The Indy Pass

[Harvey]

Harvey, I think you need a western ski trip. You work hard and deserve it. Treat yo self. It’s worth your time.

Everyone says it doesn't really cost that much. For me it's not about the cost. If I wanted to do it, I would.

Oddly I'm just not interested. Makes no sense huh. I hate to fly, really hate it. Airports remind me of lift lines at a mega-pass mountains. But that's not the reason. I don't fully understand the reason to tell you the truth.

I've skied out west a few times (Squaw 2x, Summit County BC 2x) and I liked it, but I'm not dying to do it again. Maybe if I can score that day amazing day when I get dozens of untracked blower runs, I can get myself to the point where I am dissatisfied with skiing and my life in the East.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

The media release for the TGR movie just arrived by email. The locations in the film in the northeast are Berkshire East, Black Mountain, Bolton Valley, Brundage, Cannon, Magic, and Saddleback. The ones in the west are Beaver, UT; Lost Trail, MT; 49 Degrees and Mission Ridge in WA; Snow King in Jackson, WY.

Brundage is Idaho/in the west.

 

[MarzNC]

Brundage is Idaho/in the west.

Oops . . . copied and pasted too fast. ?

 

[MarzNC]

Vail apparently doesn’t agree as they have been closing a few of their resorts bike parks.

I wonder if staffing, construction, maintenance and insurance costs outweigh the benefits in a lot of cases? I know Winter Park does really well but they may have the corner on that front range market.

Could it be that lack of interest int MTB is a function of the type of folks who go to the VR destination resorts in the west during the summer?

For Massanutten, mountain biking is huge and has been growing a lot in the last decade. Both lift served and the backside of the ridge that is strictly bike up and down. Mnut owns the land. There is active cooperation with a big bike shop in Harrisonburg. There is a very active local bike community. Plus people who fill up the resort for summer vacations. I would guess some people do day trips as well, just as they do for skiing during the ski season.

 

[MarzNC]

Silly question . . . I know there are season passes for mountain biking. Both Massanutten and Bryce have bike passes. They are both on Indy for snowsports. Would there be any market for an Indy-type multi-location pass for MTB?

 

[raisingarizona]

Silly question . . . I know there are season passes for mountain biking. Both Massanutten and Bryce have bike passes. They are both on Indy for snowsports. Would there be any market for an Indy-type multi-location pass for MTB?

I think it probably boils down to location (is there a large market for day trip use?) and if there are already popular destinations in the same area.

 

[MarzNC]

I think it probably boils down to location (is there a large market for day trip use?) and if there are already popular destinations in the same area.

I know there are lots of places for mountain biking in the southeast. The ski areas in NC, VA, and WV started offering lift-served biking a while ago. Probably more than 10 years. MTB is huge for Snowshoe (Alterra owned, on Ikon). Like Bryce and Massanutten, Beech and Sugar in NC are very close to each other. But I haven't paid attention since MTB is something I do not do. Bryce and Mnut are on Indy. Beech and Sugar also independent family owned skis areas but are not on Indy. Cataloochee only runs lifts in the winter and is on Indy.

I did a 1-day workshop at Massanutten several years ago put on by SheJumps. It was in the early fall and very well done. I was curious since my daughter had done MTB at summer camp and seemed to enjoy it. I learned a lot. But also confirmed that mountain biking is stressful and not really that fun for me. I enjoy easy bike rides on Rails-to-Trails type bike trails much more.

 

[tirolski]

Vail apparently doesn’t agree as they have been closing a few of their resorts bike parks.

F*ck Vail.

 

[raisingarizona]

I know there are lots of places for mountain biking in the southeast. The ski areas in NC, VA, and WV started offering lift-served biking a while ago. Probably more than 10 years. MTB is huge for Snowshoe (Alterra owned, on Ikon). Like Bryce and Massanutten, Beech and Sugar in NC are very close to each other. But I haven't paid attention since MTB is something I do not do. Bryce and Mnut are on Indy. Beech and Sugar also independent family owned skis areas but are not on Indy. Cataloochee only runs lifts in the winter and is on Indy.

I did a 1-day workshop at Massanutten several years ago put on by SheJumps. It was in the early fall and very well done. I was curious since my daughter had done MTB at summer camp and seemed to enjoy it. I learned a lot. But also confirmed that mountain biking is stressful and not really that fun for me. I enjoy easy bike rides on Rails-to-Trails type bike trails much more.

There’s major big populations for those areas to attract visitors. That works.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

mountain biking is stressful and not really that fun for me.

Stressful how?