2012 Montana Conditions, Stoke and Whatev Thread

**Bobcat Sig** · 12-18-2012, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by yeahman

This is exactly what I'm saying--I want Boyne to succeed. I want Big Sky to be successful and make money because I love the place. I just think they are accomplishing the opposite by charging $50 for kids 6-10 because they are going to lose a lot of local family business from Bozeman, it would seem to me. It doesn't even really affect me because I live in Helena--it's a 2.5 hour drive and I don't bring my kids for a day, only overnight. I guess it affects me a little because now we're pretty much roped into the Huntley (or Whitewater...). Can't take advantage of a cheap condo we have access to--or even stay at The Lodge, which is a nice non-Boyne place on the hill--because if we do we're paying an extra $100 a day for the kids to ski. Anyway...I'm not normally one to bitch about ski area policies. They are in a tough business. I just honestly think they are hurting themselves with this one. Charge $20 for a kid if you have to, but $50 is too much IMO.

I'm with you. I too dig Big Sky and I know that they need to succeed, as do every other resort so skiing can continue to flourish.

As to Tone and the others; I get the real estate model. Hell, I worked in commercial real estate for a time. I get it. I didn't mention it because any smart business - ski resort or otherwise - needs to diversify. And by that model, the locals and the loss-leader concept I described is yet another profit center. Sure, it won't be as large as selling million dollar condos; but it keeps the restaurants, retail, hotels and bars in business. And given the cash-strapped nature of Boyne; they need all the dollars they can get. So do their employees.

**ODHGABFE** · 12-18-2012, 07:34 PM

I got so rad today.

Whoops.

Thanks for the video Chris.

**tone capone** · 12-18-2012, 10:15 PM

Nice! Thanks for the entertainment. No one liked my tram joke? Man tough crowd. You guys are super serial.

**Norseman** · 12-18-2012, 10:21 PM

I liked your tram joke, tony.

And nice flip floppity, man!

**Bobcat Sig** · 12-19-2012, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by tone capone

Nice! Thanks for the entertainment. No one liked my tram joke? Man tough crowd. You guys are super serial.

Skiing is serious business.

But if there was no tram, how would the 2 year Big Sky local tell me all about avalanche terrain and all the gnar off the tram?

**6.ways.till.sunday** · 12-19-2012, 12:56 PM

"you know this years snow pack is good when it sticks to Big Rock, that's how you know man, you know?" -big sky locbrodude, 12/18/12

**I.AM.A.GAPER.** · 12-20-2012, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by yeahman

This is exactly what I'm saying--I want Boyne to succeed. I want Big Sky to be successful and make money because I love the place. I just think they are accomplishing the opposite by charging $50 for kids 6-10 because they are going to lose a lot of local family business from Bozeman, it would seem to me. It doesn't even really affect me because I live in Helena--it's a 2.5 hour drive and I don't bring my kids for a day, only overnight. I guess it affects me a little because now we're pretty much roped into the Huntley (or Whitewater...). Can't take advantage of a cheap condo we have access to--or even stay at The Lodge, which is a nice non-Boyne place on the hill--because if we do we're paying an extra $100 a day for the kids to ski. Anyway...I'm not normally one to bitch about ski area policies. They are in a tough business. I just honestly think they are hurting themselves with this one. Charge $20 for a kid if you have to, but $50 is too much IMO.

Made a new account for this...

We got an email awhile back about numbers of ski schoolers (lessons) compared to last year and it's down quite a bit. Like, a third of what it was this time last year. The thing is, though, that the hotels around the place are packed to the rafters. Boyne is literally turning people away because they don't have any more rooms.

I'm not saying it's because they're charging more for kids to ski, but it can't be helping anything. Lessons are starting to pick up now because of the holidays, but it will be interesting to see what the rest of the season brings.

This policy isn't only hurting local families that want to ski here, but I know more than a few instructors who have seen a big dip in the $$ they're bringing home, and I can't help but think that this is one of the main reasons.

**Bobcat Sig** · 12-21-2012, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by I.AM.A.GAPER.

Made a new account for this...

We got an email awhile back about numbers of ski schoolers (lessons) compared to last year and it's down quite a bit. Like, a third of what it was this time last year. The thing is, though, that the hotels around the place are packed to the rafters. Boyne is literally turning people away because they don't have any more rooms.

I'm not saying it's because they're charging more for kids to ski, but it can't be helping anything. Lessons are starting to pick up now because of the holidays, but it will be interesting to see what the rest of the season brings.

This policy isn't only hurting local families that want to ski here, but I know more than a few instructors who have seen a big dip in the $$ they're bringing home, and I can't help but think that this is one of the main reasons.

The Law of Unintended Consequences. Boyne never seems to figure this out. While I never intended this thread to bash Big Sky or Boyne, it seem inevitable. I think it just boils down to the fact that any ski resort simply wants to get people on the hill all in an effort to get the skiers to drop cash. Boyne may not think of it that way. Dunno ...

**butterscotch** · 12-21-2012, 12:38 PM

Why is everyone being so polite? Fuck Boyne. I hate everything about how they run Big Sky and their other resorts. Maybe if they focused on providing an awesome experience instead of raping the shit out of their customers' bank accounts then they wouldn't have to focus on fucking people in order to meet their bottom line. I hope they go out of business.

**CallMeAl** · 12-21-2012, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by I.AM.A.GAPER.

Made a new account for this...

^ Employee fearing reprimands for expressing constructive criticism on a bullshit message board? Another magic moment! Now this is what skiing's all about.

**Bunion 2020** · 12-21-2012, 03:52 PM

Well on that note and for no other reason than to bring back a positive vibe............ Brah.

N. Summit tomorrow......?

All signs point to yes.

**butterscotch** · 12-21-2012, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by AlexBuecking

^ Employee fearing reprimands for expressing constructive criticism on a bullshit message board? Another magic moment! Now this is what skiing's all about.

Were you around when they banned someone (a passholder) from one of their ski areas for doing just that on another forum? It was awesome.

Sorry, Bunion. I know there are hard-working people at Big Sky (patrol, lift ops, etc.) who do care about the customer experience but who probably only get noticed when something goes wrong. As an analogy, I had a cool pilot the last time I traveled, but that didn't make me feel better about giving money to an airline.

Happy friday. Skiing is rad. (and snowboarding is okay, I guess.

)

**Bunion 2020** · 12-21-2012, 05:32 PM

Hey, I worked at Big Sky for 11 years and haven't for the past 11 years.

You guys aren't telling me anything I haven't heard before and if we were talking face to face there is no telling what I might say in return. But for me to comment on a business partner in a public forum would be unprofessional.

And BTW the N. Summit is not a Big Sky thing.

I and mine work next door at the fun place.

**Scree Shredder** · 12-21-2012, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by butterscotch

Fuck Boyne. I hate everything about how they run Big Sky and their other resorts.

What do you hate most about the the way they run Boyne Highlands? I already know you hate everything about how they run it, so try to pick just one.

**Jumper Bones** · 12-21-2012, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by Bunion

Hey, I worked at Big Sky for 11 years and haven't for the past 11 years.

You guys aren't telling me anything I haven't heard before and if we were talking face to face there is no telling what I might say in return. But for me to comment on a business partner in a public forum would be unprofessional.

Well said S.

Forgive a JONG question, I've been out of the loop a long time - I know financial realities are one thing...does MLB intend to get their own access to the top? Is that something reasonably possible?

**ODHGABFE** · 12-22-2012, 01:09 AM

Originally Posted by AlexBuecking

Another magic moment!

I prefer the fond farewell. Zing!

Back to the stoke.

Have been feeling good about what our snowpits have been telling us, so we went and had some fun.

Go get yours!

**Bunion 2020** · 12-22-2012, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by Jumper Bones

Well said S.

Forgive a JONG question, I've been out of the loop a long time - I know financial realities are one thing...does MLB intend to get their own access to the top? Is that something reasonably possible?

It has been discussed, but probably not in my career span, I am about 5 years from being done.

**totaliboard** · 12-22-2012, 08:11 PM

@ODHGABFE- damn yo, where u at? bear basin or something?

**MumblingSkiBum** · 12-22-2012, 09:21 PM

Beehive looking full and fresh!

**shreddacord** · 12-24-2012, 05:29 PM

i gots a brand new pair of 188 k2 sidestash's for sale. 188 with a good bit of tip rocker, 108 under foot. looks to be a solid mid fat type ski.

make me an offer, rent is due in 5 days......

e mail me fisheyeguyphotography@hotmail.com

**Jupski** · 12-24-2012, 05:44 PM

I think I saw the your tracks from that pic above the other day, it looked very sporty, nice work.

**tone capone** · 12-25-2012, 09:31 AM

Is that where I think it is Shred? Over by the pencil spine? Great shot.

**yeahman** · 12-26-2012, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by I.AM.A.GAPER.

This policy isn't only hurting local families that want to ski here, but I know more than a few instructors who have seen a big dip in the $$ they're bringing home, and I can't help but think that this is one of the main reasons.

I hadn't considered the effect this policy would have on instructors, but it will be interesting to see what the season brings. I hope it works out okay for them.

I have to add that I had a positive customer-service experience on Saturday when Dakota broke down in the afternoon and stranded me and the family at the base of the lift for maybe an hour. Eventually we hiked up the cat track to where we could ski back to Shedhorn. A patroller who was at the lift called Guest Services and gave them our name and they gave us 4 adult comp tickets at the end of the day. We hadn't even paid for the kids because we were staying at the Huntley...so I guess we kind of got a couple of bonus tickets.

Hiking out really wasn't a big deal and I know certain ski areas that would not be nearly so agreeable about giving comp tickets.

So thanks to the patroller and the Guest Services guy for making our day a lot more affordable.

**ODHGABFE** · 12-27-2012, 03:07 AM

Pretty last minute, but..

Aspen Extreme tomorrow (Thursday 27th) at Lone Peak Cinema! The movie is FREE at 10:30, with live music by the Mediocres after. There will be drink specials, of course.