Results 26 to 50 of 167
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06-04-2018, 10:13 AM #26
Yeah, I mean, why even have antitrust laws in the first place. Just enjoy it. It's not like the father of modern capitalism didn't warn against monopolistic control of a market. But yeah, let's quote Luis CK instead of thinking about longterm consequences of a duopoly controling an entire industry.
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06-04-2018, 10:15 AM #27
Let's not get too holier-than-thou.
For Christ's sake - it's just skiing. It isn't like skiing is a necessity. Why doesn't everybody just quit buying the fucking passes? That would send both of these members of the skiing cartel straight down the tubes.
Oh, that's right - because it's actually a pretty fucking good deal. At least for some of us.
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06-04-2018, 10:18 AM #28Registered User
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This is pretty much what you are saying, and it's kind of a shitty way to go through life.
"Yeah, things are great now, but it is totally gonna suck in the future" even though, they haven't done this yet, and they've definitely had the chance many times.
VR has actually saved this industry multiple times. You know how much money people had to spend on gear after they bought a $199 pass? I worked in the ski industry back then and it was an instant bump in gear sales. Skier visits were through the roof, and jobs in ski the ski towns were plentiful and pay went up.
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06-04-2018, 10:18 AM #29
You are correct, it's been 4 years so a lot could have changed however my litmus test is The Basin. Still an incredible resort that isn't completely fusterclucked with people that gets small incremental changes that improve it over the course of time. Oh and food is still cheap and people are still personable. So sure we can overgeneralize but I think when you actually look at each resort you will find that Vail isn't SATAN.
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06-04-2018, 10:20 AM #30
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06-04-2018, 10:25 AM #31Registered User
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My guess is the only reason VR bought Stevens is because Seattle is growing like crazy and it’s a recruitment tool to bring Seattle residents to Whistler for long weekends. Was Stevens, probably could just as easily been Crystal or Alpental...VR wants the Seattle consumer to vacation in Whistler.
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06-04-2018, 10:28 AM #32Registered User
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Which is exactly why people in WA will buy an Epic pass, ski Stevens on the weekends, and fly to a number of resorts in other states for their vacations. It was just a matter of time. Now I predict Ikon gets Crystal and/or Alpental and/or SAS, and hopefully Baker gives them all the finger.
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06-04-2018, 10:29 AM #33Registered User
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Vibes to the Sunapee locals.
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06-04-2018, 10:32 AM #34
It was Stevens because the highly crooked capital management fund that owned it is in financial and regulatory trouble. And really didn't care whether they owned a ski area... or not.
To them it was just a line in a portfolio.Last edited by PNWbrit; 06-04-2018 at 11:12 AM.
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06-04-2018, 10:39 AM #35Rope->Dope
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06-04-2018, 10:40 AM #36
Just a point that may or may not really matter, but unlike most of the Epic Pass resorts, A-Basin is not owned by Vail Resorts, they just partner with them.
They can certainly close it, or remove rock and such to make entrances more "family friendly." I wouldn't put it past them to use some dynamite to grade out the entrances into the North Face stuff to make it more "accessible." Right now it's a great gaper filter.
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06-04-2018, 10:41 AM #37
A glass-half-full opinion from someone who generally avoids the US-2 corridor anyway:
Perhaps big money momentum will be applied to the necessary expansion of the Stevens lift-served acreage with this exchange... with the likely-futile hope that some pressure can be temporarily taken off the other ski hills near Pugetopolis.
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06-04-2018, 10:41 AM #38Registered User
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That’s my point, VR didn’t give a shit which brand it was buying. They just wanted a seller in a market that is desirable.
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06-04-2018, 10:41 AM #39
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06-04-2018, 10:43 AM #40
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06-04-2018, 10:50 AM #41Rope->Dope
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Cloud seed that sucker, anything to get Third Bowl open more.
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06-04-2018, 10:54 AM #42
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06-04-2018, 10:56 AM #43Registered User
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06-04-2018, 11:08 AM #44
Most mountain town locals live where they do despite the corporate parent of the ski resort not because of it. In is reality. Always has been, always will be. As mentioned, it will be interesting to see what, if anything, changes with the skiing at CB.
To be honest, I have always been part of the problem. I have skied Crested Butte a fair amount over the last 25 years but always ski free, included with my pass, 2 for 1 etc. That said, that town has been about like the rest of them for the last 10 years. Just a bunch of wealth white people with a mad collection of puffies, sucking down micros and chardonnay, inside a cloud of smug. Sure its a little quirky, sure their are some amazing skiers at the hill. The terrain, the backcountry, the natural beauty, it's off the charts. But the people, the vibe, all that...it ain't as special as some make it out to be.
Does getting bought by Vail suck? Probably. Could you see it coming? Probably. Do I feel sorry for anybody? Not so much.
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06-04-2018, 11:08 AM #45
Vail Resorts, Vail Resorts über alles,
Über alles in der Welt,
Wenn es stets zu Gewinn und Erwerb,
Aktionär zusammenhält,
Von der Telluride bis an die Whistler,
Von der Stevens Pass bis an den Crested Butte,
Vail Resorts, Vail Resorts über alles,
Über alles in der Welt!Originally Posted by blurred
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06-04-2018, 11:21 AM #46Registered User
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^^^ this
Mainstreet CB could be Breck or Frisco if you squint your eyes a little. Still some quaint shops, but the growing popularity, without enough money to take advantage of explosion of growth on the FR begs for corporate investment. Now if Vail could just make it snow there.
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06-04-2018, 11:21 AM #47
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06-04-2018, 11:33 AM #48
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06-04-2018, 11:50 AM #49
It will be interesting to see if vail has enough clout to push through a snodgrass expansion.
Jordan
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06-04-2018, 11:59 AM #50
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