Portal
Home
Calendar
Gallery
FAQ
Search
Register
Log inDEAL OR NO DEAL
DEAL OR NO DEAL
by Outspoken on Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:36 pm
DEAL OR NO DEAL
Some skiers hedge against the chill in the economy with season passes, others pay as they go and consider being able to ski worth whatever cost.
By DEIRDRE FLEMING
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
NEWRY — It's a month before winter officially starts, and some ski resorts have already had record sales of season tickets despite the worsening economy. But it's hard to tell whether that is because last winter's record snowfall inspired many more passionate skiers.
It certainly seems that skiers are drawn to the snow, not the deals, especially since many of Maine's ski resorts are not offering new deals this season.
"What is really interesting is, ski areas are having very strong early-season sales," said Greg Sweetser, executive director of the Ski Maine Association. "Whenever you have a good season, you always get a bump the following year. That's what some of the areas are finding."
That said, there are still bargains to be had – if you know where to look.
Mount Abram in Greenwood, Big Rock in Mars Hill and Saddleback in Rangeley all had record sales of season passes this year, Sweetser said.
At least for Saddleback, this was a natural part of the growth going on at the resort, said JoAnne Taylor, Saddleback's marketing director. After cutting four new trails and installing a new lift to the 4,000-foot summit, a fresh buzz is expected this year, she said.
"All levels of skiers have access to the summit. That's a big thing. And our season pass is $450, with no blackout dates," Taylor said. "We haven't raised the lift ticket prices. It's all part of Saddleback trying to be the affordable, Maine big-ski mountain."
Ski visits at Saddleback increased 25 percent last winter. Taylor said that was on top of a 25 percent increase the year before.
"That year (2006-07), the industry was down," Taylor said. "(We've still kept) lift tickets $40. We're trying to keep skiing affordable and accessible to the people of Maine. It's all part of our mission."
Meanwhile, at Sugarloaf and Sunday River, there is little offered in the way of new deals on lift tickets. Both ski areas are banking that vast improvements in the trails and snow making – $14 million at Sunday River and $5 million at Sugarloaf – will reel in skiers, said Darcy Liberty, communications director.
"At the end of the day, people still like to ski and snowboard, and recreation has always been a great outlet for people," Liberty said. "There is a lot of excitement and anticipation with all the capital improvements going into Sunday River."
Of the two, Sugarloaf offers more deals on just lift tickets, with Maine Days ($29 on Wednesdays). But probably the best deal going at the two big mountains is the college pass, which costs just $329 for full-time students.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=223002&ac=Outdoors
Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer
Some skiers hedge against the chill in the economy with season passes, others pay as they go and consider being able to ski worth whatever cost.
By DEIRDRE FLEMING
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
NEWRY — It's a month before winter officially starts, and some ski resorts have already had record sales of season tickets despite the worsening economy. But it's hard to tell whether that is because last winter's record snowfall inspired many more passionate skiers.
It certainly seems that skiers are drawn to the snow, not the deals, especially since many of Maine's ski resorts are not offering new deals this season.
"What is really interesting is, ski areas are having very strong early-season sales," said Greg Sweetser, executive director of the Ski Maine Association. "Whenever you have a good season, you always get a bump the following year. That's what some of the areas are finding."
That said, there are still bargains to be had – if you know where to look.
Mount Abram in Greenwood, Big Rock in Mars Hill and Saddleback in Rangeley all had record sales of season passes this year, Sweetser said.
At least for Saddleback, this was a natural part of the growth going on at the resort, said JoAnne Taylor, Saddleback's marketing director. After cutting four new trails and installing a new lift to the 4,000-foot summit, a fresh buzz is expected this year, she said.
"All levels of skiers have access to the summit. That's a big thing. And our season pass is $450, with no blackout dates," Taylor said. "We haven't raised the lift ticket prices. It's all part of Saddleback trying to be the affordable, Maine big-ski mountain."
Ski visits at Saddleback increased 25 percent last winter. Taylor said that was on top of a 25 percent increase the year before.
"That year (2006-07), the industry was down," Taylor said. "(We've still kept) lift tickets $40. We're trying to keep skiing affordable and accessible to the people of Maine. It's all part of our mission."
Meanwhile, at Sugarloaf and Sunday River, there is little offered in the way of new deals on lift tickets. Both ski areas are banking that vast improvements in the trails and snow making – $14 million at Sunday River and $5 million at Sugarloaf – will reel in skiers, said Darcy Liberty, communications director.
"At the end of the day, people still like to ski and snowboard, and recreation has always been a great outlet for people," Liberty said. "There is a lot of excitement and anticipation with all the capital improvements going into Sunday River."
Of the two, Sugarloaf offers more deals on just lift tickets, with Maine Days ($29 on Wednesdays). But probably the best deal going at the two big mountains is the college pass, which costs just $329 for full-time students.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=223002&ac=Outdoors
Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
