The Crystal Conclusion...

Well, since the same guy is running both of them, the pricing got hacked to bits at the summit too. Midweek pass eliminated. First time in probably 10 years I won't have one. Same attitude IMHO. They get rid of the hard-core skiers who eat from their coolers and buy cheap midweek passes by eliminating the midweek pass.

Different target, same attitude.

Little areas like Baker or Bridger MT stay in the black because they are cheap....and loyal droves flock there and spend oodles on food and lodging.

I guess there should be a pass price structure for those who eat from their coolers.
I can empathize with the rising costs that effect families, like children passes skyrockting, since most kids can't get jobs to pay for their skiing. But the common working person should be able to save $25 to 30 a month for a year to buy a Big S LTD pass. It is not wrong for a ski area to profit-this is not a government program. So I really can't buy the gripe and to me it sounds like whining at that point. THIS IS NOT A PERSONAL ATTACK, but a general observation, I have lived long enough to notice that the people who tend to cry about being stuck by pricing and pay a dirt cheap $199 for a midweek pass and eat out of a bucket are the first ones to be extremely upset when the backcountry gates are not open on time, and the chairs are not cleaned and open on time, or the patrol should have been out here at midnight bombing the slopes, on and on....it's always someone or something else that inconvenienced me-they pay nothing for a pass, don't support the area with food purchases and have an attitude like, "Hey look at all I have done for you, by gracing your slopes with my presence!" Give me something for nothing.
I paid $1000 for a Crystal Pass and yes it hurts a bit, and compared to pass prices at the Summit it's not a bargain, compared to season pass prices at Kirkwood I got ripped off.
It's time that people recognize that lift skiing costs money, put down the pipe because the dream and reality are two different worlds. If people don't like the price, buy some touring gear, go elsewhere, don't buy a pass.
I saw a ski ticket on Tim Eyman's jacket when he was on TV. Maybe get Tim to start a campaign to protest the rising costs of ski area prices, since he is an advocate for protecting Washington from the money hungry. When no one is skiing because pass prices are so high and the owners are crying in their hands, claiming. "What are we going to do to get people to out hill!", then you have them where you want them!

Hey everyone I got a nice block of Cougar Gold Cheese for some of that wine.

Just kidding.

Yes it is fustrating that prices keep going up and there seems to be no end in sight.  Just like urban sprawling, rising gas prices and traffic jams.  You'll either get use to it or adapt.  Yes it does seem that folks are getting priced out.  IMO seems like JK is catering to a different demographic.  Tapping into ones with deeper pockets.  Can't blame a guy for trying to make a buck.  Remember, compared to some resorts out of state, $60 lift tickets are cheap.

Sounds like the real problem might be that your salaries aren't keeping up with inflation.  Well join the club.  I'm also a member.  You can always instruct and get a heavily discounted pass.  Or as Joe along with others have suggested, acquire some touring gear and ride the magic carpet.

If Harbor and Boyne got together maybe they can offer a discounted pass for a certain niche.  Yes some of there marketing efforts stink.  IMO they should try and capture all demographics.  There was an interesting article in the papers stating how the average age of sliders have gone up to mid 30's, suggesting a price out as rising cost invades.  Maybe some of us on this thread should apply for marketing/advertising director and things may start to change.

They could really save money buy drawing power from windmills.  Some resorts back east have already started.  Alternate power is costly up front but I'm sure trend analysis will support cost savings over a period of time.

If Tim Eyman rallied for the sliders that would be great.  He's come along ways from selling watches door to door on greek row.

Remember you can always poach, poach, poach.  Transworld Snowboarding Mag is offering $5k for best viddy showing your poaching abilities!

You're kind of missing my point. It's not all about price but value and service for the price paid, and as I stated previously I would prefer - when skiing with my family - NOT to schlepp food to the parking lot, but to spend my money on the available concessions. This becomes more difficult when my start up cost to take everyone skiing runs into several THOUSAND DOLLARS! That's SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS!

I get that a ski area is a business, and I begrudge no one their living by any stretch, even if it's a better one than my own which Mr. Kircher's certainly is. I'm a realtor of 20 years and I understand the problem of people complaining about price, though at the end of the day the people I serve typically feel that while I am not inexpensive, they get good value and attentive service. They come back to me for these reasons, and I make every possible attempt to create and foster long term, genuine relationships with them based on their best interests and serving their needs.

That's where the John/Crystal/Boyne equation falls apart for me. I don't believe they are serving a large part of their customer base (not to mention their own future and bottom line) by charging little kids exorbitant amounts of money to ski or making on-hill meals unaffordable or too fancy for skiing families. It drives some families away which is, perhaps, a part of their long term strategy or so it might appear. If a large part of their existing customer base is forced to choose between skiing and concessions rather than being encouraged to partake in all of their offerings (thereby adding to their bottom line in the process) then they're failing to serve their paying customers. This doesn't represent good value in any business. Add to that the fact that most of my inquiries and attempts to engage anyone at that organization have gone unanswered or been answered extremely perfunctorily and with some disdain in my direction, and it boils down to crappy customer service.

Again, I am already a paying customer. I've bought passes and lessons. I've paid in advance. I have not yet received anything for the large amount of money I've already handed over. The least they (or any businesses in similar circumstances) could do is pretend they give a shit about me! If you have a paying customer you serve them. Period. And I'm not one who moans about the BC being closed or avy control being late, at least not publicly. And, when I did have the $199 midweek summit pass for many years I always partook of other concessions and was a good and supportive customer by doing so.

Like I said before, can you imagine paying in advance for some service in that price range and having your emails, inquiries and concerns ignored? Not cool. I'd be out of business in a second if I treated my clients like that, and I don't even get paid until after I do all the work!

It boils down to some ethereal equation for me personally that includes money spent, services received and the attitude with which I am served as a customer. In this case, I think they fall way short, at least for customers like me who, perhaps, are simply not the customers they want around anymore. That doesn't make me feel all warm inside either.

I presume there are other self-employed types herein, and we all know the same credo. Be nice, provide good value, pay attention to your customers needs above your own, and do so genuinely, and your business is likely to flourish.

The motto there seems to be more along the lines of, 'we're going to make all the money we can because we know you have nowhere else to go, so like it or lump it. That's sad.

Talk about beating a dead horse.  I understand and share your fustration about money paid and services rendered.  Like I originally stated: their business model left much to be desired.  That's why I don't ride the lifts anymore (exception Baker).  I tour all day, stay in a buddies room, take long hot showers, prefunk in his room and stumble to the Elk to drink water, well sometimes.  

Btw what's wrong with tailgating!

Like any movie, go in with too high expectations and your sure to be disappointed.

You already know that Boyne doesn't give a flying hoot about you.  I know they don't.  The proof is in the thread.  But get enough of you and you might start to make a dent.  But maybe not cause demographics show there are alot of deep pockets around.  Check out Simmons Market Research if you don't believe me.  The behavior habits for the American consumer are mind boggling.  So are the purchase power of kids for that fact.  Those fur coats from the city will shell out more money and tip bigger too.  Also complain more.  Have you forgotten the kind of family JK comes from?  More money than I might ever see unless I win the lottery.  You have a better chance of your prayers being answered by God before he gives a hoot about the service he's providing. Afterall you can't accomadate and or please everybody. Somebody is always getting bent over and not getting a reach around.

Once all the lifts are running and your getting your powder turns with your family it won't sting so much.  Until then, yes I agree, you have shelled out alot of money and have gotten nothing in return and don't expect that to change anytime soon.  Its Crystal, Washington's largest bad investment.

I'm sure glad I got a magic carpet.

Time to butt out.  I have to shift my energy to the powder I will be slaying tomorrow through Sunday.

Yup. Just prefer not to be misconstrued.

Keep in mind that skiing/riding has never been an inexpensive sport. Plus we chose to do it. I for one never think twice about the cost of a lift ticket or pass because snowboarding is my passion, bottom line. I pay, I hike, I get stoked and want to do it all over again. (Gas prices are starting to sting and piss me off, but that's another topic).

As far as customer service, companies compete in different ways. It's business 101. Some compete on price, some compete on service, some compete on product, etc. Crystal, it appears, chooses to not differentiate by its service. They however do boast the largest terrain and most vert in the state. NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. Alpental's my home mountain but I feel Crystal has the best terrain in the state and am super stoked for my 5 days up there - because of the terrain! And that's exactly why Crystal can charge what they want. I personally feel that Crystal's staff sucks but I'd much rather ride there than a place like Stevens because of the terrain, parking and convenience (I live in downtown Seattle).

I can feel your pain Offpiste, but life's all about sacrifice and my suspicion is that you'll continue to ski and raise your kids to ski, whether it's in the BC, Crystal or another resort, regardless of cost because it's in the bones...

Happy Turns.