Robbery in progress - Page 3

Okemo is my favorite So VT ski area. I like the way they run the area and I like the terrain. I am not going to say the terrain is hard, its not, but it is fun. I look at Okemo as a "Guilty Pleasure", bumps are perfect and the glades are fun. And I am sorry, but I do like a nice blue cruiser from time to time. I am adult enough to admit that I like Okemo and I choose to ski there when I am on my way to MRG. What they charge to ski there is basic economics and that has been gone over here. Say what you will, but the Muellers have done a ton to get people on the slopes. If you do not like what Okemo charges...great, do NOT ski there...if there is enough peole who feel that way, the prices will go down, but I doubt it. The good Lord invented ski lifts and I am willing to pay to use them.

In our dreams.

Who cares about Slowkemo?

There are better options in southern VT. I mean, come on, who puts "No Jumping" signs on NATURAL TERRAIN? Weak.

Lawyers

Good answer. Even with the no jumping signs, it's still hard to protect people, from stupid people.

You've got to be kidding me!!!! For a business owner you sure aren't a Capitalist. What exactly do you do? What the resorts owe is the insurance companies who are required because all of those downtrodden skies will sue their ass off given half the chance. Reward those who live in the area...Oh my god.

Bryan, what are you rambling about? What does treating employees and locals like human beings have to do with skiers sueing resorts?? IS there something in your past that is causing this non-sensical diatribe? Did you read something different and think it had something to do with my post? BTW- by treating my employees well, they work harder and are more dedicated to their jobs. This means they make more while I make more. Beating up people and treating them poorly will not make you more profitable; it's just a stupid, antiquated, uninformed notion.

FYI- the courts have repeatedly upheld the ruling that ski resorts are not liable for injury unless they have acted in a grossly negligent manner.

I think Bryan came off his meds.

Ron you sound like a great person and you probably are, but jeeeezzzzzzz, why do you think lift tickets are so high? Define grossly and negligent.

And Jeff your right, I came off my meds, especially after reading the PM you sent me and looking forward to paying $10K for a few lift tickets.

Sorry Ron, but your post really blew me away. Maybe one day I can find out where you are and buy you a beer.

Gross negligence has a reasonably well accepted meaning. It's a very commonly used concept.

Ski areas are protected to some extent by legislation in most states with a significant ski industry. I think 24 or 25 states have similar laws.

To the extent there's been any recent jump in liability insurance premiums, I suspect its no different from the jump everyone in every industry saw in 2002 or so.

So far as I can tell, where ski areas get into trouble is primarily lift loading accidents, plus, of course, the usual range of things that get businesses into trouble, like employment practices (ski areas might be a slightly riper target than most for age/gender/racial-discrimination suits).

I like Okemo too because it's a great mountain to practice technique on. I like that it's not too far from Boston, there's more than one place to eat, the people are nice, the lift system is good, and it doesn't attract too many "crazy" skiers! Everyday we ski, it's like taking a small vacation, so I don't mind spending the money to enjoy my "vacation"

If I was rich, I'd join the place that Warren Miller skis at because skiing is worth the money.

So stop complaining and pray for some damn snow (or at least some cold temps)

Nobody likes paying these prices but we still want to ski.

If Stratton wants the country club type then let them have it. If Okemo wants to do the same then I doubt we will be going there.

We picked up season passes this year to help keep costs down.

Our average ski day trip last year would average around $200+ because of gas, lift tickets, food, and other costs.

The reason that I work so hard is to make money to live and do what I love to do.

Otherwise it just aint worth it.

Can't argue with anything I've heard so far, but what happens when you DO go to one of these places that charge a small fortune for EXACTLY the reasons all have mentioned and it is not good?

I've been to Okemo and loved it quite a few times, the last time we went tho---we picked Okemo for its rep as being one of the places most likely to have decent snow and grooming when the weather had'nt cooperated for awhile.

We all know how the winter went last season, we went january 1st knowing conditions were not the greatest in VT, but hey Okemo has the rep. Spent the money for 4 folks and quit early due to really bad conditions.

Now before someone blasts me, we played the odds as well as we could in the circumstances, picked one of two logical choices given the conditions, Stratton was the other---and still wasted what? 250 bucks minimum?

I know that areas are at the mercy of weather, but in my view---if you are going to charge 60 plus per day, there should be some sort of "rain check" available for days when it is not up to par. This day---there would have been no question---it was not up to anyones, including Okemo's standards.

Hell, my 9 dollar a 9 hole round GC gives full credit if it rains before you finish the 3rd hole! Why can't the 72 dollar a day resorts do the same? Even a credit for 1/2 price next time around would have been better than nothing.

I'd have been more than happy if there was some sort of policy such as that.

As it was, knowing we take our chances with the weather, I am still unsatisfied with my last trip there and will likely, be a long time before I go back.

Most mountains have some kind of snow guarantee.

Okemo's "Try Before You Buy" is actually backwards.

You show up and ski for the first 60 minutes without a pass to check out the conditions and weather. Then you buy one after th eforst hour.

Obviously this does not work if you already have a ticket or have a multi day ticket.

I have gotten vouchers from Sugarloaf and Bretton Woods on many occassions when our second day of skiing was rained out or the conditions were just crap.

I check the weather everyday and especially in the morning before driving to a resort for a day trip.

If there is even a chance of rain I usually go back to bed.

It's too bad that you had such a bad experience at Okemo.

It really is a fun cruising mountain with good service.

Usually between 20 and 30. Don't get me wrong, I love all the "extra" money I have during the non ski season, but I still wouldn't trade it. I guess my "grumble price" is pretty high!

Yeah it's only the first hour.

It is very rare that we are not on a lift as soon as they start turning.

I like morning skiing the best.

I just try to exact every bit of "revenge" on ski areas for their price gouging that I can. I brown bag it every time, ski from first chair to last, skip the "preferred parking" areas, and scrounge for the cheapest tickets I can.

-Hit the ski movie premiers to get the "free tix" they offer. For a $5 admission, you get free tix to local areas. Plus you get an entertaining movie!
-Keep your ears open in the parking lots in March-April. Lots of folks have extra tickets they'll sell cheap.
-Don't neglect the local hills. I've got one that offers a 3 lift ticket card for $59 if you buy before Christmas. There's another that offers $20 tix on Sundays from 4p-10p. And another that has $20 tix after March 1.
-Take full advantage of season pass deals. Early season pricing is almost always a couple hundred bucks cheaper. Plus, my employer has a tuition reimbursement program. I take 12 credits in the fall, get the letter from the school verifying full-time status, and voila!--student rates.

Bonni,

Whats up here? Is it something more than just the ticket cost that is bugging you about Okemo? You really seem to be overstepping the usual soapbox rant. Did Tim and Diane do something to you or your family? This vandeta appears to be going deeper than the cost of a season pass that (it appears) you had no intention of even buying.

I think this post needs to be locked.



Just kidding

Scalce, one real bad out of all the days there is not that bad.

I'll have to admit to NOT even asking --- here comes the word---I assumed there would be no point! Maybe I was wrong not to offer them the opportunity. Like I said, you take yer chances with the weather in this sport.

Phil, seems the NJ and south crowd has some problem with folks voicing an opinion? Is it a regional issue? Is this taught in the school system down there?

This thread started as "Why is skiing so expensive in the east?"

It sort of morphed to "Justify to me why I should pay through the nose and love it?"

We've heard various reasons why: Snowmaking is one I suppose, but I saw snow guns at every area we went to in Utah last year---granted they were not being used to get the hill open.

We've been told we are the cash cows for the western resorts---that may be true.

The most logical reason I've seen promulgated is because folks will pay to play here and until a high water mark with regard to cost is reached, well we are sort of stuck.

Of course we can go to MRG or Magic, or many of the other less costly places. But occasionally you like to go to places like Okemo just for the experience. Or you choose to go there based on the highly polished reputation of great grooming or some other preceived quality that sets them apart from the rest.

I have not been to Killington in way more years than I can remember, one day I'll go back just to taste the atmosphere, play with the crowds and get a feel for the place.

Will I grumble at the cost---YOU BET. Will I have a good time YOU BET.

BTW I can ski any of these areas at a good discount if I choose to. All I have to do is put on my division level ski patrol hat and I'm golden. I choose not to most of the time because that privelege, to me, should not be abused. Similar to pro discounts on equipment. I'll use it for my equipment, but not for Bonni.

Does that make me a fool? Probably in some of you folks eyes. I can live with that.

Fate has us located here for the time being, skiing somewhere in the northeast for the forseeable future and slowly going broke at the same time.

Edited: originally stated free--should say good discount.

"I just try to exact every bit of "revenge" on ski areas for their price gouging that I can. I brown bag it every time, ski from first chair to last, skip the "preferred parking" areas, and scrounge for the cheapest tickets I can."

Yes now that is the bitter East Coast attitude that I know and love. Without the Misery of the Red Sox and Patriots I wonder what people will do? Too much good news? The most amazing thing around here is listen to people talk about the weather, if it is not 72 and sunny with a 2 mph breeze everyone is bitching about the weather. I have never seen so many fair weather fans in a place with such bad weather. I lived in Oregon for a short while, if you did not do something because it rained, you never did anything...

Anyway I do agree with you, save where you can, sort of like sneaking candy into a movie theatre. At Whistler we got all of the sandwich's rd to go but we were so impressed with the on mountain food and the reasonable price of it that we stopped bringing sandwich's. I will take a juicy Bacon Cheeseburger over a crappy cold cut sandwich anyday. Of course on the east coast hills the burger is worse than White Castle and cost 17 times as much

Alfonse

Cheeseburgers do smell good when you have been on the hill since 8:30 and around 11ish you catch a scent of the BBQ.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I was debating bringing my lunch but it seems like a pain and I like to have a warm lunch on a cold day.

Bonni, If your complaining about Okemo's first hour free. For this coming season they have brought back "you can ski free for the first hour of the day". For the past to seasons they did like all the other mountains. If you were not happy in the first hour of your lift ticket you could return it and get credit for another day. There were to many complaints. So they have returned to the old policy.

No, where I have an issue with this is people not taking respociablity for thier own actions. You have choices..use them. If you don't like what Okemo or Statton charge, don't ski there. I don't like what Nordstom charge for shoes....so guess what I don't shop there. I like Mortons steaks, so guess what..I eat there. I choose where I spend my money and who I spend it with. Its a matter of choice. I don't complain what Nordstoms charges..if they can get it, so be it. Okemo and Statton are beating people off at the doors on weekends. So maybe they aren't charging enough.

Is is something that is taught in the schools? Maybe..I think it was in Economic Class.

Really?

Phil,

What part of my last post is disagreeing with your freedom of choice and personal responsibility train of thought?

Using the logic of "why are you complaining about something you had no intention of buying" is making my head hurt. Does it follow that I can't make any comment about the cost now of Volvo, or the future cost of Volant just because I have no interest in buying either one?

It is my opinion that Volant, if they stay on the course we hear and become a "boutique" ski at 1500 plus bucks, will sell few skis and certainly not any to me.

I happily flow through life never wanting a vehicle that costs more than 15K, to me anything more is a huge waste of money for something to get from point A to point B. Hell I don't need new either.

By your standard, I can't say to anyone, Volant will eb overpriced---sort of like a season pass to Okemo. Nor can I say---Volvo---nice car---way too much money for my taste.

Is there personal choice in there somewhere?

Do you see it?

This discussion got me thinking, so I crunched some #'s for ya, Bonni. Here's why your skiing is so pricy.

NE incl. Conn, Maine, Mass, NH, NJ, NY, Penn, RI, Vt
West incl. Cali, Ore, Wash, Col, Idaho, Mont, Utah, Wyo

Lift Served Skiable Acreage: NE = 23,150 acres
West = 112,900acres
Cali & Colorado each boast more acreage than the entire NE with Utah possessing about the same amount.

Population density average of States used: NE = 500people/sq.mile
West = 46people/sq.mile

So, the NE has 23,150 available acres and a pop. density of 500 people/sq mile and the west has 112,900 available acres with a population density of <50 people/sq mile.