skibum4ever
New member
************ If You Keep It Open They Will Come **************
I'm talking about ski areas, particularly in the West, only because I am not familiar with Eastern snow conditions.
I skied today at Keystone in the snow, about 6" new, mid-winter conditions. Two days ago I was at Aspen, mid-winter conditions, getting slushy only for the last 200 feet at the bottom, no bare spots. The day before that I was at Vail, about 6 inches of fresh powder, a wonderful day. I remember other springs where Vail was suggesting that people ride the gondola to the bottom because of the lack of coverage, the bare spots, and the heaviness of the slush in the last 1000 feet. Not like that this year; in fact, snow is predicted almost every day for the next week.
Yet all these area are closing on April 13. This is because Easter was so early this year, the earliest possible. Easter could be almost a month later, and in that case none of these major areas would be closing,
particularly with so much base.
I have met so many people on the slopes this past week, who mourn this early end to the ski season. Yes, I know A-Basin will still be open, and that Aspen Highlands will open some weekends later in the month. But that's not enough to draw in the tourists - you need Vail, Aspen, Keystone, Breck, Copper - at least two of these majors areas.
I ski at Mammoth and they make every effort to stay open as long as possible. Last year, in a poor snow year, they moved the snow around and created paths so they could remain open until Memorial weekend. No, they weren't making tons of money by doing this. Most of the snowriders were season pass holders. But they were rewarding their most loyal customers by giving them as much riding as possible. These riders were in turn shopping, eating in the cafeteria, eating out at night, and purchasing hard goods such as ski equipment and t-shirts. So Mammoth (read that as any ski town) staying open longer benefitted not just Mammoth and their reputation, but the hotel owners, shops, and restaurants.
This is an open letter to the ski area owners and managers of the major areas of Colorado. I'm sure many of you are discussing extending your season. Please, for the sake of your most loyal customers, consider staying open until the end of April, or later, weather conditions permitting.
(If you as a reader of this post agree with it and would like to post it on any other snow forum to which you belong, please feel free to copy it, change it, whatever, and post it elsewhere. Maybe we can get the word out that the season should not end this early with this much snow!)
I'm talking about ski areas, particularly in the West, only because I am not familiar with Eastern snow conditions.
I skied today at Keystone in the snow, about 6" new, mid-winter conditions. Two days ago I was at Aspen, mid-winter conditions, getting slushy only for the last 200 feet at the bottom, no bare spots. The day before that I was at Vail, about 6 inches of fresh powder, a wonderful day. I remember other springs where Vail was suggesting that people ride the gondola to the bottom because of the lack of coverage, the bare spots, and the heaviness of the slush in the last 1000 feet. Not like that this year; in fact, snow is predicted almost every day for the next week.
Yet all these area are closing on April 13. This is because Easter was so early this year, the earliest possible. Easter could be almost a month later, and in that case none of these major areas would be closing,
particularly with so much base.
I have met so many people on the slopes this past week, who mourn this early end to the ski season. Yes, I know A-Basin will still be open, and that Aspen Highlands will open some weekends later in the month. But that's not enough to draw in the tourists - you need Vail, Aspen, Keystone, Breck, Copper - at least two of these majors areas.
I ski at Mammoth and they make every effort to stay open as long as possible. Last year, in a poor snow year, they moved the snow around and created paths so they could remain open until Memorial weekend. No, they weren't making tons of money by doing this. Most of the snowriders were season pass holders. But they were rewarding their most loyal customers by giving them as much riding as possible. These riders were in turn shopping, eating in the cafeteria, eating out at night, and purchasing hard goods such as ski equipment and t-shirts. So Mammoth (read that as any ski town) staying open longer benefitted not just Mammoth and their reputation, but the hotel owners, shops, and restaurants.
This is an open letter to the ski area owners and managers of the major areas of Colorado. I'm sure many of you are discussing extending your season. Please, for the sake of your most loyal customers, consider staying open until the end of April, or later, weather conditions permitting.
(If you as a reader of this post agree with it and would like to post it on any other snow forum to which you belong, please feel free to copy it, change it, whatever, and post it elsewhere. Maybe we can get the word out that the season should not end this early with this much snow!)
:shock: :evil: