Key point in article seems to be declining guest experience at Vail resorts due to crowding and that this will hurt to company's prospects in the long run. 

In recent years I've primarily skied Alterra/Ikon mountains.  Funny thing about crowds - The mtns I go to seem to have enough lift capacity.  It's finding parking that can be a problem on big days???

At least locally, (WT, LM, RT) I think the crowds/wait at lifts were much better this year with the exception of just a few days which were typically after a good snowfall.  It was a fantastic season here in the Mid Atlantic!

 At HV, admittedly there were a few crowded days, but mostly well handled, and lift lines weren't too bad. Once staffed up, the place seemed to run pretty smoothly.  I think we may see Vail hitting stride locally in terms of understanding what they've purchased.  It's been a "long" season in the mid-a at most places. Sadly HV closes after tomorrow sat 3/15.

BaySailor wrote:

At least locally, (WT, LM, RT) I think the crowds/wait at lifts were much better this year with the exception of just a few days which were typically after a good snowfall.  It was a fantastic season here in the Mid Atlantic!

The main problem I see is lack of reinvestment.  Which personally I think is obvious.  Growing rapidly through both vertical and horizontal acquisitions never typically ends well from a customer experience standpoint, but it's not especially shocking that's what a publicly traded company is doing.

As far as crowds I do think the mid A is unique, as are various regions and pockets out west.  One interesting observation of mine is that out west where it's a choice, there does seem to be a fair number of people willing to switch back and forth from Epic to Ikon.  So the crowd thing is a bit like a water balloon, you squeeze on one side and pops out on the other....in the mid A most people are captive to someone (i.e. there is no choice).

 I was told by an HVF Board member that a Vail VIP (s) will be visiting HV in the Spring to assess potential future improvements. We'll see what happens.

needawax wrote:

The lack of reinvestment is a problem at a lot of places, HV being a standout. Aging/temperamental lifts, lodge area that needs to be rejuvenated and in some places rethought.  Agreed that avid snowsports fans are captive in some way or another if they want to stay local.  The issue with HV is that they have a built-in onsite foundation (which I'm no exception to), that virtually guarantees Vail basic operating costs (who is going to own at HV and not buy a ski pass? - not many), not to mention food and bev.  That is not going to bode well for improvements to a ski area that is being managed from a distance.

 Cool. If I'm there at the time, I'll sit down and chat... ;-)

snowsmith wrote:

 I was told by an HVF Board member that a Vail VIP (s) will be visiting HV in the Spring to assess potential future improvements. We'll see what happens.

needawax wrote:

The lack of reinvestment is a problem at a lot of places, HV being a standout. Aging/temperamental lifts, lodge area that needs to be rejuvenated and in some places rethought.  Agreed that avid snowsports fans are captive in some way or another if they want to stay local.  The issue with HV is that they have a built-in onsite foundation (which I'm no exception to), that virtually guarantees Vail basic operating costs (who is going to own at HV and not buy a ski pass? - not many), not to mention food and bev.  That is not going to bode well for improvements to a ski area that is being managed from a distance.

I cannot speak about Vail's business model, whether it will fail or succeed, or if it affects Vail-wide customer service. Still, I agree with needswax, locally Vail is beginning to understand what they've purchased. I think Brett Cook is doing a great job at Laurel, at the very least, he has a great staff at Laurel. Everybody there, from the retail staff, the kitchen and bar service, lifties, ticket scanners, and especially the mountain ops team who made more snow, opened more terrain, and groomed the most consistent of all previous years. Vail management has supported the new Laurel Mountain Ski Club and their youth program and expressed interest in restoring the historic Midway Cabin. We visited HV once this winter for our 3-year-old grandson's first day on skis. The staff there was very welcoming and the conditions were good. At 7S this season rumors were rampant that the North Face lift was down for the season, and there were air compressor issues that slowed snowmaking, but the bull wheel is spinning, and although they are reducing hours to weekends only, no closing date has been announced.

needawax wrote:

 At HV, admittedly there were a few crowded days, but mostly well handled, and lift lines weren't too bad. Once staffed up, the place seemed to run pretty smoothly.  I think we may see Vail hitting stride locally in terms of understanding what they've purchased.  It's been a "long" season in the mid-a at most places. Sadly HV closes after tomorrow sat 3/15.

 

BaySailor wrote:

At least locally, (WT, LM, RT) I think the crowds/wait at lifts were much better this year with the exception of just a few days which were typically after a good snowfall.  It was a fantastic season here in the Mid Atlantic!