Gondola Gossip

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Every time the winter holidays come around without out fail we start the conversation over again… seemingly always missing the point. "OMG did you see the price of a single day ticket" during the busiest two-weeks of the year? Let the Shock… the Offense... the Outrage commence. Then turn it into that’s why there aren't any new skiers and riders coming to fill the void left by baby boomers phasing out more and more. Then there's the "it's become an old elitist white mans sport" argument. But is that really true? Probably not. It's likely the resorts know it will be busy during the Christmas and New Year holidays, and they are simply trying to thin the crowds as best they can via single day sticker shock and a variety of pass restrictions.

It is true the purchase of passes like the IKON and EPIC can often pay for themselves if you plan on skiing or riding more than 5 days in a season. Usually. And yes, it's true that you have to purchase it in advance… and that means shelling out the bulk of money all at once, usually before the lifts are even spinning. But, it also means you won't have to worry about purchasing single day tickets at the highest price or wait in long lines at the last minute. The resorts get their money up front and the customers save some time and money. A reasonable trade off... and what's wrong with that?

Some people see a ski or snowboard trip as a once year or a once in a lifetime event. They are not looking or expecting to become experts and do it all in such a limited amount of time and therefore may not want to overspend for the experience. The season pass can help make that trip more affordable, but the term "season" makes some folks think they are paying for more than they are getting. When in essence they are getting a discount from that outrageous single day price by purchasing their pass in advance… like when they book their hotels in advance, etc. For those who shred more than one week a year the choice is simple… get a pass. Go once a year… most passes can be renewed and reused year to year too. So, it comes down to figuring out what works for you… there is no right or wrong…merely different strokes for different folks.

Skiing & Snowboarding are not recreational sports you just pick up and be great at instantly. They do require lessons and practice both of which will never be accomplished in one day or one week for that matter. Many expert shredders will tell you that they didn't get that good overnight… they took their share of bumps and bruises along the way too. This is an other reason investing in a season pass is a good idea for anyone really interested in snow sports and recreation. That being said, we need to recognize the timing here too. People always have this issue around the holidays every year. Why? It is easily overlooked, but it's not the single day ticket price that's the problem. It's the fact all the season pass holders have off at the same time, and that’s why many passes have restrictions or "black out" dates during busy holidays too.

But, once you get hooked on the mountains and the sport it becomes more than a vacation… it becomes a lifestyle. That's what's missing. Sometimes the resorts and riders miss that when they are easily frustrated by the crowds during the busiest two weeks each year. Try to remember the more you go the better you'll get, and most people can only go when they don't have to work… so that means weekends and holidays for most people. Being passionate about the mountains is great, but understanding we all need to share them sometimes gets lost along the way. Maybe if we all took a breath and paused for a moment… we'd all find a way to treat each other and our mountains the same way we all want to treated… then Maybe.