Greek Peak Conditions (2017 - 2018)

Yep - $5 day on Sunday 12/10/17

Rj1972 wrote

I'm not certain how much business the $5 day would generate this early in the season???

I bet it will be packed. Good day to go for a hike or a bike ride.

billyymc wrote

campgottagopee wrote

Greek had their guns fired up last night and still going this AM. Combine that with the fresh inch and it should be a good weekend on the hill.

Wonder how many days the Song/Lab pass holders have gotten  so far this year

Camp, if you're getting excited about an inch...dang, I feel bad for your gf.

So, I skied GP this weekend. While I was concerned about the $5 day crowds, a small line only began to build up around noon, which is when I stopped skiing, anyway. The conditions on Saturday were downright awful. I'm fairly used to skiing on trails while snow is being made, but I'm not sure what kind of snow GP was making. The top of the Fields was somewhat narrow for the volume, but descent. However, the Stoic and Karyatis were a mess. They were blowing water, which was creating icy sections followed by soft sections.  Today it got scraped fairly early in the day.  

I appreciate the efforts with snow making. They certainly had the guns blasting, but I wonder if snow is being made efficiently. The new guns on Karyatis are producing icy conditions probably due to the mix of air and water not being correct. This is not good on a beginner trail or a $5 day, as it certainly will not entice individuals to return.  In addition, the Super Pole Cat next to the race finish building on the Iliad was aimed downward. The reason for the height is for the loft. Aiming it downward did little more than build a pile of wet slop. Snow making is expensive and inefficiency was not good. I wonder if they actually train their snowmakers beyond a cursory overview.

They also have handheld scanners, and are now scanning lift tickets and passes each run. This is a great idea, as an individual skiing free is lost revenue. Hopefully this will continue throughout the season, as scanning systems can be pricey.

The other news is that some new trail signage was added, which increased their trail count to 55. The mountain biking trails are now named ski trails. Some of these trails are so darn narrow that I'm not sure how one will make any turns. In addition, Alcemene will in fact become their new terrain park, and Pollux will be returned to a normal trail. I guess this means that they will likely never run the yellow chair.

It looks like they have a good snow making week ahead of them, but I will likely continue skiing Killington until after X-Mas.

That doesn't sound good Rj.

I truly hope I don't regret taking our family back to GP this year.

Didn't head up on Sat based on minimal terrain open and I'm glad I didn't bother. Most hills seem to be capable of making some very good snow. Why can't GP with brand new guns do the same?

And scanning each run - that's great. Because their line is so fast and efficient now.

Hey GPP if you're here, scanning each run isn't the way to maximize your revenue. Putting out a consistent high quality product is the way to do that. Hire good people who know how run a hill and make snow, and pay them fairly, and you should do ok.

billyymc wrote

I truly hope I don't regret taking our family back to GP this year.

No worries. They'll get their act together. I was just extremely surprised by their variety of primary ski surfaces. They've been advertising like mad for employees (including snow makers), so I'm thinking they may have a staffing issue, but certainly could be incorrect.

I believe they just need to work the kinks out of their new snow making systems, and all will be well. They have created an arsenal of so many darn different types of snow guns, it's no wonder they are having challenges.

They really need to put their best foot forward this ski season if they wish to attract new customers, including those that may have migrated over to other ski areas.

In terms of the lift ticket/pass scanning, they now offer 4 and 8 hour lift tickets, which is likely why they also introduced the scanning. Of course, they also could have simply printed the expiration time on each lift ticket, but I doubt the attendants would bother checking them. The scanner is a check and balance.

RJ, have you expressed your concerns to Wes? It seems you are good friends with him so that might be a good place to start as he's been the one constant throughout your complaints.  

Rj1972 wrote

In terms of the lift ticket/pass scanning, they now offer 4 and 8 hour lift tickets, which is likely why they also introduced the scanning. Of course, they also could have simply printed the expiration time on each lift ticket, but I doubt the attendants would bother checking them. The scanner is a check and balance.

Interesting, Massanutten went to 4 or 8 hour lift tickets about 10 years ago.  Really helped even out the morning crowds on weekends.  Great when you have kids or teens that make it difficult to get to the hill in time for first chair.  Even better for season pass holders because a fair number of the newbies or once-a-year folks who show up on weekends get a 4-hour ticket around 10am and are gone by 2:30.  There is a 30-min grace period to account for time renting gear since that's what most people do who ski/board at Mnut.

Expiration time is stamp in big numbers on a Massanutten ticket.  Often have a liftie actively visually checking tickets without a scanner at the two base lifts.  Those lifts have conveyor loading so the ticket check is well before someone gets to the gates.  Never check on the two other lifts that start at mid-mountain.

Scanning provides data.  Not required if staff are trained to spot people trying to cheat.  Apparently in VT a few ski resorts give bonuses to lifties who catch a thief, which is what a cheater really is.  The official term is "theft of services" if you don't have a paid lift ticket or season pass.

marznc wrote

Rj1972 wrote

In terms of the lift ticket/pass scanning, they now offer 4 and 8 hour lift tickets, which is likely why they also introduced the scanning. Of course, they also could have simply printed the expiration time on each lift ticket, but I doubt the attendants would bother checking them. The scanner is a check and balance.

Interesting, Massanutten went to 4 or 8 hour lift tickets about 10 years ago.  

Greek used to have them for years, in fact, it was about 10 years ago they went away from them.

campgottagopee wrote

RJ, have you expressed your concerns to Wes? It seems you are good friends with him so that might be a good place to start as he's been the one constant throughout your complaints.

I spent some time with Wes over the weekend, but did not talk shop. It wasn't the time nor the place.

campgottagopee wrote

Greek used to have them for years, in fact, it was about 10 years ago they went away from them.

Has the percentage of people on the lifts who have lift tickets vs season passes changed in the last few years?  If so, how does it compare to 12-15 years ago when Greek had the 4/8 hour lift tickets?

campgottagopee wrote

Greek used to have them for years, in fact, it was about 10 years ago they went away from them.

I thought they did, but wasn't quite certain if my brain was thinking of something else. Hopefully this creates an enticing option for the consumer.

I really am excited about the new pass products and lift ticket options.  I'm just concerned about the price points of the lift tickets.  $78 for a full day ticket may be more than the local clientele is willing to pay. The eight hour option is $74 and the four hour ticket is $68. Like anything, time will tell.

Of course, they also sell tickets through Liftopia and Ski NY, so I would imagine that some value driven folks purchase their tickets through third parties.

marznc wrote

campgottagopee wrote

Greek used to have them for years, in fact, it was about 10 years ago they went away from them.

Has the percentage of people on the lifts who have lift tickets vs season passes changed in the last few years?  If so, how does it compare to 12-15 years ago when Greek had the 4/8 hour lift tickets?

I don't have a clue. I think they're wise to offer a 4hr ticket, whether or not the public see's value in the pricing of them as RJ has said, is yet to be seen.

I am stoked that Pollux will be a regular trail again!

Rj1972 wrote

I really am excited about the new pass products and lift ticket options.  I'm just concerned about the price points of the lift tickets.  $78 for a full day ticket may be more than the local clientele is willing to pay. The eight hour option is $74 and the four hour ticket is $68. Like anything, time will tell.

How have those new pass products done? They didn't seem appealing to me at all, but as I always say I'm not their target market. All I want to do is ski and then have a couple beers.

$68 for a four hour seems like they totally missed the mark on that one. To me the four hour should entice someone who doesn't have more time than that to ski. But with a $6 difference between the 4 hour and 8 hour...that person with 4 hours is going to feel totally hosed. And so they'll decide to not go. $59 for the four hours would be a much more attractive price point, IMO. Their marketing team must have gone to Dummass University.

At $68 all they are doign is guaranteeing most people will upgrade to the 8 hour. That's not the point of the 4 hour product. It should be to get people there who wouldn't  otherwise come.

Is the four hour afternoon only?

Harvey wrote

Is the four hour afternoon only?

Looks like weekend, anytime. A weekday pass before 4 pm is $43 - good deal there. A night pass is $43.

Song - the best close alternative - has a 4 hour pass for $51, 8 hour for $56...less than Greek's four hour. I know Camp will argue that GP is better - and it is - but if I were a once in a while skier I would very likely head to Song over Greek given those prices. The four hour appears off to me. There is a psychological factor in play - having that first number for the four  hour be a "5" would seem like the right thing to do.

Not only better but has been open since before T-day

You get what you pay for

campgottagopee wrote

Not only better but has been open since before T-day

You get what you pay for

Don't get cocky Camp...this coming storm looks like it's going to put more on Song than on Greek unfortunately. Song may be fully open before GP.

I doubt many day passes have been sold these past couple of weekends. I did a half dozen runs with  my daughters on opening day - haven't been back yet.

Sorry but a "fully open Song" does nothing for me