Beast Patroller
Seems like they're trying to see how much they can get away with before people stop buying passes.
I wonder if some of it is an attempt to try and spread some of their crowds around to their other properties that the Epic pass covers.
For some Epic passholders, they won't blink and eye at having to pay for parking. For others, who may have bought it because of the ratio of number of mountains it offers at the price point it's sold for, then that may have them seeking out other options, where the parking situation is different.
The crew that this likely effects more, is the crew of second home owners and/or seasonal renters, especially those with kids in the season long weekend programs, who if they want to park close to the lodge may be looking at 25 to 30 days of parking fees, and not having a parking season pass option, or at least one listed as an option as of yet, is really snub to Mount Snow core customer base, especially those who may not reside in a location that has Moover service to/from the mountain.
Oh I think they'll spread the crowds to other properties but they won't be Vail properties!
Personally, if someone wants to spend extra money to park behind the base lodge then fine. The rest of us have no problem walking a few feet more and park for free. Two season ago Vail instituted a "valet parking" in lot C for $35.00 a day. If this is an example of what the cost will be then it will cost more to park than our 2 season passes!
Unfortunately, our house is not on the Moover bus line so we can't just hop on and ride in. Maybe Vail will smarten up and use the big field they own just before you turn onto Coldbrook Rd. in Wilmington. That would be a good option for us as it's about a mile from our place.
Chuckstah
So it seems everyone is in agreement with Vail.... greatly improved guest experience.........haha. I'm in agreement with jaytrem and others that, if I buy the minimal Epic, I won't spend another penny with them if possible. Year 2 of pass only spend.
Beast Patroller
This line is just insulting our intelligence...
"These changes will help ensure faster, more efficient parking for all our valued guests, especially at our busiest times."
Yes, I always find it easier to park when I have to go on an app first. I have a house there, so I guess I'll deal with it. However, I won't spend a penny on anything I don't have to. Will also advise people to avoid their resorts whenever possible. In almost 50 years of skiing there, this is probably the most disappointed thing yet.
Totally agree jaytrem! That message is the biggest pile of asgqgagag I've ever seen!
My wife & I thought we made a great decision when we bought our home in the valley 2 yrs. ago. We wanted to be close to the mountain and the lakes but now we're starting to second guess our move. Since we bought we have scaled down our spending in the base lodge as it is usually too crowded & expensive. We'd rather drive 10 minutes home after skiing for a bite to eat & beers or stop at Snow Republic.
We're damn glad we bought a snowmobile this spring as the VAST trail is 1000 ft. from our place and it look's like we'll be spending time sledding more than skiing.
shpride
BeastPatroller has it crossed your mind to sell your place? I’m not saying to do so but was wondering since Im sure Mt. Snow (under old leadership) was a big part of your decision to buy in that area. With the housing market the way it is getting top dollar for it might be tempting.
I guess it may be too early to jump to that type of conclusion yet. Things might play out differently in a year or two and then you regret your decision to sell.
JMaul
Entry fee for lodges and warming huts....
newpylong
$2 for 2 plies of TP.
NELSBEER
Do they have snowmobile/quad side by side parking and back access roads for them? Uses less space, reduces road traffic & accessible to residents. Could even get some tracked MOOver type vehicles like they use on Mount Washington... I've been on more than a few MOOvers over the years that should have been painted to look like TURDles or SLUGs.
The greatly improved guest experience actually does exist... I bought a bunch of their stock when it bottomed a year+ ago... Now I can afford to park.
Beast Patroller
BeastPatroller has it crossed your mind to sell your place? I’m not saying to do so but was wondering since Im sure Mt. Snow (under old leadership) was a big part of your decision to buy in that area. With the housing market the way it is getting top dollar for it might be tempting.
I guess it may be too early to jump to that type of conclusion yet. Things might play out differently in a year or two and then you regret your decision to sell.
There's no way we are going to sell our place. There's plenty up there for us to do year round with the lakes & hiking in the warmer weather and now snowmobiling just outside our door. We'll ski at Berkshire East instead or use our place as a base and ski elsewhere.
Besides, I'm not going to let these idiots win! With the way they're going Mount Snow will get sold to someone soon who knows how to operate a resort!
yardsale
as the person who started last year's anti vail thread, I find it to be no surprise that Vail will squeeze every last dime out of the New England skier. As a cautionary tale, I remind everyone of the outrage at Peak when it was revealed the Sackler family was the primary stakeholder. There were calls to sell and then they did and this is what we got.
JMaul
This just in from Magic. Awesome. Make you want to love them even more.
conrad
Ahaha great stuff from Magic!
It's a funny situation. They want to first and foremost appear to want to have an expensive, exclusive vibe for the wealthy, almost like Disney World, with the deal on the season pass being the work-around way into the kingdom. Of course those who follow the industry know that in reality, the first priority for Vail is selling their Epic Passes to the masses (at least the middle to upper-middle class masses). However, after this year and perhaps due to discounting the pass even more, they realize they are cheapening the experience and that some people are waking up and realizing that they aren't getting such a high quality "experience of a lifetime" after all. So how do they make people think they're more ritzy and not the McDonalds of skiing? You charge for parking. Not just that one premium parking area we've come to expect at many ski areas, but half of your parking lots at all three base lodges.
Oh, and it brings in a lot of dollars as well.
NELSAP
Well, at least it's snowing at Mt. Snow -
NELSBEER
MS parking plan has a lot of lots... did anyone at Mount Snow think about how they are going to staff this great enhancement to service? With unemployment dropping and salaries rising getting people to run gates, direct cars, set up ropes etcetera will be a challenge - you need people. It was a fight last year to staff lifts, kitchens and services, this year will be worse.
Going with fancy electronics may cost more than it brings in... should we expect jitney service, an up front drop off point & jumper cable service if paying a premium price?
jaytrem
Beast Patroller
Don't have to worry about this crap next season as my wife & I just bought Unlimited Summit Passes at Berkshire East.
After looking at everything that's changed (not for the better) since Vail bought out Peaks we have decided enough is enough! It all started when you could convert your Peaks pass to Epic and the ones that did found out they loss some of their pass discounts. We made out as I bought a new pair of skis and some other gear with our Peaks discount. Then last year when they assured us that Epic Coverage would protect us (yea right, got screwed out of $1500.), and now they're charging you to park in any of the walkable lots.
It's too bad as we love skiing there but we can't continue contributing to their greed & lousy customer service. When (or if) Vail ever sells Mount Snow, we'll consider coming back.
conrad
There are many companies out there that force you to swallow your pride to be a customer with them. The first type is when they have a monopoly or oligopoly and people have no choice but to chose one to deal with (i.e. the cable company, airlines, social media, search engines). The second type is businesses that price their products so low that they calculate they can get away with treating their customers like dirt and borderline scamming them (i.e. magazines, free car inspection at garages, certain airlines, etc.). Payday lending might also fit into the second type in a different way.
I wouldn't describe Vail as fitting clearly into either type, at least in New England, but they are certainly forcing people to swallow their pride or walk away. They are likely more the second type, as many people truly believe they are getting a steal of a deal. Perhaps they are right if they had previously been paying $1,000+ for a season pass. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I suspect they will shatter the pass sales records this coming year while simultaneously shattering the record for number of complaints.
lotsoskiing
Is the overselling of tickets due to low season's pass price causing crowding issues at Vail resorts, or is it too early to tell (with COVID screwing with things)? I have no interest in skiing any of the Vail resorts, just curious if those who do are seeing in increase in skier and vehicular traffic that is detracting from the ski experience.
Quietman
I live 15 miles from Crotched, the new pricing brings it back to almost reasonable for a single mountain pass, and spring is the only time that I might venture to Wildcat, Sunapee or Snow. I'm going to wait as late as possible to decide to see what else they come up with in the mean time. Worked there for many seasons from 2010-2019, but not interested in that rat race for the coming year. Maybe after I retire from my full time job.
NELSBEER
For the retirees out there, they have restored the concept of the "SENIOR" pass for the Northeast Regional pass, $100 less. No senior pass on the full EPIC. Don't know if it was Old New Englanders grousing, keeping up with the neighbors, a simple recognition that seniors don't ski weekends, have $$$ and end up up the grandkids.
NELSBEER
From another source:
Payment will be handled electronically through an application accessible via smartphone. These changes will help ensure faster, more efficient parking for all our valued guests, especially at our busiest times. More information coming soon.
Looks like discrimination against seniors who tend not to use technology like smart phones. <3
