F Vail

[tirolski]

Snowshoe is the Alterra resort in the southeast. I haven't been since the ownership change. Based on what folks on DCSki and SkiSoutheast have been saying, nothing much changed other than there is the option of getting Ikon instead of a Snowshoe-only season pass of some sort...Lots of slopeside lodging for an upside down resort, with three different areas for ski trails, and plenty of 4-season activities that have nothing to do with snow.

Looks like Alterra's Snowshoe and Sugarbush are trying to get folks to pay extra to cut into the front of lift lines. There’s 5 other bumps with varying add on prices.

https://www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/solitude-mountain-resort-launches-reserve-pass/

 

[Milo Maltbie]

Looks like Alterra's Snowshoe and Sugarbush are trying to get folks to pay extra to cut into the front of lift lines. There’s 5 other bumps with varying add on prices.

https://www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/solitude-mountain-resort-launches-reserve-pass/

This is just end stage enshittification. Move along, nothing to see here.

mm

 

[Milo Maltbie]

I went back and looked at the list of resorts that have that add-on. Except for Solitude, they are all areas without much local Ikon competition. Sugarbush is close to Killington but they are including a private club and extra lift tickets. I've been to Solitude and cutting the lift lines on power days might be worth $700, but private access to Rt 190 would be infinitely better.

This really is classic enshitiffication: establish a dominant market position by offering exceptional value at a reasonable price, then gradually add costs or reduce services but not enough to make everyone walk away. Skiers are the perfect target for that because we are all addicts and we're not gonna quit.

mm

 

[MarzNC]

Looks like Alterra's Snowshoe and Sugarbush are trying to get folks to pay extra to cut into the front of lift lines. There’s 5 other bumps with varying add on prices.

https://www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/solitude-mountain-resort-launches-reserve-pass/

Snowshoe has had First Tracks as an add-on to full season pass holders for a long time. Perhaps even before Alterra bought Intrawest. Keep in mind that during holidays and weekends people are driving from FL, GA, SC, TN, NC, Pittsburgh, and the DC/NoVA areas. During late season (March) there are people driving from Ohio. So weekends stay busy all season.

 

[tirolski]

Snowshoe has had First Tracks as an add-on to full season pass holders for a long time.

First Tracks pass add-on seems to be different than their front of the line thingy Primo pass. Primo includes 1st tracks.

Multi-Resort Unlimited Ski/Snowboard Season Pass | Ikon Pass

The Ikon Pass is your ski & snowboard pass with access to the most iconic mountains in the world. Unique terrain with a real community feel. Learn more

www.ikonpass.com

It looks like they sell First Tracks pass separately to boot.

 

[x10003q]

First Tracks is is an add on to an Ikon Pass season pass. For example, at Stratton, the First Tracks allows you to start skiing at 745am on weekends and holidays vs the normal 830am start time. It costs $599 on top of the Ikon/season pass.

The 'cut the line pass' is a new offer from various Alterra areas. Stratton has had this cut the line pass for years, but it is only available to Stratton Mountain Club members. It might be available to the Stratton Homeowners Club, also, but I am not sure. I do not know what it costs. There are so few people using them that it really has zero affect on the lift lines.

The Alterra greed look is way worse than the actual result. The petition at Crystal is amusing.

 

[gregmarx]

There are so few people using them that it really has zero affect on the lift lines.

The Killington GM has talked about this with respect to the Fast Tracks cut-the-line program there -- the point is to price the program so high that very few people actually buy it, otherwise it degrades the value. I agree the result is the effect on regular lift lines is not noticeable, at least ime.

Where this new Alterra initiative could actually make things worse for regular skiers is if these "private lounges" take away scarce lodge space. I think that's a concern at Sugarbush.

 

[Andy_ROC]

Yup great example of enshitification.

As an Ikon pass holder I'm extremely disappointed at this catering towards elitism at the expense of those of us already spending $1,400. I'll probably go to Sugarbush at some point this season but if I see the Cut the Line program inhibit my experience it would be my last time at Sugarbush likely my last Ikon season.

 

[TheGreatAbyss]

Do we need a separate F Alterra thread?

 

[x10003q]

The Killington GM has talked about this with respect to the Fast Tracks cut-the-line program there -- the point is to price the program so high that very few people actually buy it, otherwise it degrades the value. I agree the result is the effect on regular lift lines is not noticeable, at least ime.

Where this new Alterra initiative could actually make things worse for regular skiers is if these "private lounges" take away scarce lodge space. I think that's a concern at Sugarbush.

It seems the only line cutting at Sugarbush is on the Super Bravo for $2000. Not exactly a worthy spend. I doubt many people drop the $2k. The private room is interesting, but most people ski with family and friends. Would every member of your group need the $2k ticket? That is not clear.