I'd be interested to see the breakdown of the primary markets where MC passes are sold. As a 'destinations' focused Ikon-lite, 2-4 trips as primary audience, with secondary of Epic pass holders using MC to supplement. Looking at Vail Resorts, Inc. investor materials they list - New York City Area, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Dallas, Miami, Houston as the top 10 destination markets (non-Epic pass holder visitors) and comment on the lower pass penetration in the northeast as a focus area.
If you assume that roughly holds to MC, resorts in the Northeast within reach of NYC/Boston (top 2 markets to sell new passes) would be the focus. Killington fits the criteria (<5 hrs). Jay Peak would pair with Bromont but is close to the time delta of a direct flight from NYC to Rockies destinations. Whiteface seems less likely based on non-corporate ownership. Sunday River is logical, but I don't see that have enough differentiation from Sugarloaf to drive additional membership. With that target as the anchor, if I were MC I'd be going hard on an agreement with Powdr. Killington/Pico to drive additional Northeast adoption (heavy destination-driven high income market which the MC resorts would want), Copper & Eldora to offset the likely future loss of A-basin in CO, Boreal & Soda Springs to build Tahoe presence with Sugarbowl and retain SF market. Mt. Bachelor would fill the current gap in the Northwest and Silver Star might benefit from pairing with Revelstoke and Sun Peaks.
All said, it would depend on the price increase required for any additions. If you build too much then MC may begin to force Alterra into trying to ask resorts for exclusivity or price difference being small enough that they lose people to Ikon or individual tickets.
Wondering how many subscribers did MC have in Southern California (San Diego, LA)? My guess they will lose all of them/us with departure of Mammoth and Tahoe resorts. My whole family was on MC since they came out, we loved it, however there's no point staying with them now.
If you not in California, the MC just got better. Trip to snow bird next snow basin to Jackson hole to grand Targhee to big sky then sun valley. Nice round trip out of SLC with 13 days on the mountain. If MC pick up Whitefish and Schweitzer, then you could hit Canada on round trip. That 19 days next year. 16 this $539. $33.69 a day
Honestly the Mountain Collective no longer having Mammoth is awful. And I like to ski at Alpine Meadows which is now gone as well. But I'm supposed to be happy to get Sun Valley in exchange for losing those two? Really ruined this pass.
I could also see MC going for Alyeska, Whitewater, Wolf Creek, or Mt. Baker too. Whitewater is the last of the larger BC areas to join a multipass (besides maybe Mt. Washington), Alyeska fits the remote destination vibe of MC, Wolf Creek gives Taos a friend, and Baker fills the more coastal PNW hole in the lineup. It seems like they may just have to give up on the East, or just keep Sugarloaf around for the people who need to take a business trip to Boston and have an extra three days (who those people are, idk).
Intriguing suggestions! Wolf Creek seems very content alone, but Whitewater was on the Max Pass, so I'm surprised they haven't joined another big pass yet.
Great reporting. MC remains an odd but compelling pass product for the right skier. I think it's a great supplemental pass to a dedicated resort pass and / or a skier in the Vail network. More flagship resorts than Indy or Ski Cooper, less cost or fuss than Ikon. I also think it's strong in SLC among Park City fans who are looking for variety options but don't want to commit to a full Ikon. An oddly large amount of solo Epic pass holders in Utah considering six of the seven good ski areas in the state are Ikon...
Incidentally, there is a stealth change in access tiers this year. Per their announcement email, the 'free third day' is now locked to renewing or returning passholders only. I don't think this really moves the needle for most people considering buying a pass. Possible exception are those who buy it as a no blackout option for Christmas week skiing and are going to a less dense region. Regardless, not a great look when combined with net resort loss and a price increase.
Getting REAL nervous about Ikon resorts becoming zoos after everybody leaves Epic next year. The new reservations being required at a lot of affiliates gives me some piece of mind. Would like to see even more blackouts on ikon at these resorts. Its become opposite world at these resorts as the blackout weekends are less crowded than the others.
Also good that Vail is being left high and dry like they should. Everybody knows they only kill the culture and independence of their resorts. Keystone vs Breck are the same resort at this point. Stowe vs Okemo is the same experiance. etc
Snowbasin and Sun Valley are smart to not want to be associated as just another Vail Disney world.
I'd be interested to see the breakdown of the primary markets where MC passes are sold. As a 'destinations' focused Ikon-lite, 2-4 trips as primary audience, with secondary of Epic pass holders using MC to supplement. Looking at Vail Resorts, Inc. investor materials they list - New York City Area, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Dallas, Miami, Houston as the top 10 destination markets (non-Epic pass holder visitors) and comment on the lower pass penetration in the northeast as a focus area.
If you assume that roughly holds to MC, resorts in the Northeast within reach of NYC/Boston (top 2 markets to sell new passes) would be the focus. Killington fits the criteria (<5 hrs). Jay Peak would pair with Bromont but is close to the time delta of a direct flight from NYC to Rockies destinations. Whiteface seems less likely based on non-corporate ownership. Sunday River is logical, but I don't see that have enough differentiation from Sugarloaf to drive additional membership. With that target as the anchor, if I were MC I'd be going hard on an agreement with Powdr. Killington/Pico to drive additional Northeast adoption (heavy destination-driven high income market which the MC resorts would want), Copper & Eldora to offset the likely future loss of A-basin in CO, Boreal & Soda Springs to build Tahoe presence with Sugarbowl and retain SF market. Mt. Bachelor would fill the current gap in the Northwest and Silver Star might benefit from pairing with Revelstoke and Sun Peaks.
All said, it would depend on the price increase required for any additions. If you build too much then MC may begin to force Alterra into trying to ask resorts for exclusivity or price difference being small enough that they lose people to Ikon or individual tickets.
Wondering how many subscribers did MC have in Southern California (San Diego, LA)? My guess they will lose all of them/us with departure of Mammoth and Tahoe resorts. My whole family was on MC since they came out, we loved it, however there's no point staying with them now.
If you not in California, the MC just got better. Trip to snow bird next snow basin to Jackson hole to grand Targhee to big sky then sun valley. Nice round trip out of SLC with 13 days on the mountain. If MC pick up Whitefish and Schweitzer, then you could hit Canada on round trip. That 19 days next year. 16 this $539. $33.69 a day
Honestly the Mountain Collective no longer having Mammoth is awful. And I like to ski at Alpine Meadows which is now gone as well. But I'm supposed to be happy to get Sun Valley in exchange for losing those two? Really ruined this pass.
I could also see MC going for Alyeska, Whitewater, Wolf Creek, or Mt. Baker too. Whitewater is the last of the larger BC areas to join a multipass (besides maybe Mt. Washington), Alyeska fits the remote destination vibe of MC, Wolf Creek gives Taos a friend, and Baker fills the more coastal PNW hole in the lineup. It seems like they may just have to give up on the East, or just keep Sugarloaf around for the people who need to take a business trip to Boston and have an extra three days (who those people are, idk).
Great writeup as always!
Intriguing suggestions! Wolf Creek seems very content alone, but Whitewater was on the Max Pass, so I'm surprised they haven't joined another big pass yet.
Yeah that's true about Wolf Creek. They're probably one of the largest ski areas not on a megapass and with no partner resorts.
Great reporting. MC remains an odd but compelling pass product for the right skier. I think it's a great supplemental pass to a dedicated resort pass and / or a skier in the Vail network. More flagship resorts than Indy or Ski Cooper, less cost or fuss than Ikon. I also think it's strong in SLC among Park City fans who are looking for variety options but don't want to commit to a full Ikon. An oddly large amount of solo Epic pass holders in Utah considering six of the seven good ski areas in the state are Ikon...
Incidentally, there is a stealth change in access tiers this year. Per their announcement email, the 'free third day' is now locked to renewing or returning passholders only. I don't think this really moves the needle for most people considering buying a pass. Possible exception are those who buy it as a no blackout option for Christmas week skiing and are going to a less dense region. Regardless, not a great look when combined with net resort loss and a price increase.
Oh good call out on the 3rd day. I will update.
Getting REAL nervous about Ikon resorts becoming zoos after everybody leaves Epic next year. The new reservations being required at a lot of affiliates gives me some piece of mind. Would like to see even more blackouts on ikon at these resorts. Its become opposite world at these resorts as the blackout weekends are less crowded than the others.
Also good that Vail is being left high and dry like they should. Everybody knows they only kill the culture and independence of their resorts. Keystone vs Breck are the same resort at this point. Stowe vs Okemo is the same experiance. etc
Snowbasin and Sun Valley are smart to not want to be associated as just another Vail Disney world.