PEAK is Epic

xlr8r

Vail said that they were not going to integrate anything this year, as the sale did not close until October IIRC. It was far too late in the offseason for Vail to do anything except for allowing Epic passes to be used at Peak resorts. Peak's tickets and passes remain as is, and for the most part the staff remain as is. I bet though that since the staff all face an uncertain future, customer service and quantity of staff have suffered a lot this season so far.

This summer Vail is going to need to spend a lot to get all 17 of these Peak resorts integrated into Vail's system. Next year in the 20/21 season expect new Vail management to be integrated into the Peak resorts, new RFID tickets and scanners, Epicmix at all lift entrances, new Helly Hansen uniforms for all staff, and new signage and Epic branding, new websites and online branding . Also there is probably a ton of deferred maintenance that Vail is going to need to start addressing at the Peak resorts. Major investments in infrastructure such as new lifts or lodge improvements probably will not happen until the 21/22 season as Vail has already announced their major capital investments for 20/21. Vail will want to see how these resorts run for this season before deciding on any major expenditures.

In 2018 when Vail bought Okemo and Sunapee, in addition to Crested Butte and Stevens Pass, all Vail was able to integrate in time for the season was management changeover, RFID tickets, Epic passes, and RFID scanners. This year the rest of the integration has happened including Epicmix, new uniforms, new websites, etc.

joshua_segal

rickbolger;c-39541 wroteAll kidding aside, I was at Attitash yesterday morning and one of my daughters (who worked there circa 2015) noticed fewer employees "in the trenches" so to speak. At one point said, "I'm a little concerned there's no liftie out here"

Also seemed to me that snowmaking was seriously behind what it should be. Hopefully that's just lingering damage from warm temps.

And there were no liftlines to speak of.

All in all it reminded me of the waning days of ASC -- a resort on the decline.

The other glaring thing, I looked for but could not find one single Vail brochure nor any evidence of cross-selling except for Wildcat. Did not stumble upon the words Vail or Epic anywhere on the property, aside from the pass I was wearing.

Many have tried, but as far as I know: no-one; not the original owners, not ASC and not Peak were able to make Attitash profitable. It will be interesting to see if Vail can turn it around.

jgreco

xlr8r;c-39552 wroteIt was far too late in the offseason for Vail to do anything except for allowing Epic passes to be used at Peak resorts.

I feel bad for the midwestern Peak Resorts who did NOT get Epic Passes set up with their scanners for this season. So Epic passholders have to go to the ticket window every day.

If you are visiting any of the Midwest Peak Resorts properties you must visit the ticket window and display your Epic Season Pass to receive a lift ticket. These resorts are:

Alpine Valley, OH

Boston Mills, OH

Brandywine, OH

Mad River Mountain, OH

Paoli Peaks, IN

Hidden Valley, MO

Snow Creek, MO

rickbolger

Understand the year one lack of integration, the testing, let's watch and see, all of that.

At the same time, if I've got anything to do with marketing a Vail resort in the west, I'm shipping a couple boxes of brochures or trail maps or whatever eastward to fill the empty slots in the house racks (not to be confused with the serviced racks) . Having Heavenly brochures in Bartlett isn't going to damage the brand, nor will it affect corporate evaluation of the new property. There were easily 10 empty slots next to the Attitash & Wildcat maps & such. Empty walls where a Crested Butte poster would accomplish the same thing. Opportunity missed.

All that aside, I think Attitash is going to be jettisoned somehow. Such a shame, it's got a great location and pretty darn good all-around terrain.

If it really is a cash drain, I wouldn't be surprised if corporate just puts the key in the door if they can't find a buyer. Market cap is $10 billion. If Attitash were shut down, would the institutions care?

Full disclosure: the author owns shares of Vanguard, Blackrock, Principal and Wellington funds with positions in Vail Resorts (MTN) and if you have a retirement plan I bet you probably do too.

ski_it

rickbolger;c-39540 wroteOK Boomer
:p ;)

Not following that one..but nothing new with that.

To me in the past it never seemed like there were a lot of lifties or workers at Attitash or Wildcat for that matter compared to other resorts.

tedede

rickbolger;c-39563 wroteIf it really is a cash drain, I wouldn't be surprised if corporate just puts the key in the door if they can't find a buyer. Market cap is $10 billion. If Attitash were shut down, would the institutions care?

With a billion dollars in Epic Pass sales, I suspect they can manage a lean year or two at Attitash while figuring out if it can be made it profitable. An investment in a Summit HSQ, some snowmaking improvements, and new leadership may be all that it takes. They have yet to sell a resort.

FWIW: I'm on the patrol at Crotched.

ski_it

We received our voided passes in the mail well over a week ago and then yesterday we got this e-mail. Good to know we have friends at Vail!

"CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Your Season Pass or Lift Ticket has been processed, printed, and is on its way to the address on file.
A few things to keep in mind about your Season Pass or Lift Ticket –
• It can take up to 7 days for domestic and 14 days for international shipments to reach you. "

Blah, blah, blah....

• See you on the slopes!!
-Your Friends at Vail Resorts"

rickbolger

I'm still puzzled why Vail doesn't promote any of its other properties at Attitash or Wildcat, since they apparently have no such problems on the Beaver Creek website:

...nothing about Beaver Creek on attitash.com, except a passing mention in an August press release.

LiftGuy

Probably because the purchase was only finalized 4 months ago...and they are still working on integrating Peak Resorts into the Vail Resorts system. Passes first and marketing later.

xlr8r

Because Attitash, Wildcat and all other Peak resorts are going to get new websites this offseason. All vail resorts use the same website architecture.

thebigo

I am going to miss the snow reports. They are currently worth checking everyday including a great commentary by the crotched gm last weekend, the vail snow reports are the definition of boilerplate.

rickbolger

Here's a clever sales pitch from Mountain High in California:

Are your Ikon friends complaining about epic crowds? Bring them to Mountain High to experience our incredible snow and wide-open runs. Show your 19/20 Bear Mtn, Snow Summit, Snow Valley, Epic, or Ikon Pass and save 20% on adult 8HR tickets every day. No blackouts!

bousquet19

Interesting discussion about Peak's and Epic's presence in 2019-20.

My home areas for the past ~12 years have been Liberty PA and Whitetail PA. Both were part of the Snowtime trio until bought by Peak in 2018 and now by Vail in 2019. We here in the Mid-Atlantic continue to wonder what will happen next but are cautiously optimistic about Vail's purchase.

So far this season, I've used my Peak Pass at Whitetail, Liberty, Jack Frost Big Boulder, Mt. Snow, and Hunter. Didn't see any sign of Vail's presence yet at any of these 5 resorts.

Hope Vail/Epic will provide some sort of locals pass for skiers and ski families who don't do major trips outside their region (Peak canned them), substantive senior discounts (for us substantive seniors), weekdays-only passes (like this year's Traveler Pass from Peak) and night passes (fast disappearing).

We are in postPeak limbo for the season, waiting until we get a sneak peak ahead at the Vail era when 2020-21 passes presumably go on sale in March.

Woody

ski_it

rickbolger;c-39890 wroteHere's a clever sales pitch from Mountain High in California:

Are your Ikon friends complaining about epic crowds? Bring them to Mountain High to experience our incredible snow and wide-open runs. Show your 19/20 Bear Mtn, Snow Summit, Snow Valley, Epic, or Ikon Pass and save 20% on adult 8HR tickets every day. No blackouts!

What no Peak Pass discount? That's passrimination or something like that....

ski_it

bousquet19;c-39918 wroteInteresting discussion about Peak's and Epic's presence in 2019-20.

So far this season, I've used my Peak Pass at Whitetail, Liberty, Jack Frost Big Boulder, Mt. Snow, and Hunter.
We are in postPeak limbo for the season, waiting until we get a sneak peak ahead at the Vail era when 2020-21 passes presumably go on sale in March.

Woody

Sorry I missed you at Mt Sneaux. I would have loved to ski a run or more with ya.

Not that it means squat, but I've met more PA skiers than ever on the chairs this year.

I've overheard many people, including my own family, wondering when & what Epic will offer next year. In particular, will they have any under age 30 discounts besides college??
If that range climbs $350+ I'm sure they'll be looking for more options and then finally make up there minds in December...

rickbolger

just ran my mid season numbers, seven Epic® days thus far,

update
Okemo 2x
Hunter 1x
Sneaux 4x
Wildcat 1x
Attitash 1x

$723 for the tix or $80. each.

Planning at least one day at Sneaux this weekend, definitely would appreciate/enjoy a run with any of the local SJers

ski_it

rickbolger;c-39922 wrote Planning at least one day at Sneaux this weekend, definitely would appreciate/enjoy a run with any of the local SJers

I would but I will not be there... ps I'm at $34 but nowhere even close to JS's 1.2 million feet.

yardsale

rickbolger;c-39922 wrote Planning at least one day at Sneaux this weekend, definitely would appreciate/enjoy a run with any of the local SJers

I may be up on Sunday, not Saturday. Not sure yet.

jgreco

rickbolger;c-39922 wrote
Planning at least one day at Sneaux this weekend, definitely would appreciate/enjoy a run with any of the local SJers

I'd be happy to meet up either morning and help you cut your cost per day. Looks like nice weather! Will send DM.

yardsale

I will indeed be @ Snow for Sunday morning runs. Let me know if any of you would like to meet up

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