Let's Talk about Parking at Gore

[Blaaamo]

Finally got up to Gore and Wednesday I was at the mountain around 8:20 and got a decent spot, the lot was much more crowded than I expected for midweek, but figured since there was a bunch of fresh snow, people came out. Thursday I didn't get there until about 9 and had to park very far away. No fresh snow, just lots of people, or so I thought.
Then I looked at how much of the parking lot was reserved for "premier parking" and it's much larger than last year, or so it seems. I am glad that Gore doesn't charge for parking like some places, but it seems like they are using the airlines strategy of making the regular version of something so uncomfortable or so painful that you pay to upgrade just so you don't suffer.

Thoughts?

 

[Harvey]

IMO paid parking has exploded industry wide, in part, because of the downward pressure on ticket prices. And to some extent that is "our" fault. Skiers care more about the price of a lift ticket than any other cost, and the mega-passes have responded. Lower ticket prices, and shifting costs to everything else.

Gore/ORDA hasn't seen a ticket price reduction and they are sticking with half of A Lot for paid.

I remember when paid parking started in 2009. Mike Pratt told me ORDA was pressuring him to add an new revenue stream.

At the time I was really dead set against it. I didn't like the way it changed the feel of the mountain. It was during the big recession, and every car in the paid lot was a big 8 mpg vehicle. It felt like a rope that separated classes.

Paid Parking at Gore Mountain

I had a chance to see it in action.

nyskiblog.com

Mike Pratt, Gore Mountain GM: A Conversation

Recently, we spoke with Mike Pratt, Gore Mountain's General Manager. This is the second of a two part conversation with Gore management.

nyskiblog.com

Now I've come to accept the fact that most everyone on the hill is actually doing ok. I still hope they don't expand it further.

 

[Blaaamo]

I just can't imagine how far away I'll have to park if I don't get there at 8AM on a weekend.

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

Finally got up to Gore and Wednesday I was at the mountain around 8:20 and got a decent spot, the lot was much more crowded than I expected for midweek, but figured since there was a bunch of fresh snow, people came out. Thursday I didn't get there until about 9 and had to park very far away. No fresh snow, just lots of people, or so I thought.
Then I looked at how much of the parking lot was reserved for "premier parking" and it's much larger than last year, or so it seems. I am glad that Gore doesn't charge for parking like some places, but it seems like they are using the airlines strategy of making the regular version of something so uncomfortable or so painful that you pay to upgrade just so you don't suffer.

Thoughts?

I think the paid parking wouldn't be a huge deal if the rest of the parking lot wasn't such a free-for-all mess. I find myself parking strategically in terms of having a less stressful exit.

I also think the mountain does a horrible job of snow/ice removal & cleanup, which often makes things worse.

 

[DomB]

Finally got up to Gore and Wednesday I was at the mountain around 8:20 and got a decent spot, the lot was much more crowded than I expected for midweek, but figured since there was a bunch of fresh snow, people came out. Thursday I didn't get there until about 9 and had to park very far away. No fresh snow, just lots of people, or so I thought.
Then I looked at how much of the parking lot was reserved for "premier parking" and it's much larger than last year, or so it seems. I am glad that Gore doesn't charge for parking like some places, but it seems like they are using the airlines strategy of making the regular version of something so uncomfortable or so painful that you pay to upgrade just so you don't suffer.

Thoughts?

It is crazy. I actually don't care that much that resorts charge for paid parking (I don't pay for it and it is unlikely I ever will), but I had not been to Gore in a few years, and it is literally a massive portion of the main parking lot. There probably should be some common sense balance.

I come earlier enough and leave late enough that I haven't even see if it fills. I imagine not most of the time. Wierd.

Maybe they could be thoughtful and have less of it during the week when it will just be empty anyway. Doubtful.

 

[MarzNC]

The most unusual paid parking approach I've experienced is at Grand Targhee. The size of the paid parking section is variable depending on how busy they expect to be. Rope lines mark the boundary. What's more surprising is that the first few rows that are closest to the base are always free. So really early birds can get "rock star" parking even on a powder weekend. At least, that was the approach the last time I was there, which was in 2024.

 

[Harvey]

the rest of the parking lot wasn't such a free-for-all mess

That one parking lot is the Bermuda Triangle.

Doom to all that enter!