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Vail now owns Afton Alps

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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
Just found this out from my dad who is an instructor there. Thought it was pretty weird that such a big company would come after a small hill in MN.

So if any of you are like me and purchase an epic pass to go out to Colorado they are now good at Afton too
Dec 6 2012 9:31PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
Are you sure they're gonna make Epic Passes good there? I have one, so if they are that would be so sick! I have a race there in February and they have the most expensive day passes of anywhere we ski.
Dec 6 2012 10:17PM
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Heart
Posts: 6156 - Karma: 3,462
I wonder if this will lead to crazy good terrain parks at afton... one can hope
Dec 6 2012 10:33PM
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Heart
Posts: 6156 - Karma: 3,462
just googled around and found this:

"Vail Resorts plans to upgrade each ski area's snowmaking, parking, terrain parks, racing programs, dining and entertainment options, and instruction programs. Exact budgets haven't been determined."

sounds good to me
Dec 6 2012 10:38PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
Oh and inb4 Out Cold reenactment.
Dec 6 2012 10:48PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
My dad told me yes that they will work there. That is all I have to go off of.

Now I wish I still lived back home. I'd be going there so much
Dec 6 2012 11:03PM
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skiminnesota
Posts: 9093 - Karma: 429
good move for Vail.


as many posters in here just proved vails thought process that plenty of people in MN (specifically the twin cities) get an Epic Pass. now with the added incentive of free skiing (assumidly next year) its going to be an easy choice for people as to where their family ski vacation is going to be. A VR.

plus there are nonstop flights to Eagle, Denver etc from MSP. Very Shrewd move Vail.
Dec 6 2012 11:08PM
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skiminnesota
Posts: 9093 - Karma: 429
it will be interesting to see if Afton's day passes become more of a rip off than they currently are already.
Dec 6 2012 11:10PM
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roddy116
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 7,511
my dick got harder when i read this, im gonna go buy a pass there now.
Dec 6 2012 11:12PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
Doubt it. It's gonna be a loss leader to get you to spend the big bucks out West.
Dec 6 2012 11:13PM
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skiminnesota
Posts: 9093 - Karma: 429
day passes, not season passes. VR said they did this to drive season pass sales. Granted i dont live in MN anymore but im pretty sure VR already markets the Epic pass at places like hoigarrds right? (the perfect VR customer, affluent) this just gives people more incentive to buy an afton pass (or epic pass) ski afton a bunch and then book their MLK trip to Breck, Vail, Keystone, etc. Even Tahoe isnt hard to get to from MSP.

If youre buying day tickets at afton you are not the person VR is targeting by this move.

it will be interesting to see if they dump a bunch of money into Afton...
Dec 6 2012 11:20PM
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roddy116
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 7,511
anyway i wonder how soon these "changes" will be. like if the parks are gonna be dope this year.
Dec 6 2012 11:23PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
No day pass people are a target as well if they do dump the aforementioned money into Afton. They can make it into a "model resort" with similar amenities and features to the out west resorts but on a smaller scale with the idea of getting people hooked on the "Vail Resorts experience."

At the same time though, ridiculous day pass prices are a part of their business model out West (which is why I have an Epic Pass) but I just can't see them wanting to put up barriers to potential customers in this instance.

I just hope they leave the yellow jacket guys out West, I don't like them.
Dec 6 2012 11:32PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
They have had yellow jacket guys at Afton for years now. But they aren't nearly as bad as the ones out west
Dec 6 2012 11:34PM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
i think its a great move for Vail and us. Afton has a lot of potential as far as a "midwest resort" goes. I hope prices don't go up too much.
Dec 7 2012 10:08AM
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KellyK
Posts: 1782 - Karma: 715
Papa Muntz is rolling over in his grave.

But seriously, founder Paul Augustine passed away January 2011. Sounds like his ungrateful daughter cashed out the family business
Dec 7 2012 11:17AM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
Aaaaaaaand epic passes are not going to be good at afton now. Kinda blows
Dec 9 2012 12:30AM
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KellyK
Posts: 1782 - Karma: 715
!!!
Dec 9 2012 1:19PM
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Where-am-I
Posts: 1635 - Karma: 281
im holding out on the slim chance that Afton will have a real college pass now
Dec 9 2012 4:19PM
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gipsywoman
Posts: 115 - Karma: 17
now i'll be able to put my epic local pass to use before going out to CO. So choice.
Dec 9 2012 6:22PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
Well then I'm hiking the hill. Fuck I already bought their flagship season pass product and they want me to pay to ski their shittiest hill?!
Dec 9 2012 6:29PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
I guess he is hearing something different everyday and depending on who he is talking to. So I guess we just have to wait for an official announcement from vail resorts.
Dec 9 2012 6:31PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
http://www.aftonalps.com/in_the_news.php?nID=344

Looks like the epic passes wont be good at afton for sure. It says that Afton pass holders will get a 25% discount off other Vail Resorts tickets.

Good news is that they plan on expanding and improving the parks
Dec 9 2012 6:36PM
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roddy116
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 7,511
yeah but when? hopefully they have some park crew from vail this year, or maybe changes but i doubt it.
Dec 9 2012 8:59PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
It doesn't say anywhere in there that they're not. I wouldn't expect a general press release like that to address a niche group of people such as Minnesotans that already have Epic Passes.
Dec 9 2012 11:59PM
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BNik
Posts: 543 - Karma: 268
Why would they be? Its all about money Vail core cant really buy much more in Colorado and they can make a fortune fixing up old wooden Midwest resorts. I am surprised they bought afton or others but noneless stoked for back home.
Dec 11 2012 3:04PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
Well today a Vail Employee just told my dad that epic passes will be good at Afton this year.

So this is pretty much a shit show right now.
Dec 13 2012 7:30PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
Epic Passes will definitely be valid at Afton. I emailed Vail Resorts, they just replied that they will be active "immediately."
Dec 13 2012 9:19PM
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jcc03skis
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,020
Is anything actually going to happen this year? As in the terrain park?
Dec 14 2012 10:55PM
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plainmaster2000
Posts: 83 - Karma: 13
Yes please!! And not these lame $2 dollar off days. Really $2?? That's it?? Broke students need half off at least!!
Dec 15 2012 1:15PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
I don't know about this year, it might be too late now. But I would expect some big things for next season for sure. Afton's park was already getting better every year, that jump they had last year was absolute money.
Dec 15 2012 1:43PM
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ohpatti
Posts: 745 - Karma: 25
are you going for your race this weekend? Im driving down with the marquette team from milwaukee for the weekend
Feb 7 2013 9:57AM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
Idk I was only there one day but I never over or undrr shot it. I had fun with it
Feb 8 2013 9:02PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
I was there. Sunday sucked balls. Can't wait for Marquette this weekend.
Feb 14 2013 5:28PM
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zzaander123
Posts: 35 - Karma: 81
but on the bright side vail is sinking 10 MILLION into afton, thats gona buy a pretty nice tow rope
Apr 8 2013 11:37PM
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FuckAllOfYou
Posts: 3864 - Karma: 2,518
I am buying a pass there for next year, anything to save me from the shithole of welch village. cannot wait
Apr 11 2013 2:37PM
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Heart
Posts: 6156 - Karma: 3,462
fingers are crossed for high speed lifts as well
Apr 15 2013 7:56PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
I doubt it, I know they are going to put a lot of money into snow making. Hoping for rope tow on the park
Apr 15 2013 7:59PM
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roddy116
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 7,511
that "hill" ( i say that in quotations because in reality its just a valley) is too short for a high speed lift.
Apr 15 2013 9:34PM
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Heart
Posts: 6156 - Karma: 3,462
i think it would be okay. high speed lifts only need maybe 80 feet before and after loading to accelerate / slow down.
Apr 16 2013 9:02AM
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FuckAllOfYou
Posts: 3864 - Karma: 2,518
I now have a pass to aft, beyond stoked for next season, as I said, anything is better than fucking welch v.
May 5 2013 11:32AM
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roddy116
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 7,511
how many times to you plan to get up there?
May 7 2013 8:04PM
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FuckAllOfYou
Posts: 3864 - Karma: 2,518
a lot. I went a couple times this season and the drive is not too much longer than to welch, and it is mucho better
May 8 2013 5:09PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
Just got word that they will be getting rid of the tubing park and using that space to make the park bigger. They are also going to put in 2 high-speed ropes for the park. Fucking awesome!
May 8 2013 9:13PM
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Heart
Posts: 6156 - Karma: 3,462
Click for larger image
May 8 2013 10:14PM
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FuckAllOfYou
Posts: 3864 - Karma: 2,518
Yes. Yes. That tube park was an eyesore. Moar jumpz?
May 9 2013 2:12PM
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Heart
Posts: 6156 - Karma: 3,462
Here's a picture of the new park layout for next year. Dee's dive will have jumps and some jibs it looks like, dual rope tows are going in between the terrain park run and the old tubing hill, and the tubing area will be all park. I believe it's also being managed by SPT (responsible for the parks at breck, keystone, 7 springs, northstar, etc.) Looks so dope.

Click for larger image
Jul 27 2013 10:07PM
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Kretzschmar
Posts: 6709 - Karma: 98,331
damn, i may have to roadtrip to go here once this winter break
Jul 28 2013 5:59AM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
Yes, so awesome. Afton will be unreal this year.
Jul 28 2013 9:34PM
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