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Killington opening date?

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GURT
Posts: 373 - Karma: 60
so i just got the new issue of ski magazine the resort gine issue and under killingtons part they said that the new owners didnt plan on opening untill november 16 this sucks because they usualy open earlier
Sep 25 2007 5:41PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
http://www.shopgsrd.com/winter/media/pressrelease.html?pressrelease=pressrelease9

Take what you will of them having an opening day set on there already.
Sep 25 2007 5:52PM
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SteezyMcDizzle
Posts: 514 - Karma: 31
yeah man, last two years were fun at killy, but i am glad i left..season will probably end sooner too
Sep 25 2007 5:53PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
PS - Already states a closing date of April 13th?!?!?!

That is a season only 2 or so weeks longer than one here in Western New York on our low elevation hills. I hope that those aren't the true dates. If so, Killington just shot themselves in the face, BADLY.
Sep 25 2007 5:55PM
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TerminatorX
Posts: 3087 - Karma: 169
that sucks. sunday river opens the 9th
Sep 25 2007 6:01PM
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DannyMac
Posts: 2837 - Karma: 65
Opening Date: November 16, 2007
Closing Date: April 13, 2008

this is a sad day
Sep 25 2007 6:15PM
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zackblain
Posts: 2322 - Karma: 22
bristol opens around new year
Sep 25 2007 6:19PM
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GURT
Posts: 373 - Karma: 60
that sucks
Sep 25 2007 6:23PM
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RedBaron882
Posts: 823 - Karma: 126
no way in hell would killington close so early if we have another spring season like 06/07. i could see them shutting down parts of the mountain but not the whole it just isnt good business sense.
Sep 25 2007 6:27PM
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TimmyP
Posts: 2086 - Karma: 128
nov 16, isnt too shaby, 2005 - 20ish, 2006, 27ish.

but closing 4/16, im sorry, i really am. Killy was beautiful until the end of April last year, i hope that is just a prediction, and not when their lease from the state end for skiing or something like that
Sep 25 2007 6:35PM
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AhrenStein
Posts: 1941 - Karma: 177
it the spring it they dont make enough money to stay open
Sep 25 2007 6:36PM
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currentwestman
Posts: 3292 - Karma: 330
ya man that sucks, spring skiing was nice last year and damn theyre opening late i was looking forward to hitting up my first 07/08 mountain in early november....this is a big BUMMER
Sep 25 2007 6:42PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Okay, I was okay with raising the prices to match the other local destination resorts pricing. That made sense financially to me.

But to announce that you will be SIGNIFICANTLY reducing the season length, after people bought their passes is robbery, As well is the price they will be charging for such a limited season in comparison to local competition.

There is nothing but disdain for Killington these days and I don't get what POWDR's plan is.
Sep 25 2007 7:21PM
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Galin
Posts: 2342 - Karma: 3,940
they better not close that early next year. Last year they were open to May 6 i think, that was such a fun day. We went over to a closed trail above needles eye and just found junk to jib. They better be open later than the 16th, thats weak.
Sep 25 2007 7:23PM
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Adrenaline
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 552
There is a point in the spring where a resort doesn't make money anymore.  Some resorts decide to run past that,  some don't and some have to close due to leases.  Don't know what the long term plan is for killy...  but it's the total business decision to try and make the resort profitable again i guess.  And april 13th?  that's kinda bullshittish.
Sep 25 2007 7:26PM
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GURT
Posts: 373 - Karma: 60
hahaha that was a good day remember dwyers fire where he almost set that tree on fire.
Sep 25 2007 7:33PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Doing some reading over on Killingtonzone.com.

It seems to be a shitstorm over there. Absolute mess. Things look horrible.
Sep 25 2007 9:03PM
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396222687862
Posts: 0 - Karma: 350
that sucks. i skied on the 29th of april, twas a shitty day. there was a park, with hiking acess. we just fucked around the whole day. another reason why i'll just stick with mount snow this year. april 21st was the one of the best skiing days ever last year. 75 degrees, shorts and tee shirt bombin switch down a blue, with corn snow spraying. ahhh the springs days, say goodbye
Sep 25 2007 9:07PM
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skiEER
Posts: 4089 - Karma: 79
so gay thats the only time I ever ski at Killington
Sep 25 2007 9:19PM
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t_rob
Posts: 6433 - Karma: 11,459
ouch. sundayriver has announced that their aiming for november 9th and there is even a sugarloaf october 26th rumor flying around.
Sep 25 2007 9:22PM
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TerminatorX
Posts: 3087 - Karma: 169
holly shit are you serious. that is so kick ass
Sep 26 2007 9:50AM
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FartBoy05
Posts: 1306 - Karma: 9
killington better not close that early
Sep 26 2007 10:29AM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 915
The writing was on the wall. Now it is confirmed.   I doubt they will back off, maybe open early, but at the end of the season how many tickets do they sell to make it worthwhile?  As much as I don't like it, I think it was inevitable.
Sep 26 2007 11:17AM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Here's the problem I have though papa...

People were expecting things would be better when Killington was sold and out of ASC hands. Now, after a pass-price jump, with a VERY short season length compared to competition, and massive increases in everything across the board and no talk of much in the way of improvements.

ASC looks like saints now compared to POWDR.

And while Killington may not make much money during day-to-day operations in early and late season skiing, I would have to think that this just alienates customers and puts bad rep out on a place and in skiing, reputation is everything.
Sep 26 2007 11:23AM
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Capurnicus
Posts: 9947 - Karma: 1,886
WOW...the only reason to ever go to Killy was for early season. And those were mad fun times.

So I present you with a big, sincere, heartfelt FUCK YOU from me and everyone else to you, Killington.
Sep 26 2007 11:25AM
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yelsel
Posts: 12967 - Karma: 3,451
It was really half and half about the expectation aspect of it. Lots of people thought Killy was going to change for better and another group thought shit would hit the fan. Well shit hit the fan.

I think its ridiculous to charge so much money for a seasons pass to Killy and Pico if you're going to state in freakin SEPTEMBER that the closing date is April! Seriously who the fuck does that and why would you do that? I feel sorry for whomever shelled out so much cashola to ski there. I know they had to raise ticket prices abit since they acquired so much debt when they made the purchase in the first place. But come on...Mid November to Mid April?!?!?! on the EC?! FUCK YOU KILLINGTON, POWDR AND ALL OF YOUR EXECUTIVE ASSHATS!
Sep 26 2007 11:32AM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Agreed. Shit has hit the fan.

I actually didn't have an issue with the pass-price increases because it put it more in line with resorts. Scan through other Killington posts, and you can see my opinions on that aspect.

But the season length they have already STATED before winter has even begun is only about 1-2 weeks longer than a hill in Western New York with a fraction the annual skier visits, less annual snowfall, less snowmaking, and only 750' vertical.

People expect improvememnts when they pay more money. Not to see things take such a masive hop-skip and a leap backwards.
Sep 26 2007 11:37AM
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TimmyP
Posts: 2086 - Karma: 128
i was there both those days also, damn i will miss them
Sep 26 2007 11:44AM
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Benhamine
Posts: 1075 - Karma: 308
Last year they opened up later. And the year before was a freak storm that made them open up early. It isnt weird that they stated that date. It actually seems early for the new owners.
Sep 26 2007 12:24PM
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yelsel
Posts: 12967 - Karma: 3,451
how is it not weird though? its september. its still 80 out. they must have read farmers almanac or have some inside info that none of us know about
Sep 26 2007 1:03PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Just to point out, the last time Killington had a closing date in April, was in the 1973-1974 season when they closed on April 30th.

The last time they closed as early as mid-April was in 1959 when they closed on April 16th.

The mid-November opening is tolerable, yet still a slide compared to Killington's history of opening as soon as possible, often in mid-October.
Sep 26 2007 1:17PM
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nothanks
Posts: 13551 - Karma: 31
Which mountain steps up as king now?
Sep 26 2007 1:21PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Rumor has it that Sugarloaf wants to step up their game bi. They dumped a very large portion of their 4 million in upgrades on snowmaking upgrades as well. Something like 70 new low energy efficient guns, and a new pump substation to increase efficiency and output 20%.

Don't know about Vermont resorts though.
Sep 26 2007 1:32PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
"Getting more snow on the ground, early in the season, has been the driving force behind significant upgrades to Sugarloaf’s snowmaking system. Sugarloaf has introduced a number of Boyne proprietary, high-output, energy efficient fan guns to maximize early season coverage. In addition to the fan guns, Sugarloaf has added 70 new traditional low energy snow guns to the snowmaking system and boosted pumping capacity with the construction of a new pump house on the mountain. In total, these improvements will increase snowmaking capacity by as much as 20 percent."

So sounds like Sugarloaf wants to push hard for early season snowmaking.
Sep 26 2007 1:39PM
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yelsel
Posts: 12967 - Karma: 3,451
Thats the way to be but too bad its such a hike for me to get there.

On another note, I know Mt. Snow is trying to set up their snowmaking efforts as well. We shall see.

Needless to say this season will definitely be interesting. I do know that once again I will NOT pay full price for a ticket. No fuckin way
Sep 26 2007 1:45PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Morry, also looks like Mount Snow is stepping up huge with snowmaking.

"Mount Snow invested heavily in snowmaking technology in the Summer of 2007, purchasing 101 energy-efficient Polecat fan guns from SMI Snowmakers, Inc. This state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment uses less compressed air than traditional air/water guns, meaning it requires significantly less energy to produce snow. Fan guns are ideal for producing a vast quantity of snow, even in milder temperature ranges. This means our skiers and snowboarders can expect:

- Earlier opening and closing dates with more terrain
- Fast recovery from extreme temperature fluctuations"
Source - http://www.mountsnow.com/snowmaking.html

So while all the other Northeastern Resorts are dumping money into snowmaking and highlight and hyping early opening dates and longer operating seasons, Killington is throwing in the tower and conceding to a much shorter season than their competition.

So does anyone actually know what POWDR is actually trying to do with Killington? It sure deosn't seem like they are trying to grow and make it into a better resort.
Sep 26 2007 1:47PM
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yelsel
Posts: 12967 - Karma: 3,451
Mt. Snow just needs the permit to get it going. They were supposed to vote on it last week or the prior week but the meeting was cancelled.

Killington though? Seriously when I first heard this news, which was probably back in March at a local bar in town, people were skeptical but others thought this was going to be the greatest thing that ever happened to Killington. I think it may be the downfall of it. Raising ticket prices, shorter season....why bother?
Sep 26 2007 1:52PM
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404404
Posts: 11358 - Karma: 21,035
haha that sucks, gald i got out of there before this shit happened. Give it like 4 or 5 years and killy will be a sickl place agian, change takes time.
Sep 26 2007 2:39PM
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ATLskier
Posts: 8203 - Karma: 406
My mountain in North Carolina is gonna try to open nov 1st.
Sep 26 2007 2:43PM
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lyndon
Posts: 7266 - Karma: 128
Your actually lucky. The hills around here dont open intil mid-late December, and close usually right after the march break(21st of march). Be thankful for what you have. You could live in my city.....
Sep 26 2007 5:22PM
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Thomson.
Posts: 4634 - Karma: 227
Does Killington normally have any boxes/rails up early season?  Because bristol is pushing for the 22nd and I think it would be sweet to head up to killy for a day or two before bristol opens.
Sep 26 2007 5:28PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Yeah, but if your hill regularly opened in late October, and was open until mid-May regularly, you'd be seriously pissed if they raised the pass prices 40% and shortened the season by nearly 20%.
Sep 26 2007 5:37PM
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DannyMac
Posts: 2837 - Karma: 65
I live in NYC right now for career purposes, not exactly close to killington.  I was just saying that I will miss early and late season at killy because that was always the best time.  I bet if you drove 4 1/2 hours you could find a resort that opens before december and stays open longer than march 21.
Sep 26 2007 5:57PM
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396222687862
Posts: 0 - Karma: 350
i guesss they finally might take down all their signs that say killy's season is from october to june. haha, they have gotta take em down now.
Sep 26 2007 6:02PM
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alev
Posts: 7819 - Karma: 410
killington opened on oct 1st once and closed june 14th or something
also had a oct 4 to june 21 season too
Sep 26 2007 6:10PM
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GURT
Posts: 373 - Karma: 60
killington opening later also means it will take a longer time for them to open bear because they can only make so much snow at a time and they usualy dont open bear untill the rest of the mountian is pretty much open
Sep 26 2007 6:41PM
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GatoGordo
Posts: 1496 - Karma: 10
ya and you ruined it by stopping a whole huge forest fire. how sick would that have been. that fire was just about to lite the whole tree on fire, then you come and put it out. those would have been sick glades.
Sep 26 2007 7:21PM
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GURT
Posts: 373 - Karma: 60
hahaha the whole top of sky peak could have been above treeline then
Sep 26 2007 7:23PM
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Colt45er
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 336
theres that same problem at my hill.  just like most ski resorts its $7.99 for a bottle of water and a shit load for a pass, and it seems like no money goes back into it.  my hill makes alot of improvments like the lodges and lifts, but they cant extend the season a couple more weeks?  thats a shit load of snow to waist, its sad.  ass hoes
Sep 26 2007 7:35PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
You're clearly not talking about HiV!!!!!


Man, they had enough snow on Yodeler to ski into May this year.

I never went and hiked it out of fear of getting bitched at by management.
Sep 26 2007 7:39PM
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yelsel
Posts: 12967 - Karma: 3,451
dude i totally know what you're saying but it costs sooooo much $$$ to run it when there arent too many people going. thats when they start really losing money
Sep 26 2007 7:42PM
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