Interview with Greek Peak Round 2

I'd actually worked pretty hard on an interview with Al Kryger last fall, and got most of the way through it. (Camp was a huge help).  It did have some holes in it, and as I was trying to work it out, the sale came down and I lost contact with Al.

I'm trying again with the new owners, and there seems to be some interest.  I can probably use some of the same questions I asked Al, but would also like help from the GP faithful.

Post your questions here.

FYI, if your goal is to actually help us open lines of communication with the mountain, respect will help. I'm sure this thread will be seen, and if the NYSB audience is perceived as having an axe to grind, it makes it harder to get it done.  Post what you like, just sayin.

Super Duper Idea, Harv

I'm sure you have my initial questions, most are still relevant.

Please tell them Camp says THANKS for paying the back taxes on the place. We had our culverts all cleaned out on my road, been needing that for years now.


Would like to add just a couple more questions:

1. What do they see as the single biggest improvement they can do this summer for the up comming ski season.
2. What are the long term plans for HLL. Do they feel HLL is necessary for the future developement for GP.

Again, major congrats to the new owners---the locals are with them

I really like skiing at Greek Peak. Nearest ski area to Binghamton. Would like to thank the new owners for the $299. seasons pass price before the early deadline - fantastic deal. Perhaps the snow-making capacity could be increased some. The thing I like most about Greek, is that they always stay open as long as they can at the end of the season as long as there is enough base left... many times Greek is open into April and that is greatly appreciated! Well, may much success come to Greek and the new owners.

Excellent idea to have a chat with the new owners.

1. What do they feel is the greatest challenge to overcome as the new owners of GP?
2. The Lodge is first class, but needs a complete marketing program (not just Groupon).  What are their plans to position this hotel for success--particularly during the off-peak season?  Any thoughts of trying to re-gain the AAA 4-Diamond rating?
3.  As avid skiers, what is their timeline for making much needed on-mountain improvements?  What are their REALISTIC priorities, given that so much needs to be done?  
4. Will a golf course, lift-served mountain biking, and similar improvements be on the agenda down the road to order to capitalize upon all four seasons?
5. Sub-$300 season passes are much appreciated, but unrealistic to finance significant on-mountain improvements. The owners need to know that some of us are willing to pay more for passes if it means an improved mountain. They purchased the most varied ski mountain in CNY, and need to exploit all of it.
6. Might the new owners take back the food and beverage operations from the Boston Culinary Group?  Why pay a middle-man rather than operating F&B in-house?
7. Will any new marketing strategies be implemented to regain the NYC, Philly, and Baltimore markets?  Locals are great, but folks spending $1,000 for a weekend at the Lodge and for skiing is where the money is at.
8. Any thoughts of summer music series, festivals, etc.?
9. What is Al Kryger's new role?

Is there any intentions of dropping the orange fence on lower Atlas???? That last little headwall was always a blast to ski and has always held good snow. Would be nice to ski that "leagally", if not, that's okay too

all great questions and I in particular would like to see more mountain biking and summer festivals on the mountain, preferably bluegrass.
Mountain biking is huge in NYS in the fall, summer and spring and with them they bring money to spend. Many ski resorts do this and it is great, environmentally more friendly than the moto cross stuff and less dangerous I would think.
Wisp used to have a great summer music festival featuring a great philharmonic orchestra. The mountain was covered with people on blankets with picnic baskets.
all great opportunities to open up other options for those of us who do not ski but have spouses who do.
Where will this interview be published? Can't wait to hear their plans.
Also wondering what their plans are for those who have condos? The values have fallen and I can't help but wonder why the HOA fees were so high? I would hate to think it was to cover Big Al's salary.

snowshoe bunny wrote

Where will this interview be published?

It will be published on nyskiblog.com.

If you want to be sure to know when it's published, like us on facebook. We'll post a link there when it's up.

What about selling half day pass.Lots of people don't want to dish out the big bucks and ski half the day.

I'm sorry to say that the result of this interview won't be published.

On the plus side, about half of what we wanted to know was disclosed in the press conference on June 13:

http://nyskiblog.com/greek-peak-press-conference/

The new owners don't want to do an interview with the most die-hard set of Greek Peak fans around?

ml242 wrote

The new owners don't want to do an interview with the most die-hard set of Greek Peak fans around?

I'm surprised too.

Harv shared the questions w/ me, and the way they were asked would've given the new owners a chance to get everyone pumped up for the upcoming ski season. Maybe they'll change their minds and give it another go.

Marc and John are not the greatest public speakers, nor do they have an understanding of the ski or hospitality industries.  My guess is that declining the interview was unfortunately the right thing for them to do at this juncture.

With that said, they really need to do something to continually stoke the PR fire.  It could be as simple as updating their website weekly, with an improvement update and photos.  People will forget about the $3M very soon if they are not reminded.

On a similar PR note, I see that they are not honoring the repurchase of the Cascade Club memberships that were sold. They will allow members to use up their remaining balances, but there will be no repurchase at the end of the ten year period. This has the potential of John and Marc upsetting and losing some very dedicated customers. They may also get some negative PR from this. It reminds of when the new owners of Killington went to court over the lifetime season passes. The publicity just wasn't worth it.

That's what PR people are for. They should hire one and soon to do just the things you mention. Just keeping their name out there is important.Part timers can be had on a contract basis at low cost.

Rj1972 wrote

 

On a similar PR note, I see that they are not honoring the repurchase of the Cascade Club memberships that were sold. They will allow members to use up their remaining balances, but there will be no repurchase at the end of the ten year period. This has the potential of John and Marc upsetting and losing some very dedicated customers. They may also get some negative PR from this. It reminds of when the new owners of Killington went to court over the lifetime season passes. The publicity just wasn't worth it.

under the bankruptcy they could've eliminated the program entirely---imo, cascade club members should be thankful it's even still around. i'm sure the other interested parties at the auction (canda, and out west) would've kicked it to the curb real quick like. we're all fortunate that locals ended up buying the place.

campgottagopee wrote

under the bankruptcy they could've eliminated the program entirely---imo, cascade club members should be thankful it's even still around. i'm sure the other interested parties at the auction (canda, and out west) would've kicked it to the curb real quick like. we're all fortunate that locals ended up buying the place.

That woman bankruptcy judge, didn't allow the amounts of the other bidders to be made public. The 2nd highest bidder was that Hotel outfit from Canada, 3rd highest was "Mr. Dirt" from Towanda PA., and then 4th was the Utah Hotel people. The Judge lady did say that Marc an John are the only bidders who submitted a viable business plan to keep the jobs and the ski area in operation.

I was in the lodge for dinner last evening, and to my surprise the hotel parking lot was fairly full.  There was nobody in the restaurant and only a couple at the bar, but that seems typical of the Groupon folks that are likely filling the rooms.  The water park was also fairly dead, and I noticed that they are not opening it until 1PM now M-F.  The place is also beginning to show some wear and tear. Dwayne needs to come up with a real marketing plan. Granted, most of his experience is overseeing economy and mid-market properties, but he does have a little marketing experience at the casino.

In terms of the Cascades Club, Al Kryger told me during a walk through that the program would continue under new ownership.  He made all interested parties aware of it, and none of them mentioned eliminating it via the bankruptcy process.  He felt that if the buyers paid a higher price for the place, they would likely only honor the annual benefits, but if the buyers paid little, they would likely honor the complete program. I guess Al called that one incorrectly.

Thanks for sharing the info regarding the 4 highest bidders and the bankruptcy judge, Big D. It's interesting that the guys who have no industry experience are the ones that submitted a plan acceptable to the judge. This makes me wonder what the Canadian and Utah outfits thoughts were. It probably also helped that Marc and John were locals, although it shouldn't have made a difference.

Rj1972 wrote

 

In terms of the Cascades Club, Al Kryger told me during a walk through that the program would continue under new ownership.  He made all interested parties aware of it, and none of them mentioned eliminating it via the bankruptcy process.  He felt that if the buyers paid a higher price for the place, they would likely only honor the annual benefits, but if the buyers paid little, they would likely honor the complete program. I guess Al called that one incorrectly.

 

I question how Al would've known any of that.....keep in mind the man is one heluva salesman....the man could talk a dog off a meat pile

Thanks for the chuckle this morning, Camp.  Too funny!

Rj1972 wrote

Thanks for the chuckle this morning, Camp.  Too funny!

campgottagopee wrote

....the man could talk a dog off a meat pile

Somehow I missed this. Keep em coming.

At the risk of being labelled the blogger who cried wolf, we are very close on this - guessing either Monday or Tues.  And this is actually Round 3 not 2.