41 replies to this topic

[SkiBachelor]

Well it looks like Aspen has the highest lift ticket price in the nation now at $82 a day for an adult.

Oh and the price is constant throughout the year and doesn't change for early or late season skiing.

That's $5 more than Deer Valley.

http://www.aspensnow...ift/default.cfm

Something needs to be done about these high priced lift tickets since it won't be long until ticket prices will reach $100.

[necskibum]

that is out of control

[Ontariodude]

Thats insane. Either they are going for a lot of profit or insurance is getting really expensive.

Will T. (ontariodude)

[floridaskier]

Hey, if they can charge that much and still have enough people to make a profit, more power to them. Is that the first resort to break the $80 mark?

[cjb]

Ontariodude, on Nov 15 2006, 02:49 PM, said:

Thats insane. Either they are going for a lot of profit or insurance is getting really expensive.

Will T. (ontariodude)

Making a profit is the primary purpose of a business and a price is too high only when a product cannot be sold. Of course that product cannot be sold to me so I guess for this market (me) the price is too high.

[skiersage]

Aspen is going for what my family has termed "pricing out the crowds". Basically, they eliminate crowds by making their ticket prices so high. I guess people were willing to pay the already over inflated ticket price so they raised it again.

[cjb]

Something needs to be done about these high priced lift tickets since it won't be long until ticket prices will reach $100.
[/quote]

I call for the government to investigate this price gouging! I have never seen a problem that a dozen congressmen or senators couldn't solve. Seriously, if the price is too high then it will be reflected in ticket sales, if these resorts have a great year, and do good numbers then they will probably raise prices again next year. If you are selling a product you try to get as much as possible for it and if you are buying you only pay what you think is a 'reasonable' price, if the price is 'unreasonable' then you wouldn't buy it. If you do buy it then either you believe the price to be 'reasonable' or you are 'unreasonable'.

[SkiBachelor]

Being a business student, I don't believe that Aspen's marketing strategy is that great. It's current pricing method is a way to generate a lot of profit in the short run, but not for the long run. However, the ski industry is not like any other business industry and people's perceptions can easily change since its a service rather than a tangible product. However, people will spread bad press about Aspen's high ticket prices and will turn away people that were planning on going there.

While Ajax and Snowmass are worth a decent amount to ski, but Buttermilk and Highlands sure aren't.

[skier691]

Nothings cheap. Cats, snowguns, insurance, fast new lifts, payroll, electricity/diesel costs, annual maint costs. Yep , skiing will remain a rich mans sport. Yes, $82 is a lot, but you get Aspen Mountain. If youre at Aspen, you got $82 to spend. Many areas here in MI will get $50-55 this year(Holiday rate). You get a lot more for that $30 dollars skiing out West.

[poloxskier]

Not to be outdone Vails high season tickets this year will be $83. At least its lower than what they were discussing at the end of last year, $87. If we could punish the lawyers for the stupid lawsuits that are brought against corporations where the basis of the lawsuit is personal stupidity then we would be able to save alot of money on things like recreation, health care, and even FOOD! But in all truth there are so many ways arround the high prices at the resorts, last time I was in aspen for a 4 day weekend I skied, stayed, and ate for less than $200 and I was eating well, so it can easily be done if you shop arround.

floridaskier, on Nov 15 2006, 03:06 PM, said:

Hey, if they can charge that much and still have enough people to make a profit, more power to them. Is that the first resort to break the $80 mark?

Vail actualy broke it last year with a high season ticket price of $81.

cjb, on Nov 15 2006, 03:16 PM, said:

Making a profit is the primary purpose of a business and a price is too high only when a product cannot be sold. Of course that product cannot be sold to me so I guess for this market (me) the price is too high.

Its just unfortunate that some businesses choose to use the price per unit rather than number of units, which causes many of the customers to become less than loyal.

This post has been edited by poloxskier: 15 November 2006 - 07:36 PM

[SkiBachelor]

I'm pretty sure the place where we are spending the nice offers discounted tickets which is nice but $82 is still really expensive.

I found some online specials for the Aspen Resorts but you have to be a local resident to receive them.

[poloxskier]

Just buy your tickets at city market in glenwood on your way up the valley. They usualy offer fairly signifigantly discounted tickets.

[Peter]

There is a new website called Liftopia that is like Expedia for lift tickets. It actually offers some pretty good discounts. Right now it is only about 15 resorts, but it looks promising.
www.liftopia.com

[coskibum]

Quote

While Ajax and Snowmass are worth a decent amount to ski, but Buttermilk and Highlands sure aren't.

highlands is a small but great ski area. i have bought 4 packs to aspen before and have only cost about 100 dollars. can't beat that! its all about looking for the right deals and planning ahead.

[SkiBachelor]

Where did you buy your four pack Brad?

[edmontonguy]

Thredbo was selling tickets for $91 AUD factor that into CAD and you've got roughly $80. Whistler was around $75 last winter when i was up there.

[cjb]

poloxskier, on Nov 15 2006, 07:25 PM, said:

Its just unfortunate that some businesses choose to use the price per unit rather than number of units, which causes many of the customers to become less than loyal.

They are looking at the price per unit and the number of units. If they were considering only the price per unit then they would price them at $1000 or $5000 or whatever, but of course they have to consider what is the most that can be charged and still reach their goal for tickets sold. Of course they could consider only the number of units sold and sell $5 or $1 tickets, I am sure they would sell alot of units but that would not make financial sense either. There cannot be an abstract price limit of $85 or $100 or whatever because every person out there has their own personal limit for anything. I don't consider cable tv or dish to be worth the local price so I don't subscribe to either, but plenty of other people do so the price must be reasonable for them. If the rate was dropped to $15 a month it may be acceptable to me but not for the company. Nothing different in the ski industry.

[poloxskier]

Yes that is true, I was referencing that the ballance is tipped more towards price per customer not that its the exclusive focus of the business aim. And while things such as lift tickets do have valid factors that result in high prices I personaly believe that if prices were lowered moderately it would result in more customers and in general a better more satisfied customer base. Which is my personal opinion of how a business should be run, but in doing so you also run into the requirement for more staff and other costs.

[maplevalleymaster]

Stowe, VT is only two dollars cheaper than Aspen.

[Lift Dinosaur]

I think what is missing here is the presentation.
The airlines say "You can fly from New York to Denver for $129 each way (some restrictions apply)". Like 21 day advance, non refundable, non transferable, $100 to change anything, etc. They advertise the best case scenario. Any price you pay after that goes up!
Vail says "You can ski here today for $83" They are advertising the worst case scenario. The only person that pays $83 is the one driving I-70 on their way to Vegas who says, "What the hell.. Maybe I'll ski Vail on the way", walks up to the ticket window, and says "How much?"
For the fortunate Coloradoans with the Colorado Pass (or whatever its called) your 10 days at Beaver Creek OR Vail did not add $830 to the cost of your pass. In fact you paid less than half of that for the whole pass.
The key to ticket sales is not price, but YEILD. That is the average profit per ticket after all the specials, passes, lodging/ticket packages, etc. have been factored in. My recollection (which could be suspect) is somewhere in the 50-60% range.

My Blog for the morning...
Dino