Platty Next Week?

[Stan_dupp]

Ahhh run

 

[Harvey]

Pre-COVID a more likely discussion about skiing would have been whether the sport was dying. Has COVID really flipped the script to the point that we are now going to worry about ski resort overcrowding?

I'm betting skier visit will be down. Within the range of the last 20 years, but down. This is just a guess. Anyone have real data? I could only find one article, Vail down 17% visits and more on revenue.

While I don’t think resorts in general will keep required advance purchase or reservation systems, I could see a place like Plattekill considering it. Platty is the Magic of the Catskills! Part of what makes Plattekill what it is, currently, is the vibe, with the limited lifts, lack of crowds, great terrain, and small feel.

IMO Plattekill is very far away from limits. I think busier places would consider it first. But I don't think this will happen at most places.

Even pre-COVID word seemed to be spreading. As more people discover the place, does Laz consider limiting ticket sales in order to preserve the vibe that has drawn more people to them in the first place?

Haha. Hmm. How did that happen?

Doubt it. I'd bet he adds another lift before he limits ticket sales.

On a somewhat related topic, I wonder if people will continue to "work from home" and ski weekdays more.

 

[Ripitz]

I think limiting ticket sales could apply to areas with a real crowding problem. Huge lines at places like Mt Slow, if allowed to grow, can’t be good for business. Lines are a problem at Hunter too but the crowded slopes there are downright dangerous. I don’t know what the busiest day at Platty has been but I was there for the big storm when everywhere else was closed. We got there early and were able to park, get tickets and boot up before the rush. We saw a long wait for tickets but never any real wait for lifts compared to most places. The parking seemed like the biggest problem. I know it’s hypothetical but if they were to add a lift where would it go? Or would there be a replacement?

 

[Harvey]

Huge lines at places like Mt Slow, if allowed to grow, can’t be good for business.

Nobody goes there anymore it's too crowded?

I don’t know what the busiest day at Platty has been but I was there for the big storm when everywhere else was closed.

If that was the day after Riley, that was the busiest day ever* at Plattekill, by a big margin. It still wasn't really crowded.

*since 1993.

 

[Tjf1967]

Did Vail ticket prices go up more than 17%. The prices this year are off the hook...that I don't see changing. Things never go down. Remember they charged extra for luggage in 2007 when oil went through the roof. That never went away.

 

[JTG]

I think limiting ticket sales could apply to areas with a real crowding problem. Huge lines at places like Mt Slow, if allowed to grow, can’t be good for business. Lines are a problem at Hunter too but the crowded slopes there are downright dangerous.

Thing is, Mount Snow has had long lines and slopes have been dangerously overcrowded at Hunter for decades. Is it really more crowded/dangerous the last few years than it already was? If they didn’t limit in the past to mitigate crowding issues why would they now, unless you think the CV limits this year have shown them some kind of light?

 

[JTG]

Harvey....yeah, if there is room for natural growth at Platty then expansion would be preferable to limits!

 

[Jersey Skier]

On a somewhat related topic, I wonder if people will continue to "work from home" and ski weekdays more.

Maybe Lazlo could open on weekdays. As someone who does the majority of my skiing on Wednesdays I would love that.

 

[Harvey]

Maybe Laszlo could open on weekdays. As someone who does the majority of my skiing on Wednesdays I would love that.

He won't open weekdays.

The way this schedule is currently set up (with mountain rentals on Monday and Thursday) is very likely to continue.

 

[JTG]

I’ll be at the mountain rental on March 1!