Ski Industry "Debundling"

[snoloco]

https://www.facebook.com/450191375732555/posts/pfbid0bsRuDHhJqfxBMhorvwW55ZciVAoMr63fdkVLNe8VCVqraZ8dtRecvARCWG1xmdjEl

Found this on Facebook, and thought it would make a good thread here.

A disturbing trend I've noticed in the ski industry lately is "debundling" or charging add-on fees for things that had been free for decades. I'm not talking about having a premium/paid option for certain services, but only having paid options. Mostly this has been with parking and lodge bag storage.

As of now in the Northeast, Mount Snow and Stowe have mostly paid parking. Any free parking it limited and requires a shuttle. You either have to pay as you go, or buy an expensive parking pass for the whole season that doesn't guarantee parking. Unfortunately, I expect Vail Resorts to expand paid parking to more of their resorts, and that may lead to non-Vail resorts to jump on the bandwagon.

For bag storage, a recent trend has been to eliminate all free bag storage in lodges and only have either a paid bag check or paid lockers. You can avoid paying by booting up in your car, but unless you arrive early, that may mean a lengthy walk or shuttle ride in ski boots, and it being very inconvenient to return to your bag at any point during the day. It also essentially bans outside food, since now you have to pay to store it.

I fear these practices are spreading like a virus, which is especially harmful to passholders who ski frequently. For a one weekend a year skier, it's not a big deal to pay extra for parking or bag storage, but if you go 40+ times a year then it really adds up.

I feel like the only way to push back on it is to avoid paying any of these fees under any circumstances, even if that means changing your routines for a typical ski day or visit resorts that don't charge them.

 

[Harvey]

I think Matt got that idea from the Cannon thread on AZ.

It's not cheaper to run a ski area than it was 10 years ago. But mega passes have reduced the cost of a lift ticket (per day). It's the natural outcome. What did you expect?

Stowe pass used to be $2000 now you can get one for $600 or whatever. Of course you are going to get charged for parking and everything else.

 

[snoloco]

I knew you would defend this, which is surprising considering how disappointed you were when Gore implemented paid parking on a much more limited basis. At all the ORDA mountains, paid parking is a small percentage of the total spaces available. It's something people will buy an annual pass for, or pay for by the day, largely so they can arrive whenever they want on a weekend and not have to take a shuttle or walk from the back of the lot. As of now, Mount Snow, Stowe, and Camelback charge non-optionally for parking in some circumstances. While Camelback includes parking with their season passes, Mount Snow and Stowe do not.

Resorts that charge non-optionally for parking are defeating the entire purpose of a season pass, which is to allow, for one price, the ability to ski whenever the mountain is open.

I think Matt is referring to Waterville Valley here in charging for bag storage, but I could be wrong. In New York, I know Hunter has no free bag storage at all, but I'm not sure about anyone else.

 

[raisingarizona]

Show them with your wallet.

I don’t buy food at Snowbowl anymore. It’s overpriced garbage. I rarely buy beers at the bar either. Most locals are on the same page.

I’m the end it doesn’t matter. The traditional local, season pass holder isn’t the market they’re after. They want the day tripper that skis only a handful of times every year. They spend the most per day and there’s plenty of them for our ski area.

 

[Ripitz]

that may mean a lengthy walk or shuttle ride in ski boots, and it being very inconvenient to return to your bag at any point during the day. It also essentially bans outside food, since now you have to pay to store it.

Slippers and a sandwich in the backpack. It’s not hard.

 

[raisingarizona]

Slippers and a sandwich in the backpack. It’s not hard.

I get there early for optimal parking. I’m usually practically slopeside.

Weed and a candy bar gets me through most days.

 

[snoloco]

Show them with your wallet.

I don’t buy food at Snowbowl anymore. It’s overpriced garbage. I rarely buy beers at the bar either. Most locals are on the same page.

I’m the end it doesn’t matter. The traditional local, season pass holder isn’t the market they’re after. They want the day tripper that skis only a handful of times every year. They spend the most per day and there’s plenty of them for our ski area.

I don't pay for parking or bag storage ever. Killington doesn't charge non-optionally for either. I don't have a problem with buying food or drinks. It's entirely optional and has always been, and it's worth it to me to have a hot lunch instead of a cold sandwich that's been crushed in a pocket.

Food is something that has direct costs to the ski resort to provide. Parking and bag storage cost next to nothing to provide.

 

[Low Angle Life]

I had a lengthy response but honestly it wasn't worth posting, at the end of the day resort skiing is a pretty trippy privilege. You should try a day in the backcountry... it might provide some useful perspective.

 

[Face4Me]

But mega passes have reduced the cost of a lift ticket (per day). It's the natural outcome. What did you expect?

This ^

 

[Harvey]

I knew you would defend this, which is surprising considering how disappointed you were when Gore implemented paid parking on a much more limited basis. At all the ORDA mountains, paid parking is a small percentage of the total spaces available. It's something people will buy an annual pass for, or pay for by the day, largely so they can arrive whenever they want on a weekend and not have to take a shuttle or walk from the back of the lot. As of now, Mount Snow, Stowe, and Camelback charge non-optionally for parking in some circumstances. While Camelback includes parking with their season passes, Mount Snow and Stowe do not.

Resorts that charge non-optionally for parking are defeating the entire purpose of a season pass, which is to allow, for one price, the ability to ski whenever the mountain is open.

I think Matt is referring to Waterville Valley here in charging for bag storage, but I could be wrong. In New York, I know Hunter has no free bag storage at all, but I'm not sure about anyone else.

I'm not defending it, i hate it. I hate it more than you. It ruins the experience.

I see mega passes as the driver here. I won't buy one. If you really believe in voting with your wallet, you won't buy a mega pass either.

FWIW I still don't like paid parking at Gore. At the time i was extra pissed because it came down after the pass deadline at the beginning of a huge recession. I am grateful that they have left it half of lot A, so an early bird can still get a decent spot.

BTW thanks for posting this.