Poll: The Impact of the Epic Pass

[NYSkiBlog]

Curious to know how many Epic Passholders we have and better understand our collective opinion of Vail's consolidation and the Epic Pass. Note that the phrase "ski business" refers to the long term effect. And yea, to some extent we are using the phrase "Epic Pass" interchangeably with "Vail."

Pick one of the first three (please), and as many as you agree with on the rest.

After you vote, feel free to explain your response below.

Only forum members can vote, join the forum and give your opinion.

 

[MC2]

I don’t think it’s conflicting, but I said it’s good for skiers and bad for mountains/ski business.

Cheap season passes are great. Mountains all over the country controlled by an enormous business conglomerate directed by a corporate board with extremely limited local knowledge is the opposite of soul… which I feel is needed for a mountain & for the ski business.

 

[Harvey]

Conflicting would be checking both:

Epic is good for skiers.
Epic is bad for skiers.

 

[Tjf1967]

I believe it is good for skiers... Much better infrastructure.. More flexibility.. less expensive.
I even believe it will be better for independents.

 

[riverc0il]

From a pricing perspective, the Epic pass itself is obviously good for pass holder skiers (especially those that like to visit multiple mountains), but bad for day ticket skiers and single-mountain-skiers that see increased crowds at their home mountain.

Since the trend of acquiring more resorts continues, we must assume it is good for the member mountains. In the long run, I think the cumulative effect of every mountain needing to be part of a multi-pass will be bad for the industry, member mountains, and skiers. Though, I think we are a ways off from reaching that tipping point. So, basically all the checkboxes, depending on timeframe.

 

[Harvey]

The timeframe thing was something I couldn't totally figure out. The poll could have 30 choices, but I was trying to keep the number down. I did specifically say "longterm" for the ski business choices.

Please pick one if the first three choices.

Very interesting to me, so far.

 

[Face4Me]

From a pricing perspective, the Epic pass itself is obviously good for pass holder skiers (especially those that like to visit multiple mountains), but bad for day ticket skiers and single-mountain-skiers that see increased crowds at their home mountain.

Since the trend of acquiring more resorts continues, we must assume it is good for the member mountains. In the long run, I think the cumulative effect of every mountain needing to be part of a multi-pass will be bad for the industry, member mountains, and skiers. Though, I think we are a ways off from reaching that tipping point. So, basically all the checkboxes, depending on timeframe.

This ^^^^^

 

[Campgottagopee]

I can't ever see myself waiting in the lines that Epic has created
Epic is bad for skiers

 

[SnowSnake88]

I can't ever see myself waiting in the lines that Epic has created
Epic is bad for skiers

I completely agree, in the past I would have chased snow at some of these mountains. They are now on my do not fly list (especially weekends). There is no way the lines they are creating and bad vibes that are associated with waiting in those lines is good for skiers, skiing, or business long term.

 

[Campgottagopee]

There is no way the lines they are creating and bad vibes that are associated with waiting in those lines is good for skiers, skiing, or business long term.

Spot on
Whatever soul is left in skiing, EPIC aka VR is sucking the life out of it.
Long live the independent!!