Ragged is a good example of how marketing and lack of onslope management can ruin a ski experience. <BR> <BR> I always loved R. for teaching my three beansprouts to ski over 3-4 years each. I'm on my last one and got back there with my 5-year old. What a diff between yesterday and 4 years ago. Used to be a quiet, sleepy area. Still is, but a lot more people, lots more beginners and lack of staff supervision. Lack of on-slope management/supervision was never a problem when the skier numbers were low, but now it's a necessity (written by someone who'll take black diamonds and fast cruisers anydays .) <BR> <BR>There are a lot more people there yesterday, more buses, race team, etc. the high speed lift meant a lot more kids on the slopes. No safe way to cruise at high speeds. That didn't stop the yahoos who just learned to ski last year from roaring thru beginner areas. My buddy stated "I haven't seen so many incompetent skiers at one place in a long time." True. Sadly true. I suppose it would have been ok if there was some enforcement action going on, either live bodies on skies or some signage - like "slow ski area", stuff like that. Lots of people on trails over their heads. Most of the staff seemed to be in the lodge. I saw more RM jackets in the lodge than on the slopes (spare the lift ops) all day. <BR> <BR>It seems that R. has the overall operational infrastructure working pretty good (lodge, tix, lessons, snowmaking, but they need to do some skier and active slope management. It seems like a big free for all. <BR> <BR>Next, the trail signs were non-existent. Looks like someone drank a lot of beer and knocked them down. Doesn't matter to me, but I'm sure it was a source of putting a lot of people in places they didn't belong. <BR> <BR>Ticket prices are still relatively reasonable, especially if you pickup a discount voucher at a ski shop before you go - save $4 on adult, $3 on kids. <BR> <BR>Snow conditions were fair to midland, but it was like that everywhere. One green trail to the far left (no snowmaking) had a downright scarey turn (to beginners) shortly down from the top. The trail was quite wide - 100 ft., but only about 8 ft. of it was open, straight down for about 100 ft, full of bumps. There was no attempt by RM to groom the remaining 90 ft. width, guess there wan't enough natural. Probably scared the beginners away from that trail for the rest of the day, leaving them to clog up places where they didn't belong. They need to fix that one. <BR> <BR>It seemed like RM snow crew did a pretty good job overall, scratchy stuff here and there, but no real ice or dangerous conditions. <BR> <BR>I'd love to see them institute a recreational racing program (skis and boards), even ad-hoc like Cannon does it- "Got Milk?" course.)It really does a lot to improve skiers skills and I for one would like to see everyone of all levels try it. It would help the yahoos who need to improve get better and give them something to brag about back in the lodge. <BR> <BR>While I'm whining, what the *bleep* was a snowcat doing passing in front of the lodge at lifts at peak crowd times in early afternoon? That was the dumbest thing I've ever seen. I sure hope it was an emergency. The ski patrol was moving hundreds of skiers out of the way. I saw several accidents by beginner skiers who freaked when they saw it come by. Two skiers hit each other hard, and laid there, clearly in pain for some time. <BR> <BR>The new "6-pack" lift was pretty fast and easy on/off. They are having some startup problems with the lift operators not being attentive enough of the skiers queuing up (enforcement of lines alternating - too many inconsiderate kids AND adults). Different loading technique. Skiers stand at midpoint of the bullwheel (at the very end of the cable so-to-speak) instead of at the 3/4 point around the wheel. It's a pretty good idea. Less length to travel from queue to load point. The lines were no more than about 3-4 minutes. <BR> <BR>I would love to go back to Ragged with the young uns, if the on slope management situation is addressed. In the mean time, the kids want to go back to Cannon. 'Nuf' said.
Ragged Mountain, 09 February 02
- Thread starter billski
- Start date