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July, 2022

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How to leverage power in ski area decision making as season passholders/locals

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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 7926 - Karma: 49,898
This is a serious thread. With the Tram Club being closed down at Snowbird, the last semblance of local culture is being removed. We are increasingly concerned about our ability to park at the bypass road which is where tailgates and après outside of the Tram Club has been occurring as long as I can remember. Fortunately as locals, we do wield some power with our season pass purchases, which contribute to a significant amount of revenue. I understand the industry is shifting further and further to cater towards tourists flying in and staying at the lodges, but as I understand it the revenue from season pass purchases is crucial to continuing summer operations. Obviously, you could say, "jUsT dOn'T bUy A pAsS." but I love the terrain and the culture at my home mountain as does everyone at theirs.

What I'm wondering about is how locals have banded together previously to be able to influence decision making at local mountains. Personally, I send emails to the GM at Snowbird, although I'd imagine all the real decisions are made by POWDR CORP, which owns snowbird. What is the most effective way you've seen locals leverage power around ski areas you frequent?
Jul 26 2021 2:02PM 23 0
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r00kie
Posts: 4006 - Karma: 42,092
At the end of the day resorts are businesses so money talks the most. When you live in a world class sku destination the locals money makes only a small fraction of the revenue so the resort will cater tourists. Thats just reality. Somewhere that isn't a massive destination like Snowbird will have to appeal to their local audience more cause people aren't flying in. If its influence you want as a 'local' get a job part time at a hill in the Midwest somewhere.
Jul 26 2021 2:19PM 16 1
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ericforman
Posts: 717 - Karma: 6,152
Maybe helpful: could reach out to a-basin and see what led them to leave epic
https://coloradosun.com/2019/02/18/arapahoe-basin-epic-pass-vail-resorts-split/

Less helpful: unless locals are willing to pay very high prices for a pass (say 3grand) or all stop buying passes altogether its unlikely the situation will dramatically turn around. The best snow + best terrain + easy access via SLC make alta bird the perfect place for a cluster fuck.

Some optimism: epic reduced prices by 20% ($580) and ikon increased prices ($780). It is a pretty big difference now, especially when visitors often need 2-5 of these for a family which could help. Also *most* people won't have any better of a time skiing at alta / bird than DV. 95% of people just cruise groomers and hack their way down a black or two. If the parking / canyon situation continues to spiral, people who don't care about hucking fat cliffs into pow will stop going or at least won't return.

good luck.
Jul 26 2021 2:43PM 19 0
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Session
Posts: 5099 - Karma: 18,768
You need to realize that your pass gets the mountain open, day passes keep it open.
Jul 26 2021 3:01PM 23 0
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 7273 - Karma: 39,812
Jul 26 2021 3:11PM 26 0
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Young_patty
Posts: 2761 - Karma: 26,325
I’m in the same boat, Bridger Bowl has been on some bullshit lately low key. Local vibe is dying off hard so idk, maybe I’ll just get a partial pass and ski big sky half the time.
Jul 26 2021 3:19PM 7 1
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 5779 - Karma: 56,610
SofaKingSick


Aloha Snackbar time
Jul 26 2021 3:28PM 8 0
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eheath
Posts: 59104 - Karma: 97,335
Get a job at snowbird, work your way up, change how they operate. Snowbird doesn't need locals.
Jul 26 2021 3:54PM 15 0
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eheath
Posts: 59104 - Karma: 97,335
Young_pattyI’m in the same boat, Bridger Bowl has been on some bullshit lately low key. Local vibe is dying off hard so idk, maybe I’ll just get a partial pass and ski big sky half the time.


Are you saying this because the pass price went up or some other reason?

Comparing BB as a non-profit to the corporate giant that is Snowbird is a bit different, BB increases prices because their operation cost is rising while snowbird increases prices for profit.
Jul 26 2021 4:06PM 13 0
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armchair_skier
Posts: 1424 - Karma: 15,903
Eco Terrorism
Jul 26 2021 4:27PM 10 0
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Young_patty
Posts: 2761 - Karma: 26,325
eheathAre you saying this because the pass price went up or some other reason?

Comparing BB as a non-profit to the corporate giant that is Snowbird is a bit different, BB increases prices because their operation cost is rising while snowbird increases prices for profit.


Obviously cause I can’t bring liquor on the hill anymore !!

jk, it’s a can of worms I don’t wanna get into but there’s some questionable things goin on that’a kinda pushing out the local scene. Pass prices going up isn’t a huge issue cause like you said costs have been rising, but one thing is they pushed the date for “best price” up to august instead of October which seems kinda predatory towards students and working class skiers. Will probably force a lot of people into paying more than they normally would for a pass which sucks since skiing isn’t very accessible to many locals living in Montana to begin with.

part of its on the mountain and part of its on the locals but I’m just not feeling as hyped on Bridger bowl and the way things are looking there, that’s why I’m thinking I’ll get a Montana pass to big sky so I can ski a bit there every now and then and not have to sweat about Bridger bowl shenanigans.
Jul 26 2021 4:48PM 5 0
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 7926 - Karma: 49,898
eheathGet a job at snowbird, work your way up, change how they operate. Snowbird doesn't need locals.


I might try to do this sometime, but perhaps through working at POWDR corp who makes all the decisions. I worry it will kill my soul though.
Jul 26 2021 5:05PM 4 0
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 7926 - Karma: 49,898
Young_pattyObviously cause I can’t bring liquor on the hill anymore !!

jk, it’s a can of worms I don’t wanna get into but there’s some questionable things goin on that’a kinda pushing out the local scene. Pass prices going up isn’t a huge issue cause like you said costs have been rising, but one thing is they pushed the date for “best price” up to august instead of October which seems kinda predatory towards students and working class skiers. Will probably force a lot of people into paying more than they normally would for a pass which sucks since skiing isn’t very accessible to many locals living in Montana to begin with.

part of its on the mountain and part of its on the locals but I’m just not feeling as hyped on Bridger bowl and the way things are looking there, that’s why I’m thinking I’ll get a Montana pass to big sky so I can ski a bit there every now and then and not have to sweat about Bridger bowl shenanigans.


How are they enforcing not bringing liquor on hill?
Jul 26 2021 5:30PM 3 0
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5251 - Karma: 16,802
Young_pattyObviously cause I can’t bring liquor on the hill anymore !!

jk, it’s a can of worms I don’t wanna get into but there’s some questionable things goin on that’a kinda pushing out the local scene. Pass prices going up isn’t a huge issue cause like you said costs have been rising, but one thing is they pushed the date for “best price” up to august instead of October which seems kinda predatory towards students and working class skiers. Will probably force a lot of people into paying more than they normally would for a pass which sucks since skiing isn’t very accessible to many locals living in Montana to begin with.

part of its on the mountain and part of its on the locals but I’m just not feeling as hyped on Bridger bowl and the way things are looking there, that’s why I’m thinking I’ll get a Montana pass to big sky so I can ski a bit there every now and then and not have to sweat about Bridger bowl shenanigans.


TBH I feel like half of the people out there complaining about the price increases are just pulling the same old joke of "Bridger sucks, go to Big Sky". It's still less expensive than Big Sky and the vibe is still better than Big Sky.
It really does suck that they moved the price cutoff, but the price increase is definitely expected after how much of a loss they probably had last season. The real fuckery is having a "Local's Pass" that doesn't include closing weekend, whoever came up with that dumb fuck idea needs a kick in the teeth.
I'm still holding on to the belief that the experience of Bridger is a truly unique experience and since I can afford it the price of the pass wasn't that much harder to swallow than previous seasons. I don't know about next season especially since my ski buddies have all moved away and skiing solo can get pretty dicey.

This is the new normal, the cost of skiing resorts is going to continue to rise as winters get warmer and snow falls less. Seasons will be shorter meaning skier visits will be down and operating costs will rise to the point where independently owned ski areas will have more pressure to join these big corporate mega-passes.
Jul 26 2021 5:32PM 4 0
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DesertStix
Posts: 2535 - Karma: 14,906
You’re turning full crusty local
Jul 26 2021 5:53PM 7 1
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eheath
Posts: 59104 - Karma: 97,335
BigPurpleSkiSuitHow are they enforcing not bringing liquor on hill?


Basically nothing in my experience on closing weekend. They had big like construction light up signs that said "no outside alcohol" but literally everyone i saw had their own beers and people were all over the parking lots drinking beers, etc. A ski patroller asked my buddy if he had beers in his bag (which was full of beer) and he just said "nope" and the ski patroller was like "good carry on" basically seemed like some top level managers tried to boost sales but didn't wanna go far enough to actually enforce anything.
Jul 26 2021 5:55PM 7 0
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 7926 - Karma: 49,898
Yeah but come on, TC closing, paid parking, whats next?
DesertStixYou’re turning full crusty local
Jul 26 2021 6:03PM 1 0
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hi_vis360
Posts: 3687 - Karma: 31,789
I think that we need to radically change how ski passes work. The current business model of season passes and day passes encourages all ski hills to value tourists above all else.

I've often wondered what it would be like if buying a ski ticket worked like public transit tickets, like trains. You would pay a small amount per lift ride. This would make it extremely cheap for beginners cause they only take a few runs. It would be more expensive for people like us who ski a bunch of runs all the time, but the reality is that if we want ski resorts to value us more, we have to be, you know, more valuable to them. Honestly it makes sense that the people who ski more would pay more. Right now it's the other way around, and that's why you see cool local spots getting shut down.
Jul 26 2021 6:09PM 10 0
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a_burger
Posts: 5105 - Karma: 18,178
pinkcamo1000I think that we need to radically change how ski passes work. The current business model of season passes and day passes encourages all ski hills to value tourists above all else.

I've often wondered what it would be like if buying a ski ticket worked like public transit tickets, like trains. You would pay a small amount per lift ride. This would make it extremely cheap for beginners cause they only take a few runs. It would be more expensive for people like us who ski a bunch of runs all the time, but the reality is that if we want ski resorts to value us more, we have to be, you know, more valuable to them. Honestly it makes sense that the people who ski more would pay more. Right now it's the other way around, and that's why you see cool local spots getting shut down.


that's an interesting concept, on paper it sounds pretty harsh on frequent skiers but could maybe be offset with frequent skier discounts (for every day you ski in a season the price goes down) or a cap on the number of charges per day (after say 10 lift rides you aren't charged anymore). Someone with more time then me should crunch the numbers on this and see if it has any drawbacks
Jul 26 2021 6:23PM 5 0
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Young_patty
Posts: 2761 - Karma: 26,325
BigPurpleSkiSuitHow are they enforcing not bringing liquor on hill?

They couldn’t really, if ski patrol or an employee saw you drinking on the hill, lift or lift line they’d confiscate it or make you toss it. Of course alcohol sold at their bar was ok lol, my buddy just resorted to putting vodka and cranberry juice in a Gatorade bottle.
No.QuarterTBH I feel like half of the people out there complaining about the price increases are just pulling the same old joke of "Bridger sucks, go to Big Sky". It's still less expensive than Big Sky and the vibe is still better than Big Sky.
It really does suck that they moved the price cutoff, but the price increase is definitely expected after how much of a loss they probably had last season. The real fuckery is having a "Local's Pass" that doesn't include closing weekend, whoever came up with that dumb fuck idea needs a kick in the teeth.
I'm still holding on to the belief that the experience of Bridger is a truly unique experience and since I can afford it the price of the pass wasn't that much harder to swallow than previous seasons. I don't know about next season especially since my ski buddies have all moved away and skiing solo can get pretty dicey.

This is the new normal, the cost of skiing resorts is going to continue to rise as winters get warmer and snow falls less. Seasons will be shorter meaning skier visits will be down and operating costs will rise to the point where independently owned ski areas will have more pressure to join these big corporate mega-passes.


Meh, at this point I stick around at Bridger for the terrain it offers and my few friends that ski there. If you buy a pass in October or November big sky and Bridger are almost the same price, so that’s why a lot of people keep getting mad about that. But that said, those resorts offer 2 completely different experiences so I ignore that whole rhetoric and look at it simply as a matter of preference.

You’re 100% right about the “locals” pass though, closing weekend not being on it is another predatory cash grab on Bridger bowls part tbh. Idk, Bridger’s a fun place to be but the people that ski there and the way it’s operated has left a sour taste in my mouth over the past couple years.

I’ll still probably get a pass though so I can ski with my friends, not many resorts with terrain like Bridger after all.
Jul 26 2021 6:44PM 1 0
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hi_vis360
Posts: 3687 - Karma: 31,789
a_burgerthat's an interesting concept, on paper it sounds pretty harsh on frequent skiers but could maybe be offset with frequent skier discounts (for every day you ski in a season the price goes down) or a cap on the number of charges per day (after say 10 lift rides you aren't charged anymore). Someone with more time then me should crunch the numbers on this and see if it has any drawbacks


I think it would be harsh on frequent skiers, but that's kind of my point. We want the ski hill to value die hard, frequent skiers, so we will have to pay up.

It's either that or we abolish capitalism and make skiing free for everybody because going outside in the wintertime is excellent for health and public well-being, that would be cool too
Jul 26 2021 6:44PM 9 0
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a_burger
Posts: 5105 - Karma: 18,178
pinkcamo1000I think it would be harsh on frequent skiers, but that's kind of my point. We want the ski hill to value die hard, frequent skiers, so we will have to pay up.

It's either that or we abolish capitalism and make skiing free for everybody because going outside in the wintertime is excellent for health and public well-being, that would be cool too


I think the issue is more about how resorts calculate that value, and how short term (i.e. focused on 1 season) it is. The vacation skiers are way less likely to get hooked and spend money in the sport for their lifetime then a kid that was raised in a more frequent local skier family. Resorts can;t afford to lose that core demographic right now and they aren't really trying that hard not too.

The bottom line is that skiing just doesn't retain first timers at all (the number is something like under 20%) so obviously the resort model has to change a bit, but I think the issue now is resorts are trying to grow that demographic that skis once a year and balls out on everything, instead of the "core" family that will buy passes and cheap out a bit, but are in it for the long haul. That demographic thats ballin out on fancy resorts isn't exactly growing in this economy right now either.


To answer OP's question: it seems like you don't leverage decision making in this industry unless your name is bankruptcy

**This post was edited on Jul 26th 2021 at 7:13:58pm
Jul 26 2021 7:11PM 3 0
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DesertStix
Posts: 2535 - Karma: 14,906
We live in an ultra capitalist society. It’s all just a matter of time…
BigPurpleSkiSuitYeah but come on, TC closing, paid parking, whats next?
Jul 26 2021 7:16PM 8 0
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Casey
Posts: 7466 - Karma: 19,165
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/1007438/Out-Cold-Rant
Jul 26 2021 7:28PM 3 0
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Way*Mo
Posts: 548 - Karma: 1,327
I grew up at the mouth of LCC skiing Snowbird. COVID winter 2020 was the first time in 20+ years I didn’t get at least 10
days in there even though I live out of state now.

The TC closing sucks, but all I can really say is that this has been coming for a long long time. The Cottonwood canyons were special for so many years because such a relatively small percentage of the SLC population skied. Since the outdoor explosion of the last 10 years started it was inevitably going to crush the wasatch, a runaway train of you will.

My advice is enjoy what you can for the next few years, then bail to someplace that is much harder to get to.
Jul 26 2021 8:45PM 9 0
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WoFlowz
Posts: 6001 - Karma: 51,954
Or hear me out rant in their Instagram comments
Jul 26 2021 10:14PM 16 0
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rojo.grande
Posts: 1026 - Karma: 6,803
Imo, thread of the summer right here
Jul 27 2021 10:11AM 5 0
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2530 - Karma: 3,049
you dont haz to buy a pass
but the minute you do
the fucks the corps give
= 0
Jul 27 2021 11:57AM 3 0
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 7926 - Karma: 49,898
Yeah, as much as people make fun of it all, it's true that the cottonwoods were just different in the mid 2000s.
Way*MoI grew up at the mouth of LCC skiing Snowbird. COVID winter 2020 was the first time in 20+ years I didn’t get at least 10
days in there even though I live out of state now.

The TC closing sucks, but all I can really say is that this has been coming for a long long time. The Cottonwood canyons were special for so many years because such a relatively small percentage of the SLC population skied. Since the outdoor explosion of the last 10 years started it was inevitably going to crush the wasatch, a runaway train of you will.

My advice is enjoy what you can for the next few years, then bail to someplace that is much harder to get to.
Jul 27 2021 12:51PM 0 0
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eheath
Posts: 59104 - Karma: 97,335
BigPurpleSkiSuitYeah, as much as people make fun of it all, it's true that the cottonwoods were just different in the mid 2000s.


I think you meant to say 1970s... the cottonwoods have been a tourist destination (especially Snowbird) since the 90s.
Jul 27 2021 12:54PM 1 1
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 7926 - Karma: 49,898
eheathI think you meant to say 1970s... the cottonwoods have been a tourist destination (especially Snowbird) since the 90s.


Maybe? I don't know how long you've lived here for, but I did come out here in the early-mid/late 2000s as a kid during February break every other year, and I never saw anything close to what we're seeing now in terms of lines. I remember skiing powder at Alta and Solitude all day instead of just for an hour.
Jul 27 2021 12:56PM 2 0
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eheath
Posts: 59104 - Karma: 97,335
BigPurpleSkiSuitMaybe? I don't know how long you've lived here for, but I did come out here in the early-mid/late 2000s as a kid during February break every other year, and I never saw anything close to what we're seeing now in terms of lines. I remember skiing powder at Alta and Solitude all day instead of just for an hour.


Your memories as a kid will always be different, when I moved here (2007) it was busy, but certainly there were less "busy" days. I'm just saying, Snowbird has been a tourist destination for decades, it's pretty silly to expect it to be some core local ski hill. Other ppl like it for the same reason you do, it comes with the territory.
Jul 27 2021 1:01PM 3 1
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 7926 - Karma: 49,898
eheathYour memories as a kid will always be different, when I moved here (2007) it was busy, but certainly there were less "busy" days. I'm just saying, Snowbird has been a tourist destination for decades, it's pretty silly to expect it to be some core local ski hill. Other ppl like it for the same reason you do, it comes with the territory.


yeah, but Snowbird can absolutely still make boatloads of money while having a single locals bar and non paid parking in the furthest lot away from the entrances that most tourists don't even park in.
Jul 27 2021 1:43PM 0 0
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eheath
Posts: 59104 - Karma: 97,335
BigPurpleSkiSuityeah, but Snowbird can absolutely still make boatloads of money while having a single locals bar and non paid parking in the furthest lot away from the entrances that most tourists don't even park in.


Paid parking was inevitable, its a fucking tourist destination dude... as for the tram club, who knows the reasoning, I'm sure whatever they put there will be profitable, that's all the matters, you need to realize as a local you are not priority and even if it's a small thing, it's still a line item on a P&L.

Ski somewhere else or deal with it brother.
Jul 27 2021 2:09PM 2 0
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2530 - Karma: 3,049
BigPurpleSkiSuitYeah, as much as people make fun of it all, it's true that the cottonwoods were just different in the mid 2000s.

the cottonwoods were just different in the decade before the turn of the century
the back country was just different over the decades too
you either adapt to the changes and ya learn how when and where to enjoy skiing or be frustrated
cause it aint gonna git better in the 20's
Jul 27 2021 2:28PM 2 0
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DeebieSkeebies
Posts: 32811 - Karma: 63,128
We just have to get used to it. Us broke 20-something diehard skiers aren't of much value to big resorts and that's just the way it is. Pass sales aren't whats keeping ski resorts open year-round and thats just a matter of fact.

Could they incentivize us more? Sure, but they still want our money and they're not going to give us deals cuz we're broke or we're students or whatever. Resorts will offer things like first responder or medical care field worker discounts, senior, military, etc. But there's no discounts out there for "Young and broke struggling ski bums".

Ive talked a lot of shit about this topic on here but areas near skiing and recreation have been continuously blowing up and resorts will be damned if they don't profit off of that as well. Unfortunately its not the Little Cottonwood in the 1980s anymore, we have to accept that, adpat to it, and still find ways to keep having fun. It was a super busy season last year but a lot of us still had fun, no? Sure it was a bit pricier but the skiing is still the same on any given day that ends in Y.

**This post was edited on Jul 27th 2021 at 2:45:38pm
Jul 27 2021 2:41PM 2 0
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 7926 - Karma: 49,898
Yeah, it's not like I don't have a good time up there ever but I'm just ticked at the loss of the TC + inevitable paid parking
DeebieSkeebiesWe just have to get used to it. Us broke 20-something diehard skiers aren't of much value to big resorts and that's just the way it is. Pass sales aren't whats keeping ski resorts open year-round and thats just a matter of fact.

Could they incentivize us more? Sure, but they still want our money and they're not going to give us deals cuz we're broke or we're students or whatever. Resorts will offer things like first responder or medical care field worker discounts, senior, military, etc. But there's no discounts out there for "Young and broke struggling ski bums".

Ive talked a lot of shit about this topic on here but areas near skiing and recreation have been continuously blowing up and resorts will be damned if they don't profit off of that as well. Unfortunately its not the Little Cottonwood in the 1980s anymore, we have to accept that, adpat to it, and still find ways to keep having fun. It was a super busy season last year but a lot of us still had fun, no? Sure it was a bit pricier but the skiing is still the same on any given day that ends in Y.

**This post was edited on Jul 27th 2021 at 2:45:38pm
Jul 27 2021 2:50PM 0 0
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DummyBears
Posts: 1493 - Karma: 5,707
Nothing seems to change or ever will change since i spend most of my time at mad river glen and it being a co-op it's the definition of locals run the scene. I do skiing at Killington on the student pass during the spring but haven't been around enough to get the full picture. Rumors where floating around that there wasn't enough money for them to even finish the new base lodge so they stopped all construction on it. I probably won't be able to afford to ski there after I graduate honestly unless I buy the spring pass which runs mid March through end of season.
Jul 27 2021 6:16PM 2 0
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2530 - Karma: 3,049
is a small world after all
and the corp just went disney
and are lookin to leverage a few dollars more
by selling the ability to not wait your turn in line with the poors
so yeah bring more money to line our pockets was their corporates decision
and yours is pay or wait
Oct 11 2021 8:53AM 2 0
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Schoess
Posts: 1471 - Karma: 17,650
BigPurpleSkiSuitHow are they enforcing not bringing liquor on hill?


Vishnus and 9thward are just outright banned from the mountain
Oct 11 2021 9:46AM 6 0
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.squirrely.
Posts: 7540 - Karma: 7,251
BigPurpleSkiSuitYeah but come on, TC closing, paid parking, whats next?


This aged well
Oct 11 2021 10:21AM 3 0
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jakeordie
Posts: 556 - Karma: 2,525
SFBv420.0the corp just went disney

Fuck yeah they did
Oct 11 2021 10:53AM 1 0
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Thegratefulskier
Posts: 335 - Karma: 833
WoFlowzOr hear me out rant in their Instagram comments


I did that when I was younger and got my pass pulled. Apologized half heartedly and even called them out in the managers office about some things and I got my pass back. I work there now so I can’t afford to do that again. But I definitely recommend it. Mention Powdr Corp and stuff like that too and ask a lot of questions. The answers are already known but if people see it, they will ask too.
Oct 11 2021 11:11AM 2 0
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 7926 - Karma: 49,898
I think that chanting its a small world after all every time we see someone in that line is pretty solid heckling actually
SFBv420.0is a small world after all
and the corp just went disney
and are lookin to leverage a few dollars more
by selling the ability to not wait your turn in line with the poors
so yeah bring more money to line our pockets was their corporates decision
and yours is pay or wait
Oct 11 2021 11:28AM 0 0
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eheath
Posts: 59104 - Karma: 97,335
SFBv420.0is a small world after all
and the corp just went disney
and are lookin to leverage a few dollars more
by selling the ability to not wait your turn in line with the poors
so yeah bring more money to line our pockets was their corporates decision
and yours is pay or wait


This is a bit dramatic, powdr corp has had fast tracks since the early 2000s.
Oct 11 2021 12:18PM 1 1
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eheath
Posts: 59104 - Karma: 97,335
BigPurpleSkiSuitnon paid parking in the furthest lot away from the entrances that most tourists don't even park in.


I also thought of something here that i missed before, paid parking is something they're doing to decrease traffic, its not just a money grab, but charging for parking encourages carpooling which would hopefully contribute to less traffic.
Oct 11 2021 12:21PM 3 1
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GeorgeWBush
Posts: 324 - Karma: 2,924
Shoot me a message OP, I help lead an internship program over the summer where we teach teenagers how to leverage power over school officials during times of inequity. Happy to share all of our materials with you and connect you to my boss!
Oct 11 2021 12:26PM 3 0
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byubound
Posts: 1598 - Karma: 9,250
eheathI also thought of something here that i missed before, paid parking is something they're doing to decrease traffic, its not just a money grab, but charging for parking encourages carpooling which would hopefully contribute to less traffic.

Does it though? Solitude has had paid parking the last 2 years and now they just fill the road before the lots, and the lots are still full on busy days. I haven't seen any evidence that there are less cars in bcc because of the paid parking.


Man I hate ski resorts so much
Oct 11 2021 12:44PM 2 0
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eheath
Posts: 59104 - Karma: 97,335
byuboundDoes it though? Solitude has had paid parking the last 2 years and now they just fill the road before the lots, and the lots are still full on busy days. I haven't seen any evidence that there are less cars in bcc because of the paid parking.


Man I hate ski resorts so much


In theory it does work and I'm not sure if last year is a fair measure, I wasn't there so idk but I'm guessing you weren't there everyday either.
Oct 11 2021 12:48PM 0 0
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byubound
Posts: 1598 - Karma: 9,250
eheathIn theory it does work and I'm not sure if last year is a fair measure, I wasn't there so idk but I'm guessing you weren't there everyday either.

Solitude was hyping the change as an environmental initiative before they made the shift a couple years ago. If it really did work and they have less cars coming up, why haven't they been bragging about it on social media and such? It isn't like it's hard to check how many cars are using their parking system compared to passes scanned and then add a rough estimate of cars out on the road. My evidence may be anecdotal for sure, but I'll take anecdotal over nonexistent.

Ski resorts couldn't care less about locals or the environment, because neither of these things generate short term profits and growth.
Oct 11 2021 12:59PM 1 0
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FaunaSkis
Posts: 442 - Karma: 4,620
Reality is, ski resorts are businesses and businesses are going to do whatever they perceive to be in their best interest unless they're told/shown otherwise.
The best chance of you getting some change in how the resort responds to local attitudes is by working collectively, by forming a community group. It will turn you or whoever leads it, from being that annoying person that contacts them about stuff, into an influential community representative, speaking on behalf of a group of people the resort relies on for season passes purchases and all sorts of local contracts for services and materials.
Once you have a group together, it's worth collecting signatures and opinions about issues created by the resort and then request a meeting with resort management to hear you out. If you're lucky/good and you do get a meeting, getting a point of contact and regular follow-ups on what they're doing about an issue is the best way to get something done or changed.
You won't be the only person who's affected by & cares about these kinds of things and there's likely other issues that could be tackled.

Good luck!
Oct 11 2021 1:19PM 0 0
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