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May, 2023

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Big sky requires a tram pass now

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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,733
So it looks like big sky is taking a big dump on collective pass owners and EVEN day ticket holders, a tram pass will be required to board the line peak tram 🤦 $150 and on sale this June.
How y’all feel about this? I’m not stoked, I feel bad for the day ticket folks, and I don’t know that it will decrease the lines, but if it does, it’s maybe worth it to me, I’m getting one goddamnit but wondering how the community thinks it will affect lines etc... we all already know not everyone can afford an extra expense and that sucks, my biggest concern is if they sell out before I get one.
Also, after I use mine this upcoming season, it’s up for free grabs as I’ll probably only be there 1-2 weeks
May 24 2021 3:44PM
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eheath
Posts: 60346 - Karma: 110,149
Probably because it was insanely busy this year, i agree its wack but im not surprised. Bridger raised their pass price too, a full pass is almost $1000 now if you wait til nov to buy it.
May 24 2021 4:06PM
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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,733
Was just looking further into this at big sky , Apparently the tram Pass is not unlimited it’s 3 to 5 days for $150-$225 so I really really hope it helps with the lines
imagine the Covid or lack of if we are lucky should help with lines too
eheathProbably because it was insanely busy this year, i agree its wack but im not surprised. Bridger raised their pass price too, a full pass is almost $1000 now if you wait til nov to buy it.
May 24 2021 4:50PM
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MiIfHunter
Posts: 3978 - Karma: 4,198
That’s bullshit
May 24 2021 4:57PM
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 5554 - Karma: 59,161
eheathProbably because it was insanely busy this year, i agree its wack but im not surprised. Bridger raised their pass price too, a full pass is almost $1000 now if you wait til nov to buy it.


Unless you were first few in line, the tram was easily 60+ minutes of waiting in line on any day and easily 2 hrs sometimes. It makes good sense to me why they're implementing this system. Bridger's prices are way higher, even now in their early bird deals. I don't care about the top of lone peak that much to pay extra for it. I can get 5 days with an icon pass too, which i actually get a student discout for. It's bullshit neither Big Sky nor Bridger have student discounts. But they're both such good mountains you have to pick one.
May 24 2021 6:39PM
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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,733
It is, from my POV it’s got benefits, the thought of tram laps minimal lines is dope, but I feel bad for the day ticket holders, I can see charging the collective passes more, but not a day ticket holder, and if you buy a big sky gold or db pass tram should be part of it, I’d be like “ YOUR telling me I bought a ticket and can’t ride, I need to go buy a 2nd ticket, yo, if I didn’t know ahead of time, and they tried to turn me away, I’d def be going up and ski patrol can escort me to the manager afterward so I could knock him tfo
Idk we’ll see how it goes I guess, and I think we should all expect for the ski ceos to be looking for anyway they can to squeeze us for money.
MiIfHunterThat’s bullshit
May 24 2021 6:42PM
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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,733
Wow I didn’t know that about the lines, lotta justification there, probably a better way, like pick your days to limit the numbers rather than charging more and having limited days, but I don’t hate it, looks like it will benefit me possibly, I dedicate a lot to skiing to an extra $100-200 is not the end of the world, but for those in not as good a situation that sucks and I’ve been there, in a few years my co. Contracts could go elsewhere I may very well be in the situation that I couldn’t afford the extra , who knows
ReturnToMonkeyUnless you were first few in line, the tram was easily 60+ minutes of waiting in line on any day and easily 2 hrs sometimes. It makes good sense to me why they're implementing this system. Bridger's prices are way higher, even now in their early bird deals. I don't care about the top of lone peak that much to pay extra for it. I can get 5 days with an icon pass too, which i actually get a student discout for. It's bullshit neither Big Sky nor Bridger have student discounts. But they're both such good mountains you have to pick one.
May 24 2021 6:45PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10420 - Karma: 49,775
Tram line has been busy for years, it makes sense since our tram is so small.
May 24 2021 7:38PM
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 5554 - Karma: 59,161
safarisamTram line has been busy for years, it makes sense since our tram is so small.


Going one car at a time, the tram definitely needs to be bigger
May 24 2021 7:46PM
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PsychicMigration
Posts: 2022 - Karma: 10,346
Corporate greed, covid, mix off both?? But fuck the little bitch who came up with that Idea. They must have had a "how can we fuck and suck more money out of everyone including our loyal pass holders" meeting for this one. ASSHOLES.
May 25 2021 12:35PM
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eheath
Posts: 60346 - Karma: 110,149
DummyBearsCorporate greed, covid, mix off both?? But fuck the little bitch who came up with that Idea. They must have had a "how can we fuck and suck more money out of everyone including our loyal pass holders" meeting for this one. ASSHOLES.


Oh no, a business has to make money? Darn, better never go there again.

Again, I agree its wack but you guys are naive as fuck sometimes.
May 25 2021 12:39PM
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PsychicMigration
Posts: 2022 - Karma: 10,346
eheathOh no, a business has to make money? Darn, better never go there again.

Again, I agree its wack but you guys are naive as fuck sometimes.


Its one thing for a business to make money and they're a massive resort they make loads of it. I'm mainly confused how they find it valid to piss off long time skiers/riders that have been there their entire lives to make an extra little bit off tourists. There just seems that there has to be a better way. I would just expect a mountain to at least recognize how that could disrupt their pass holders which is their base I would like to think although that seems to be less and less of the case.

The only logical thing I can think of is that they don't care about pass holders because lets face it they don't make money off the guy eating out of a jet boil in the parking lot and skiing 135days a years at a couple bucks a day if that. Its food, hotels, tourists dumping money on lessons etc. More or less depressing to see mountains take it that direction. To me it seems to be a battle with knowing they can do that and make way more by corrupting themselves with greed but continually doing stuff like that regardless of the mountain seems like they should expect massive backlash eventually or people will just not go and these resorts will not target middle upper and upper class but basically the top 3%.
May 25 2021 1:02PM
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swagmasterflex
Posts: 397 - Karma: 2,580
This might be the straw on the camel's back that makes people not want to go there instead of somewhere else, or they just expect anyone that travels from out of state to easily be able to afford just $150 more.
May 25 2021 1:18PM
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eheath
Posts: 60346 - Karma: 110,149
swagmasterflexThis might be the straw on the camel's back that makes people not want to go there instead of somewhere else, or they just expect anyone that travels from out of state to easily be able to afford just $150 more.


Doubt it.
May 25 2021 1:21PM
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eheath
Posts: 60346 - Karma: 110,149
The point of the tram having a separate pass is so that less people use it, everyone seems to be missing that point here, if less people ride the tram they will have accomplished their goal.
May 25 2021 1:23PM
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Static
Posts: 8431 - Karma: 3,689
DummyBearsIts one thing for a business to make money and they're a massive resort they make loads of it. I'm mainly confused how they find it valid to piss off long time skiers/riders that have been there their entire lives to make an extra little bit off tourists. There just seems that there has to be a better way.


I'm not sure there's a better way to curb traffic than increasing pricing. They could do a reservation system and locals might never get to ski and honestly I hate reservation systems for permits and such. They could give priority access to people who have been skiing there longer, I dont think that's any better or more fair. Maybe to whoever is more handsome, or a better skier, or has the coolest skis or maybe only the poorest people. I don't know.... I bet they thought about a bunch of different options.
May 25 2021 1:59PM
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PsychicMigration
Posts: 2022 - Karma: 10,346
eheathThe point of the tram having a separate pass is so that less people use it, everyone seems to be missing that point here, if less people ride the tram they will have accomplished their goal.


Cap lift tickets sales....?
May 25 2021 2:25PM
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eheath
Posts: 60346 - Karma: 110,149
DummyBearsCap lift tickets sales....?


I think you might just be unaware, but the tram at big sky only accesses about 20% of the terrain (altho its the majority of the most difficult terrain), the rest of the mountain is fine (altho swifty was bad i heard, theyre replacing it with a 6 pack this summer) so essentially they are limiting tickets but making a little on top, can't blame em.
May 25 2021 2:50PM
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PsychicMigration
Posts: 2022 - Karma: 10,346
eheathI think you might just be unaware, but the tram at big sky only accesses about 20% of the terrain (altho its the majority of the most difficult terrain), the rest of the mountain is fine (altho swifty was bad i heard, theyre replacing it with a 6 pack this summer) so essentially they are limiting tickets but making a little on top, can't blame em.


That makes more sense just wish it wasnt so.
May 25 2021 4:09PM
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teamdummy
Posts: 1180 - Karma: 2,486
Dumb question maybe… but why does Big Sky care if people want to stand in line for two hours to ride the tram? They got their money for the day. It’s the customers choice if they want to stand in line all day, right? Limiting tickets won’t increase uphill capacity. Other than the obvious revenue gain, I don’t see the benefit of the tram pass.
May 26 2021 2:49AM
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CoolChillGuy420
Posts: 35244 - Karma: 94,903
Can you guys just ride chairs? and is there another way to access that terrain off of their tram? and realisitically how often is that terrain firing and not shitfuck bulletproof? Like yeah, I see what you mean, but the years I skied snowbird on a chair-only pass were some of the best seasons ever and didn't wait in a single tram line. Sure, things like baldy hikes take a minute to get too but you can go track-out other spots on the mountain to warm up before you get into the steeper shit, that kind of stuff I guess.

Does suck a massive D though. Any of the wortwhile places in UT are starting to charge well over $800-1000 for passes and thats before they hike prices up in the middle of the summer or early fall. Shits getting outrageously expensive. Country Club shit. Having to put a ski pass on layaway is some shit.
May 27 2021 2:26PM
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 5554 - Karma: 59,161
DeebieSkeebiesCan you guys just ride chairs? and is there another way to access that terrain off of their tram? and realisitically how often is that terrain firing and not shitfuck bulletproof? Like yeah, I see what you mean, but the years I skied snowbird on a chair-only pass were some of the best seasons ever and didn't wait in a single tram line. Sure, things like baldy hikes take a minute to get too but you can go track-out other spots on the mountain to warm up before you get into the steeper shit, that kind of stuff I guess.

Does suck a massive D though. Any of the wortwhile places in UT are starting to charge well over $800-1000 for passes and thats before they hike prices up in the middle of the summer or early fall. Shits getting outrageously expensive. Country Club shit. Having to put a ski pass on layaway is some shit.


There's no direct lift access but there are several places to hike. I had a chair-only pass and it was legit. I had a fantastic year there and managed to sneak my way onto the tram one time while I was on the come up of an acid trip to get fresh waste deep tracks in Lib bowl. But most of the time the conditions are suboptimal

**This post was edited on May 27th 2021 at 5:43:23pm
May 27 2021 5:42PM
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CoolChillGuy420
Posts: 35244 - Karma: 94,903
ReturnToMonkeyThere's no direct lift access but there are several places to hike. I had a chair-only pass and it was legit. I had a fantastic year there and managed to sneak my way onto the tram one time while I was on the come up of an acid trip to get fresh waste deep tracks in Lib bowl. But most of the time the conditions are suboptimal

**This post was edited on May 27th 2021 at 5:43:23pm


I kinda figured but I haven't skied the place ever. Would certainly like to one day for sure. Also figured a lot of you NS'er locals have a system figured out, as do all skiers.
May 27 2021 7:27PM
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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,733
During a typical year, pre march15, when is the best time to hit big sky ?
ReturnToMonkeyThere's no direct lift access but there are several places to hike. I had a chair-only pass and it was legit. I had a fantastic year there and managed to sneak my way onto the tram one time while I was on the come up of an acid trip to get fresh waste deep tracks in Lib bowl. But most of the time the conditions are suboptimal

**This post was edited on May 27th 2021 at 5:43:23pm
May 27 2021 8:41PM
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WoFlowz
Posts: 7015 - Karma: 60,824
Big sky’s team looks scary af I’d shit my pants for sure riding that thing
Jun 1 2021 12:37PM
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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,733
Springs lifts are a lil more sketchy you should be fine, it does have a view tho, next they’ll have auto tint and quarter slots to see out the window
WoFlowzBig sky’s team looks scary af I’d shit my pants for sure riding that thing
Jun 1 2021 1:15PM
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profa_212
Posts: 8087 - Karma: 25,679
safarisamTram line has been busy for years, it makes sense since our tram is so small.


This. Shit i remember waiting 2+ hours for a tram ride maybe a decade ago. I cant imagine that was completely normal (day after a nuclear storm and they had just opened majority of the terrain off lone), but I cant imagine that the Ikon made anything better at all.
Jun 1 2021 2:41PM
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eheath
Posts: 60346 - Karma: 110,149
Profahoben_212This. Shit i remember waiting 2+ hours for a tram ride maybe a decade ago. I cant imagine that was completely normal (day after a nuclear storm and they had just opened majority of the terrain off lone), but I cant imagine that the Ikon made anything better at all.


Another factor that didn't exist 10 years ago was that the bowl lift was a slow ass triple, so it was harder for people to get to the tram. Now there is a fast 6 pack chair, so i feel like that adds to the tram line.

15 years ago you'd wait anywhere from 10-30 mins for sure, but sounds like it was really bad this year.
Jun 1 2021 2:51PM
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profa_212
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eheathAnother factor that didn't exist 10 years ago was that the bowl lift was a slow ass triple, so it was harder for people to get to the tram. Now there is a fast 6 pack chair, so i feel like that adds to the tram line.

15 years ago you'd wait anywhere from 10-30 mins for sure, but sounds like it was really bad this year.


Forgot they replaced that with a bubble boy. Definitely doesn't help. Didn't challenger get replaced too?
Jun 1 2021 3:10PM
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WoFlowz
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SavageBiffSprings lifts are a lil more sketchy you should be fine, it does have a view tho, next they’ll have auto tint and quarter slots to see out the window


I mean I’ve ridden some of the lifts at KB which literally had rotting wood as the seat so springs or big sky should be fine
Jun 1 2021 3:38PM
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eheath
Posts: 60346 - Karma: 110,149
Profahoben_212Forgot they replaced that with a bubble boy. Definitely doesn't help. Didn't challenger get replaced too?


Yeah i haven't ridden the new lift but its still a 2 seater i believe.
Jun 1 2021 4:03PM
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