| Tin Woodsman wrote: |
| ski_resort_observer wrote: |
It's my day off so I'll take a step onto the minefield and take the flames regarding the size of the CP. One thing that alot of people who are quick to shout often that the Bush screwed up by making it too small is very unfair IMHO. Hindsight is 20/20.
When something as big/complicated as a new Gatehouse Lodge, one piece of the new developement is planned no one really knows how busy the bar will be. There is the balance of size regarding when it's going to be busy on weekends/holidays but not very busy during the week. Not sure if the closing of the Blue Tooth was a done deal at this time. This balance is important in planning pretty much any building/space at a seasonal business like a ski resort. Who knew that after a month after opening the Bush would be blessed with good snow from then to present. IIRC the Bush went 100% open on Jan 21, 2007.
With a business with such a small profit margin I think underplanning/undersizing is the wise way then adjust as you go. According to BMM the NSAA reports that the average profit margin at a ski resort is 3%. That's a pretty scary number. So many small improvements have been made basically unseen to the public. |
SRO - I'm sorry, but this is a bit of a cop out. As you well know, the net change in actual bar space between the 05/06 and 06/07 seasons was:
SUBTRACT
North 1/3 of old GH lodge
Wunderbar
Mushroom
Blue Tooth
ADD
New CR Pub
Timbers barely counts, as it's not exactly designed to take large apres crowds and last year was completely ill-prepared to do so (menu, service and set-up) anyway.
Anyway you look at it, it should have been painfully obvious that CRP would be crowded - it's smaller than its namesake inthe old lodge, let alone the Shroom and Wunderbar. Wunderbar is thankfully open again this year, but there just isn't as much activity in VH lodge as in years past for a variety of reasons.
Given margins on alcohol sales in the 300% range, I think this is one area where you'd be willing to over plan a bit.
Regardless, looks like the expansion largely addresses this issue, so I've got nothing to complain about (unless they stiff me on the plaque commemorating the Tin Woodsman Annex). |
You can't just discount Timbers out of hand. It's twice as big and decades nicer than the mushroom, as beloved as it was. So the net loss at the mtn is really just the wonderbar which has been open all year. The blue tooth is off mtn and judging by the crowds or lack thereof towards the end, was excess.
Be that as it may, tomorrow looks great.
Gallery
