Crystal and Big Sky and Boyne Resorts

Yes, I think the best way to handle this is to go to the WA State Attorney General's office and file a consumer complaint. www.atg.wa.gov/FileAComplaint.aspx . There's definately an issue with truth in advertising. If people file official complaints, this will require Crystal to respond and cause them some pain (staff time). They can blow off a letter from a pass holder any time.

Thanks for the suggestion. However, I feel that it is best to allow company the opportunity to deal with a concern first. As I said before, this whole thing may become moot as Crystal is given time to deal with it.

Having said that, I did e-mail Crystal today and received a swift reply. As I suspected they are still formulating an answer but acknowledged that they are discussing how to handle the "exceptions"--people who bought their season passes prior to the announcement of booked lodging as necessary to ski up to 10 days at Big Sky.

At this point I am optimistic that Crystal will do the right thing.

Stay tuned...

Yes, I think the best way to handle this is to go to the WA State Attorney General's office and file a consumer complaint. www.atg.wa.gov/FileAComplaint.aspx . There's definately an issue with truth in advertising. If people file official complaints, this will require Crystal to respond and cause them some pain (staff time). They can blow off a letter from a pass holder any time.

Here's something that is just over the edge. If you book a room at the Big Sky Resort here www.bigskyresort.com/lodging/winterpackages.asp
you ski free at big sky whether you have a Crystal pass or not!

e.g.from the above link: 5 Night Package

The mountains of Montana call with the lure of adventure and excitement. Discover for yourself this hidden gem. This Package includes 5 nights of lodging, 5 days of lift tickets, breakfast for the Huntley, Summit, and Shoshone, and all tax and resort fees. Kids 10 and under stay and ski free.


*FREE ski/ride offer at Big Sky Resort...
is valid only with paid lodging booked by calling the resort's reservations department. Visit boyneusaresorts.com for details.

Here's a copy of the mail I am posting:

October 8, 2007




Crystal Mountain Guest Services
33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd.
Crystal Mountain, WA 98022


This letter is a follow up to my e-mails. I purchased my season pass prior to May 31, 2007 with the intention of skiing at Big Sky and staying at my cousin’s condo—just like I did last year—and using my Crystal pass for up to 10 times as advertised. The offer was posted not only on your web site, but also on the mailer (copy enclosed) sent to me.

On August 27, 2007 I received an e-mail from Crystal advertising Ski Bonkers with the asterisked announcement that the Crystal pass would not allow for up to 10 days of skiing at Big Sky as a benefit of the pass unless lodging is booked through Boyne at one of their outrageously expensive lodging facilities. Some deal.

On August 27 I sent an e-mail ( copy enclosed) about this breach of contract. As no reply was forthcoming, I e-mailed again on September 4. An e-mail from Crystal was sent on September 4 (copy enclosed) advising that “We will be discussing the exception for those who purchased their pass prior to the announcement…”

It has now been over a month since your last communication. I am still waiting to hear the specifics on how you are going to honor your commitment.

Sincerely,



Keith Henson

Thanks for reminding me to check the date of my purchase too. 5/22!

I have asked the same question several times and it's not been addressed at all, though the asking has always been a line item in other emails, mostly about the whole kids pass pricing ordeal.

Very interested to see how this plays out. Thanks for the updates.

I got this email from Crystal:
[size=10pt]

Hey season pasholders listen up!   

This is the news you've all be waiting for....[/size]

As recent changes bring Crystal Mountain and The Summit at Snoqualmie under the same management company, both resorts have unveiled exciting season pass benefits. 



Crystal Mountain Unlimited passholders will get up to ten days of free skiing at The Summit and Alpental, while Mid-week passholders will enjoy five free mid-week days. Restrictions on these skiing benefits are being kept to a minimum for all qualifying passholders.  Simply bring your Crystal Mountian season pass to guest services at The Summit to get your free lift ticket.  Keep in mind The Summit is open for night skiing so you can get your fix during the evenings now too!



It's not too late you buy your 07-08 Crystal pass.  Click here for more info.



The Summit has launched a new season pass that specifically offers skiing benefits for Crystal Mountain, as well as all other Boyne USA resort locations in North America. Named the “Big S Unlimited Plus!”, the season pass provides for up to five free days of skiing at Crystal Mountain, as well as up to ten free days of skiing at other Boyne USA ski properties. 



Mutual exclusions between Crystal Mountain and The Summit include: 12/26/07 through to 12/31/07, as well as 1/19/08 through to 1/21/08. Full details of season passes and corresponding benefits, as well as any restrictions and conditions for inter-resort skiing privileges, can be found at both resorts’ websites, www.skicrystal.com and www.summitatsnoqualmie.com




The new season pass and inter-resort benefits for both mountains passholders come on the heels of the recent announcement that Boyne USA Resorts, the management company behind Crystal Mountain, Washington, and several other ski resorts in North America, had taken over the lease for The Summit at Snoqualmie from Booth Creek Ski Holdings, Incorporated. CNL Income Properties, Incorporated maintains ownership of the resort.



Crystal Mountain, owned and operated by Boyne USA Resorts, is a proud partner of the USFS offering equal opportunity recreation.  Boyne USA Resorts is the largest family owned four-season resort company in North America; founded by Everett Kircher in 1947.  In addition to Crystal Mountain and The Summit, Boyne USA Resorts owns and/or operates award-winning mountain and golf resorts and attractions throughout the United States and Canada including Cypress Mountain near Vancouver, British Columbia, a host venue of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Big Sky Resort in Montana, Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands, The Inn at Bay Harbor - A Renaissance Golf Resort and Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark in Michigan, Brighton in Utah, Loon Mountain in New Hampshire, Sugarloaf and Sunday River Resort in Maine and Gatlinburg Sky Lift in Tennessee.  For more information on Boyne USA Resorts, please visit www.boyneusaresorts.com .