Instructor during my lesson at Kirkwood Saturday passed along this anecdote.

Resort Manager held morning meeting the first week following the Vail announcement.

90% of the on mountain accidents that week were from Northstar/Heavenly skiers and riders coming over on the new pass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmourati 

Instructor during my lesson at Kirkwood Saturday passed along this anecdote.

 

Resort Manager held morning meeting the first week following the Vail announcement.

 

90% of the on mountain accidents that week were from Northstar/Heavenly skiers and riders coming over on the new pass.

 

Goes to show how many more skiers Kirkwood had that week.

It's not like Kirkwood didn't own its own gaperdom before.

The sale has been completed

BROOMFIELD, Colo., April 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) today announced that the Company has closed on its acquisition of Kirkwood Mountain Resort at Lake Tahoe, Calif., recognized by skiers and snowboarders as offering some of the best high alpine advanced terrain in North America. Vail Resorts now operates three world-class mountain resorts in the Lake Tahoe region and together with Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar California, provides guests and pass holders unparalleled value with the very best that Lake Tahoe has to offer. The transaction, which included the ski resort and undeveloped sites at the center of the base area, closed for total consideration of approximately $18.0 million. The seller retains a participation interest in the base area parcels and continues to own the remainder of the real estate development sites. 

Anecdotally the SV/AM + H=NS+Kwood passes (and snowmaking and trees) are popular with Aussies and Brits, and that's good for tourism.

Colorado corporations buy Tahoe ski resorts

Marketplace, April 17, 2012

Colorado corporations buy Tahoe ski resorts

Marketplace, April 17, 2012

That article is not entirely correct.  I would say the price has only increased after KSL bought Squaw. Bronze pass has two price increases, I think with even more black out dates.  There is a price reduction in Gold pass, but there is a reduction in service to go with it.

Let me check what services have been cut

• Weekday night skiing is gone
• Reduced lift speed during some week days
• Earlier season closing date at Squaw
• Park?

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulskier 

 

Colorado corporations buy Tahoe ski resorts

 

Marketplace, April 17, 2012

The earlier closing date was only this year - whereas last year Squaw was open until early June (not counting July 4th).  I think some of these resorts had such a tough year with no snow over the big holiday weekends that it's hard to blame them too much.  It is worth pointing out that next year's passes are cheaper than this year (silver is $100 less if I'm not mistaken).

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellside 

That article is not entirely correct.  I would say the price has only increased after KSL bought Squaw. Bronze pass has two price increases, I think with even more black out dates.  There is a price reduction in Gold pass, but there is a reduction in service to go with it.

 

Let me check what services have been cut

 

• Weekday night skiing is gone
• Reduced lift speed during some week days
• Earlier season closing date at Squaw
• Park?

 

 

The only pass that has not seen increase next year is Silver which is unchanged, Existing pass holder can get a $30 renewal discount which is new this year. Overall, the pass cost is small comparing to the overall cost of skiing the whole season so I don't mind paying more. The only thing that really bugs me is the speed throttling of some lifts sometimes
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayT 

The earlier closing date was only this year - whereas last year Squaw was open until early June (not counting July 4th).  I think some of these resorts had such a tough year with no snow over the big holiday weekends that it's hard to blame them too much.  It is worth pointing out that next year's passes are cheaper than this year (silver is $100 less if I'm not mistaken).

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayT 

The earlier closing date was only this year - whereas last year Squaw was open until early June (not counting July 4th).  I think some of these resorts had such a tough year with no snow over the big holiday weekends that it's hard to blame them too much.  It is worth pointing out that next year's passes are cheaper than this year (silver is $100 less if I'm not mistaken).

 

 

Squaw actually closed on Memorial Day weekend with a ton of snow and 20 minute lines on closing day.

In my opinion, it's bad snow karma for all the Tahoe resorts (except Donner Ski Ranch) to not show gratitude for the ambundant snowfall. 

Here's a plea from one ski bum last year.

Run the Lifts-A Plea to Tahoe Ski Resort Executives by Gary Jeong

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulskier 

Squaw actually closed on Memorial Day weekend with a ton of snow and 20 minute lines on closing day.

 

In my opinion, it's bad snow karma for all the Tahoe resorts (except Donner Ski Ranch) to not show gratitude for the ambundant snowfall. 

 

 

Squaw is still open for the next two weekends.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shima 

 

 

Squaw is still open for the next two weekends.

I was referring to last year and the 800+ inches that fell.