NY Taxpayer Ski Free Day?

I was being facetious about banning lunches although most restaurants do that.  You are right skiing is a rich mans sport because it very expensive to make snow, run lifts etc. If tickets are $17 something has to give.

I'd certainly be against it on state land. On private property, that's capitalism.

There is a group that takes over an entire table at the mid lodge, I don't see very many of them skiing.  They use the utensils and napkins provided to the paying customers.  They think they are entitled to the space as they have been skiing the mountain for years.  If I were in charge of food sales in the mid im not certain what I would do, probably they would catch me one day in a bad mood and I would kick there cheap asses out.  To me it is just rude.  Go buy a drink or something if you are going to use the space.  

This could be solved by putting the utensils and condiments inside the food line so only those paying for food could get them.

snoloco wrote

This could be solved by putting the utensils and condiments inside the food line so only those paying for food could get them.

I do not think the utensils are going to make or break a successful resort

Harvey wrote

I was being facetious about banning lunches although most restaurants do that.  You are right skiing is a rich mans sport because it very expensive to make snow, run lifts etc. If tickets are $17 something has to give.

I'd certainly be against it on state land. On private property, that's capitalism.

I agree.  I just don't think Hunter or other private mountains care that much because food isn't the big money maker. And if some families couldn't bring full lunches they might not even go anymore.  

louie.mirags wrote

I bring my own beer because 8 bucks for a draft is nuts.

First of all, I think a draft at Platty is like 5. I I don't have a problem with a brown bag lunch, I do it myself often, although I prefer a lunch "box". TBH, I would rather spend 6 bucks on a good bowl of chili, which is plenty for me, because it's warm and tastes much better than any cold food that I can fit in my lunch box. I like a warm lunch on a cold day, so,lots,of times I end up buying anyway.  I was simply suggesting that any given mountain try dropping the prices of food significantly while putting a ban on bag lunches and just see how it plays out. It may become more lucritive for the resort. The food you bring costs money too.  

As far as the beer goes, if you're bringing your own beer skiing, thats pathetic. If alcohol is that important to you that you need it to go skiing, then that in and of itself is lame. Socializaion at the bar after a great day of skiing is a different story. Good luck bringing your flask into the bar. Why don't you go to a sketchy byob nightclub instead.

For the record I can't even drink, but this is how I see it.  

How about if the folks who want to bring their own food (or booze) do so where it's allowed and those who want to buy their lunch, beer etc. do so as well. In spite of the frequent "skiing is for rich guys" declarations, not everybody that skis is oozing money. Just remember that if we want places like Platty to stick around, we have to support them.
Also, I like chili too.

That almost sounds like having separate bathrooms for people of different races which we eliminated a long time ago. But now you are suggesting segregating people based on their social economic status which I don't think is fair either.

As I said before, I do the bag lunch thing myself and don't have a problem with it. But I don't do it all the time either. I would never bring my own beer. (or coffee) I was simply suggesting that ski areas actually bring down the price of food which may cause more people to buy, especially if you eliminated bag lunch. Not saying it should happen, I'm just saying it would be an interesting experiment.

Its funny, I started this thread saying I wanted a free ski day, and now I'm advocating for spending more money. I think the main point that many of us are trying to make is simply that if you have a true appreciation for the sport
You can't be stingy about it.

Ethan Snow wrote

That almost sounds like having separate bathrooms for people of different races which we eliminated a long time ago. But now you are suggesting segregating people based on their social economic status which I don't think is fair either.

No,man, I'm not. That's crazy. I think the discussion has expanded beyond just Platty. There are lots of places that have more then one restaurant or large area and allow picnic lunches in one but not the other. It'd be pretty silly if I dragged a cooler to the upstairs white tablecloth place at windham and expected to take a table. My point was that it takes all kinds. The mountains need our support but I don't think anybody should feel bad bringing lunch if their budget only allows for a lift ticket that day.

Ok, I get ya. Its not segregation. I'm picturing a place like Platty in my mind. Most mountains have some kind of separate fancy resturant, but one neutral cafeteria area that everyone shares. Its hard to split that type of area up.  If you've got a big place like Gore, I guess you've got upstairs vs. downstairs, but it's all shared really.

Brownski wrote

 I don't think anybody should feel bad bringing lunch if their budget only allows for a lift ticket that day.

 
Agreed. I never said one should feel bad.

There's no such thing as free lunch. Why should NYS have a "free day"?? Our tax dollars go to support 2 very amazing areas that without our $$$$ most likely wouldn't exist today as we know them. That said I'm all for bringing back the ISKINY program. It used to be if you were a pass holder at another NY ski hill you would get 50% off lift tickets at WF/Gore. That's a program I 100% would support and makes sense to me. There's nothing free in this country anymore, problem is too many people think there should be.

Personally I don't think skiing is anymore expensive than the next sport. I pay 400 bucks for a pass and go skiing whenever I want to. If it was 500 / 600 /700 /800 or whatever I'd do that too. The only time our crew doesn't support the food/bev dept is when we schedule one of our parties, which is only 2 maybe 3 of them in a season. I think if your a homer it's very important to support your local hill. I get the fact that day trippers have added expense but it doesn't mean you can't go in for a burger and a beer, but that's just me.

I think anyone who thinks when lift tickets are already at 50% off and want a further discount is a total cheap ass and should keep moving.

Did I miss anything ??  

 Just because you can't drink, do not call me "pathetic".  We all enjoy our skiing adventures differently.

Beer is 8 bucks a pop at hunter mtn.  And just like almost every other resort, they have garbage cans below the lift and all you see are beer cans.  So I am not the only one who enjoys the past time of a few cold ones while skiing.  So save the insults.  

And I am a 27 year old dude who just bought a house and I am trying to make it in this life.  I prefer to make a few eggs and bacon at home, throw it in a salad, and save 5-8 bucks at the resort.  That is my gas right there.  Just to remind you, many resorts offer a under 30 year old pass because most of us have new mortgages, school loans and don't make as much money as older folks.  

louie.mirags wrote

Beer is 8 bucks a pop at hunter mtn.  And just like almost every other resort, they have garbage cans below the lift and all you see are beer cans.  So I am not the only one who enjoys the past time of a few cold ones while skiing.  So save the insults.  

No problem. You're right about the garbage cans. Buying beer is probably not going to make it break a successfull resort like Hunter mountain. And I too really appreciate the fact that Peak offers a very reasonable young adult pass.

Congrats on the purchase of your home.

Thank you.  This is my first year with a pass to Hunter, and that was because they had the payment plan and a cheaper price.  Next season I am going to try and get the belleayre pass or the ski3 nice and early.  

campgottagopee wrote

I think anyone who thinks when lift tickets are already at 50% off and want a further discount is a total cheap ass and should keep moving.

Did I miss anything ??

No, you didn't. I think you have some very good points.

I was watching TWC news today, and they were talking about Greek Peak. They were talking about how expensive the sport is and how Greek Peak is a family friendly resort, and they offer some kind of family discount. I don't remember the details. Anyway, they were showing people at tables in the lodge eating bag lunches, and it made me laugh after this ridiculous discussion on the forum.

And BTW Louie, if you ever come to Plattekill (which is excellent by the way) you will see that there are no garbage cans below the lift for beer cans because people just don't do it.  Hunter is the only mountain I know that has buckets for beer cans below the lift. I Have a pass to both mountains and I like both of them a lot for different reasons.

I heard ORDA was considering installing a coin operate lock on the outhouses.

are those outhouses by the bottom of Topridge, and Straight Brook available for skiers? I thought they were just for the lifties.

Gore outhouses are BYO Toilet Seat.

Would lowly non taxpaying children get this hypothetical free ski day???

Well

witch hobble wrote

Would lowly non taxpaying children get this hypothetical free ski day???

Yes, they would, but I think we have concluded that a free day is not a good idea.

Ethan, you should stop throwing the word pathetic around so nonchalantly, it sounds sort of hateful and extremely judgmental. Jus sayin.

That being said, any way a hard working person chooses to spend their weekends out at a ski area is fine by me. the experience is different for everyone and for a lot, it's a place to just unwind and escape. I can't find a reason to see any hate on that.

What about flatlanders who pay tax.