Storm Skiing Podcast with Vail Inc. Eastern Head Honcho

[Benny Profane]

Podcast #60: Vail Resorts Eastern Region VP & COO Tim Baker

"We view the Eastern region as a really critical element of the future success of our company."

www.stormskiing.com

I am not impressed. He has barely skied the East, if at all. And he's all blown away at the snowmaking systems that he now manages. Duh. But, not a fan of that company at all. I registered a few complaints in the comments, as though it will do any good. The really bad news is that the head of marketing has just been promoted to CEO, and I assume that she is responsible for launching those horrible websites for each mountain that all look the same.
I just wish they would stop buying mountains.

Go Ikon!

 

[Low Angle Life]

Go Ikon!

Fuck corporate ski area resort ownership, how about that. @Brownski's recent front page piece on the importance of feeder hills really got me thinking hard about this. Everyone loves a mom and pop operation like Platte and Mt. Peter and I know this forum has many critics of ORDA but I do think there is a place for public government owned mountains in this day and age of increasing corporate control. Campgaw is county owned and is a huge asset for young Bergen County families to ski affordably. I would not be here without that feeder hill. My Belleayre season pass this year was more affordable than any pass option in the east. If we care about accessibility we should support government run facilities.

 

[Brownski]

Add the Indy Pass, Magic and Catamount to that list. There are lots of alternatives.

 

[Benny Profane]

Fuck corporate ski area resort ownership, how about that. @Brownski's recent front page piece on the importance of feeder hills really got me thinking hard about this. Everyone loves a mom and pop operation like Platte and Mt. Peter and I know this forum has many critics of ORDA but I do think there is a place for public government owned mountains in this day and age of increasing corporate control. Campgaw is county owned and is a huge asset for young Bergen County families to ski affordably. I would not be here without that feeder hill. My Belleayre season pass this year was more affordable than any pass option in the east. If we care about accessibility we should support government run facilities.

Ikon hasn't bought up the feeder hills you speak of, but Vail swallowed up some with that deal a few years ago. Wildcat is essentially a feeder hill. Hell, so is Hunter. I'll bet thousands of eastern skiers learned to ski there. But they think they can just swallow up these smaller hills and fold them under one tent.

And I've made my feelings known about ORDA hills. Hard to learn on a mountain that reduces lift capacity by 70% on weekdays. Oh, and I'll just point at that Bellayre gondola and resort mentality to argue that the state certainly can act like jerks, too.

 

[SudsNBumps]

I wouldn't call Wildcat and Huntah feeder hills like Campgaw and Mt. Peter. Campgaw fed me to Huntah then I got smart and skied Plattekill, Highmount and Bobcat...perhaps feeder hills in their own right....but they were my main mountains growing up. Pre Vail Resorts, I would have loved to be a season pass holder at Wildcat. I am an ORDA skier for convenience and find they have plenty to keep me happy...even during the week. West Mt., a feeder hill, is much closer to me but really has nothing for me. My kids raced there so I would ski when I got a free pass. Everybody has a right to bitch about owners, how their mountain are run, allowing skiers to pay to cut the line or park closer to the mountain. Pick your poison and ski what you feel comfortable with. Is there a perfect ski area/resort? To me Mad River fits that moniker. And here comes the feeder hill to the stars...Hickory! Hoping for a successful rebirth this year!

 

[Benny Profane]

Two hills that need ever scarce natural snow.

 

[Brownski]

Is there an official industry wide standard for what’s a feeder hill and what is a mega resort? If not I propose these levels:

Feeder hill: up to 600 ft of vertical. Basically everything from Campgaw to Shawnee, PA.

Family hill 700-1100 vert, independently owned, modest acreage (ie. Plattekill, Catamount)

I don’t know what to call this one- basically an independent hill that is more or less full sized. Not necessarily bigger than a family hill but with all the trappings- hotel rooms or condos, bars, lodge etc. I’m picturing Greek

Full on resorts- big hills, lots of lodging, nice shops and restaurants etc… maybe owned by a big corporate entity

Mega resorts?

 

[Ripitz]

Fuck corporate ski area resort ownership, how about that. @Brownski's recent front page piece on the importance of feeder hills really got me thinking hard about this. Everyone loves a mom and pop operation like Platte and Mt. Peter and I know this forum has many critics of ORDA but I do think there is a place for public government owned mountains in this day and age of increasing corporate control. Campgaw is county owned and is a huge asset for young Bergen County families to ski affordably. I would not be here without that feeder hill. My Belleayre season pass this year was more affordable than any pass option in the east. If we care about accessibility we should support government run facilities.

Right arm Low Angle! We are fortunate to have other viable options including mom and pops and Indy. When it comes to government run low cost, “Downstate” areas, don’t forget about Victor Constant and when there is enough snow and you want to run the skinnies, Fahnestock and Minnewaska.

See you at the Belle.
Look for the fastest guy on the mountain.

 

[Brownski]

When it comes to government run low cost, “Downstate” areas, don’t forget about Victor Constant

Damn it. I should have included them. They’re probably just as close to the city as Thunderridge. I still haven’t skied there so it wasn’t front of mind I guess

 

[jasonwx]

i'm looking forward to trying to find my passion for skiing this season. That said, i told my daughter, who i do most of my skiing with that I will not be skiing any areas that take Ikon or Epic. F hunta this season, it will be all platt or nada..Nothing against Bell it's just to boring..
We are also planning on hopping over the border to ski the townships..Jame's article really piqued my interest...