Big Sky nixes tram access to Ikon/MC/day pass holders

[Bunion 2020]

Looked at a map. The one from Dakota up liberty bowl.
They could build a t bar up that, that would be rad

Was told yesterday that the new plan is to chop 20' off the Swifty towers when it gets replaced and string that lift up Liberty but keep it really low to the ground so its out of the wind. Unload suppose to be high enough to make the Yeti traverse.

[paulster2626]

When Peak to Peak opened, it was an extra charge for a couple years. I refused to pay and would pick one mountain for the day. Now it's included and the resort is better for it. It seems BS is reversing the industry trend that added trams back into the pass price.

I'd actually be fine if they kept it separate and it was an extra $20. The variable aspect of it as well as not knowing what the pricing will be is the lame part. I had planned to use my Alpental pass 3 days there and may still, but this is definitely a strike against it. I wonder if the $20 charge will be the same for employees at other Boyne hills.

If memory serves correct, it was an extra charge on your season pass but if you bought early enough you could opt out. P2P was then included on every day ticket bought though, which were increased accordingly of course.

To me they're different things. Peak 2 Peak doesn't really open up any terrain, but this tram serves the best there is at the place. I've been on Peak 2 Peak twice in my life, both in the same day. I really never use it, it's always a little pointless to me.

[Percy Rideout]

We skied BS 1 day this year. Mid storm cycle. Tram did not open. Thats ok. It was pea soup up there.

Does BS sell tram passes on a storm day, then refund on the back end if it doesn't open? The butthurt will be audible for me to hear in Colorado if Boyne just shrugs their shoulders and says "weather".

[Benny Profane]

So, you wont come back for day two in a few years?

[Ottime]

Dude, write that letter and then get back to us about the response. Thank you for your service. Really going out on a limb there. We all owe you for your sacrifice.

Did you think I really was going to write a letter? You are funny. I enjoy watching you assume you know what is going on when really you have no fucking clue. Must be nice living life with no knowledge of your own ignorance. Keep it up. This place needs a jester.

[Benny Profane]

Did you think I really was going to write a letter? You are funny. I enjoy watching you assume you know what is going on when really you have no fucking clue. Must be nice living life with no knowledge of your own ignorance. Keep it up. This place needs a jester.

Um, maybe because you typed this?:

I’ll boycott next year for yall. Do you want me to write Boyne to let them know we no longer plan to visit and will not be stay in their properties and eating in their restaurants.


Full disclosure. We were not planning any of those things for next year but we could actively plan not to do them now.

I just don’t see the value in visiting when I need to pay $50-80 more to ride the tram on any given day. As a visiting person it would be real hard to figure out how to make that call not knowing local weather patterns and how that effects operations.

Fuck BS. Maybe I’ll never ski that place.

If they had a slow chair up the backside of the peak (kind of like snowbird) the. I’d understand. It seems to me on a bluebird day there are a ton of lines I’d like to ski off the top. Rest of the hill looks decent but not primo.

Maybe if they offered a free quire to the best of the lower mountain lifts that t would make it almost okay.

The rich won’t mind. They don’t want folks like me at their country club. I get it.

Gawd, that was insufferably whiney. But, now, are you just saying it was ironic and satiric, and I just didn't get it?

I will venture to guess that, besides locals, and maybe even them, except for Yeahman, that posters all up in arms about this have maybe ridden that tram four times on average. And this is TGR, a demo that would use the damn thing as much as possible, compared to your average skier.

[yeahman]

We skied BS 1 day this year. Mid storm cycle. Tram did not open. Thats ok. It was pea soup up there.

Does BS sell tram passes on a storm day, then refund on the back end if it doesn't open? The butthurt will be audible for me to hear in Colorado if Boyne just shrugs their shoulders and says "weather".

Your tram pass for one day (I don't believe they are date-specific) is considered used if you go through the RFID gate and take one ride. If it closes after that, no refund. If it never opens, then it is a moot point.

Was told yesterday that the new plan is to chop 20' off the Swifty towers when it gets replaced and string that lift up Liberty but keep it really low to the ground so its out of the wind. Unload suppose to be high enough to make the Yeti traverse.

What is this, April Fools Day?

[Bunion 2020]

What is this, April Fools Day?

Well, it is still April and who knows, maybe Tay-tay will read that, smack himself in the forehead and say, "Brilliant!".

Boyne will need to do something because if all this moondust about a new tram comes true, there is no fucking way that they can build it in 1 summer.

[paulster2626]

I will venture to guess that, besides locals, and maybe even them, except for Yeahman, that posters all up in arms about this have maybe ridden that tram four times on average. And this is TGR, a demo that would use the damn thing as much as possible, compared to your average skier.

I would probably never ride this thing, because fuck trams. The only thing that frightens me more than swinging around in a death cabin high above scraggly terrain with a bunch of other sweaty assholes is standing in a lineup for a half hour or more, waiting for my chance to play Final Destination in man's hubris.

Its the precedent that is being set that has most all riled up. Leaves a bad taste in the mouth, knowwhatimsayin?

[Benny Profane]

I would probably never ride this thing, because fuck trams. The only thing that frightens me more than swinging around in a death cabin high above scraggly terrain with a bunch of other sweaty assholes is standing in a lineup for a half hour or more, waiting for my chance to play Final Destination in man's hubris.

Its the precedent that is being set that has most all riled up. Leaves a bad taste in the mouth, knowwhatimsayin?

Well, this forum has been full of bitching and whining about the downside effects of the Ikon pass. The Crystal skiers have been moaning for many moons now, and rightfully so, from what I can gather. SLC has been really fucked up for a few years, and I've experienced that enough to write those mountains off, although I think a lot of it has to do with population growth and cheap air fare, too. So, what's the solution. No Ikon pass? Whoa, whoa, I hear murmers and shouting. Higher priced Ikon pass and maybe a tiered pricing structure for different mountains? Maybe. Or maybe triple digit window prices and 2000 dollar season passes with no or minimal reciprocation? Makes financial sense, you gotta admit, if you want snowmaking, six packs, tiny gondolas up on high bowls, and grooming in late April, like they're doing in Vermont right now? Like that shit is free?

Boyne confronts an overcrowding issue, or, a simple supply and demand "problem" with higher pricing, and everybody is all like, mew, mew, I paid to ride that thing! No fair! No you didn't. No way your discount pass paid for that.

I lived through the ASC bankruptcy, I don't want to see that again, but, it will happen if everybody falls for this free skiing scam. And, as always, fuck Vail. A lot of this is their fault.

[Bunion 2020]

Boyne confronts an overcrowding issue, or, a simple supply and demand "problem" with higher pricing, and everybody is all like, new, mew, I paid to ride that thing! No fair! No you didn't. No way your discount pass paid for that.

Those who don't live here are one thing, those who do live here and ski Big Sky are bitching because they are the ones being fucked. For example.

If you have a Tram Access Pack and Autocharge enabled, one of your Tram days will be used from the pack rather than charging your card. Autocharge will only charge your credit card if you have no Tram days left on your pass or ticket.

So, if you buy a Tram pack of 5 days you paid $ 45 bucks + resort tax. You decide to burn a tram day off your stash but because it is a less in demand day the upcharge is $ 25.00. But because you have bought the Trampack, even though you enabled a CC to your RFID you must use one of your 45 dollar days?

WTF? ETA: If I didn't know better I would guess that those 20-25 dollar tram days will happen once in a great while to provide a little cover.

Benny, stick to what you know, which is very little.

[Ottime]

Well, this forum has been full of bitching and whining about the downside effects of the Ikon pass. The Crystal skiers have been moaning for many moons now, and rightfully so, from what I can gather. SLC has been really fucked up for a few years, and I've experienced that enough to write those mountains off, although I think a lot of it has to do with population growth and cheap air fare, too. So, what's the solution. No Ikon pass? Whoa, whoa, I hear murmers and shouting. Higher priced Ikon pass and maybe a tiered pricing structure for different mountains? Maybe. Or maybe triple digit window prices and 2000 dollar season passes with no or minimal reciprocation? Makes financial sense, you gotta admit, if you want snowmaking, six packs, tiny gondolas up on high bowls, and grooming in late April, like they're doing in Vermont right now? Like that shit is free?

Boyne confronts an overcrowding issue, or, a simple supply and demand "problem" with higher pricing, and everybody is all like, mew, mew, I paid to ride that thing! No fair! No you didn't. No way your discount pass paid for that.

I lived through the ASC bankruptcy, I don't want to see that again, but, it will happen if everybody falls for this free skiing scam. And, as always, fuck Vail. A lot of this is their fault.

Says the east adopter to Epic. Dood still can’t see he is the root. Stay home and ride a bike old man. It will be safer for you. Can you explain your value here? If we are all already whining why do we need you to whine about the whining?

[406]

Swifty up liberty seems like a crazy idea. My vote :-) is they replace explorer. That thing is way too slow and cold with the kids.

[Benny Profane]

Those who don't live here are one thing, those who do live here and ski Big Sky are bitching because they are the ones being fucked. For example.



So, if you buy a Tram pack of 5 days you paid $ 45 bucks + resort tax. You decide to burn a tram day off your stash but because it is a less in demand day the upcharge is $ 25.00. But because you have bought the Trampack, even though you enabled a CC to your RFID you must use one of your 45 dollar days?

WTF? ETA: If I didn't know better I would guess that those 20-25 dollar tram days will happen once in a great while to provide a little cover.

Benny, stick to what you know, which is very little.

Well, I agree, locals discount.

But, again, tiny gondolas up in high alpine bowls don't pay for themselves. Maybe when they put that thing in for bragging rights in the 90s it paid back in PR, but, it's not that unique anymore.

[Benny Profane]

Says the east adopter to Epic. Dood still can’t see he is the root. Stay home and ride a bike old man. It will be safer for you. Can you explain your value here? If we are all already whining why do we need you to whine about the whining?

You suck at this.

[AdironRider]

Those who don't live here are one thing, those who do live here and ski Big Sky are bitching because they are the ones being fucked. For example.



So, if you buy a Tram pack of 5 days you paid $ 45 bucks + resort tax. You decide to burn a tram day off your stash but because it is a less in demand day the upcharge is $ 25.00. But because you have bought the Trampack, even though you enabled a CC to your RFID you must use one of your 45 dollar days?

WTF? ETA: If I didn't know better I would guess that those 20-25 dollar tram days will happen once in a great while to provide a little cover.

Benny, stick to what you know, which is very little.

This seems like a stretch to say you are "getting fucked" when you can't pick and choose the maximum discount available on any given day. If anything, that sounds like a nightmare for the customer service employees to try and manage the Bunions bitching about how they could have used some other deal to save a hypothetical 20 bucks.

The future is maximizing yield per guest. Pay to play and the highest bidder gets the reach around.

[Bunion 2020]

If I come across as bitching you misread what I wrote. Not the 1st time.

We don't get the choice, you either buy the tram pack or as someone posted earlier, spin the wheel.

Annnnd, just tried to call season pass sales to get clarification and, "we are sorry but there is no one human to speak to, send us an e-mail".

The future is maximizing yield per guest. Pay to play and the highest bidder gets the reach around.

when that future comes to pass a lot of us will no longer participate.

[AdironRider]

That future is now unfortunately. While Jackson isn't charging for the tram yet, I guarantee they will be in the near future.

Every single covid modification ski resorts far and wide have made haven't done anything but increase their revenue per visit, with a bonus of reducing labor loads (see reservations so they can staff accordingly and not for worst case scenarios).

I agree it sucks for us ski bums.

[DigSki]

Every single covid modification ski resorts far and wide have made haven't done anything but increase their revenue per visit

What are you talking about? How do reduced capacity lodges and not sharing lifts increase revenue? I can't really think of a single COVID change that actually increases revenue...please enlighten

Regarding the tram, cool if it reduces lines, but pay extra to play is gross. Waiting for first box at Jackson and seeing 4 fully loaded trams of rich fucks load before you is pretty disgusting and disheartening. For the Big Sky tram I think the real problem is these resorts marketing the shit out of their gnarly terrain resulting in every Jerry thinking they need to get on the biggest terrain. I don't get it, it can't be fun skiing something way above your ability level. I also don't have a solution except people getting more self aware, which will never happen.

[yeahman]

Bunny is right that it has been oft-expressed on TGR that most mags would be willing to pay more for less crowds and shorter lines. So we're getting what we wished for, at least at Big Sky. If this works to significantly shorten the tram wait, I'm not bitching about the cost of my gold pass, because the value (to me) will increase significantly. And I don't care if some people are being priced out of the game. Most of them could "afford" it if they wanted, it's just not worth it to them. It's worth it to me. That's life.

Biggest benefit I see are those sleeper windbuff days when the skiing is great up top but nobody wants to use a tram day because it's not a powder day. I could see the line being awesomely short on those days, and those are some of my favorite days anyway.

[AdironRider]

What are you talking about? How do reduced capacity lodges and not sharing lifts increase revenue? I can't really think of a single COVID change that actually increases revenue...please enlighten

Regarding the tram, cool if it reduces lines, but pay extra to play is gross. Waiting for first box at Jackson and seeing 4 fully loaded trams of rich fucks load before you is pretty disgusting and disheartening. For the Big Sky tram I think the real problem is these resorts marketing the shit out of their gnarly terrain resulting in every Jerry thinking they need to get on the biggest terrain. I don't get it, it can't be fun skiing something way above your ability level. I also don't have a solution except people getting more self aware, which will never happen.

I said revenue on a per person basis. Ski resorts are all about maximizing yield per skier, as in how much can they milk from each person.

No more discounts on day tickets. Reservations only. Parking passes. Ski school - only privates. Season passes went up across the board pricing wise. The list is long.

They are set the bar last season and now know it works. Demand was still sky high. We aren't going back to them catering to the season pass brown bag crowd next year when they can fill chairs again.

[Talisman]

I will venture to guess that, besides locals, and maybe even them, except for Yeahman, that posters all up in arms about this have maybe ridden that tram four times on average.

Ride the tram four times a day, a week, a season a life time? You crack me up with some of the audacious conjecture you write. A pity you never had a chance tow be a speech writer for a POTUS.

[Benny Profane]

How many times have you been in it?

[Benny Profane]

I said revenue on a per person basis. Ski resorts are all about maximizing yield per skier, as in how much can they milk from each person.

No more discounts on day tickets. Reservations only. Parking passes. Ski school - only privates. Season passes went up across the board pricing wise. The list is long.

They are set the bar last season and now know it works. Demand was still sky high. We aren't going back to them catering to the season pass brown bag crowd next year when they can fill chairs again.

Well, a lot of people are going to Europe and Canada once borders open, so they saw a false demand there.

[raisingarizona13]

I won't be participating at ski areas that are headed down this road. No thanks. But, I'm not part of their target market anyways.

I love skiing but holy shit it's becoming such a headache. Wandering around the desert and snow-less forests is becoming more and more attractive every year I get older.