Behind mountain biking and pushing babies around in thousand-dollar
jogging strollers, bitching about Mt. Bachelor is one of Bend’s most
beloved pastimes. Bendites complain about ticket prices, parking,
grooming or staffing issues just like people in larger, more urban
cities bitch about the coaching decisions of their local sports teams.
While
this is certainly a storied pastime, last season the bitching went from
nit-picking static to fever pitched shouting as winter began with hiked
lift ticket prices and ended with reports of potentially dangerous
chair lift maintenance practices and an earlier than usual closing date.
Even after the lifts quit running the bad news kept coming. This past spring it was reported that the mountain saw a seven percent decrease in visitors during a season when other regional resorts had record-breaking attendance. Just a few weeks after the end of the season, Mt. Bachelor’s parent corporation, Utah-based Powdr Corp., fired four of the mountain’s top managers including General Manager Matt Janney, who had been in the top spot for less than a year. It’s probably not the way that Powdr Corp would have scripted the way the resort would roll into its 50 year anniversary, which it celebrates this winter.
But after a brief period of rudderless coasting in the off season, Mt. Bachelor kicked off a flurry of new hires, a management reorganization and a capital improvement plan aimed at improving the mountain’s maintenance-challenged lift system. It capped the off season moves by dropping season pass prices in an effort to lure back locals to the mountain. As the first snow begins to fall, managers say Bachelor is poised for a turnaround year.
Alex Kaufman is the newly hired marketing director at Mt. Bachelor and recently moved to town from Bethel, Maine where he worked at Sunday River ski resort. He says that it’s not only important for the mountain to make changes, but also for the community to know that the changes have been made.
“The mountain and the town need to be on the same page more. They might not always see eye to eye, but they’ll know where each other are coming from,” says Kaufman – an energetic self-admitted ski junkie who emancipated from his parents as a teenager so he could ski bum in Colorado. Kaufman said he will move his office to the mountain to get a better sense of what’s happening on the hill and also so he can get some turns in on a daily basis. Tough job, right?
Well, skiing on the job is definitely a nice bump, but Kaufman’s job is hardly a cakewalk considering he’s one of five executive members (Mt. Bachelor’s previous structure included eight executive members) tasked with healing what many in the community have viewed as a black eye that swelled up on Bachelor’s face not only last season, but several before as well. While it will be difficult to judge the state of the mountain’s reputation until at least opening day (and likely much longer than that), the attempts to remedy whatever problems and ill perceptions exist were quite visible this off season.
First, there was the hiring of Dave Rathbun from within the Powdr Corp. family (he was previously working at Powdr’s Killington Resort-Pico Mountain in Vermont) as the mountain’s new top executive, which was followed by the aforementioned restructuring and new hires, including that of Kaufman. The second notable change was a drop in season pass rates, which Kaufman attributes directly to Rathbun. News of the season pass price drop circulated through the Bend gossip circle at Spears/Lohan/Palin speed. Before the local media had a chance to fully report on the news, most local skiers were already aware that season pass prices had been cut for the first time in a couple decades. Then, local TV news cameras were up on the mountain as Mt. Bachelor crews made repairs and replacements on a chair lift system that was plagued by maintenance issues, including some lengthy delays and closures last season.
Again, the impact of these changes on Bachelor’s image with locals is hard to measure in several areas, but there are some hard numbers to be found. Kevin Stickelman, the newly promoted director of guest experience (last season he worked under the title “director of skier services”), said that when the early season pass sales concluded at the end of September, the resort saw a 17 percent increase in sales from last season. Stickelman says that the price cut, which featured rates cut $130 for adult passes and nearly in half for teens and young adults, were, not surprisingly, aimed at getting the locals up on the hill.
“If we lose sight of what the locals think of us, it affects our business,” Stickelman says.
While season passes may have been a deal compared to what we’re used to, it’s still not clear what daily lift tickets will ring in at. Bachelor did announce, however, that Saturday tickets would be at a “peak” rate – which last season was a stiff $66.
Some locals will shout from their barstools all year around that there ought to be special local rates. But Kaufman says the lift ticket and season pass prices, which some believe should be even lower and closer to the range of Colorado’s relatively low-priced passes that are good for multiple resorts, also serve to combat overcrowding.
“If we were to cut prices just to put a smile on everyone’s face, they wouldn’t be too happy when they got up to the mountain and it was crowded,” Kaufman says.
Mt. Bachelor took another hit last season when lifts broke down on multiple occasions, and it doesn’t take long for stories of lift breakdowns and hikes from the Outback Express chair back to the lodge are relayed over after-ski beers and cubicle walls.
With all this in mind, Bachelor publicized its effort to overhaul the mountain’s lift systems. Rathbun says the total cost of the parts alone for the repair project, not including man power, is in the neighborhood of half a million dollars and could amount to more by the time the job is completed in mid November. In addition, Bachelor requested that representatives of Doppelmayr, the manufacturer of the resort’s lift systems, come to the mountain to inspect the work before and after the replacement and repair project.
“I don’t want the parts to be an issue and I want everything to be up to snuff with the manufacturer’s standards. I don’t want to have something happen that prevents us from not running a lift because a part has failed,” Rathbun says.
The visit from Doppelmayr isn’t a requirement, according to Rathbun, but Bachelor made the decision to have the company inspect the work as a sort of assurance that the work had been done properly.
The season pass prices have dropped and lift repairs have been made, but what Bachelor executives have also focused on is letting everyone know about all of this.
“We have been making sure that people are up to speed with the work we’re doing,” Kaufman says.
He also adds that the mountain is in the process of revamping its website and instituting some other programs to keep people “up to speed” with what’s going on at Bachelor. And Stickelman says that off-season maintenance at the resort extends far beyond the extensive lift repairs, including painting touch ups, improved snow removal and even a complete overhaul of Mt. Bachelor’s food menus. (Settle down, no one is going to take away your chili fries.)
“We’re doing things that aren’t that noteworthy in the industry, but they’re noteworthy for Mt. Bachelor,” Rathbun says of Bachelor’s revamped emphasis on communication with the community. This is about as close as Rathbun comes to taking a swipe at the previous management. He is extremely guarded when it comes to discussing his predecessors, declining to comment when asked about widely publicized criticisms of the mountain’s past maintenance and safety record.
In hopes of getting a better handle on the local discontent with the mountain, Mt. Bachelor’s execs conducted a series of focus groups with local business owners, season pass holders and other notable members of the community, Rathbun says. The focus groups took place between July and August and included between 60 and 70 participants.
“Overall the invitation was very promising and it’s something that, to my knowledge, hadn’t been done,” says Doug LaPlaca, president and CEO of Visit Bend, who attended one of the focus groups.
Another participant in one of the focus groups said that he was taken slightly aback that Bachelor staff attended the meetings and at times attempt to rebut some of the problems that were presented by members of the focus group. The participant, who asked to remain anonymous, said the focus group seemed rather like a question and answer period at times, but nonetheless saw the opportunity as productive.
Rathbun says the input from the community won’t stop with the focus groups. In fact, he says he is staying in contact with members of the groups.
“I’m engaging them on an ongoing process of improving things up there,” he says.
With broad-based efforts to clean up everything from its industry-wide reputation to its bathrooms, Bachelor seems overtly concerned with rebuilding its place in the community during its 50th season in operation. But, of course, there are other factors at hand playing into the mountain’s success, as Rathbun bluntly points out.
“By the time we open, we’ll have done everything we said we were going to do as a company. The only concern I have at this point is the snow,” Rathbun says.
Photo by Pete Alport
This article appears in Oct 16-22, 2008.
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No matter what they do to make Bachelor more Bend friendly, the resort will always suck. Why? For one it’s a butte, the terrain is horrible. The more snow it gets, the flatter it gets. I’ve been hitting Bachelor since the early 90’s and all that has changed is higher ticket prices and crappier snow. Sure it’s a quick commute from Bend if you want to get a few runs in, but since the point passes went to hell, whats the point? Really if I want a full day of riding, W. Pass is not that much further, alot cheaper and best of all, they have fun terrain. Will I continue to ride Bachelor? Only if I get free passes or go on the free day…Bend needs a new resort, like South Sister!!!! YEAH!!!!! REALLY STEEP AND DEEP!!!!!
What about hiring people who are responsible for sections of the mountain – ie/parks – who are trained, certified and use all available safety designs? Not a “dude”….That has yet to happen. What about experienced groomers? That has yet to happen. What about thinking about providing the safest environment possible for all our children? That has yet to happen (see above) Come on folks up there – you took a baby step that was needed because of your negligence for lift safety. NOW you need to take many more steps to just bring the resort up to par of the others. You don’t get my vote of confidence or many others…… just yet.
this sounds like another extremely feeble attempt to placate the locals. just the issues with the lifts and how the mechanics are forced to take care of them with their hands tied, is criminally negligent. safety of the public is non-existant, or more accurately, just barely maintained through the super human efforts of the most abused employees on the mountain. Yeah, the lifties and mechanics. powder corp is just trying to divert attention away from the way they do business. what about the mechanics whose lives were permanantly ruined. i realize that not everyone that works on the hill is there for the snow loving public, but some are.
This article is not an “attempt” at anything. It’s The Source covering the same theme that other regional media has recently: Noticable changes at Mt Bachelor and what may mean to the skiing and riding public.
Bachelor is not trying overtly to publicize any of this, but it’s natural that when the media comes calling about what this “change” thing means – we simply lay out the three themes we’re focused on: maintenance and operations, restructuring for consistent customer service, and a new mindset on marketing and communications. That’s the focus of the “change”. Love it, hate it, or simply wait and see.
Thanks, I’m happy to say I’m not sweating it or being defensive. I agree with you on that point.
IMHO, handling it = responding in a straightforward and calm manner (and staying on topic). Not handling it = ignoring it or getting sucked into other topics.
Your advice of “Better yet don’t respond”, I have not found to be a viable way of communicating with the public.
I have had success by not running from the internet, but instead being clear about my role, maintaining a cool demeanor, and sticking to facts. I may never win over the 2% of commenters, but I am able to make sense to a vast majority of readers.
I’m sure I’ll see ya round, and feel free to email me at first initial last name at mt bachelor.com. Have a good weekend.
That’s a good attitude. But you didn’t address ANY of my concerns with IMPROVEMENTS on the Mountain.(vs. MAINTENANCE) Taking the high road with comments is always wise, especially when you are getting PAID to take that road. So, what up with IMRPROVEMENTS? What up with hiring professionals for actually RUNNING the mountain parts we SKI/BOARD on (as opposed to customer service roles recently addressed). These are things I am interested in. Just wanting to “keep you on topic”.
a half million dollars in lift repairs? in parts alone? are we supposed to be impressed? does that even come close to how much money Powdr Corp has diverted over the years away from the mountain instead of maintaining the lifts like they should have?
say what? kaufman say they can’t drop prices too low (and now frankie labbe in today’s bulletin says daily prices are actually going up!)to keep the mountain from being too crowded? and keep things manageable in the ticket and lift lines? what kind of corporate double-speak b.s. is that? does safeway raise food prices to keep the lines at the checkout running smoother? so you want to attract customers but you don’t want to attract customers….make up your mind. if the mountain cant’ manage crowds, apparently that’s the fault of customers, not bachelor? oh, and by the way…how many times has the west village lodge been renovated at considerable cost supposedly, and it still looks like a prison, inside and out?
Good thoughts Carl. Prices drop for locals (season passes) and in order to manage customer levels (crowding does matter) day prices go up a touch to manage demand. We want to attract customers at a level that we can ensure a good experience. If we flood the mountain by underpricing, people don’t come back. Every mountain has a max capacity. It’s not the customers fault, it’s our job to not exceed it by pricing appropriately.
It’s not sinister, it’s planning ahead.
Who mentioned sinister. Back playing creative defense I see
my mistake. I guess I while I was being gouged by gas prices this year, I forgot to enjoy the shorter lines and the “experience”. I don’t think anyone ever said we should flood the mountain with bargain prices. Just make it affordable and deliver good service and you will EARN customers instead of taking them for granted. (maybe don’t charge $11 or is it $13? for a cheeseburger.) Oneof my co-workers just mentioned that people like him who can only afford to hit the mountain a few times a year with their family will just have to go to Hoodoo instead.
I think the beginning of the article said it all!
Bitching about Mt. Bachelor is one of Bend's most beloved pastimes. Bendites complain about ticket prices, parking, grooming or staffing issues just like people in larger, more urban cities bitch about the coaching decisions of their local sports teams.
Just look at all these comments already!
You make good points Carl…
We want to make it as affordable as the demand from our primary market (Bend) will allow. The demand from our primary market dictates what we charge on peak days and for passes. The folks who call for even further reduced ticket and season passes are calling for the mtn to be flooded, whether they intend to or not. We’re up 17% on season passes and likely to go higher (if it was 40% up and we also kept Saturday’s low, it would be over max capacity).
Hoodoo is a great option for those who prefer to save some $, don’t mind the drive and are cool with a small mtn experience. The demand for that is less and their costs are lower, thus it is priced lower.
I appreciate the opportunity to elaborate on these topics and of course I know that some will discount them and refute on other tangents. However, I am learning that many are also happy to see them.
Look forward to meeting many of you in person this winter.
As one of the locals I spoke with Dave about a month ago. I called him and told him my impression was they were really turning it around. To defend both Dave Rathbun and Alex, the new marketing manager, it is huge task to regain the trust of the locals and mainly our guests whose dollars we depend on to survive in our small beautiful community. Dave and I spoke about a lot of the issues and if nothing else, he is one of the most straight forward guys who have ever worked at this mountain. He is honest, works hard and has a huge task of re-inventing Mt. Bachelor. I spoke to John Cummings for an hour on the phone as well as Herwig Demshar also and sent Mr. Cummings an eight page letter earlier this year, right after they let the four former managers go for good. Herwig is as die hard of a skier as they come. He is from Austria and has some very hard core European values and is as solld of a man I have ever met. He and I spent almost four hours face to face and although we agreed to a lot of things, we also had some strong disagreements, however we both left the table as gentlemen and with mutual respect.
The letter I wrote to Mr. Cummins , which was shared with Herwig and with Dave Rathbun is a word for word description of what they have done as in regards to having Doppelmayr come and inspect the lifts as to make sure they are safe.
It was brought o my attention that the former managers had a green light a long time ago, but neglected to do their jobs and this is why they are no longer at the mountain. MJ had a direct job description to take care of the items which are this off season being fixed, he failed to do his job as per John and Herwig. No hard feelings, but he failed in doing his job.
So as a local who is very tired of the negative energy at the mountain, who has been a participant of hating on this ski area and its incompetent managers, it is high time we give these folks a chance and support them. The reality is that if they have lied to us, are lying to us now, we will all find out this winter and then they know their battle will magnify into the stratosphere and it may be a decade before they have regained the trust of locals and guests.
Some people complain it is too flat, too slow, not enough lifts open, shitty food, poor base lodge services and no ambiance. But lets instead look at the benefits. Having been a city dweller for may years, where skiing was a minor hollywood production, getting up at 5 am, gassing up the car, driving for 3 hours, skiing for 7 hours and being home at 9 or 10 and dropping half dead, we are fortunate to being able to get up at a little after 8 , being first on the lifts, skiing for 2-3 hours and leaving and being at home for lunch and 9 holes of golf, or having the ability to drive to the mountain and if not perfect come home and watch football in less than an hour.
Finally the mountain is a BUSINESS and it has to make money. Why should Cummins run a ski area for free? It is a legitimate question. Would any of the whiners on here work for free to please the others cause they were locals? No way in hell.
it seems that all i here is screw the locals cause it will flood the mountain. how many people in des chutes county do you think play in the snow. how many actually aren’t gapers. it sounds like the snow sports arena is reverting back to an exclusively elitist pasttime. i guess if you want, or need, some turns (and don’t have a trust fund) they will have to be earned. touring or shoeing. the true lovers of the snow are not the ones who complain about the conditions and whine about anything they can think of. when was the last time a season pass holder hiked? i guess if a person doesn’t make $80,000 a year they are not wanted on the mountain. what’s wrong with making it more affordable for the few who live here year round? some of the snow loving locals actually work for a living. and then there are the students. do we not new generations of skiers and riders? maybe a great price for tuesdays and wednesdays? or is it that the more it costs, the more room for me me me me me me me me? come on folks, don’t create reasons for people to be at odds with one another. what happened to community? and no, i am not a touchy feely type. i hate everyone, except my kids.
and as a response to ski bum…are you kidding me? how much do you think lift operators make? do you think they up there for the health plan? does your favorite word start with an “M” and end with an “E”?
To Ski Bum – of course they are a benefit to be so close. That is great and really a no brainer. And it will be interesting to see how things pan out this winter up there after they have partially completed MAINTENANCE (versus improvements) Time will tell for sure. But the big question all around for everyone to always look towards is….. are they safe? Do they employ people with the right skills, competence and certification (or professional education DIRECTLY linked to their job) What happnes when Doplemayer goes home? Who has the NEEDED skills to continue the maintenance or do we just ask the Europeans to return time and time again. You can’t solve rim ice all you can od is manage it in the safest manner possible. Do we just give stoners cats and ask them to do what they “think” is right? These are the questions I would like to see addressed. Forget the new paint color for the lodge or the heated sidewalks. Those are maintenance issues, yawn yawn and boring
The drop in pass prices was a nice jester. But will the lifts run regularly this season? Will the Mt stay open past May if the Snowpack is there? These are questions that need to answered Mt.B management. How about it AK.
Right, The mountain is there to make money. Period. However we made money in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80s, and early 90’s. We must have been doing something right. The public was happy, employees we treated correctly, management and the town got along. AK do a little reseach into the past to get a grip on all the problems you maybe looking at in the near future.
In the ski year of 1975-76 we didn’t open until Jan. 1, 1976. Empoyees worked their butts off bring snow from Dutchmans Flats to keep the lifts running. Those who had purchased season passes for the most part did not ask for their money back. Could that be said about todays customers or employees.
So AK if you could just figure out how that was done you might be able to fix the unfixable.
Man, you nailed it.
AK, you donรข โขt matter since pwder will AX you soon. John needs to get someone in who will look at the past for the answer like the previous gentlemanรข โขs comment states.
The lifts used to run well and I had something to do with that. I just get ill watching the news to hear another massive public disappointment has occurred รข lift related again.รข ย The web comments are truly amazing. What ever happened to snowmobile transport from NW or outback? I have towed groups of skies from outback to red lift in the rare occurrence of a breakdown at outback. The guests were very happy even though they had to be towed with the kids and all, the only thing they would say is thanks and when can you open the lift for the great powder. They always seemed happy with the answer รข as soon as humanly possibleรข ย not that it happened very often, one or two times a year and not always maintenance related.
WALKING FROM NW TO OB OR OB TO WV WASNรข โขT AN OPTION!
They just donรข โขt care about the guests anymore and the lifts are not being maintained as well as before.
I havenรข โขt seen anything they have done to solve the lift problems. They fired four top level people but except for Mattรข โขs involvement with lift parts purchasing and lift operating รข not maintenanceรข ย the problem isnรข โขt going to be fixed. I see it as if the lifts run good the guests will be happy. Yes, if guests are insulted and made to wait for a long time just to get tickets and rentals, nothing they do will take the sour taste out of their mouths except for short lift lines and deep powder. If all three or four bad experiences happen, that guest will never come back and thatรข โขs the course the mountain is heading on.
I donรข โขt have an advanced education, but I think I could do a better job than the current person in charge รข Daveรข ย only because I have seen the past and know what works and what doesnรข โขt. Yes, the guests today expect more for their ticket than in the past but waiting to spend your money in two to three lines getting insulted by rude, underpaid employees at every step of the way from the parking lot to the seat on the new questionable Pine Martin รข maintenanceรข ย isnรข โขt going to work.
I am not going to elaborate on this due to the fact I am not going to help them anymore than I have without some sort of compensation since they have wasted so much of your ticket money on huge bonuses for the incompetent staff they have hired and some of the older รข quiet- yes menรข ย staff they have held on to who have failed to keep everything running as it should รข burgers to bullwheels.รข ย
They used to pay dividends to the ten or so board members/share holders and the rest went back into the mountain 5mil a year for capital projects was normal. Now it seems they keep all the profit and repair what is absolutely necessary. At one point I thought powdr was going to liquidate the whole mountain after taking over and liquidating equipment/ real-estate and other company owned assets. It seems Powdr is going to run it into the ground but with John and his wives lust for skiing, I find it hard to believe he would do that but itรข โขs hard to believe he would let it run into the ground as it has been for many years. John may have a degree in business but if thatรข โขs what they teach in the Ivey leagues, I wouldnรข โขt seek out a further education these days. Seems common sense works better. They fired everyone who had knowledge of the working infrastructure previous to the four highly paid executive staff members who didnรข โขt contribute to the mountains wellbeing without a huge bonus and firing any threatening people to said bonuses.
Tell me who can find a bad underground power line now. Midstate? Not!
Donรข โขt get me wrong, Matt and the other three couldnรข โขt find their own xxx without a flashlight and some help.
Ski Bum, I guess I am guilty of not seeking out the new crew or John himself. I just figured they could do it without any input. I have recently sought out Dave and will wait and see if he returns my call. I have the feeling he wonรข โขt as management didnรข โขt want any suggestions in the past and I just donรข โขt see them accepting it now. Do you remember Dave Marsh? Dave wouldnรข โขt even look at you if you were not a manager but that was Dave. I have some respect for Dave as he wouldnรข โขt allow you to call him Mr. Marsh if you were in a conversation. Dave ended his career in a very hard way as the rumor says he started it in a hard way.
Anyway, the place ran a lot better than now so I give Dave Marsh credit for that and would have thought John would at least do as well. I havenรข โขt reached out to John since I met him many years ago so he has no way of knowing what I have to say but Dave has the opportunity to contact me. I can only give them suggestions and things I know to work in the infrastructure and lift related fields but the obvious stuff related to guest service, food service, rentals, ticketing, parking, snow removal, daycare, ski shop, Nordic and all the other deptรข โขs are up to them.
I find it hard to believe John hasnรข โขt realized the lifts were the key complaint and fired a bunch of useless people who needed to go but didnรข โขt address the lifts specifically except for having doppelmayr out to inspect the work being done. Doppelmey has never had to come out except for when a lift is installed. What does that tell you? John should have addressed the lift issue from the start of the decline. How were the lifts aloud to fall from #1 in ski area magazine a couple times in the mid 90รข โขs to the reputation they have now? The mountain wasnรข โขt in the news all the time before Powdr bought the place.
I think MJ had a lot to due with it since he seemed to pinch pennies so much that the maintenance crew let things go. If MJ didnรข โขt have the stuff to stand up to John and passed that weakness on to the maintenance of the lifts we would see what we all saw. I think MJ was the key failure in the old practice of making the lifts run well and safe although he was mister safety when it came to his reputation and job standing. People in ski patrol have no business dealing with lift maintenance as proven.
I wish I didnรข โขt see the mountain in the news all the time and will do whatever I can as a voice in the community with a little experience.
I really hope a catastrophic accident doesnรข โขt happen but have a bad feeling it will.
Hey there shakey, go back to your beer and pills and let the men have a discussion.
Go back to your beer and pills shakey, the adults are trying to have a conversation. Wouldn’t your time be better spent replanting some trees?
Well, I have you narrowed down to about ten people so why donรข โขt you revile your identity? If you have better ideas on the mountain and spent less time trying to criticize me, maybe something positive will come out of this local effort to resolve the problems at the mountain. At least I care about the place and have some positive ideas. You may know who I am, but obviously you donรข โขt know anything about me. If you do know me well, I am surprised you would make comments such as you did. Maybe you are a little jealous of my working knowledge of the mountain and how well the lifts ran when I had control.
Crawl back in your hole or come see me in person.
Well, I have you narrowed down to about ten people so why donรข โขt you revile your identity? If you had better ideas on the mountain and spent less time trying to criticize me, maybe something positive will come out of this local effort to resolve the problems at the mountain. At least I care about the place and have some positive ideas. You may know who I am, but obviously you donรข โขt know anything about me. If you do know me well, I am surprised you would make comments such as you did. Maybe you are a little jealous of my working knowledge of the mountain and how well the lifts ran when I had control.
Crawl back in your hole or come see me in person.
If you are the Bum, yes you are. You should be proud. I never wanted to be a bum when I was a kid “my parents tought me better” and still donรข โขt want to be like you. Being a lift op at bachelor doesnรข โขt give you any sort of standing on the issue since your impression seems to be ski for free and donรข โขt ever to use your head. The mountain requires รข you to use your headรข ย and many experienced, top level people to allow you to ski for free and be a bum.
A ski bum is a good way of life if the earned bank account or trust fund allows such. I personally donรข โขt have a trust fund. I have earned every dollar and feel responsible for helping with improvement if I can.
Bachelor needs major improvement and I have specific infrastructure improvement methods and ideas. If you can contribute to something other than tickets and food, spell it out. It has been proven, when people put their heads together, things happen. MJ trying to make all the decisions resulted in a mass mess. The results of that may end up with a mass casualty incident so donรข โขt be trying to put me down being one of the more experienced people making comments in the media with hopes of Bachelor people addressing these issues.
Lower ticket prices and better food are not going to get you up the hill any faster or safer.
See ya XX or whoever you are.
P.S.
Poking at me personally may be a way for you to confirm who I am or just get your rocks off, so I will agree you are right, people used to call me shaky jake.
Whatรข โขs your name and if you live on my street, come on over.
PSS: I GOT ONE, Did you?
Men & Adults. Are you saying I am neither?
Have I seen you risking your life get the Summit open?
Why donรข โขt you leave the conversation to people who know what they are talking about.
Your comments are just a childish attempt to shut me up. Maybe you donรข โขt want the truth about current the mountains operations to come out?
GOTTA GO, TIME FOR MY PILLS.
I guess I am paying the consequences for speaking the truth known to me.
I didnรข โขt agree with the false weather reports in the past but that didnรข โขt hurt anyone as far as I know.
The truth known to me about the lifts and safety is something I cannot ignore so if you are trying to shut me up, it aint workin.
I keep hearing that “maybe” there might be major catastrophecies up there. There ahve been plenty, you just NEVER hear about them. Very serious accidents ALL the time, you just never hear about them. People who have experience and make valuable suggestions should never be put down. It is those who take unfounded pot shots (other than extremely poor customer service) that should re edxamine why they are even contributing to a blog. Not only do they need to address lift issues they are UNSAFE in many many other ways. Gone are the days of stoners pushing cats to either groom or make jumps. They need professionals doing ANYTHING that could risk injury or even death. Have they let you know how many deaths up there? Never……
A mechanical “glitch” stopped the Northwest Express chairlift at Mt. Bachelor for about 15 minutes Sunday morning, and while the problem was quickly found, the lift was shut for the rest of the day for repairs and inspections, resort officials said.
The chairlift stopped at 11:18 a.m. when a piece of rubber from a piece of gear called a “bull wheel liner” separated, the resort said in a news release.
“The bluebird (sky) and low-wind day was welcoming weather for guests waiting approximately 12 to 13 minutes,” said the statement from resort spokeswoman Frankie Labbe.
After Mt. Bachelor’s lift maintenance crews inspected the equipment, “the chair ran at low speed to unload guests,” Labbe said.
Skiers and riders waiting to take the lift were asked to walk to the neighboring Outback Express lift, she said.
Another liner was in the resort’s inventory, but “management decided to close the chair for the remainder of the day in order to allow time to fix the snag and run safety and diagnostic procedures for tomorrow’s operations,” the resort’s news release added.
“Any guest who was inconvenienced by the stoppage was compensated with a free ticket or lunch,” the statement concluded.
Labbe explained the bull wheel “is the large wheel in the lift terminal that actually turns the wire cable which the chairs suspend from.”
“That cable rests against a rubber liner, so the metal wheel and metal cable (do) not rub,” she said. “A piece of the liner separated, resulting in a less than idea cable-wheel relationship for carrying guests.”
All other lifts remained open, and Northwest was scheduled to reopen on time Monday at 9 a.m., Labbe said.