Yeah, and I'm sure the resorts know what they're doing. I'd rather have them carefully watching their $$$ rather than extend themselves in such a way that it harms the viability of their businesses.

That doesn't help those of us who anxiously watch the weather like kids counting the days until Christmas.

I suppose if everything was open people would complan about bare spots and being open for trail counts????

freeheel_skier wrote:

I suppose if everything was open people would complan about bare spots and being open for trail counts????

Quite.

freeheel_skier wrote:

I suppose if everything was open people would complan about bare spots and being open for trail counts????

So true, so true.

On the other hand it seems, perhaps only temporary, things are changing. During ASC's regime they always started their commercials with " the most open terrain in northern Vermont'. They were obsessed with having more terrain, even by one trail,, than Stowe. Before I bought a small place in the valley I commuted from Montpelier for 2 years. Every moring I would listen to the ski report on the radio on my way in and chuckled how the Bush always had just enough terrain open to keep that marketing claim true. Heck, they paid people to sit in Stowe's parking lot and count cars. Stowe did the same thing. Don't know if it continues. Thought about asking when I worked there last winter but it's one of those little secrets they don't like talking about.

IMHO, what is going on is that Stowe has gotten a bunch more natural snow so far this year. The Bush is opening terrain pretty much like they have in the past only backwards in that Mt Ellen is opening first. The Bush is being conservative financially but maybe that's what they need to do to continue moving forward. The owners are not thinking about today or next month, that plan is already set. They are thinking about next year, the next five years. Having the mountain open during the week, with alot of terrain, this time of year is hard on the finances. As most of you know the Bush is owned and operated by individuals while Stowe is owned by a huge multi-national insurance giant. Financial resources between the two are very diferent.

BTW, Jay has only 6 trails open, Smuggs - 8, Bolton -4 so it's not like the Bush is the only one with very limited terrain currently. I also think that this weekend you will see alot more terrain open way above the typical 4 trail opening at Lincoln Pk.

Keep the faith fellow Sugarbushers the season is still yet young, much great skiing is in your future.

It does remind me of a part of the Sugarbush Thread on AZ where I was curious about the Stowe vs. Sugarbush/MRG snow totals, at least as posted by the resorts. Stowe is at 333" for their "Average Annual Snowfall" on the website, while the Bush claims Annual Totals of 270". Huh, I asked. I always thought the MRV got "an extra little frosting". But, anyways, I patiently wait...

ski_resort_observer wrote:

freeheel_skier wrote: I suppose if everything was open people would complan about bare spots and being open for trail counts???? So true, so true. On the other hand it seems, perhaps only temporary, things are changing. During ASC's regime they always started their commercials with " the most open terrain in northern Vermont'. They were obsessed with having more terrain, even by one trail,, than Stowe. Before I bought a small place in the valley I commuted from Montpelier for 2 years. Every moring I would listen to the ski report on the radio on my way in and chuckled how the Bush always had just enough terrain open to keep that marketing claim true. Heck, they paid people to sit in Stowe's parking lot and count cars. Stowe did the same thing. Don't know if it continues. Thought about asking when I worked there last winter but it's one of those little secrets they don't like talking about. IMHO, what is going on is that Stowe has gotten a bunch more natural snow so far this year. The Bush is opening terrain pretty much like they have in the past only backwards in that Mt Ellen is opening first. The Bush is being conservative financially but maybe that's what they need to do to continue moving forward. The owners are not thinking about today or next month, that plan is already set. They are thinking about next year, the next five years. Having the mountain open during the week, with alot of terrain, this time of year is hard on the finances. As most of you know the Bush is owned and operated by individuals while Stowe is owned by a huge multi-national insurance giant. Financial resources between the two are very diferent. BTW, Jay has only 6 trails open, Smuggs - 8, Bolton -4 so it's not like the Bush is the only one with very limited terrain currently. I also think that this weekend you will see alot more terrain open way above the typical 4 trail opening at Lincoln Pk. Keep the faith fellow Sugarbushers the season is still yet young, much great skiing is in your future.

Jay should be opening a ton more this weekend. They've been getting dumped on.

The 8 trails at Smuggs is a pretty shady count. The 4 trails at Sterling are 1 run, as are the 2 at Madonna and the other 2 are at the beginner hill.

ski_resort_observer wrote:

freeheel_skier wrote: I suppose if everything was open people would complan about bare spots and being open for trail counts???? The Bush is being conservative financially but maybe that's what they need to do to continue moving forward. The owners are not thinking about today or next month, that plan is already set. They are thinking about next year, the next five years. Having the mountain open during the week, with alot of terrain, this time of year is hard on the finances. BTW, Jay has only 6 trails open, Smuggs - 8, Bolton -4 so it's not like the Bush is the only one with very limited terrain currently. I also think that this weekend you will see alot more terrain open way above the typical 4 trail opening at Lincoln Pk.

If they are unable to honor their commitments to season pass holders then they should not make them in the first
place (ie being open every day, opening all trails that are available not just those they feel like patrolling, etc).

As to Jay and Smuggs - last I checked a pass at both was significantly less money than one at the Bush, which
is now on par with Stowe and also more than Kmart (preseason). If you are going to charge top dollar, then
you should give top dollar service too with out making excuses. However with Sugarbush, every year there
are excuses. Maybe it would be better to hope that AIG buys Sugarbush instead.

beelze wrote:

ski_resort_observer wrote: freeheel_skier wrote: I suppose if everything was open people would complan about bare spots and being open for trail counts???? The Bush is being conservative financially but maybe that's what they need to do to continue moving forward. The owners are not thinking about today or next month, that plan is already set. They are thinking about next year, the next five years. Having the mountain open during the week, with alot of terrain, this time of year is hard on the finances. BTW, Jay has only 6 trails open, Smuggs - 8, Bolton -4 so it's not like the Bush is the only one with very limited terrain currently. I also think that this weekend you will see alot more terrain open way above the typical 4 trail opening at Lincoln Pk. If they are unable to honor their commitments to season pass holders then they should not make them in the first place (ie being open every day, opening all trails that are available not just those they feel like patrolling, etc). As to Jay and Smuggs - last I checked a pass at both was significantly less money than one at the Bush, which is now on par with Stowe and also more than Kmart (preseason). If you are going to charge top dollar, then you should give top dollar service too with out making excuses. However with Sugarbush, every year there are excuses. Maybe it would be better to hope that AIG buys Sugarbush instead.

Then buy a pass at Jay or Smuggs. Most people who buy season passes definitely get the best bang for your buck. No matter what resort. Look at Mad River Glenn. Their season pass is reasonable. Not only have season pass holders they have shareholders too. Their operating budget is far less than the Bushes. Are they open yet? I seriously do believe that Sugarbush would have opened if it could have. Just talk to someone with Mtn. Ops. These people perform miracles all the time i.e. moving snow to the base area because there was a wash out in mid-January. I believe this happened sometime last year. They also have to take into consideration conserving the snow pack they currently have. Ok....open to for 2 crappy days, loose some of your early season base, and take the chance that it will be too warm to make snow. Now people would complain that the bush was open for pass holders only. Now they are down 2 trails or closed for the weekend lift ticket buyers. I also believe if you ask a patroller who has been patroling the same 2/4 trails for weeks now will tell you they can't wait to open up more trails. More trails=more snow. I am a season pass holder and this time of year you must keep in mind that mother nature usually holds all the cards. Just my .02 cents.

Quote:

If they are unable to honor their commitments to season pass holders then they should not make them in the first place (ie being open every day, opening all trails that are available not just those they feel like patrolling, etc).

As a season pass holder I was not aware of of these "commitments"...it's only December 8th with a long season to go

WWF-VT wrote:

Quote: If they are unable to honor their commitments to season pass holders then they should not make them in the first place (ie being open every day, opening all trails that are available not just those they feel like patrolling, etc). As a season pass holder I was not aware of of these "commitments"...it's only December 8th with a long season to go

I too was wondering exactly what "commitments" are you referring to.