X-C Fee Battle
In response to “Giving Away the Store,” by Donald McKay, January 1992, here’s the way Forbush Corner, a cross country ski area, analyzes the situation:
1. Cross country ski areas are continually fighting the issue that skiers should pay to ski here when they can ski others places for nothing. Give it away and we perpetuate the “ski free” notion. We are sending mixed messages when we give them the trails one minute and expect them to pay the next.
2. These programs are usually abused. The last time we participated in one, a ski shop employee from downstate was handing out the “ski free” coupons in our parking lot. (They were supposed to be received only with the purchase of a ski package.)
3. Why should a stranger get to ski free and a regular customer have to pay just because he doesn’t happen to have a coupon?
4. If a skier is unwilling to pay for a trail pass, he is not very likely to spend money in the store or any place else.
5. In a broader view, it would be quite unusual for the Big Three to give away cars in large numbers or for K-Mart to give away product. If they can’t afford to do it, how can I?
Two years ago we dropped out of our local ski area association. Here’s the result:
1. When they have their annual “ski free” day, we charge. They have been our best weekends of the season. Overall our numbers on these days are down slightly, but our all-time best and second best grossing days have been on these weekends. (They have only had two since we dropped out.) With slightly fewer people, the facility doesn’t get so overloaded. Those that come, know full well that they can “ski free” somewhere else, but are still willing to pay to ski here. If they are willing to spend money for quality trails, then they will spend money for quality goods in the store, as well.
2. Eliminating the “cheapies” makes it much easier to close sales in the shop, more lessons are given, and even the bathrooms fare better.
To be fair, we have the most expensive trail fees of the group, so it’s only logical that a “ski free” coupon is apt to be used here. This makes “ski free” good for them and bad for us.
In summary, I hope they add more “ski free” days to the calendar. We can always use the increased sales. For us, however, it’s the hard-nosed approach — “for nothing you get nothing.” I sincerely believe that Forbush Corner has something good to offer that costs money to produce. Quality people expect to pay for a quality product. And, these are our kind of people.
Thanks Don for bringing up this issue.
David R. Forbush
Forbush Corner, Inc.
Howell, Mich.
Employee Passes?
Sir:
I am an employee of a major metropolitan ski area. Like many of the other employees of this area I am trying to figure out if what is happening at our ski area is happening at any other ski area across the nation.
Our area is charging all employees for a season pass — all employees including upper and middle management people. If it is happening elsewhere then we as employees would like to know what other surprises the future ski area employee might expect. We employees have spoken with other areas and none charge for such a pass.
How are groomers to check their product? Snowmakers to check the quality of their production? Lift maintenance to check the operation of their equipment without having to pay to get on the mountain as everyday skiers? (Let it be known that skiing on the job is forbidden, except for skiing jobs.)
Please let us know if any such policy exists elsewhere.
SAM will forward responses.
Avalanche Group
Sir:
I would like to call the attention of your readers to the American Association of Avalanche Professionals (AAAP). Founded as a non-profit organization several years ago to help coordinate avalanche programs in the U.S., its activities include education, rescue information exchange and research. Members receive a publication, “Avalanche Review” six times a year as a membership service.
Membership is open to anyone interested in snow avalanches as well as those professionally employed in avalanche work, volunteer and professional rescue personnel, as well as to university students. Non-professionals join as subscribing members for $22 annual dues; qualified professionals join as full members for $25 annually.
To apply, write to Stuart Thompson, AAAP Membership Committee, P.O. Box 182, Cora, Wyo. 82925.
Stuart Thompson
Correction
On page 38 of the January, 1992 issue, there was a statement that Austrian skiers perceived European snow conditions to be unreliable. It should have read Australian skiers perceive snow conditions in Europe to be unreliable.
