Stuart talks to Alterra CEO (IKON)

[tirolski]

when he itemized specifically the price rises in the Ikon pass, asking, basically, hey, how far is this going to go, and the answer to that was a ridiculous word salad that meant nothing, and I think our CEO felt a bit offended that his vision was questioned.

That’s why they get paid the big buck$.

 

[Benny Profane]

You wonder how much he's making...

 

[snoloco]

Got a note from a friend:

"I stayed at their budget hotel at the base of the Mammoth gondola. $27.50 resort fee for no amenities at all."

Right out of his playbook at ticketmaster. Lure them in with low sticker prices and then pile on the junk fees.

 

[Andy_ROC]

Got a note from a friend:

"I stayed at their budget hotel at the base of the Mammoth gondola. $27.50 resort fee for no amenities at all."

Right out of his playbook at ticketmaster. Lure them in with low sticker prices and then pile on the junk fees.

Ticket master = scourge of entertainment industry. Yup I think we're all in agreement.

Sadly it continues its corporate march into skiing and other outdoor activities.

 

[snoloco]

I've heard of Ticketmaster being nicknamed Ticketbastard. I've started nicknaming Alterra Alterrable, due to poor management of their Northeast resorts, and failure to invest in them.

 

[Milo Maltbie]

Ticketmaster's whole business strategy is based on monopolizing every step of the live event market. Smith is a perfect CEO for Alterra.
I don't think it's poor management.

mm

 

[snoloco]

Stratton's snow conditions were absolutely horrendous last year and they failed to open multiple major trails. It had nothing to do with bad weather, as their competitors performed a lot better. It felt like they were trying to cut costs, rather than put their best product on the mountain.

Sugarbush struggled with extensive lift down time. The North Ridge Express didn't open until mid January for the season due to maintenance issues, and the Green Mountain Express was down for two weeks in February. Lots of down time on other lifts too, that would remain closed for some or all of the day. While all lifts sometimes break down, the amount of down time they had was unacceptable.

If those two aren't poor management, then I don't know what is.

 

[Milo Maltbie]

If those two aren't poor management, then I don't know what is.

You're looking at management of individual resorts from the skiers' perspective. What if they are managing to maximize profits from all properties? Maybe that means feeding the stars, milking the cash cows and starving the dogs.
When Fairbanks bought Brodie Mountain he closed the place. Was that mismanagement, or limiting supply to raise prices?

mm

 

[Andy_ROC]

You're looking at management of individual resorts from the skiers' perspective. What if they are managing to maximize profits from all properties? Maybe that means feeding the stars, milking the cash cows and starving the dogs.
When Fairbanks bought Brodie Mountain he closed the place. Was that mismanagement, or limiting supply to raise prices?

mm

Well if they weren't interested in supporting the mountain then they shouldn't have purchased it.

"... milking the cash cows and starving the dogs." which is how corporatization sucks the life out of good things.

Not good for customers, the little guys that can't compete against Goliath and how monopolies are built. Monopolies are never good for customers or innovation.

 

[Andy_ROC]

You wonder how much he's making...

A fraction of what he'll earn by arranging a sellout of Ikon to Vail