STOWE prices: Fraud, Ripoff, or Are They Ever Worth It?

C

C1Speed40

New member
Sorry guys, just need to get this off my chest. This place is driving me crazy. First of all, overcharging on lift tickets for Saturdays: $84.00! :twisted: How do they do this when Vail and Aspen are the only resorts in North America probably charging more. You can get an Alta/Bird ticket for less. :roll: Then, there's the fact that the only decent deal they had (The Stowe Card)'s price was increased. On top of all this, they try to increase their trail count without ever cutting a tree. Now they're naming half trails! They're doing this to justify their increase in prices while doing nothing for the non-owner ski community. I've been pretty loyal to Stowe since 1984, getting around the ticket prices and lodging and enjoying a great mountain. My two kids have even learned how to ski here. I hate to say it, but they'll probably start charging for parking. ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) Please help me in my fight to call these people out on this. (This is getting ridiculous!)

Please chime in on this and give me your two cents, it might make me feel better. Meanwhile, I'm looking for a new ski destination for my family and I. BOYCOTT STOWE!
 
I think the ski day at AltaBird might be a bit more expensive for you than Stowe if you include transportation costs. Regional ski markets seem to be quite self contained. Utah, Washington and Oregon tickets do run less than elsewhere, can't say I know why. It certainly has nothing to do with the quality of the mountains.

So the question for Stowe is what is it worth relative to its eastern competition? Average terrain quality is in the top echelon. Powder skiing appears to be the best in the East, given repeated documentation here on FTO by powderfreak and now salida. These are incremental advantages, not a night-and-day Mammoth vs. SoCal comparison. So I'm not surprised Stowe has the priciest ticket, but I would expect it to be a modest increment. Like Vail vs. one of the Summit County areas maybe.

The trail count thing is BS, but other eastern areas have been doing it for years. I'd be surprised if it has anything to do with ticket prices.
 
I'm not sure what you are describing rises to the level of fraud. I mean it's basically capitalism. They are offering a product at a certain price and some people are paying. It's not like they are taking money out of the Salvation Army bucket when Santa isn't looking. In general skiers are probably at the upper end of the economic spectrum. Live with it, or go to a cheaper, possibly lesser mountain. Or hell...go tele and head into the backback.
 
I agree with you. It's just crazy. Last year I got the full ticket at snowbird (including the tram) at 62$. It's crazy when you compare what they and what we get here (jay, stowe etc). Snowbird, huge, the chalet down the slope is just incredible. Look like a james bond movie!


But what people think. If they ask 82$ and people keep going... They will stay at this price! In chrismas, Tremblant will be at 80$ also! :)
 
I totally agree, For Montreal area residents you can catch a bus with Express -Ski for $67.00 adults $ 57 juniors that will drive you to the hill and back. Last year we managed to fill our own bus to Stowe with Express- Ski buy selling tickets at work and left a 5.30 am. Please keep in mind that a lot of the epic powder shots are from out of bounds so a first time visitor is going to wonder where all those great shots are from as they make their way down good old FG groomers.
 
I agree- prices are getting out of control. Consider someone with an average income who wants to ski- and has 3 kids. What's it going to cost- $300 or so with kids rates? That will seriously limit your skiing at places like Stowe.

Now for the capitalism thing- it is indeed supply and demand. They have one of the best mountains (if not the best) in the east so they can rightfully price their product at a premium.

Comparing to the west is a bit misleading- the Eastern areas have to pay a fortune for snowmaking- electricity isn't getting any cheaper.

For a good comparison - look at Mad River Glen. Very little snowmaking or grooming and a great mountain. Their product costs $35 on a weekday and $54 on a weekend. I'll bet most of the difference is electricity and marketing.

Holiday Valley NY- a much smaller area is $54 weekend/ $45 weekday.

To close- I guess I just wish they'd keep it a bit more affordable. My Vt trip will probably be one day at Stowe and then the rest elsewhere to get better prices.
 
frontrange":1qttdd9y said:
I agree- prices are getting out of control. Consider someone with an average income who wants to ski- and has 3 kids. What's it going to cost- $300 or so with kids rates? That will seriously limit your skiing at places like Stowe.
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A nasty response could be "Stop being rabbits and have less or no kids." if it bothers you that much. From birth to 18 you can figure $110, 000 of disposable income per child. That's a lot of skiing and fine food & wine! :)

However, realistically, this same argument has been made in the 60's, 70's 80's, and 90's - the only thing that changes is the figures. Face it, skiing is not a cheap activity. When Killington was $25 / day, gas was under $0.75 / gallon. When Sugarbush was $10 / day, an average new car was under $2000. It's often been called "the rich man's sport" for good reason, although it is kind of darkly humorous that after you add up the cost of skis, bindings, boots, poles, clothing, brain-buckets (if you use them), the ever annoying iPlod that seems to be a skiing necessity for some, travel/transportation, lodging, food, and incidentals, people are complaining about the incremental increase over the previous year in the cost of a lift ticket.

That being said, there is absolutely no good reason for anyone to pay full window price for any lift ticket anywhere. There are too many deals, promotions, and discounts available. All it takes is some research and a bit of planning. Some examples you ask?

* Buying lift tickets over the internet at least 7 days in advance for Stowe or Aspen is a significant discount

* A multiday ticket usually drops the per/day cost, often dramatically once you get to the 5+ day level. A Solitude (UT) six day card is $36/day instead of the single day $54.

*Buy your tickets for The Canyons at any of the Salt Lake valley (not Park City) ski shops and you get a $16 discount.

*If you're going to be in Colorado long enough - like a week - a $400 season pass to 4 areas more than pays for itself.

* If you're traveling, booking lodging through a tour operator often gives amazing lift ticket discounts as part of a package.
 
C1Speed40":rd7hcv79 said:
Sorry guys, just need to get this off my chest. This place is driving me crazy. First of all, overcharging on lift tickets for Saturdays: $84.00! :twisted: How do they do this when Vail and Aspen are the only resorts in North America probably charging more.
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It's alright to be frustrated, it's not called $towe for nothing :?: This isn't anything new, Stowe has always been the most expensive area in the East, period. :wink: It's my favorite ski area (with Sugarloaf), however I haven't skied there so often simply because the price of lift tickets.

It's might be crazy, but Stowe is only slightly more expensive than Kmart and Tremblant (with the current exchange rate). Crazy expensive? yes. Is it a surprise? No. Kmart and Tremblant has artificially increased trails counts a number a years ago, Stowe is just catching up. :twisted: :roll:

C1Speed40":rd7hcv79 said:
I hate to say it, but they'll probably start charging for parking. ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) Please help me in my fight to call these people out on this. (This is getting ridiculous!)
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Yep, Tremblant's closest parking hasn't been free for a number of years.

C1Speed40":rd7hcv79 said:
Please chime in on this and give me your two cents, it might make me feel better. Meanwhile, I'm looking for a new ski destination for my family and I. BOYCOTT STOWE!
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I agree that it's sucks...Stowe is great, but they're a few areas in Vermont and New England in general where the skiing is pretty good too. In depends what you're looking for? Here are some names...Sugarloaf, Mad River Glen, Smuggler's Notch, Sugarbush.
 
It's unfair to compare Vermont resort pricing to Utah. In the east, resorts have to make snow. Energy costs just doubled. The Vermont Act 68 statewide school tax caused resort property tax bills to quadruple. Employment costs like workman's comp are outrageous in Vermont.

Ski resorts are businesses. These days, they are typically real estate development businesses who operate ski resorts as a side business. A big lift line, congested trails, and crowded base lodges make it more difficult to sell luxury condos and slopeside trophy homes to rich people. If you can't afford that real estate, you're not their market. The high lift ticket price is a polite nudge to tell you to take your business elsewhere.

Personally, the season pass and day ticket price are lost in the noise for me compared to my lodging and transporation costs. My Killington season pass cost $1K. If they doubled it, it would still be a small fraction of what I pay in property taxes and condo fees. At $0.485 per mile allowed by the IRS, the drive from the flatlands is a significant expense.
 
Honestly, this thread is really ashame.

I went to bloKEMO this weekend for a ski club trip. It really sucked, icy groomers where they had made snow, and you had to poach the "goods" that were still really atrocious compared to stowe. They are about 1 month behind stowe/jay. They charge $74 during prime time. Only 10 dollars less than stowe. For a 10 dollar premium you get far more reliable snow conditions, a mountain with a pitch over 25 degrees, incredibly more interesting and diverse terrain, and a place that is by and large less crowded because of price and distance from the main market. You also don't get trails littered with really really horrible skiers and riders.

So sure, Stowe has gone up in price, on a percentage basis no more than anyone else. Sure they are the most expensive, and are probably overcharging, but thats skiing. AND you at least get what your money is worth there. I can't believe you'd feel that anyone else is offering a better value, say okemo at 74 dollars.

Most of all, to some Stowe is a value, for instance a 375 college pass, or the interesting "Young Adult, age 19-29" pass they offer for discounted prices. Anyway you cut it, Stowe is providing superior terrain and snow quality, something that I don't mind paying for.

PS My per day costs at stowe are already around 30 dollars per day, and its not even christmas yet. There is some real value.

Porter
 
Fraud would be advertising $30 but you can't get on the lift past the greens without paying $50 more.

Stowe's rates are up front and you make a decision accordingly. No one is forcing people to go places. Stowe's niche is to be top dog in the east in prestige and $$, and that's the market they cater too. Lord knows I fund a skiing family and am hyper price sensitive but I can't resent a business for chasing a niche. I suggest Ann Rand, Atlas Shrugged, for supplementary reading. :lol:
 
Now that we've adequately smacked around C1Speed40 after his/her first post.... :lol: Welcome to the FTO fora C1Speed40!!!

As you can see, while some folks are as sensitive/aware as you of ski prices, there are deals to be found, and Stowe really isn't as far out of line as your post suggests. However, a subject line screaming FRAUD! repeatedly is bound to turn off folks, as is an attempt to start a jihad against Stowe. Besides being patently false, it's pretty over the top, especially for your first post. You might consider toning down the vitriol a bit.
 
IF YA WANNA DEAL CHECK OUT SADDLEBACK! tickets never more than 40 bucks, 2000 vert, great trees, way less crowded, mid week 25 dollar deals all week, 5 dollar lunch specials, great bar, rough women.

oh wait! i hear something ringing, oh! it's the clue phone and it must be for you! LOL.
like many others have said, lot's o deals out there.
rog
 
icelanticskier":31ko1utj said:
IF YA WANNA DEAL CHECK OUT SADDLEBACK! tickets never more than 40 bucks, 2000 vert, great trees, way less crowded, mid week 25 dollar deals all week, 5 dollar lunch specials, great bar, rough women.
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You forgot to mention....to get there you go to the end of the Earth, where all the dragons and demons are, then keep driving for another 75 miles! It's even further from nowhere than Sugarloaf! :lol:
 
salida said:
Honestly, this thread is really ashame.

I went to bloKEMO this weekend for a ski club trip. It really sucked, icy groomers where they had made snow, and you had to poach the "goods" that were still really atrocious compared to stowe. They are about 1 month behind stowe/jay. They charge $74 during prime time. Only 10 dollars less than stowe. For a 10 dollar premium you get far more reliable snow conditions, a mountain with a pitch over 25 degrees, incredibly more interesting and diverse terrain, and a place that is by and large less crowded because of price and distance from the main market. You also don't get trails littered with really really horrible skiers and riders.

So sure, Stowe has gone up in price, on a percentage basis no more than anyone else. Sure they are the most expensive, and are probably overcharging, but thats skiing. AND you at least get what your money is worth there. I can't believe you'd feel that anyone else is offering a better value, say okemo at 74 dollars.

Most of all, to some Stowe is a value, for instance a 375 college pass, or the interesting "Young Adult, age 19-29" pass they offer for discounted prices. Anyway you cut it, Stowe is providing superior terrain and snow quality, something that I don't mind paying for.

PS My per day costs at stowe are already around 30 dollars per day, and its not even christmas yet. There is some real value.

Porter
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porter is 100% right


stowe is the best hill in new england , hands down.... they have it all snow, terrain, lifts and lift layout...80 is a lot of money... i don'e like paying it, but to get the best, i guess that's what is required
 
I don't know why people complain. You get what you pay for. Stowe offers probably the best skiing in the east. $80+ for Killington, blokemo, all the other southern vt places, sure a waste of money. Out west you also DO have to pay for parking, some places charge up to $25. There is a ton of overhead in the ski industry and we all have to pay the tax if we want to enjoy it.
 
exactly marc c, that's why the place will never make it to warrant all of the dreams swirling around. it is worth the drive for the value and experience and don't try to tell me differently unless you too are a capricorn then we can lock horns.
rog
hey, i used to live on deer hollow road in sandy. yes-a gated community.
 
I too think Porter nailed it. Once you've invested the time, transport $ and lodging, most of us won't quibble with a marginal increment for the best skiing within a region. The best reason to go for a lesser area is crowd avoidance.

Now that we've adequately smacked around C1Speed40 after his/her first post
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Could have been worse. He could have posted to TGR :wink: .
 
Porter is speaking from the point of view of a college season pass holder which quite frankly, is the best deal in the country as far as I am concerned. Lots of college kids get bent out of shape because it is the most expensive college pass, but that is really an over blown sense of entitlement just because they get used to only paying $200. I am surprised Stowe isn't completely over run with college students. If I was a UVM student, I would save up that extra $150 for the Stowe pass, total no brainer.

I will continue to disagree with Tony regarding the "marginal" increment of the more expensive areas, especially when other places with great skiing (such as Jay and MRG) are drastically cheap. Where do you draw the line on "marginal" increases? That $12 lunch in the lodge is marginal, so is paying $20 more for a day ticket at Stowe compared to Jay or $25 more than MRG. Taking the family SUV instead of an economy car is a marginal increase in gas. And staying slopeside is only a marginal increase in price as well. You keep on adding marginal increases and a $200 weekend can quickly double or triple in price.

I will throw up my total season cost calculator later today or tomorrow when I have a moment. I have been a "deal shopper" throughout my skiing career, but I still go for quality rather than being price conscious, but only to a point. When a season pass to MRG and Mad Cards for three days at Mad River make my average cost per day of skiing less than $30, I have a hard time seeing $80 as a deal. Stowe has great skiing, but it isn't worth $80. Best way to ski Stowe is on a ski and stay package. I can't imagine any one paying walk up window rates.
 
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