The Whole SKI3 Frequent Skier Card Thing

[Harvey]

I was going to put this in Gore Conditions, but it really affects all three ORDA mountains. On the other hand it probably doesn't deserve it's own thread because I can't really imagine a solution to the problem. Still would like to hear your ideas if you have one.

Putting aside the fact that:

• ORDA told us the card would grant access when we bought it
• The shutdown on access also diminishes the value of a season pass if you have others in your family with a card

There is also the trap of using your free day and then loosing any leverage on a refund. While I don't really care about the money, I care more about the season, it's still an issue, especially for Christmas. Just not driving 300 miles in each direction with the family for one day of skiing. (I'd do it alone for a pow day, but packing up the family is a much bigger deal).

One thing I did think was that they could give your that free day and refund your money too. Still doesn't solve the problem but could show some good faith.

The ultimate would be to allow you to credit your investment towards a pass, but that could lead to restrictions on passes which would cause a bigger riot.

Any other ideas?

 

[DomB]

Harv, Thanks for posting - probably one of the top issues across the forum. I am confused: I thought the restriction is that they are pausing new passes. If you have a pass now, you can just show up, correct?

I agree with your reasoning - I know the economics probably won't work this season, but with a storm approaching I got the itch, and if it is a 5-10 day season instead of 20-25, I can live with that if it means I can get to the mountain.

I went up Saturday and had a good time until my first ever boot issue in my new (2016?) boots. You can definitely see that covid is affecting people. I came across one very grumpy dude in the parking lot . . . .

 

[JonC]

I have purchased the frequent skier card every year for the past three and usually get about 10 days between Gore and WF. I don’t have a solution to the problem outside of honoring the product that you sold to the customers who purchased them. I’m very disappointed. As a teacher, all of the times I generally have available have been restricted. I’m hoping more tickets are made available, but I will not be holding my breath.

 

[tirolski]

Anyone considering “Tee times”, alias lift times, for spreadin out the herd. Most folks won’t be skiing for more than 4 hours especially if lodging in lodge is limited.

 

[JTG]

They should straight up honor what it is they sold.

The way I see it, The Empire Card gives you the first day free anytime, which they are honoring. It also sold you the ability to buy tickets for weekend and peak periods at a discount, with no stated blackouts. They have stolen that away by blacking out dates.

Who knows a good lawyer because a Class Action lawsuit would probably be a winner! That won’t solve the actual skiing dilemma.

One added disappointment for me, at least as it pertains to one of the FSC I bought, is that if the product they sold came with stated restrictions I would have bought something else.

One solution should be them offering a straight up refund or a credit to be applied to a season pass at the price available at the time the FSC was purchased. I’d flip my son’s FSC to a teen season pass.

Another solution would be to treat season passes and FSC the same....products that were sold and must be honored...albeit with restrictions (I’m sure the fine print this year will permit it) that are now necessary because of COVID. They should go to a reservation system like so many other mountains have done, thereby allowing season pass holders and FSC holders the ability to reserve days. You may not get all the days you want, but at least it would provide some ability to use the product you bought.

The reality....none of that will happen. Everyone will get their first day whenever they want....and one day pretty much makes the FSC a break even proposition. As others have pointed out, skiing is coming with a $$ premium this year, so take your day, and hope to get a few more at some point, and swallow your disappointment. Unprecedented times, need to accept suffering through a bad situation for the greater good, to protect the ability to ski at all in another COVID impacted season. Such sacrifice only works when everyone accepts it, rather than objecting when the circumstances finally bite them on the ass.

I’ll use my one day on MLK weekend, happy to be able to ski, and hope I can load another day during that weekend (MLK Monday usually isn’t that crowded but who knows this year). Beyond that I’m sure as the season progresses I’ll get a couple more days on the Empire Card, although I doubt we’ll make a Prez Day weekend trip, as we would usually do.

 

[The UNHOLY]

I turned my season pass and my kids season pass by Dec 1 thinking it would be a cluster and too many hoops to jump through to ski this year. Never got a confirmation email stating they received it or any sort of "acknowledgement" . Didn't even receive a confirmation number when submitted - just a generic page saying "thank you, it's in the hopper". Still no verification that my submission made it even with 2 follow up emails. Maybe i'll take up ice fishing.

 

[Campgottagopee]

. Maybe i'll take up ice fishing.

?

 

[gorgonzola]

I didn't really plan on using any discount days until after the Holidays, hopefully they open up some availability. Really suck for those who used them over Christmas break...

 

[JTG]

Whiteface operational COVID updates say for FSC holders to check their email this week for important information. Nothing yet, will be interesting to see what they say....

 

[x10003q]

ORDA should have known there would be problems as they have all the numbers and data for the season passes/empire cards and area capacities. This is classic ORDA , no planning at all, just reacting. Covid was still cranking when they rolled out these products and there was no end to Covid in sight. ORDA's salary cheapness is manifesting itself with upper management people who have been promoted beyond there capabilities.