The Economics of Skiing ... Alta
Price discrimination - differentiates opportunities for those who live in a different location or "market." For example, Alta and Snowbird knock $5 off the price of a ticket if you buy them in Salt Lake City or if you buy consecutive days (a lower price for each day added at Alta). The discounted price is $54 at Alta and for all chairs at Snowbird (the Tram costs extra at Snowbird). Alta now has a "reader" gate and the computer automatically reads your ticket. Less lines at ticket booth, less hassle going through the gates (trying to show your pass and get the "liftie" to read it properly).
However, one can also buy a package deal, lodging, bus AND lift tickets. These prices vary, of course by lodging choice, but the lift tickets are also substantially lower - especially at Colorado resorts when you stay at THEIR resort. Finally, for my purposes here, there is the Colorado Pass - the 5 "Vail" mountains (Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin) for $439 - 10 days Vail/BC and unlimited at the other three (blackout on Christmas/New Years week and MLK day). An AWESOME deal for Coloradans, however many of us still have to pay lodging, which is at minimum $150 per night now!
Lift ticket and lodging right now is costing me $120. Furthermore, I can shop at all of the stores anyone in SLC uses. Therefore, the price of food and other items are much cheaper as well. I carry a sandwich up the canyon to eat for lunch, granola bars, etc. I do often buy a beer at the bar on mountain, which is expensive, but that is my one "luxury" as luxury items go!
I DO have to add in a bus ride for $3.25 each way (or the cost of gas and car), however parking at Vail is $16 per day now and the other resorts in Colorado often charge too! Skiing is not cheap in the U.S. of A.!!! I know recognize the cost even more now that I work and am paid at a Chinese income level!
Passion - the price one is willing to pay for their passion is the question often. Sometimes, a little time, energy and conversation will get opportunities that otherwise would be missed!
Of course then there IS THIS view from Breckenridge on April 22, 2007:
Yes, that's a skier down on the ridge - where I previously showed pictures of me skiing on this blog. The views are definitely part of the reason for my passion for skiing. Then there's the POWDER! Speaking of which .... grinning wildly! Time to get ready and go!
However, one can also buy a package deal, lodging, bus AND lift tickets. These prices vary, of course by lodging choice, but the lift tickets are also substantially lower - especially at Colorado resorts when you stay at THEIR resort. Finally, for my purposes here, there is the Colorado Pass - the 5 "Vail" mountains (Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin) for $439 - 10 days Vail/BC and unlimited at the other three (blackout on Christmas/New Years week and MLK day). An AWESOME deal for Coloradans, however many of us still have to pay lodging, which is at minimum $150 per night now!
Lift ticket and lodging right now is costing me $120. Furthermore, I can shop at all of the stores anyone in SLC uses. Therefore, the price of food and other items are much cheaper as well. I carry a sandwich up the canyon to eat for lunch, granola bars, etc. I do often buy a beer at the bar on mountain, which is expensive, but that is my one "luxury" as luxury items go!
I DO have to add in a bus ride for $3.25 each way (or the cost of gas and car), however parking at Vail is $16 per day now and the other resorts in Colorado often charge too! Skiing is not cheap in the U.S. of A.!!! I know recognize the cost even more now that I work and am paid at a Chinese income level!
Passion - the price one is willing to pay for their passion is the question often. Sometimes, a little time, energy and conversation will get opportunities that otherwise would be missed!
Of course then there IS THIS view from Breckenridge on April 22, 2007:
Yes, that's a skier down on the ridge - where I previously showed pictures of me skiing on this blog. The views are definitely part of the reason for my passion for skiing. Then there's the POWDER! Speaking of which .... grinning wildly! Time to get ready and go!
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