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Colorado Press Release: Arapahoe Basin Goes Ikon
- Thread starter Tricia
- Start date
As an A-basin fanboy and pass holder, I just want somewhere to park. Please?
Boston's annual snowfall is less than 50 inches per year. Abasin's is around 350 inches. Not even close to comparable.
https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/boston/massachusetts/united-states/usma0046
https://www.arapahoebasin.com/the-mountain/mountain-facts/
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2016
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While we all speculated that the VR-AB split was about overcrowding, I think it’s getting clearer by the day it’s mostly about profit maximization of AB’s share per skier. Not that I can blame them or any other business for that approach.
As to parking, when they make it a priority it will get addressed. I don’t see it changing soon.
We weren’t speculating about it. There was selective naïveté that ABasin was being honest when they repeatedly said the split was about overcrowding.
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And that could still very well be the case..... Even with an Ikon and MCP add they may be projecting smaller than previous crowds with the Epic. You know they all have extensive data regarding skier visits on each pass. Will be curious to see how it shakes out.
Entrance gates to The Beavers and Steep Gullies and or Montezuma Bowl that was A-Basin pass holders only until 11AM then went General Admission would be OK.
I don't know.... I"m an A-Basin passholder and I don't see the MCP adding much above Ikon. I also still think it will be substantially less of a shitshow than last year, but only time will tell.
It's honestly probably going to be impossible to get a real pre/post-Epic comparison, because I'm a pretty firm believer that last year's crowding everywhere was in a large part driven by the great snow year, and sadly it will probably be a while until we get a year like that again. But that's opening a whole different can of conversational worms.
I agree, it was an exceptional year...….I don't know.... I"m an A-Basin passholder and I don't see the MCP adding much above Ikon. I also still think it will be substantially less of a shitshow than last year, but only time will tell.
It's honestly probably going to be impossible to get a real pre/post-Epic comparison, because I'm a pretty firm believer that last year's crowding everywhere was in a large part driven by the great snow year, and sadly it will probably be a while until we get a year like that again. But that's opening a whole different can of conversational worms.
Free first tracks a few times a year for passholders would be equally amazing and actually seems workable.
Mt. Rose opens the Slide Side 30 minutes early for pass holders.
Agreed. I highly doubt that restricting MCP and Ikon passholders from parts of the mountain during standard opening hours would comply with their contracts but I can see having a periodic, 30 minute early load for Abasin passholders being workable.
If we go back to the quotes from the Vail split announcement :
“Our focus has always been to provide an extraordinary mountain experience for our guests. With consistent snowfall and one of the nation’s highest and most stunning settings, we offer an environment that is totally unique ... Looking forward, we strive to provide ready and easy access for our guests. Our goal is to minimize waiting and crowding and maximize experiences and fun,”
That last "waiting and crowding" line sure seems a bit out of place now, IMO. Though notice they never said "reduce crowds"... seems like some carefully chosen wording that could mean "minimizing" it within the framework of being a very busy, money-making resort.
And the "ready and easy access" line seems out of place too... what with the parking situation.
"Maximizing experiences" -- could mean either the number of experiences, or the quality of experiences. One of those is oppositional to "minimize waiting and crowding".
I'm sure for many passholders the half off window price at some great mountains will have value and feel like an upgrade. But for many others (most?) the whole point of buying a season pass is to keep the cost per day low. The included three free days at Taos are great but fifty percent off at Aspen is not. It's definitely no unqualified win-win. Mountain Collective passholders get a nice perk but depending on their situation ABasin passholders may save some dollars or they may get nothing but increased crowds. Meh.
Agree. That is why flat roofs usually work fine here. The year roofs were collapsing we got a lot more snow than usual. Oh, and the outer suburbs get a lot more snow than downtown and the airport (urban heat island and moderating ocean nearby).
I don't know.... I"m an A-Basin passholder and I don't see the MCP adding much above Ikon. I also still think it will be substantially less of a shitshow than last year, but only time will tell.
It's honestly probably going to be impossible to get a real pre/post-Epic comparison, because I'm a pretty firm believer that last year's crowding everywhere was in a large part driven by the great snow year, and sadly it will probably be a while until we get a year like that again. But that's opening a whole different can of conversational worms.
Yep. it was a certainly a perfect storm of sorts which resulted in massive crowds seemingly daily.
Last season, Heavenly let passholders load 30 min. early every Monday that was not a holiday (and weather permitting). The previous year they did it on Wednesday, but I don't remember if it was every one.
AFAIK Kirkwood and NorthStar have never done something similar. I have taken advantage of free lunch on Passholder Appreciation Days at all three Tahoe Vail ski areas, although I've missed the most recent ones.
A-basin had been turning away skiers long before last year.
So that’s more than just the good snow. Nobody argues it’s not due to being on the Epic pass. What we don’t know is switching to Ikon and MCP will improve the situation.
For some, they bought AB pass thinking that’s their refuge on crowded weekends. That believe was naive and they are now stuck with it.
It’s too early to get all excited or upset about it yet. But by the end of next season, those who’re upset will either be proven right or everyone will be relieved. If it’s the latter, AB owners will be laughing all the way to the bank. If it’s the former, AB may lose some of those core supporters for good. Or, maybe not...
So that’s more than just the good snow. Nobody argues it’s not due to being on the Epic pass. What we don’t know is switching to Ikon and MCP will improve the situation.
For some, they bought AB pass thinking that’s their refuge on crowded weekends. That believe was naive and they are now stuck with it.
It’s too early to get all excited or upset about it yet. But by the end of next season, those who’re upset will either be proven right or everyone will be relieved. If it’s the latter, AB owners will be laughing all the way to the bank. If it’s the former, AB may lose some of those core supporters for good. Or, maybe not...
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