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a look ahead

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roger47 Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Feb 21, 2007 Posts: 888 Location:	Posted: Dec 01, 2008 - 10:55 PM GMT Edited: Dec 01, 2008 - 10:55 PM GMT Don't know if anyone is interested, but here's what I found in conversations with resort people around the country, vis-a-vis the season ahead: Industry Report.

elcamino57 Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Nov 09, 2003 Posts: 854 Location:Wilmington VT	Posted: Dec 02, 2008 - 12:22 AM GMT Thanks, interesting article, my take and prediction on this is that custormers are going to stay close to home. We felt that in are area this year. A lot more day trippers for sure than overnights. And homeowners in resort areas will be spending more time and $$$ were they own, instead of going west. Although I would like to ski west it may not be in the cards this year. Just have to wait and see what this eastern season brings. So far so good. I want to ski NH more this year, have to try to hit all areas, a personal quest.

joshua segal Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jul 12, 2004 Posts: 5937 Location:NH	Posted: Dec 02, 2008 - 1:14 AM GMT My guess is that by the time the survey was published, the data was already a few months old. In that time, gas prices have dropped 50% and many of the airlines are dropping fuel surcharges. And deals are appearing again. For better or worse, the people who lose their jobs in recessions tend to be disproportionately the "low end" workers, who wouldn't be traveling anyway. My guess is that business will be more proportional to the snow quality than the economy. __________ Joshua Segal

Rick Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Aug 13, 2002 Posts: 638 Location:	Posted: Dec 02, 2008 - 1:41 AM GMT If you have the financial courage, this could be THE year to travel for skiing. With oil prices down, there could be good airfares. And with the economy down, there could be some nice resort deals this winter. Even the dollar has gained strength in the last six months making a European ski trip more attractive.

roger47 Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Feb 21, 2007 Posts: 888 Location:	Posted: Dec 02, 2008 - 9:44 AM GMT Quote: My guess is that by the time the survey was published, the data was already a few months old. In that time, gas prices have dropped 50% and many of the airlines are dropping fuel surcharges. And deals are appearing again. Hi Joshua. Story isn't based on a study. It's based on interviews with industry figures last week, and is as real time as possible. All the factors you mention were already in play. Roger

jimk Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Aug 27, 2004 Posts: 1066 Location:Wash DC area	Posted: Dec 02, 2008 - 1:44 PM GMT Good stuff Roger. Kind of corroborates what I've seen anecdotally from opinions voiced on various internet ski forums - local areas may do fine, but pricey, distant destinations may suffer. If price of gas stays low all winter it could bode very well for New England ski resorts as folks from NYC and points south drive there instead of flying out west. This winter will be real test of old adage that good snow trumps all else.

rickbolger Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Mar 14, 2005 Posts: 2291 Location:Great Gorge, NJ	Posted: Dec 02, 2008 - 2:31 PM GMT very timely article Cannon passes are up 100% ! Is that all economy-driven? They must've done some kind of promotion or something else to jump that much. Good for Cannon, glad to see it

smelick Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Nov 14, 2003 Posts: 1102 Location:	Posted: Dec 02, 2008 - 4:16 PM GMT It's no mystery that one trip out west equates to a season pass here in the east. I think the real impact will be on lodging. The fact that more people may be doing more day trips will certainly put a damper on revenue associated with lodging. I suspect that even the big resorts in the east like Stowe and Killington etc.. will be hit hard, while others like Cannon and Sunapee etc.. may fair very well. I'm going to say that I'm glad it works out this way too. It will be interesting to see impact on NEXT years ski season. I think people made choices this year to reduce and shift spending, but will they find it was worth it next year? Will they even have the $$ next year? Time will only tell. -Scott

jimk Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Aug 27, 2004 Posts: 1066 Location:Wash DC area	Posted: Dec 05, 2008 - 1:39 PM GMT Edited: Dec 05, 2008 - 1:42 PM GMT dupe

jimk Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Aug 27, 2004 Posts: 1066 Location:Wash DC area	Posted: Dec 05, 2008 - 1:39 PM GMT Edited: Dec 05, 2008 - 1:41 PM GMT dupe

jimk Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Aug 27, 2004 Posts: 1066 Location:Wash DC area	Posted: Dec 05, 2008 - 1:39 PM GMT Nice article today in NY Times on Eastern resorts that can give a western/destination type experience stay East Author gives a lot of love to Eastern ski areas, but he failed to mention the one that gives me the most western/big mtn feel: Wildcat.

mapnut Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jul 31, 2002 Posts: 5060 Location:New York City	Posted: Dec 05, 2008 - 2:20 PM GMT Sugarbush has cat skiing? (page 2)

joshua segal Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jul 12, 2004 Posts: 5937 Location:NH	Posted: Dec 05, 2008 - 2:24 PM GMT Quote: ... but he failed to mention the one that gives me the most western/big mtn feel: Wildcat. With Wildcat's relatively narrow and winding trails, I feel that Wildcat is more "classic New England" rather than western. I'd be curious to know: What do you think about Wildcat feels western? __________ Joshua Segal

jb66 Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jun 24, 2004 Posts: 1585 Location:	Posted: Dec 05, 2008 - 2:51 PM GMT for one: The view. The Presidentials look like what you look at when you ski Loveland, A-Basin, Keystone, Breck, et al.

jimk Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Aug 27, 2004 Posts: 1066 Location:Wash DC area	Posted: Dec 05, 2008 - 4:31 PM GMT Quote: for one: The view. The Presidentials look like what you look at when you ski Loveland, A-Basin, Keystone, Breck, et al. Exactly. But good point by JS about narrow, twisty trails which are nontypical of Colorado.

bill gnade Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jan 31, 2008 Posts: 44 Location:Southern New Hampshire	Posted: Dec 05, 2008 - 7:46 PM GMT I appreciate the NYTimes piece on Eastern skiing, but I have to quibble with its choices, particularly if a "western" feel is desired. No doubt the region chosen by the Times writer, the north central corridor of VT, provides outstanding skiing choices, even legendary ones. But if there is one characteristic that stands out about western skiing, it is the fact that one can readily ski above treeline. The only lift-service above-treeline skiing in New England is Sugarloaf; it is my opinion that nothing even remotely comes close in New England to the Sugarloaf experience. Other than that, we're talking the Presidentials insofar as above-treeline goes. I know that Jay offers some similar albeit not quite-so-big routes down its front face, but the Loaf is really BIG in the western sense. And if I have my numbers right, the Loaf has the same amount of terrain and vertical as a place like Crested Butte. And where is the biggest snow right now in New England? I think Sugarloaf's got it. But it is hard to get to, I'll grant that, so VT in many ways is a better choice. As for other "western feels," I think Cannon has that feeling; and once Mittersill is developed, I think Cannon will easily be NH's premiere ski hill. (Is there anything quite so alpine or western as the Notch in winter anywhere else in the East?) Just some thoughts. Bliss! Gnade __________ 'There is no spoon.'

smelick Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Nov 14, 2003 Posts: 1102 Location:	Posted: Dec 05, 2008 - 8:53 PM GMT Edited: Dec 05, 2008 - 8:55 PM GMT Bill, I agree with you, there are a LOT of NE ski resorts that stand out beside just the ones in VT. I've often spoke out about the elitist feeling or vibe those in VT emanate, but hey, to each his own. I give the author the benefit of the doubt and just let him brag about his favorite ski resorts. Heck, they are still in the east -Scott

joshua segal Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jul 12, 2004 Posts: 5937 Location:NH	Posted: Dec 05, 2008 - 9:16 PM GMT I would suggest that the Kennebago section of Saddleback that is at treeline, with bowl-like topography offers a very western look. __________ Joshua Segal

tom durgin Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Dec 23, 2005 Posts: 837 Location:The Upper Valley	Posted: Dec 05, 2008 - 9:28 PM GMT Sunday River has some Western feel, especially on the upper third of its various peaks, thanks to all the spruce and fir and that expansive view into Jordan Bowl - not to mention the view of the Presidentials from Jordan.

bill gnade Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jan 31, 2008 Posts: 44 Location:Southern New Hampshire	Posted: Dec 06, 2008 - 3:47 PM GMT Mr. Durgin, Sunday River has much to commend it. The summit of White Cap has always given me a sense that I am somewhere other than New England. I particularly feel that way when I take either Obsession or Salvation toward Locke. Much of Oz feels western to me, as does the descent down Quantum Leap. By the way, would you agree that Lollapalooza at Jordan Bowl is the best green circle in New England? I can't think of a better green anywhere. It's a family favorite. Be well. Gnade __________ 'There is no spoon.'

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