Ski Industry "Debundling"

[Campgottagopee]

The purpose of this thread is to expose the resorts who are charging non-optional fees for parking or bag storage, and hopefully prevent these practices from spreading like a virus.

They aren't going to care.

 

[Harvey]

You can also carpool. Not convenient, especially for locals. But it is an option.

Ripitz could ride his bike.

 

[x10003q]

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?

Ski areas were already dealing with much lower daily ticket prices 10 years ago. They are probably making more on tickets today vs 10 years ago.

Prior to the mega pass, only a small portion of the skiing public skied more than 4 or 5 days per year. Ten years ago, day passes at big areas were in the $70-$90 range for weekends and holidays. There were multi-day passes that reduced costs. Passes could be substantially cheaper mid-week and early/late season (I bought a 5 day pass incl a weekend at Stratton late Mar, 2014, for $150 or $30/day). Also, there were plenty of ski area discount cards that reduced costs.

Now, even if you only ski 5 days it makes sense to buy a mega pass due to the insane daily lift ticket price. However, the number is $600-1000. This number is a lot higher than you might have spent vs 10 years ago when you skied 5 days/season.

People who were already buying season passes are the biggest winners, but they have to put up with potentially more crowding.

 

[Harvey]

hopefully prevent these practices from spreading like a virus

Mask up!

 

[Ripitz]

it's unpleasant

The two places I’ve spent the most of my time skiing besides the East are Chamonix and Big Sky. Neither have little cubbies to hide your boots and snacks for the day. You boot up in the morning, put some chocolate in your pack, make the long ass walk to the lifts, or take the shuttle, and go rip. It’s not hard. I learned to pack slippers after a few nights of dancing in the allnight discos in ski boots. These are first world problems. I’m sorry if it’s unpleasant for you.

 

[Campgottagopee]

I’m sorry if it’s unpleasant for you.

Made me LOL

 

[Andy_ROC]

Even my independent mountain, Bristol has upped the window rate significantly as compared to the season pass or even 12 pack of pre-purchased passes.

In 2015/16 a season pass was $725 with a break even to buying individual day passes was about 12 days. Now the season pass is $835 with a break even of about 9.3 days over window rates.

In 15/16 a 12 pack of pre-purchased day passes was $510 or $43/pass. Window day rate was around 60. Today the window rate is $90 (unless you buy at least a week in advance for $85)compared to the 12 pack of pre-purchased of 665 or $55/day.

Clearly they have embraced pre-purchase pass bundles. They haven't debundled parking or lodge access yet...

 

[Harvey]

Even my independent mountain, Bristol has upped the window rate significantly as compared to the season pass or even 12 pack of pre-purchased passes.

This has happened at almost every mountain. I can't prove it, but it seems logical (to me) that this is in response to competition from Epic and Ikon.

 

[Temp6]

Do any non-pass mountains offer pre-paid packages of tickets at a discount any more? I would be happy to buy a few days here a few days there in advance rather than committing to a full rate season pass or crowd-inducing mega pass.

It would offer a nice option for us who really only ever bought single day tickets over the years.

 

[tirolski]

I learned to pack slippers after a few nights of dancing in the allnight discos in ski boots.

WTAF? Discos?