Greek Peak Conditions (2016 - 2017)

I heard that new bridge was requested by the electricity provider, so that they could get their trucks and equipment over on the hill side to upgrade the transformers and electric service for the lifts. Always good to have updated electric service - seems like an improvement to me.

Fire trucks, too, presumably ? Anyway, sounds like it was time.

campgottagopee wrote

WHOA, you got me all wrong Billy. I wouldn't argue that simply because anyone who would want to doesn't know what the hell they are talking about

Sorry. I thought you'd said in the past that GP has much better terrain than Song.

billyymc wrote

campgottagopee wrote

WHOA, you got me all wrong Billy. I wouldn't argue that simply because anyone who would want to doesn't know what the hell they are talking about

Sorry. I thought you'd said in the past that GP has much better terrain than Song.

They do! That was kinda my point

Big D wrote

I heard that new bridge was requested by the electricity provider, so that they could get their trucks and equipment over on the hill side to upgrade the transformers and electric service for the lifts. Always good to have updated electric service - seems like an improvement to me.

There has also been talk about GP needing its own substation. However, if they continue to make minimal snow, there may be no need for electricity at all.

Good morning everybody!! It looks like all of you have been busy last night with posts. Anyway I will be around for a bit- come chat--


Bridge- because of the flooding that took place a few years ago, the Town of Virgil received a grant to replace the bridge they own and allow us to use.  It removed obstructions from the stream and hopefully allows water to flow freely during high water.

Substation-Hell Ya- I hope they do put in one- once again, money drives efficiencies

Snowmaking- trust me when I say, what is on is maximum based on capacity and the shape of the infrastructure-nothing more GP wants to do, than to laydown six feet of snow on every trail.

campgottagopee wrote

They do! That was kinda my point

If by "much better" you mean you could argue that the terrain at GP is marginally better than Song, or vice versa, then sure I completely agree with you!

billyymc wrote

campgottagopee wrote

They do! That was kinda my point

If by "much better" you mean you could argue that the terrain at GP is marginally better than Song, or vice versa, then sure I completely agree with you!

I know it's been a while since I've skied at Song so maybe things have changed there. I don't recall Song having anything like chair 4. With Electra, Zues, Hercules, Trojan Woods, and Trojan chair 4 provides the best skiing GP has to offer imo. I'll lap that chair on POW days all damn day. Now if your talking bangin around on groomers, sure, they all get boring in about 2 hrs so who the hell cares.

GPPartner, the resort fee absolutely grinds on me. I would more than welcome a 10% price increase across the board rather than pay an 8% resort fee. It just seems deceptive.

As I previously mentioned, we used to frequent the Acorn and Trax every weekend, as well as the waterpark and Spa once a month or so, but that ended two years ago. We'd love to support you, but refuse to pay the resort fee. We are forced to pay it on season passes, but that's it.

On a similar note, I'm sure you are aware what the hotel industry went through a decade or so ago with resort fees. They ended up reaching a settlement with the government that cost the big boys millions (Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, IHG). Now the FTC has opened another investigation. This is based on fixed dollar amount resort fees charged on hotel rooms--not percentage based fees on everything.

Not to threadjack this with talk about daily conditions, but I decided to head up and make a few runs last night, and here's what I found...

Conditions were much better than expected.  Coverage was decent, given what I saw this past weekend.  Not sure when they ran the groomer over the last few days, but they did, and it was a pleasant surprise, I was expecting frozen mashed potatoes from the weekend under tracked out snow from the other day.  Most everything was a mixture of hardpack and loose granular.  Odyssey was actually surprisingly a little disappointing, the top half was pretty hard, not icy but almost.  They had 4 open to Marathon and Trojan, along with this season's regulars off of visions.

Hopefully the rain didn't do too much damage overnight.

Point taken and would encourage any discussion in a forum setting with management and ownership.  I personally, travel a lot and to me resort fee's are nothing new and at most resorts.

That is a valid point. I am accustomed to paying a fixed dollar amount resort fee at hotel, but receive amenities in return (bottled water, wifi, local phone calls, pool/beach amenities, etc.) If one rents a pair of skis, takes a zip line ride, or receives a massage, what does one receive for the resort fee?

Some resorts, such as Disney do not charge resort fees at all, and all-inclusives in the Caribbean also do not charge resort fees.

campgottagopee wrote

billyymc wrote

campgottagopee wrote

They do! That was kinda my point

If by "much better" you mean you could argue that the terrain at GP is marginally better than Song, or vice versa, then sure I completely agree with you!

I know it's been a while since I've skied at Song so maybe things have changed there. I don't recall Song having anything like chair 4. With Electra, Zues, Hercules, Trojan Woods, and Trojan chair 4 provides the best skiing GP has to offer imo. I'll lap that chair on POW days all damn day. Now if your talking bangin around on groomers, sure, they all get boring in about 2 hrs so who the hell cares.

There is no argument about terrain. You can access every trail at Song from 1 lift..

Now we're comparing GP to Disney and the Caribbean

You'd better take a lap there cowboy

pro2860 wrote

campgottagopee wrote

billyymc wrote

campgottagopee wrote

They do! That was kinda my point

If by "much better" you mean you could argue that the terrain at GP is marginally better than Song, or vice versa, then sure I completely agree with you!

I know it's been a while since I've skied at Song so maybe things have changed there. I don't recall Song having anything like chair 4. With Electra, Zues, Hercules, Trojan Woods, and Trojan chair 4 provides the best skiing GP has to offer imo. I'll lap that chair on POW days all damn day. Now if your talking bangin around on groomers, sure, they all get boring in about 2 hrs so who the hell cares.

There is no argument about terrain. You can access every trail at Song from 1 lift..

And skate up hill to do it

You should travel with my gang- we get the privilege of being at the resort for our fee-

Look I understand any frustrations and love to listen to them as it makes us better, but the point being is this entity is extremely expensive and dynamic to run.  With 15 million in debt this resort carries, it has yet to cash flow.  John and Marc receive no paychecks, no distributions, no nothing, as everything they do they plow back in the resort.  GP, unfortunately or fortunately, decided to build and diversify itself with a water park, adventure center, and hotel, which we all witnessed what happened as it collapsed into bankruptcy.  GP never wants to go through that again, as I know as a customer, it was very sad to possibly lose an absolute gem in my families life. So it is with that statement, that John and Marc are doing whatever they can to make sure GP is successful, most importantly for the customer, and secondly for their family.  GP will never be the cheapest resort, amongst it peers in CNY, but the scope of offerings and terrain, they will always be the best!!

As far as upgrades to snow making, entry ways, parking lots, everything else, it is on their agenda and as skier's and perfectionists, they want the same, but short of winning the lottery, GP needs to be cash flow positive and a viable business.

Bottom line-everybody at GP loves our customers, and they give 125%, to make sure they are happy and will continue to have the customer's happiness as priority one!!!

"Point taken and would encourage any discussion in a forum setting with management and ownership.  I personally, travel a lot and to me resort fee's are nothing new and at most resorts."

I think for myself, and I would venture to guess a lot of people, that isn't the typical travel experience.  For a family with two young kids and not a lot of extra cash, we do not stay at resorts, and a vacation is typically either staying at a Holiday Inn near a amusement park, or camping.  GP was my first experience paying a resort fee.  On the ski pass, whatever, if it's paying to ski at a "resort", so be it, although it would be nicer if it were just in the price.  The part that bugs me more than anything is paying 8% on everything.  Paying an 8% resort fee to buy my kids some fries or a drink seems a bit over the top.  I'm with Rj, just put on the price how much the price is.  It just feels like after the big initial investment, the "resort" is someone following me around sticking their hands back in my pocket for 8% whenever possible.

campgottagopee wrote

And skate up hill to do it

Some of us are in shape and can handle a little skating.

But cmon...there's much more skating at the top of 4 than anywhere at Song. And getting from the top of GP's express to Ody or Oly as well - way more skating than at Song.

Not going for a trail by trail comparison. IMO the two aren't all that different and I like some terrain at both.

Someone should tell GP that there are other ways to cut a trail than straight down the hill though. Herc has to be one of the most boring trails anywhere - had potential, but they didn't use it well.

"Someone should tell GP that there are other ways to cut a trail than straight down the hill though. Herc has to be one of the most boring trails anywhere - had potential, but they didn't use it well."

They took a redo and made Labyrinth.  It's pretty much not boring (when open)

gorgonzola wrote

Camelback blows and bear creek is on the verge of closing if they aren't already, they haven't had snowmaking temps for over two weeks . I'm not crazy about the vibe or terrain at elk but I will say they have maintained their systems and facilities impeccably for years when Greek didn't and it shows.  Blue probably has the most snowmaking capacity per acre in the east, they've done an amazing job opening and keeping terrain open this year. Bottom line though I drive past these areas every chance I get for better snow QUALITY and skier experience, less crowds and Yahoos. Yea no shit they need to expand snowmaking and have 20 years of catching up to do - keep up the good work and let's hope we turn the corner in February!

 
I would rather ski Greek Peak than Camelback or Bear Creek. No one said they were better. GP is usually blessed with more natural snow but when they are not you cannot compare the snowmaking to CB and BC.
Anymore I would not drive past Elk to ski GP unless there was a big storm that missed Elk.
I also agree on the resort fee thing. Charge it to people staying in the hotel or condo. GPPartner said he pays it when he travels but I don't know of another ski area that charges a resort fee. For that reason it seems very deceptive and "shady". Is this really added to food and beverage sales? If so there should be a BIG sign on the menus stating that.