stratton for over ten years, 8 of them in the parks. One thing I can tell you for sure is that they (operations) tell you what you would like to hear and do the opposite. Sure they are receptive and want input but that's just to cool down the haters.  For example

Said they would have a a pipe open before the US Open.  well the sort of did, it was an 18ft tranny on 22ft walls, does not work very well. Not a lie but stretching the truth, no quality or street cred earned from that.

They Said you would be able to ride the US Open course once the event was over. Bold face LIE.

They said they would have a BDX course on Suntanner: Lie

Other insults over the past years are,
- no public super pipe for 07/08 and 08/09
-removing suntanner from the list (one of the best trails for a park)
-Dumbing down the features with an excuse of safety in mind.
-Why wait to move the parks to the sun bowl now when the open has been there for a decade, duh.

Stratton caters to the Jew Jersey up tight fashion show crowd that has to be in a private club to make them feel important. Not park users. Their claim to fame is the US Open and that is it.
In addition last years park manager is MIA after his woman was snatched up by another dude so dont expect him back. Also keep in mind that just because the sun bowl space is being used for a park does not mean the parks are guaranteed to be super sick, that again is up to management.
Stratton Mt School no longer trains at Stratton, the snowboard team goes to Snow or Okemo every AM. They trained like 3 days there all season when Snow and Okemo were rebuilding their pipes

Mt. Snow is a sure bet, there is no smoke and mirrors, not designed by risk managers, no safety program, they have a huge park network, they have 3 cats dedicated full time to the parks, 20+ diggers and over all a better vibe in general.
Rumors are that Peak Resorts (mt snows owners) are trying to buy Stratton. If that goes through you may see something happen. Otherwise I would not trust Stratton. Snow is a 100% guarantee for a solid park set up in So VT.

NOT A HATER JUST A DISLIKER



Aug 13 2009 12:29PM
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purps
Posts: 468 - Karma: 30

ok well it takes a shitload of snow to make the pipe, but yes, i was also dissappointed in how long it took to make it.

they never actually said that they were gonna, i was waiting for it for a while and hearing rumors, but they never actually said they were gonna.

and while i love mt snow's attitude, they still suck at maintaining their features and they are often set up like shit. but they still did impress me this year

Aug 13 2009 9:35PM
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purps
Posts: 468 - Karma: 30
whoops, thats about the afterparty
Aug 13 2009 9:36PM
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bozdog
Posts: 30 - Karma: 10
Stratton advertised the "After Party" on their web site for most of the winter. Snows maintenance and set up was no worse than anybody else. What other place has the selection of the Carinthia network of trails? A mile long park run, The Dew Tour slope course they basically just dropped the rope and said have at it.  Snow doesn't make claims then ignore them.
Aug 14 2009 7:59AM
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bozdog
Posts: 30 - Karma: 10

Cut and pasted from Strattons site:

New park locations for 09/10 are in the works!!!!
The Freeskiing program will be taking advantage of the newly revised park locations for 09/10.  The new park terrain for this year will include jibs only trails as well as a newly located competition slopestyle terrain park in the Sunbowl area.  The Slopestyle Park as well as the competition � Pipe will now be located on the Sunriser Supertrail, the site of the US Open Snowboard Championships!  The � Pipe is scheduled to be open by MLK weekend or sooner if conditions permit.  Athletes can now take full runs in the sun bowl with uninterrupted park features.  Additional parks slated for this season are: the Learning Progression Parks, the Parkway and Tyrolliene; Beeline and Betwixt will host designated rail parks; a competition Boarder Cross course will be located on East Byrnside; and there will be a lengthy jib park on Lower Middlebrook.


OOO I bet that BDX course on Byrnside will be wicked extreme, my pecker is longer than that trail. And lower middlebrook will make for a nice slow skate back to the lift just to hit some rails. Whats wrong with Big Ben, wide easy to get to and from. Wicked, one trail with real jumps, really going off for 2010 huh?

Aug 14 2009 10:45AM
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RenegadeZ3
Posts: 452 - Karma: 38
I like this guy.
Aug 14 2009 11:12AM
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purps
Posts: 468 - Karma: 30
haha who care about boarder cross? i mean its mildly entertaining but i could live without it. big ben for the rail trail could be sick, so you should tell them that idea. also it was 2 years ago that they advertised the afterparty. and they did it. last year they never said a thing about it, like i said i was waiting for them to start advertising it for a long time, but then i was bummed about it not ever being brought up by them
Aug 14 2009 1:15PM
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bozdog
Posts: 30 - Karma: 10

http://media.intrawest.com/stratton/pdf/StrattonMediaGuide_070905.pdf

Follow that link to their media page, 4th paragraph on the Terrain Park Breaking Ground article.
they did have it on their site until clean up week of the open, I kept a close eye on that because I love Pipe
Either way I am interested to see what they can actually put together by MLK
Aug 14 2009 3:10PM
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bozdog
Posts: 30 - Karma: 10
Found another thread on NS'ers that may ask the question why Suntanner was removed and now Super trail is a good idea 8 years later. Change is slow up there.
 
https://www.newschoolers.com/web/forums/readthread/thread_id/390701/

heres the quote from management from Oct, 08 from that thread.

I am sorry to hear that you are not supportive of the decision to change the use of Suntanner. We at Stratton have been and remain extremely committed to Terrain Parks as a core product of our operating plan. For the past several years we’ve struggled with Suntanner being significantly under-utilized for the amount of effort and financial support it takes to deliver to that level of a park. Currently our other parks are seeing a 20 to 1 usage ratio (or greater) over Suntanner and we’ve made the difficult decision to better align with what the majority of our guests are asking for. I’m hoping that you will find the improvements made to our other parks will make up for not having Suntanner as a park.

I thank you for taking the time to let us know how you feel as it does allow us to make improvements to our operations. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have additional questions or concerns.

Think Snow! Regards…



Hopefully this will shut you up and get you to Mt. Snow
Aug 14 2009 8:45PM
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purps
Posts: 468 - Karma: 30

ok ive never seen that page, but yes, it does say it.

also, in terms of your other post about why it wasnt a good idea to remove suntanner and it is a good idea to use the super trail, its because before they had to move all the snow from there to the sunbowl to have enough for the us open. now, all the snow will be there, and also more people will be in the park that they are spending a buttload of money for snowmaking on

Aug 15 2009 11:33PM
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bozdog
Posts: 30 - Karma: 10
This was what stratton said about removing suntanner park for 08/09

I am sorry to hear that you are not supportive of the decision to change the use of Suntanner. We at Stratton have been and remain extremely committed to Terrain Parks as a core product of our operating plan. For the past several years we’ve struggled with Suntanner being significantly under-utilized for the amount of effort and financial support it takes to deliver to that level of a park. Currently our other parks are seeing a 20 to 1 usage ratio (or greater) over Suntanner and we’ve made the difficult decision to better align with what the majority of our guests are asking for. I’m hoping that you will find the improvements made to our other parks will make up for not having Suntanner as a park.

I thank you for taking the time to let us know how you feel as it does allow us to make improvements to our operations. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have additional questions or concerns.


So now what makes them think the Super Trail will see more usage and fit their guests better. Half of what they feed you is bull shit, say one thing and do another. Check out the Transworld Snowboarding park review issue, Mt Snow #1 in the east. Whats your deal? Are your parents club members up there or something, look at strattons track record, really can you make parks any smaller or lie to the public more?


Mt Snow full pass bought by 10/12 $949

Stratton full pass bought by 10/12 $1429

Bashing Stratton online "Priceless"



Aug 17 2009 11:55AM
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purps
Posts: 468 - Karma: 30
ok as for the first part, im not sure why you reposted that. for the second part, i just explained why that is in the post right above yours. as for the last one, i get a stratton value pass for like 450. also transworld has mt snow is number one because they just have quantity, where stratton shapes their jumps so beautifully and is really good quality. and lastly i have no clue what you are going for with the whole parents being members, because they're not, and frankly i dont understand your point
Aug 17 2009 3:48PM
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