Ikon Pass

[PNWbrit]

Still not sure what to think about all this fucking conglomeration.

It's like cable bundling to me...

Buying shit I don't want or need.. and ever more expensive. and the one channel I do want to watch showing crappier programming at lower resolutions.

And all kind of hard to take just over a year since against industry norms, and local ownership were being touted as such a great thing.

[TAFKALVS]

Ok, I chose the wrong words in my last post calling it a potential "destination" ... but I think it could become quite popular for Puget Sound mountain bikers if the mgmt puts some weight to it.

Meh, we'll see.

Still not sure what to think about all this fucking conglomeration.

edit: mofro beat me to it

I suppose that's what I meant. Not a "I'll fly to Seattle and ride at Crystal instead of Whistler." More a "Instead of going to Whistler this weekend, I'll go to Crystal."

It's like cable bundling to me...

Buying shit I don't want or need.. and ever more expensive. and the one channel I do want to watch showing crappier programming at lower resolutions.

Agree 100%

[utagonian]

The model seems to be to get a population base like Sea-tac on your pass so that they vacation once or twice at their other resorts. Vail has purchased small Midwest resorts with this in mind. The money is in the lodging, spas, restaurants, etc. at the big resorts. I could see Meadows selling to one of these corps to capture the Portland population.

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[PNWbrit]

Agree 100%

To the point where it no longer even is about the expense... I'd rather pay more for that one channel and it's previous good programming, high resolution than you're charging me for the bundle of shit.

[PNW_Skier206]

It's like cable bundling to me...

Buying shit I don't want or need.. and ever more expensive. and the one channel I do want to watch showing crappier programming at lower resolutions.

This is a great comparison.


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[Benny Profane]

To the point where it no longer even is about the expense... I'd rather pay more for that one channel and it's previous good programming, high resolution than you're charging me for the bundle of shit.

That's absurd. Why? It's not more expensive. Fuck, since I laid out my 600 something or other dollars for the base pass, which I thought was a pretty good deal, to start, they keep on giving me free shit. Odds are way off I'll ever ski Crystal, especially this year, but it makes me all warm and fuzzy I can now, all of a sudden. It's like your Mom laying on a little chocolate syrup and stuff on your ice cream after you're half done. Besides, now, almost the entire country, with it's various snowpacks at whatever time of the season, is available to ski for free to five days/seven days and maybe a whole season. When January rolls around and Utah sucks, again, maybe, find a cheap flight elsewhere. The skier market doesn't affect flight pricing so much, except for Aspen and such. Shit, Seattle is a big hub. Follow the snow. Options.

[TAFKALVS]

The whole thing is absurd. A season pass at each mountain used to $600 - $1000+. Now I can buy a season pass that lets me ski nearly every major mountain in North America on 1 pass for $700 - 1000?

Obviously they make money on the food and lodging, but it doesn't seem sustainable long term? What happens when there is another recession and people stop travelling to ski? Obviously the pass is a loss leader tactic, but what happens when the music stops?

[TahoeJ]

If I go up to Washington with my mountain bike, the last thing I'm going to do is lift served when there's already a bunch of amazing trail networks all over the place. Although, I guess you could say the same about Whistler, so who knows. Did some of that Olympic $$$ end up going towards that bike park? (even though it was winter, just part of the whole project in general)

[Benny Profane]

How far is Crystal from Seattle, btw? Hmmm, never been to Seattle, Been to Portland, but, long time ago. I hear Seattle is cool. Coffee and hipsters and rain.

[PNWbrit]

That's absurd. Why? It's not more expensive. Fuck, since I laid out my 600 something or other dollars for the base pass, which I thought was a pretty good deal, to start, they keep on giving me free shit. Odds are way off I'll ever ski Crystal, especially this year, but it makes me all warm and fuzzy I can now, all of a sudden. It's like your Mom laying on a little chocolate syrup and stuff on your ice cream after you're half done. Besides, now, almost the entire country, with it's various snowpacks at whatever time of the season, is available to ski for free to five days/seven days and maybe a whole season. When January rolls around and Utah sucks, again, maybe, find a cheap flight elsewhere. The skier market doesn't affect flight pricing so much, except for Aspen and such. Shit, Seattle is a big hub. Follow the snow. Options.

No it's not absurd.

The current experience is worsening for many (local demographics and economic factors + no real ski area expansion) and this just adds to the crush. I'm at the point where I'd rather pay more for a better experience than be given shit I don't want, need or asked for.

I understand that to a fixed income retiree like yourself it might be an attractive option.

Oh and please, please, please come ski at Crystal.... I'll guarantee I'll enjoy it.

How far is Crystal from Seattle.

2 hours or so. 30 mins less from SeaTac.

[Benny Profane]

Don't worry, that place is too far from anywhere to get crushed. Skiing market is zero sum. Low growth industry. Most people will go elsewhere.

[Benny Profane]

Seriously, always wanted to see Seattle. Cool. I hear the music is good.

[abraham]

Hell...this type of news just keeps my brain swarming with spur of the moment ideas. I'm personally more inclined to run up to PNW than Utah for that maritime snowpack that sticks to everything. My crystal ball says at least one trip to Alpy is in my future for the upcoming season. Pretty sure a SF to Seattle day trip isn't out of the realm of possibilities.

LBD 2019

Or BBI

[PNWbrit]

Seriously, always wanted to see Seattle. Cool. I hear the music is good.

I'll show you around Crystal and buy your first beer.

[TAFKALVS]

Don't worry, that place is too far from anywhere to get crushed. Skiing market is zero sum. Low growth industry. Most people will go elsewhere.

2 hours is average drive time to any PNW mountain from the airport.

And it's already super crowded.





All weekend lift lines for chairs that access upper intermediate to expert terrain. Pretty typical of any day with fresh snow.

[Benny Profane]

Haha. Saturday powder?

[Norseman]

Yep... but the powder technicians have more job flexibility now than before, which combines with hyped social media marketing by the resorts.

Jerr'Teryx masses

[The SnowShow]

2 hours is average drive time to any PNW mountain from the airport.

And it's already super crowded.





All weekend lift lines for chairs that access upper intermediate to expert terrain. Pretty typical of any day with fresh snow.

Looks like Vail. Ikon= Vail.

[utagonian]

Can't wait to get on a plane to get me some of that!

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[Benny Profane]

Yep... but the powder technicians have more job flexibility now than before, which combines with hyped social media marketing by the resorts.

Jerr'Teryx masses

Never ski a powder Saturday. Do your wash, clean the fridge. Just dont.

[PNWbrit]

Consider yourself told Norse....

[PNW_Skier206]

Never ski a powder Saturday. Do your wash, clean the fridge. Just dont.

Some of us have 9-5s so we ski all the days we can.


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[Benny Profane]

Yeah, I know. Save your money, stay away from expensive cars and women.

[jackattack]

Never ski a powder Saturday. Do your wash, clean the fridge. Just dont.

Shut up jong!

Any pow is better than no pow.

[hutash]

It's like cable bundling to me...

Buying shit I don't want or need.. and ever more expensive. and the one channel I do want to watch showing crappier programming at lower resolutions.
.

True, but the difference is the bundled package is cheaper then the single channel pricing.

I don't want to pay for the porn channels, but since there included...