Seeking community ski areas to join consortium

Howdy,

I figured this was as good place to post. Last season, Mountain Rider's Alliance launched the Mountain Playground Group, a solutions-based initiative to assist community and independent ski areas to be more profitable. In year one, we had 8 ski areas and are looking for another 5-7 to join this season. We have lots of great stuff plan including developing an App and a more robust joint media campaign.

Here's a recent article on the Mountain Playground Group.

Can any forum readers suggest any ski areas that would be a good fit?

Thank you, Soulskier

I could see Plattekill or Magic being a good fit.

Magic hasn't quite closed yet and they have bigger fish to fry at the moment.

Can anyone give an intro to Plattekill?

I believe Harvey could help you connect with the owners.  Ask him how to contact them.

Sounds like this could be a good fit for the 2nd tier resorts and feeder hills

Some suggestions
Bolton Valley
Titus
All the CNY areas like Song, Lab etc

Magic and Bolton are definitely not what I would consider "community" ski areas. Community ski areas are focused first on providing a less expensive local ski option for families with a major focus on children and youth programs. Bolton would be automatically disqualified because it has lodging on site, that isn't part of the community ski area model. In that neck of the woods, Cochrans would qualify. Magic doesn't even have a beginner surface lift or beginner chair and I suspect most of their skiers are not locals. I can't speak for Plattekill and Titus but from what I know about Plattekill, it doesn't seem to fit either.

I think there is a difference between an area that has a strong sense of "community" (i.e. a bunch of expert skiers that bond over a brew and love cheap, uncrowded, expert skiing) and an area that is supported by the local community. A place like Whaleback comes to mind when I think of community... that is an area that struggled financially, closed for years, had a few different owners, and was ultimately stabilized by the local community because of its strong family connection and kids/youth programs. Without local community support, that mountain doesn't work.

Maybe Greylock ski club?

I think Platty would fit.

Bolton is certainly not a destination resort but if lodging disqualifies then so be it.  It's more community focused than other NoVT resorts.

Titus is a community area for sure

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Soulskier: you might get more (and more accurate) suggestions if you explained exactly what you mean by "community ski areas," since there seems to be disagreement on the definition. To me, RivercOil has it right and this list confirms it:
http://mountainplaygroundgroup.com/participating-ski-areas/

Maybe if the question didn't read: "this is as good a place to post".

As what? So much enthusiasm!

I will read the article later today.

Plattekill has been mentioned, they have a pretty independent spirit. What are the advantages of the consortium for the mountain and the collective?

Hickory is pretty "community".

HICKORY!

Titus , McCauley , Snow Ridge, Dry Hill, Oak Mtn , Lab , Tog , all fit that. description

So does Woods Valley

Tupper?

playoneontv wrote

Tupper?

Don't think its opening again

Each ski area participates in a joint marketing campaign designed to increase market awareness, takes part in regular operational and marketing phone calls which include includes an industry expert, as well as identify places we can achieve economies of scale. We are also looking into an Insurance Group Captives program designed to reduce premiums. There are additional benefits such as creating a specialized APP with our partners at SNOCRU.

In short, the Mountain Playground Group is providing some tools and additional layer of sophistication not typically found at community and independent ski areas.

Here is the overview of the program. Pages 3 and 4 describe the benefits to becoming a participating ski area.