I don't know if the student passes went up too this year, but the adult ones are up $100 and that sucks!!! I wrote an email to Bachelor, you guys should send one too if you agree. Here's what I sent this morning:
Hello Mount Bachelor,
Would you mind telling me exactly where that extra $100 I paid for my season pass this year is going? It is to pay a higher salary for your new President? Or to groom XC trails? Or to pay for the "locals" events, most of which are for children, and none of which benefit season pass holders?
As a returning season pass holder, I am also annoyed that I have to pay an extra $20 for a new physical pass. You may not be aware, but season passes make excellent keepsakes, reminders of epic powder days and good times with friends on the mountain. I'd love to have another one this year, but no... I'll have to pay $20 for that.
How about all the "perks" that season pass holders get... 20% off at other POWDR resorts? You guys own pretty lame resorts, but I'm sure you knew that. Now that you don't have Alpine Meadows (thanks for taking that "perk" away), there is no way I'll waste my time or money at any of your other resorts. Then there's 10% off on coffee! and tunes! and tubing! Here's a newsflash: skiers who are on the mountain regularly probably tune their own skis! And don't sip cappuccinos while sitting around at the Pine Marten lodge! And don't go tubing!! (not at Bachelor, anyway)
Now, rather than go on and on about everything that irritates me about buying a $909 season pass this year, I'll give you an example of a resort that DOES provide value for its season pass holders: Heavenly. Here is a sampler:
Unlimited season pass: $568
Perks:
- Skiing and riding in the Nightlife nighttime terrain park
- Total of three FREE days of skiing or riding at any combination of Vail Resorts' four Colorado resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone
- Allows the purchase of four $40 Buddy Tickets during the 2007-2008 season
As a comparison, Bachelor charges $341 more. You don't have night skiing, don't provide free ski privledges at your other resorts, and don't give my friends a deal when they come to Bend to ski with me. How does that make me feel like you want my business?
I don't want a direct answer to any of the questions I just asked, as I'm really just asking the crew at Mt. B to seriously rethink their commitment to the local community here in Bend. I hope to see some changes in your appreciation of pass holders during the upcoming season.
Thanks,
Lindsey Clark
Bend, Oregon