Big Snow - American Dream - 9/14/22

[raisingarizona]

The folks who operate Big Snow also own Mountain Creek at this point. They are very data driven. They were in charge of Mountain Creek but not the owners before they went off to create SnowOperating. The primary mission of SnowOperating was to rework the process of renting gear and taking lessons so that newbies don't get turned off on Day 1. The only way to know if something new is working is to collect relevant data. My home hill worked with SnowOperating for a season just before the pandemic and the difference was immediately noticeable in multiple ways.

During the summer, part of the beginner section at Big Snow was taken over by sledding lanes. They do summer camps, then other camps and clinics during the school year. They offer private lessons but only for beginners.

What you are thinking is exactly what the Alpine-X people have in mind for Texas. They are planning to build in Austin and Texas. Snowplay is a key component.

That makes sense then.

 

[MarzNC]

One more feature of Big SNOW that isn't obvious to skiers who are intermediates or better . . . you don't have to pay for a lesson or figure out where and when to meet for a group lesson if you are a beginner. There are floating instructors all the time. No extra charge. When I went with my daughter's BF, he'd never been on skis. He could get a 2-hour session complete with rental ski jacket and ski pants and gear for under $75.

In terms of help once he was out on snow, there was someone who helped him get into the ski bindings. Had a tip for where to look that I'd never heard before. He ended up with essentially a solo lesson for 45 minutes. He was confident enough after learning on the banked curve beginner trail to ski the beginner trail (bottom of the section to looker's right of the chairlift) a few times. He was making turns on that trail, not just going straight down. The length of the session was just right.

He had taken one ride up the magic carpet and one run with me before I got him together with the instructor. The young man had brought his snowboard gear that day, but was happy to teach a skier walking in his board boots. Once BF was working with the instructor, he didn't fall at all. It's certainly a good way to see if someone likes skiing. Being able to get a rental package that includes a ski jacket and snow pants and not having to worry about weather meant it was less complicated than taking him to a ski hill. All we had to make sure he had was a pair of warm gloves and socks that were long enough.

My home hill, Massanutten, had a good beginner package (lift ticket, rentals, lesson) for newbies and beginners pre-pandemic. The lesson was essentially free. But in comparison, getting an adult started at Big SNOW is far more effective and simpler.

 

[MarzNC]

Big SNOW is experimenting with a 4-week After School program this fall, ages 5-12. Drop off the kid and go shopping in the mall or just relax and have an early dinner. No need to buy ski wear just to see if they like snowsports. Only need to get some good socks and warm gloves.

September 20, 2022 email
"Our first after-school ski and board program was so popular, we're releasing a second one! It's a four-week progressive program that focuses on taking your little ones from never ever to never better or leveling up on their existing skills.

This multi-week program is available for ages 5-12 starting October 17th. Campers will commit to one day and visit on the same day for four consecutive weeks. Lessons are available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4pm – 7pm.

Participating campers will receive personalized on-snow instruction, equipment rental, outerwear rentals including pants, jacket, boots and a helmet, slope access tickets, daily snacks, and continuous supervision for 4 sessions – all for $480 per Camper.

Get ready for the winter season ahead and leave the teaching to us while you enjoy some free time for yourself. Think about the difference just four weeks can make!"

 

[raisingarizona]

Big SNOW is experimenting with a 4-week After School program this fall, ages 5-12. Drop off the kid and go shopping in the mall or just relax and have an early dinner. No need to buy ski wear just to see if they like snowsports. Only need to get some good socks and warm gloves.

September 20, 2022 email
"Our first after-school ski and board program was so popular, we're releasing a second one! It's a four-week progressive program that focuses on taking your little ones from never ever to never better or leveling up on their existing skills.

This multi-week program is available for ages 5-12 starting October 17th. Campers will commit to one day and visit on the same day for four consecutive weeks. Lessons are available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4pm – 7pm.

Participating campers will receive personalized on-snow instruction, equipment rental, outerwear rentals including pants, jacket, boots and a helmet, slope access tickets, daily snacks, and continuous supervision for 4 sessions – all for $480 per Camper.

Get ready for the winter season ahead and leave the teaching to us while you enjoy some free time for yourself. Think about the difference just four weeks can make!"

Wow. That’s interesting. It’s like bowling shoes but all of the ski gear. This definitely makes following Big Snows success, or not, that much more intriguing to keep an eye on.

 

[MarzNC]

Wow. That’s interesting. It’s like bowling shoes but all of the ski gear. This definitely makes following Big Snows success, or not, that much more intriguing to keep an eye on.

From the start, the idea was that people could get a full package with lift ticket (2 hours), ski jacket, ski pants, boots, skis, poles, and have access to instructors for no extra charge. When fully staffed, there are 8 roaming instructors who seem to be able to deal with beginning skiers or boarders. Snow Day Package is $70-90 in 2022 or can get a 3-pack for $180. Price goes up as the number of empty slots for a given 2-hour period decreases. Entry times are 15 minute intervals but if not busy can start a little early or late.

I rented stuff the first time to save time and effort since the trip to the NYC area with my daughter and her never-ever BF was for other reasons. I drove back to NC after we finished around 2pm. The Small jacket and pants fit me and my daughter reasonably well (we are both petite). We brought our helmets, ski socks, and gloves. Goggles too but you really don't need them . . . no wind. Temperature is 28 degrees all the time.

One of the new ideas for the rental process is that the people renting have their feet at a level where the person helping to fit boots doesn't have to bend down. You walk up some stairs to get to the boot stations. They actually help get your feet into the boots and buckle them up. Very nice for a never-ever. Also don't have to carry skis. When you through the doors to the snow, either someone hands you your skis (if not busy) or they are on a rack with your name on them. Only issue we had is that the skis they gave to me and my daughter were far too short, even though we marked Advanced on the online form. Meaning about chest height, not even chin height. Was easy to change out for longer skis.

I saw families wearing shorts heading in. In one case it was clear the tween boy had noticed Big SNOW and wanted to give it a try. Remember I was there in Summer 2021 when people in the northeast were still skittish about being in malls in general.

Boot fitting stations

Ski pick up on snow

 

[x10003q]

Big SNOW is experimenting with a 4-week After School program this fall, ages 5-12. Drop off the kid and go shopping in the mall or just relax and have an early dinner. No need to buy ski wear just to see if they like snowsports. Only need to get some good socks and warm gloves.

September 20, 2022 email
"Our first after-school ski and board program was so popular, we're releasing a second one! It's a four-week progressive program that focuses on taking your little ones from never ever to never better or leveling up on their existing skills.

This multi-week program is available for ages 5-12 starting October 17th. Campers will commit to one day and visit on the same day for four consecutive weeks. Lessons are available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4pm – 7pm.

Participating campers will receive personalized on-snow instruction, equipment rental, outerwear rentals including pants, jacket, boots and a helmet, slope access tickets, daily snacks, and continuous supervision for 4 sessions – all for $480 per Camper.

Get ready for the winter season ahead and leave the teaching to us while you enjoy some free time for yourself. Think about the difference just four weeks can make!"

I do not see too much uptake on this lesson program at Big Snow. Driving near the Meadowlands/Big Snow after school is a nightmare. I cannot imagine too many stay at home parents looking to drive into that maelstrom at rush hour especially with so many kids already training elsewhere for 'normal' sports at professional levels and costs.

 

[MarzNC]

I do not see too much uptake on this lesson program at Big Snow. Driving near the Meadowlands/Big Snow after school is a nightmare. I cannot imagine too many stay at home parents looking to drive into that maelstrom at rush hour especially with so many kids already training elsewhere for 'normal' sports at professional levels and costs.

They filled the first camp and that's why they are doing the second one mid-Oct to mid-Nov. It's not as if they are trying to find 100 kids. 10-12 never-evers or beginners is probably more like it. The max for a regular session is 30. Once a week for four weeks for beginners only, not a season long commitment.

It starts at age 5. I don't see how "professional levels and costs" would apply for a kid who has never skied/boarded before.

 

[x10003q]

They filled the first camp and that's why they are doing the second one mid-Oct to mid-Nov. It's not as if they are trying to find 100 kids. 10-12 never-evers or beginners is probably more like it. The max for a regular session is 30. Once a week for four weeks for beginners only, not a season long commitment.

It starts at age 5. I don't see how "professional levels and costs" would apply for a kid who has never skied/boarded before.

Read what I wrote - professional training for other sports (travel soccer/baseball/lax/gymnastic/dance teams/basketball/tennis/volleyball/cheerleading/golf/swimming) - not referring to skiing.

 

[MarzNC]

Read what I wrote - professional training for other sports (travel soccer/baseball/lax/gymnastic/dance teams/basketball/tennis/volleyball/cheerleading/golf/swimming) - not referring to skiing.

At age 5?

 

[MarzNC]

Big SNOW is doing a last push to get people to buy a multi-day pass. $100 off so the price is $99 for 6 2-hour sessions for people who don't need to rent gear. Can save $50 for the 3-pack package that includes rentals. As I remember a pass is good for a year. Sale ends on Jan. 16.