Discounting discounts
David Rowan’s editorial in the Spring ’72 issue of SAM called for a joint national program between NSAA and USSA, the object of this program to offer all USSA members a discount at all NSAA areas. One thing that Mr. Rowan thinks this arrangement would accomplish is “the ultimate and only effective membership incentive for the USSA.”
As a ski area operator and member of NSAA I very much disagree. Like Bob McDonald of Madonna Mountain, Vt., who wrote in your Spring “Letters” column, I don’t believe the USAA represents the majority of our nations skiers, but a small minority who are for the most part ski race oriented. I also believe that if all NSAA member areas can afford to offer a daily discount to all NSAA members, then they have the obligation to reduce their prices to all of the skiing public.
Giving a one-time tear-out coupon discount or free pass is one thing, but giving a $1 daily discount, for instance, is quite another situation. Further, I believe that it is unfortunate when an organization promotes other organization’s discounts as the main reason for prospective members to join. There should be more substantial and honest benefits in belonging to an organization than merely a discount.
Gilbert W. Jensen
Co-Manager
Mt. Majestic Chair Lift, Inc.
Brighton, Mich.
NSAA replies
USSA has made a proposal directly to NSAA for closer cooperation in the areas of competition, safety and promotion. NSAA’s Board accepted the proposal at Sun Valley, and we have set up new committees to foster these cooperative methods.
There is no suggestion by them or consideration by us of having anything to do with prices. Price discounts are something which only the individual ski area can decide on, and NSAA will take no position one way or the other on them.
We do take the position, however, that there is a great deal that USSA and NSAA can accomplish for the good of the sport by working together, and we will do what we can to promote good feeling and perhaps some real progress in this direction.
Frank V. Snyder
President
National Ski Areas Association
Rewarding theft-watchers
I have read your article, “The Great Ski Rip-Off” with interest. There is one very obvious service for the security of skiers’ equipment which I think you overlooked.
For the past two years we have had “free ski checking” at Mt. Tom. We have a fenced-in area to the side of the lodge with several ski racks in it. A paid attendant is on duty at all times and only he is allowed in the enclosure. The slots in the racks are all numbered. On a large board he has the corresponding number on plastic chips attached to an elastic wristband. The skier hands his skis to the attendant who then gives the skier a wristband. The skier must turn in his wristband to get his skis back. Skis cannot be left overnight.
We have found that this is a tremendous service for our customers and the goodwill that we get is well worth the small amount it costs us to provide the service.
At Mt. Tom we also offer a “free binding check service”. Any skier can go into our rental shop and get his bindings adjusted. We have had this program for the past four seasons.
Cal Coniff
Manager
Mt. Tom Ski Area
Holyoke, Mass.
Security and more
Lee Fowler’s article “The Great Ski Rip-Off” in the Summer Issue of SAM is very interesting and timely.
You and your readers may be benefitted by a program our association has followed in the Pacific Northwest for many years. We offer a $50 reward (it used to be $100) to anyone detecting and reporting a ski theft at a member ski area which results in prosecution and conviction.
Posters are supplied to all member ski areas announcing this policy and are prominently displayed in many places. Reward checks are forwarded to the manager of the ski area involved. Presentation of the reward is documented by a photograph and is given wide publicity through the press.
We believe this program helps discourage ski thefts at our Pacific Northwest ski areas. Maybe other associations might become interested in pursuing a similar program.
Mel Borgersen
Executive Secretary
Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association
