Snowshoe claims it's providing better powder opportunities
In a move widely denounced by many snowsports enthusiasts, Snowshoe Resort has trimmed the operating hours at its Silver Creek resort by moving the midweek opening time from 9am to noon.
“The most family-friendly spot on the mountain is open the least!!” exclaimed Facebook user Bonnie Cersley Long. “Very disappointed. I hope this decision will be reevaluated.”
The decision took effect on Monday, January 27, with the announcement coming in a brief release on the Resort’s Facebook page.
The second of the two sentence release was this: “Enjoy a leisurely morning before making laps at the Creek or take the opportunity to experience the freshest powder twice, with first tracks at Snowshoe, then again at Silver Creek.
That rationale didn’t resonate with Facebook user Phil Burch.
“What kind of ridiculous logic is this ‘first tracks’ comment? Using that logic why not open 10% of the mountain at 9:00, another 10% at 10:00 another 10% at 11:00 etc. Wow, you’d get to make a lot of ‘first tracks.'”
However, Facebook user Philip Bubel wrote, “Fresh tracks at noon sounds cool.”
For some, the move highlights what they see as an increasing emphasis on the main Village at Snowshoe at the expense of Silver Creek, a once-separate resort opened in 1983 and coming under the Snowshoe umbrella a decade later. Although much smaller than the main resort, Silver Creek has long been prized by families and powder-hounds for its thinner crowds. Silver Creek is further distinguished from the rest of Snowshoe by offering night skiing, something that will not change under the new schedule.
Still, many stake-holder fear they will suffer financially from the decision.
“This should have been announced before the season, so we could rethink our decision to purchase a condo at Silver Creek this month,” wrote Facebook user Cheryl Hoover. “We need the rental income at Silver Creek just as much as the owners in the Village do.”
“Hey Cheryl,” responded the Resort’s FB administrator. “I will pass along your feedback to our team. If you would like a resort liaison to contact you, please private message us your contact information or you can email info@snowshoemountain.com.”
The resort went on to explain, in response to another guest’s complaint, that the change “will allow us to continue to provide excellent conditions with additional hours for snowmaking.” In all, there were 115 comments on the Facebook thread by noon on January 29.
Photo Credit: neonow via Compfight cc
penny wise – pound foolish