How will Skiing be Different in the '20-'21 Season?

[Slide of Hans]

Might as well throw a worker shortage into the 2020 mix.

Ski resorts struggle to hire amid Trump's student visa ban

As ski resorts try to regain their footing after being knocked down by the coronavirus pandemic last season, another obstacle is looming heading into the winter

abcnews.go.com

 

[crgildart]

Might as well throw a worker shortage into the 2020 mix.

Ski resorts struggle to hire amid Trump's student visa ban

As ski resorts try to regain their footing after being knocked down by the coronavirus pandemic last season, another obstacle is looming heading into the winter

abcnews.go.com

Two seasons ago a bunch of exchange students got screwed when Timberline suddenly shut down. Canan thankfully hired a bunch of them to save the day. Then last year COVID shut down put them all out of work before the season was over. RIFD scanners, online ticket sales, and COVID restricted ski schools mean fewer jobs. Entire industries on either closed or on the edge of being closed again (bars, movie theaters, dine in food, etc) makes for a lot of uncertainty all around for employers and job seekers. I'm all for full opportunity for everyone from everywhere as long as they aren't ax murderers or Texans. Regardless, everyone needs to be flexible and ready to change course every time the wind shifts. Politics don't help, but it's a slow moving disaster even without the political impacts.

 

[cosmoliu]

 

[geepers]

Im not sure why season passes are relatively cheap but the super expensive window rates continue to go up every year and it just doesn't seem to affect the number of people waiting in line to pay $180-$200 per day. Why would Vail resorts not have a $200 window rate when they have a long line of people waiting to pay it? The mystery is why do they let us on many different mountains all season for the price of a couple lift tix.

Not a mystery according to some Vail Corp stuff I remember reading back a few years. Their business plan is to own at least 50% of accom/food/whatever outlets in their resorts, get people to commit to visiting through attractive season pass pricing before the season opens (which lowers their risk on a bad season) and make money on the extras. As they point out a person buys a season pass they bring their family, and maybe their friends, all of whom spend money in the resorts. Maximise share of wallet spent on skiing....

 

[Slide of Hans]

Here's a quick read from Outside Mag regarding operations at some of the big ikon, epic resorts. Some have reservations for parking. https://www.outsideonline.com/2417175/2020-2021-ski-season-covid-outlook

 

[nay]

From A-Basin on email today:

 

[Noodler]

From A-Basin on email today:

View attachment 111770 View attachment 111771 View attachment 111772 View attachment 111773

The booting up at the car part is the "killer" for those of us that ski in super stiff race plug boots. I'm just not exactly sure yet how I'm going to pull this off, but I'm going to have to come up with something. It may be that I'm just not going to be able to ski certain boots that I cannot get in/out at the car. I'm also not thrilled about schlepping through the lot in my boots (something I never do), but of course that's a first-world problem.

 

[James]

Plug in the car heated bag?

Thermal Trekker Heated Ski Boot Bag (62L)

The best heated, insulated and travel ready ski boot backpack. Individual compartments store boots, helmet, gear and apparel. Conduction warms boots quickly.

www.kulkea.com

 

[Noodler]

Plug in the car heated bag?

Thermal Trekker Heated Ski Boot Bag (62L)

The best heated, insulated and travel ready ski boot backpack. Individual compartments store boots, helmet, gear and apparel. Conduction warms boots quickly.

www.kulkea.com

Already have that. Getting in may be possible, what's the plan to get out?

 

[nay]

Time for that first set of AT boots. This season is going to be lift served backcountry .

 

[pushgears]

Received my Epic Northeast midweek pass yesterday without a lanyard hole. Will Hunter finally go to RFID?

 

[dbostedo]

Already have that. Getting in may be possible, what's the plan to get out?

Hair dryer (with an inverter for the car)?

 

[KingGrump]

Hair dryer (with an inverter for the car)?

Too elaborate. Stand behind the exhaust. Free heat.

 

[dbostedo]

Too elaborate. Stand behind the exhaust. Free heat.

Good idea... but in that case why not a rig like this and heat up the whole car?

 

[slowrider]

Already have that. Getting in may be possible, what's the plan to get out?

Floor heater on high.

 

[pchewn]

Good idea... but in that case why not a rig like this and heat up the whole car?

View attachment 111783

But the hood needs to be up, and a couple of blokes helping to get the car running....

 

[Noodler]

Floor heater on high.

I guess this might work, but what a PITA. (once again, first world problems )

 

[martyg]

The booting up at the car part is the "killer" for those of us that ski in super stiff race plug boots. I'm just not exactly sure yet how I'm going to pull this off, but I'm going to have to come up with something. It may be that I'm just not going to be able to ski certain boots that I cannot get in/out at the car. I'm also not thrilled about schlepping through the lot in my boots (something I never do), but of course that's a first-world problem.

Maybe get a cheap pair of winter boots at a consignment shop / on sale / etc? Take a reusable shopping bag in with you? Smear a pair of your underwear with chocolate and put it on the top of your second hand boots to discourage theft?

At our home area I have a locker. When I go elsewhere I have been fortunate in leaving my bag in the base lodge. Never an issue.

Industry publications have had numerous advertisements for infrastructure designed for social distancing - like pop-up outdoor shelters. It will be interesting to see if outdoor lockers / bag check areas are embraced.

 

[slowrider]

I guess this might work, but what a PITA. (once again, first world problems )

Hell just drive home with them on. Lol

 

[DanoT]

The booting up at the car part is the "killer" for those of us that ski in super stiff race plug boots.

^^^This begs the question: how bad do you need super stiff race plug boots for recreational skiing?