Killington: the Apocalypse

**Damian Sanders** · 10-05-2007, 10:01 AM

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up about how great things are going at Killington these days under the astute guidance of POWDR (owners of Park City Utah) and SP Land (owned by E2M Partners of Texas). We are extremely lucky to have such a seasoned and well respected resort operator at the helm of Killington. The new President, Chris Nyburg, brings his vast experience as a manager at Mt. Bachelor to the table, and great things are sure to happen.

Originally Posted by Steve

i'm trying to wrap my brain around this and it's just blowing my mind..

i know i'm forgetting a bunch of stuff - please add to this list what I forgot..

Since April 2007, Killington's new owners and management have:
ended may / late season skiing (this caused me to leave)
ended pre-thanksgiving / early season skiing
closed pico midweek (Tues-Wed)
closed a bunch of lodges midweek
closed lower skyship midweek (Mon-Thur)
increased pass prices by 60%
removed season pass program for children's programs
increased day-pass prices for children's programs
killed lifetime season passes
i also see it as a negative that they haven't corrected any of ASC's bad policies, either.
I was also really hoping for a bidet in the bathrooms, so I can wash the sand out of my vag.

You can add to that:

Layed off many full time workers, including ski patrol
Zero tolerance policy on the skiers responsibility code (ski fast, lose pass, permanently)
Shortening the ski season from 200+ days to 150
No Connecticut ski council ticket deals
Appalling dishonesty about their marketing and information releasing
Same snowmaking budget as last year, maybe
No viable discount ticket card program
25 foreign workers (down from 100), less full time and part time staff, less staff overall by a large amount
4 extra blackout days
Pico ticket prices not released yet
Hard opening and closing dates of November 17th and April 13th.

Needless to say, the faithful Killington customer is overjoyed at these changes, having been freed from the yoke of ASC and their horribly underpriced products with a good operations and a solid value. This is the premium product Killington customers have been yearning for, we are all looking forward to the new premium experience on the mountain this year....whatever that may be. SP Land is on track to have major success with their new base village!!!!

All the regular posters at www.killingtonzone.com are quite enthusiastic about all these changes, just check out these threads:

http://www.killingtonzone.com/forums...ic.php?t=18881
http://www.killingtonzone.com/forums...ic.php?t=18877
http://www.killingtonzone.com/forums...ic.php?t=18879
http://www.killingtonzone.com/forums...ic.php?t=18870
http://www.killingtonzone.com/forums...ic.php?t=18785
http://www.killingtonzone.com/forums...ic.php?t=18753
http://www.killingtonzone.com/forums...ic.php?t=18619

Originally Posted by rogman

I love my place, and love to ski Killington. I think the dishonesty (and I don't use that word lightly) with which they've marketed their plans is appalling, and don't understand how they can expect to recover. I have always told my children the most valuable thing they own is their good name. Credibility cannot be bought, and in any tough competitive market, should not be frivolously squandered for short term gain. And that is exactly what these fools have done. Let me be clear: I do not think they have lied (but I'm sure many will disagree). However they have withheld information and allowed their customers to assume facts about how they would operate that they obviously knew to be false. Sorry, that is dishonest.

They are also looking for new marketing slogans......

Originally Posted by Dr. NO

Originally Posted by KV

Killington, The Incredible Shrinking Mountain!

Killington, The Incredible Shrinking Season

Skiing from November to April, MAYBE!

Greatest Verticle in New England (If we run the lifts)

6 Mountains and Lodges (weekends only)

Killington, The Beast of the East (died and was served cold)

Ski Killington! It is Worth More (even though we actually give you LESS)

Whoever thought we would get LESS than what Les gave us?

Originally Posted by Mister Moose

Pissing Off Wrong Demographic Regularly.

Originally Posted by laseranimal

my favorites so far

6 Mountains and Lodges (weekends only)

Bring Back Les Otten

Killingtongue my balls

Pwdr Sucks.

You Thought ASC was Bad?

Originally Posted by robrules

Last to open, first to close (profits permitting)

Killington - The Least of the East

We lost the new ownership lottery

Don't blame me, I voted for Boyne

Killington - Sieze the profit

Killington - Endless Neglect

Killington - Ski it if you can (afford it)

Killington - More closed lifts than you can ride in a week

Grow Killington, Kill Powdr

Originally Posted by SPORE

Hey Pwdr: Stratton Already Exists.

**laseranimal** · 10-05-2007, 10:04 AM

nobody over here cares about Killington

its the Vail of the East(except Vail actually has terrain)

**grskier** · 10-05-2007, 10:06 AM

Careful what you wish for.

**Damian Sanders** · 10-05-2007, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by laseranimal

nobody over here cares about Killington

its the Vail of the East(except Vail actually has terrain)

But they enjoy a good laugh.

**laseranimal** · 10-05-2007, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by Damian Sanders

But they enjoy a good laugh.

thats true

carry on oh great and powerful new President of Killington Operations

I really do think that would make a great sticker, and the mountain would actually be run RIGHT(what a concept

)

**Dexter Rutecki** · 10-05-2007, 10:17 AM

The only reason to have skied Killington was for the early/late season availability, once it became clear that was gone everything else just confirmed its suckiness.
You can stick Kmart in your race stock bindings and throw the whole thing off the K1 for all I care. Maybe someplace else will step up for a long season, otherwise it means more hiking for turns at the end of the season.

**MadPatSki** · 10-05-2007, 10:18 AM

Thanks for posting that.

I don't care what is happening with Killington nowadays.

MadPatSki, participant in the June 1st Fun Slalom 1992-1997

**Mtn Man** · 10-05-2007, 10:38 AM

As much as I hate what POWDR is doing to my old home mtn, the terrain is still there and you will still be able to hike for turns in April/May. I hope they turn things around there and that they don't scare EVERYONE away this season. I've made a lot of friends at K over the 6 years that I called it home and hope for the best!

If they keep this up though, I have a feeling that a few may follow me to Seattle

B)

**laseranimal** · 10-05-2007, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Mtn Man

As much as I hate what POWDR is doing to my old home mtn, the terrain is still there and you will still be able to hike for turns in April/May. I hope they turn things around there and that they don't scare EVERYONE away this season. I've made a lot of friends at K over the 6 years that I called it home and hope for the best!

If they keep this up though, I have a feeling that a few may follow me to Seattle

B)

Sure the terrain is still there, and for the most part I could care less about whether Skyeship is running when I'm skiing solo, but I was really looking forward to blowing off work midweek and doing Skyeship laps with the minianimal this year

Guess I'll just buy him skins for Christmas instead

**elevens** · 10-05-2007, 10:48 AM

I see Pico being closed midweek as a good move. Now if a storm rolls in during the midweek (Tues/Wed), Pico will still be fresh and enjoyable for the weekend.

**steve** · 10-05-2007, 10:51 AM

if you're going to quote me, at least have enough common friggin courtesy to make a note of where you changed what I wrote, fucktard.

it may not seem a big deal to you, but it matters to me.

**laseranimal** · 10-05-2007, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by elevens

I see Pico being closed midweek as a good move. Now if a storm rolls in during the midweek (Tues/Wed), Pico will still be fresh and enjoyable for the weekend.

You're assuming the local tele posse isn't going to be out there tracking it out?

**elevens** · 10-05-2007, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by laseranimal

You're assuming the local tele posse isn't going to be out there tracking it out?

true that but it will still be fresher than if it was open midweek

**Mtn Man** · 10-05-2007, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by elevens

true that but it will still be fresher than if it was open midweek

The guys from Mtn Travlers skin it after work and when the lifts are closed all the time. There's a big tele contingent that are VERY happy about it now.

B)

**Dside11-11** · 10-05-2007, 11:04 AM

Killington has always sucked. It's only purpose is to pull a large segment of the gaper population away from the good mountains in NY, NH, and VT. It truly is the Vail of the east. Both serve to take away all the people who need to be seen at them and spray about how they only ski the biggest cuz that's quite naturally the best

And both are good to occasionally show up and pillage, don't get me wrong.

No early season though? That truly takes out most of the appeal Killington ever held for me. Bummer for the east coasters...

**Damian Sanders** · 10-05-2007, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by steve

if you're going to quote me, at least have enough common friggin courtesy to make a note of where you changed what I wrote, fucktard.

it may not seem a big deal to you, but it matters to me.

Bite me.

And I didn't change anything, aside from adding the 60%....

**steve** · 10-05-2007, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Damian Sanders

Bite me.

And I didn't change anything, aside from adding the 60%....

..and it matters to me.
either note that you changed it or don't put my name on it, douchebag.

**DaveTV** · 10-05-2007, 12:06 PM

Bottom line is, it's a business FIRST and whoever has the cojones to lay out the big cash and assume the huge risk and headaches has the right to make the moves they deem necessary to be successful. Don't like it? You coulda bought it yourself - or vote with your feet and go somewhere else..

**laseranimal** · 10-05-2007, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by elevens

true that but it will still be fresher than if it was open midweek

I'm not sure about that either, I was up there for one of the storms after Pico closed and by the time I left at 3 pm it was pretty thrashed

**Blurred** · 10-05-2007, 12:16 PM

I've never skied the East, and I never will.

Thinking about skiing there makes me ill.

Funny how the same people who complain about it year in and year out never move.

**steve** · 10-05-2007, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

Funny how the same people who complain about it year in and year out never move.

if i could, i would.

-steve

**DaveTV** · 10-05-2007, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

I've never skied the East, and I never will.

Thinking about skiing there makes me ill.

Funny how the same people who complain about it year in and year out never move.

I've lived out west several times, and I will again - Personally, I know the dif- Now Blurred VS Highway Star - THERE is a ski-off for pay-per-view..

**elevens** · 10-05-2007, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

I've never skied the East, and I never will.

Thinking about skiing there makes me ill.

Funny how the same people who complain about it year in and year out never move.

Way to show off your diversity.

Coming from a person who skis Vail and the Front range, I find this statement very amusing and ironic.

I spent 3 years @ Jackson, 4 years @ Alpine/Squaw and 20+ years skiing in the east.

East skiing is wonderful and the diversity, culture and soul of the east is second to none.

**Damian Sanders** · 10-05-2007, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by steve

..and it matters to me, because I'm a huge sally.
either note that you changed it or don't put my name on it.

Sorry, I'm just having some sand in my vag.

I still secretly wish I was as good of a skier as you, oh great one.

Show some respect, fatso. You should learn some manners if you want people to do what you want.

**MadPatSki** · 10-05-2007, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

I've never skied the East, and I never will.

Thinking about skiing there makes me ill.

Funny how the same people who complain about it year in and year out never move.

I've never complained about skiing in the East (it's not for everybody).

I love the East, like the West and the Alps & Andes.

One isn't better than the other just different (of course, you have to go to the right places to find the goods).