Greek Peak Conditions (2016 - 2017)

I hope it goes well...my question is, what do you want them to do with snowmaking after last year's winter? How much money will it cost and where is it coming from? Yes, they do need upgrades but how do you expect them to do it when you have last year's snowfall? I haven't skied in years due to the Army and being stationed in NC...I live in MD now and can't wait to ski GP....I live vicariously through many people on this forum and hope GP has a great winter because I personally know the owners and they want to put money into the mountain, but it's hard to do when you have the winter like we did last year. I am going to remain positive and hope for a big winter because I know upper management wants to invest in the mountain.

Here here JJ

Don't let RJ get atcha man, he likes to poke holes in everything GP does. That said, I think he's a good guy but for some reason has a burr under his saddle for our new owners. I know them as well, I like those guys, and they're smart fellas. Everything they've done has been top notch and done to a high standard. They bought themselves a wild animal with all that's going on there with the HLL and Adventure Center -- GHEEZ, I can't even imagine trying to balance that whole act.
I've said all along it too previous ownership 50 yrs to run it into the ground so lets just wait and see what happens, say, in the next 10 or so year.

Cheers man! Think POW

Camp, I'm not an even average skier but I would love to get together this winter go for a few run and grab tons o'beers at Trax..we could stay at my room in HLL...no need to drive less than sober...

I'm down with that JJ

Don't you worry about me getting home. I could walk if I had to, but I've never had to

JJ, I would have expected the owners to do their homework before making an emotional decision to purchase a ski resort. One can't run a ski resort paycheck-to-paycheck.

While I do have some issues with the new owners questionable business practices, I wish the resort much success regardless of who owns it.

What makes you think the didn't do their homework? Is it because they aren't running out borrowing millions and millions of dollars from a bank in Tennessee to go into uncontrollable debt??? Or is it because they are taking their time and being smart with what they invest back into the place.

You sure are tough on these guys --- what would you have done differently?

I remember them saying they hired consulting firms for projections, long term projects, as well as capital investments. If that's not a smart thing to do what is?

campgottagopee wrote

You sure are tough on these guys --- what would you have done differently?

I would have left the project to a knowledgeable group who could pump capital into the place. The projections we received were staggering, and we had a team of industry leading experts view the project. I am not exaggerating when I say that nearly every system needed to be replaced. You could practically put your finger through some of the snow making pipes which  were so corroded.

My concern is that another unprofitable winter may put the owners under, and they are running out of timeshares to have another fire sale. The resort fee can only be increased so much. The current 8% is likely all that will be tolerated. Adding 10% to gift cards is reminiscent of the Cascades Club. I was worried from the beginning when I heard that they had to finance the initial purchase price.

 

Rj1972 wrote

 

I would have left the project to a knowledgeable group who could pump capital into the place. The projections we received were staggering, and we had a team of industry leading experts view the project. I am not exaggerating when I say that nearly every system needed to be replaced. You could practically put your finger through some of the snow making pipes which  were so corroded.
 

Any "knowledgeable group" would not just blindly "pump capital" into GP until that hotel and adventure center are sold off. There is no way those can sustain themselves year round, no way, it's Virgil NY. The only reason they got built is because someone loaned way too much money to have them built. Why do you think no local bank would even touch that project??? They wouldn't even touch it. Period.

We will agree to disagree. I think these guys are being smart for taking their time and investing back into the hill when in makes financial sense for them to do so. You mentioned they are operating "paycheck to paycheck", well, um, they don't even take paychecks out of the place. Emotion purchase because they've skied there for years, love the place, have the resources,  want to save the place (and did), make it better for all of us and they're kids to enjoy. Sure, I'll go along with that. I have a really good feeling about what's in store for us at GP.

campgottagopee wrote

 
I have a really good feeling about what's in store for us at GP.

I sure hope so, Camp. It's the most diverse mountain in the region, and certainly deserves a resurgence back to its glory days.

On my way home last night the hill was lit up like Xmas. With  snowmaking and the LE now cranked up for sure they will make it open by Sunday

That's great to hear, Camp. Let those guns rip.

How much natural snow is on the ground?

I'm sitting here in my office with a cold debating if I will head to Killington this afternoon or simply stay home and take it easy this weekend. I'm leaning towards the latter.

Including what we received yesterday there's 4 or so inches on the ground but LE was hitting hard this morning when I left. Here in town the LE isn't as intense so hard to say what it's doing in Virgil. They're calling for us to have 6 to 12 by tomorrow night so who knows.

Every bit helps, including putting people in the ski mindset.  Thanks, Camp.

Here's the 411

I didn't get there until 2ish, saw Pro and Racer leaving just as I parked my truck. Once I saw the parking lot (it was full) I thought to myself,  OH BOY this will be something to watch . To my surprise Pro told me that there wasn't much to see, or it wasn't as bad as what we thought it would be, I was shocked. What I saw was a constant full line at the quad but it never stopped, rather a smooth loading of full chairs going up the hill. Obviously the quality of skier was better than years prior for this event, but also, and more importantly I saw the lifties handling the crowds. GP was prepared for this event and they pulled it off in style.

I saw Camo John at the bar so of course had a couple beers with him. He said (along with others) that the snow was friggin great. He was skiing 4 to 6 inches of POW when he first got there. I think everyone had superb conditions with limited terrain for the $5 day. Good for everyone involved.

Now for the really good news! We easily have received at least 10" of POW over the weekend and they're calling for cold temps and more snow everyday this week. My gut tells me GP will be open for the season starting Friday of this week. As long as they open more terrain (my god they should be able too with the help from ma-natch) I'll be making my first turns on Sunday. The snow is just too good for me to wait and I'll still have the 20th to kill my monster buck

All-in-all it's an A+++ week for Greek Peak skiers  

Thanks for the report, Camp.

It's good to hear that the day was a success. Hopefully some of the $5 skiers return later this season.

I was afraid that folks would be skiing rocks on two trails and waiting in horrendous lift lines.

The best news is the 10 inches of snow. That will certainly help.

Another 3" last night and they're calling for more tonight thru sat AM

Blowin snow w/ at least 5 big ass fan guns going at the silly tubing center --- YUCK!

Must be that's a major source of revenue for them, which is great, but it doesn't mean I have to like it

Yeah, tubing is profitable. Plus they plan to open tubing on Friday. The challenge with snowmaking at the tubing center is that the water lines divert water from the chair one lines, so it limits capacity on chair one snow making efforts. There is a reason they ran the lines as they did, but I don't recall the rationale.

Do you guys ever ski the power line when big snows hit?

Yes we do. Back in the day it was an actual trail named Electra. They had to close it due to liability reasons. You know how those dirty bird lawyers take the fun out of everything. EFFERS!

Rj1972 wrote

  The challenge with snowmaking at the tubing center is that the water lines divert water from the chair one lines, so it limits capacity on chair one snow making efforts. There is a reason they ran the lines as they did, but I don't recall the rationale.

I didn't know that, that seems very strange. Why on earth would you want to take away fire power from the place that, well, you know, people ski?  As for the lines my guess is it was the cheapest way to effectively get water over there.