Saturday, July 2, 2011

Is Jay Peak becoming McSkiing?

Got your attention, didn't I?

So, what is the answer? Personally, I don't think so, although I'm sure some Jay Peak regulars will disagree. I'm not sure who coined the term "McSkiing" but it is well described in The Death of McSkiing, by former Powder magazine editor Matt Hansen. In short, McSkiing is the situation a resort finds itself in when real estate, amenities, fashion and money take centre stage, and the skiing experience slides into the background.

What is going on at Jay Peak is small change compared to the developments Hansen describes at mega-resorts like Vail, Steamboat and Vermont's own Stowe. These struggling developments, and rescued projects like the Yellowstone Club, only serve to underline the one thing Jay Peak is still keeping at the top of the agenda: the skier.

Editor's note: I wrote this a while ago, just found it again. I'm not sure why I didn't post it earlier but now seems like a good time.

3 comments:

  1. This excellent comment came in via the bush telegraph, a prefered communication channel for some of us:

    Despite the inevitable "progress" (progress, according to a Jehova man I met recently, is a crab walking sideways) the mountain will always carry its magic and mystique for those of us who dare to soar with the eagles.

    Jonny Jay and Devon Cusser

    ReplyDelete
  2. unfortunately, I think it kind of is, at least that is what they are hoping for. Of all the skiers I know that go there, I haven't found one that said he was excited for a water park, or a conference center or luxury hotel. Most of the people that bothered to drive up there, past dozens of other places, used to go for the snow and terrain. THose things will be overshadowed by the amenities soon enough I bet. Everything that was added was not to keep the regulars coming back, it was to attract people who want a resort vacation that may include some skiing. The rest of us will be pushed to side more and more as the years go by, Steve Wright has even said so much. Several times in talking to him via email and such, he has basically said, if you old regulars don't like, go find somewhere else to ski. I guess thats the thanks we get for supporting the place over the last decade.

    ReplyDelete
  3. unfortunately, I think it kind of is, at least that is what they are hoping for. Of all the skiers I know that go there, I haven't found one that said he was excited for a water park, or a conference center or luxury hotel. Most of the people that bothered to drive up there, past dozens of other places, used to go for the snow and terrain. THose things will be overshadowed by the amenities soon enough I bet. Everything that was added was not to keep the regulars coming back, it was to attract people who want a resort vacation that may include some skiing. The rest of us will be pushed to side more and more as the years go by, Steve Wright has even said so much. Several times in talking to him via email and such, he has basically said, if you old regulars don't like, go find somewhere else to ski. I guess thats the thanks we get for supporting the place over the last decade.

    ReplyDelete