ski_it
NewEnglandSkier13;c-45213 wroteSo, how many of you will be buying Epic passes next season? :D
Seriously though, do any of you think you'll buy a Vail pass next season at this rate? If so, why?
Why? Because I do like skiing the areas they own in the Northeast and after less than 8 days it starts saving you money. Granted I was none too happy last season with their lack of response/communication during the ice storms at Mt Snow.
Still I'm not on the stink side with Vail, yet.... I am looking into a credit/refund because I'm getting less & less hopeful this pandemic will end. Remember, I'm old. Plus I have a gifted Indy pass as a back up!
DrJeff
No thoughts whatsoever unless the economy and the world as we know it totally implodes in the next 6 months of selling my condo at Mount Snow, nor do I want to join the Hermitage or drive 22 minutes each way from my condo to ski Stratton every weekend day and thus go full IKON, so definitely buying an EPIC next season.
Has Vail been perfect since they bought Peak, absolutely not, and in so many ways as a longtime Mount Snower, had they just kept the Kelly P ways of communications, and then brought in the Vail managerial system, things likely, even with this unprecedented COVID situation, been so much better than what the last season plus has been.
I don't remotely think that Tracy B. will quickly be able to tell Rob Katz that his vision for running Eastern mainly day trip and weekend warrior resorts CAN'T be the same as their successful model for Western Destination resorts, however I do hold out hope, that being a savy ski industry leader, that in maybe a couple of seasons, after a bunch of customer frustration along the way, that Rob Katz will get that he can't run ALL of his properties across the country the same
rickbolger
After reading through all their requirements it seems likely that your refund will be delivered by a flying cow.
Will I buy it next year? I have a lot of options, and I personally enjoy smaller ski areas a LOT more than the Vail areas. I didn't really want to buy it this year, but family likes Wildcat so I'm in.
I'm not independently wealthy by any means, but fortunate enough that the $479 or whatever I paid for the northeast something or other isn't going to be a big burden if the season craps out.
Normally my season doesn't really begin in earnest until the first weekend after New Year's Day. So I'm not looking for a refund. Yet.
Treilly
Here in Metro Detroit there are 4 ski Hills. Mt Holly,Alpine Valley,Pine Knob and Mt Brighton. Alpine Valley opened tonight. Mt Holly and Pine Knob open tomorrow and Mt Brighton has no date as of yet. In the past couple of years all but Mt Brighton would start blowing snow by Mid November and Brighton didn’t start until December and didn’t get fully open until Mid January. While Holly and Pine Knob were fully open by mid December. From what I have been told is Vail handcuffs the mgmt at Brighton
Chuckstah
Rob Katz sent an email to passholders today acknowledging Vails suckyness in customer service and personally taking responsibility for it. At the very least, acknowledging that the problem exists should be a start to fixing it. Hopefully he can work on better communication as well going forward. And so much more....
yardsale
I never got that email from Katz. My wife did... twice. But I did get the following survey email this evening... anyone else?. It's Mt. Snow specific. I'll take it and see what the canned response is..
Hi Yardsale,
Thank you for your recent visit to Mount Snow!
We recognize the current challenges presented by COVID-19, and are honored by your trust in our commitment to keep you and your family safe during your visit.
Delivering an Experience of a Lifetime to every one of our guests is our goal. As such, we greatly value your opinion and invite you to share your feedback on your most recent visit. Your input will help guide us in the future.
The survey will take about 3 minutes to complete and you can get started with the first question below:
How likely are you to recommend Mount Snow to a friend, colleague, or family member?
Not At All Likely Extremely Likely
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1
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Share your feedback
Sincerely,
Tracy Bartels
General Manager
Mount Snow
lotsoskiing
I can't imagine how any day of skiing at any Vail resort with the exception of Vail or Beaver Creek (on bluebird powder day) could be an "experience of a lifetime". I just don't equate any of their places other than those two with anything truly exceptional. Sure, plenty of fun to be had, but seriously...
yardsale
Chuckstah
lotsoskiing;c-45389 wroteI can't imagine how any day of skiing at any Vail resort with the exception of Vail or Beaver Creek (on bluebird powder day) could be an "experience of a lifetime". I just don't equate any of their places other than those two with anything truly exceptional. Sure, plenty of fun to be had, but seriously...
Well, Kirkwood maybe. I've had a few of my best all time days there. Including a 96 inch storm. Pre Vail though. Maybe they messed up?
lotsoskiing
Didn't know K was part of Vail...my bad and too bad
Peter
lotsoskiing;c-45389 wroteI can't imagine how any day of skiing at any Vail resort with the exception of Vail or Beaver Creek (on bluebird powder day) could be an "experience of a lifetime". I just don't equate any of their places other than those two with anything truly exceptional. Sure, plenty of fun to be had, but seriously...
Ever been to Whistler Blackcomb?
lotsoskiing
Peter;c-45399 wrotelotsoskiing;c-45389 wroteI can't imagine how any day of skiing at any Vail resort with the exception of Vail or Beaver Creek (on bluebird powder day) could be an "experience of a lifetime". I just don't equate any of their places other than those two with anything truly exceptional. Sure, plenty of fun to be had, but seriously...
Ever been to Whistler Blackcomb?
Again, I forgot to research how huge Vail has become. Yes, I have, and I would add to the "experience of a lifetime" list.
rickbolger
They didn't say "once in a lifetime." Have to admit I have wonderful memories from many of the Borg's resorts, which I will remember as long as I live (I hope). Certainly many one-of-a-kind experiences. I'd gladly call many of those an "experience of a lifetime" and indeed exceptional! Accentuate the positive! I give 'em a pass on this one.
obienick
Can anybody with financial backgrounds make sense of Vail’s announcement. IMHO it doesn’t come off well (and there was a big drop off in stock price after the announcement yesterday). This $500M for “general resort uses” sounds like it’s to pay off the line of credit which just so happens to be $500M.
Taking debt to pay off debt is never a good move. We saw this with ASC. We saw this with Peak. Is this the beginning of the end?
Remski
Their end I hope so. Their websites suck!
NELSBEER
The $500,000,000 is nothing to worry about very much. Last Spring Vail issued $600,000,000 of shorter term bonds and used that money to pay off all their existing 'revolver' debt, create a cushion against worst case Covid-19 ramifications and generally prepare for the worst.
They should be issuing these replacement bonds at a lower interest rate, saving them money as they pay them down. Basically good conservative business practice insuring corporate survival.
yardsale
Vail Resorts, Inc. Announces Commencement of Convertible Senior Notes Offering
link:
[url="http://"]https://prnewswire.com/news-releases/vail-resorts-inc-announces-commencement-of-convertible-senior-notes-offering-301192425.html[/url]
NELSBEER;c-45415 wroteThe $500,000,000 is nothing to worry about very much. Last Spring Vail issued $600,000,000 of shorter term bonds and used that money to pay off all their existing 'revolver' debt, create a cushion against worst case Covid-19 ramifications and generally prepare for the worst.
They should be issuing these replacement bonds at a lower interest rate, saving them money as they pay them down. Basically good conservative business practice insuring corporate survival.
still not a good look, though. They also suspended stock dividend as well.
shpride
Are stats kept on the Epic Mix app for the old Peak resorts? I don’t see the Peak resorts listed on the app.
obienick
Supposedly x-Peak areas will be in the app for the 2020-21 season.
yardsale
no - no epic mix for peak. They have also curtailed a lot of their features "due to Covid" and mentioned a relaunch of an enhanced app for the 21/22 season.
