This year, with the purchase of HV by 7S - I noticed that HV prices went up more than I expected for a new season. I believe last year the price was $10 less on the weekends while at 7S, the prices also went up. At $80 for holiday rates at 7S, we are now reaching into the SHOCKING territory. While I hold a season pass, people like myself are growing worried about what is in store for season pass holders that may be forced into purchasing passes that include HV into the costs. Only time wil tell what is in store for us season pass holders, but for sanity sake - I'm trying to remember what the prices were locally around 7S and HV in the previous years.
I'd be interested in tracking this info ; however, if someone already has this info that would be very neat to look at and compare over time.
the best way to see it is using the wayback machine to look at old websites - for instance in 7 springs case:
When Stowe raised their rate to $6 I remember thinking that they had killed the golden goose; nobody would pay that. Now their walk up rate is $98. Some of my VT friends sport altered bumper stickers on their cars like this, $towe.
Sincraft wrote:
So cool! Forgot about that site thanks
heyya i remember $32 in the day to ski all day ha ha that ruled!
Would also be interesting to cross check against number of ski tickets purchased. Are they steady, increasing or declining. I haven't really looked before, but is intrawest or some if the other companies public? You can pull a lot of data from their SEC filings if so. Now you have me interested I might look later once I have some time and stop goofing off on here. :)
Now that Nutting owns both HV and 7S, along with keeping Laurel effectively shuttered by adroitly running the business equivalent of the four corners offense (and trust me, it is "offenseive" for those of us who love Laurel), I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't at least a 25% increase in season passes for either or both places. Again, only time will tell, but history usually is a good predictor of the future.
This HV 7S ownership kinda makes me a bit worried.
I think they will continue to push HV as a family friendly place and work to sell this. Personally, I think they should turn the page and turn this place into one giant feature/halfpipe location. Due to the lack of vert, this place is boring but to teach kids and for a change of pace over 7S. Lets face it though, it pales in comparison. Starting out one does not think so, but shortly thereafter it's a night and day difference. Turning this place into a parkrat hub would be the wisest decision and would free up 7S to focus soley on beginner and expert features, skipping the intermediate stage which is the longest to be run at HV.
Maybe this would knock some of the wildness out of 7S which is badly needed to entice families to go there. As a 'real resort' vs HV, their goal should be to attract families at 7S, not HV. HV has nothing to offer...........nothing. The money IS to entice families to 7S.........period.
Alas - I fear they will try to draw in more families by sinking useless money into HV causing all seasons passes to go up as no profits will be realized.
My bet for next years prices:
$489 for 7S season pass, $50 gift card OR 5% off for paying cash/check. No longer will they offer both.
$539 for a 'highlands' pass, no gift card..no nuthin.
OR ...they simply do what I'm hoping they dont do, which is to FORCE people to HV by ONLY offering one pass, one pass to rule them all, one pass that binds them - one pass to define them. The Ultimate pass. The biggest 'screw you consumer - take this and LIKE IT' pass ever. $550- both resorts only. No single resort passes. +$150 for all you can eat hot dogs.(weekdays during evenings between 9pm and 10pm when they are closing only...)
Hmm I wonder how many snow makers they steal from HV in the off season.
What a great site. I've never seen it before...
