RCR Pass Prices

What I don't understand is that they are charging full rate just now with only 20 runs - less than 20% of the total runs, and 5 lifts, half the total lifts, open. It was only 15 runs two days ago.

Of course I get that they can charge whatever they want, but why are people paying those prices? If you've got a season pass then fine, makes no difference, but a single day pass at $72 for 15 runs? Really? Who would pay that?

I guess the people who bought their flights and booked their time off months ago and have no choice. But why would any company want their customers to go away so unbelievably annoyed at the overpriced lack of facilities as current visitors must be doing? Why would you do that to your client base? Are there just an infinate number of skiers and boarders out there that RCR no longer needs to attempt to keep their guests happy?

Does anyone know of any other company that gets away with offering 20% of their normal facilities or service at their full usual rate and manages to stay in business? Is this the beginning of the end?

I really hate to defend RCR's early season pricing, but if you buy the argument about prices vs % of open runs, then wouldn't it also make sense to vary day pass rates based on snow conditions? I mean there are awesome powder days when I'd gladly pay $100 for a day pass, and there are shitty days with icy conditions, extreme cold or pouring rain that aren't worth $20. But RCR charges a flat rate regardless of the weather or snow conditions. It's up to the consumer to determine if the price of a lift ticket is worth it on any given day.

You can't sell the weather because you can't control the weather - most companies that rely on weather to be able to provide their services have a disclaimer that they are not responsible for inclement weather and charges will apply nomatter what the conditions (although most don't charge if they are unable to provide any kind of service at all).

What I'm talking about is what is physically advertised at the resort - if you look at the ski map there are 111 runs advertised, along with various other facilites. I don't think there is any other company out there that can get away with advertising their facilities to such a huge degree, and still charge full price when they are only offering a very small percentage of those facilities. Of course it's obvious quality of terrain is going to vary - but they don't advertise based on that. They advertise physical number of runs, lifts, acres and vertical.

For example, if an amusement park closes half of it's rides in the slow season, they reduce the gate rate accordingly. You might get rained on, you might get sunshine, but the gate applies to the facilities that are open.

What's the difference if a run or lift is closed due to lack of snow vs too much snow? There are plenty of times when large portions of the hill are off limits because of too much snow and avalanche control. Granted that it's unlikely more than 50% of the runs would be closed due to avalanche danger. But the lack of snow is still a weather related problem. Now if lifts are shut down due to mechanical failure or lack of staff to operate them then it would probably be appropriate to discount ticket prices. But as you say, you can't control the weather.

"On average 29 feet of snow falls in Fernie each year. That is enough snow to cover a three-storey building." claims the RCR website. Should they charge less when snowfall is below average?

While we're on the topic of lift ticket pricing, I've always wondered why most (all?) ski areas charge a flat rate no matter how much you ski. Wouldn't it make more sense to charge per hour or per lift ride, up to the daily maximum? Say $10 per half hour, up to a daily maximum of $80? Or $10 per lift ride to a max of $80/day? It seems to me that this would encourage a lot more people to come check out the conditions with little risk, and most people would end up paying the daily maximum after just a few hours anyhow. A win-win for everyone.

wow, this thread applies to so many aspects of my skiing experience that I feel obliged to reply... First, I'm a student (=poor) and the lack of any form of student discount is ridiculous. (Whistler offers full seasons passes for BC/Washington University students for <$400) Also, the idea of paying by usage is fantastic, as I typically use the lifts for "slackcountry" access and my folks will usually only head out for one or two runs a day. Both of these scenarios are not particularly feasible in they're charging upwards of $70-80 for a day pass (or $63 for a half-day).

All that said, I'm still going to try and get up to the hill occasionally when I'm in town this winter, but I'm going to grunting up with my touring gear as much as possible.

Thanks RCR, for encouraging me to get off my lazy ass and shred some backcountry.

Trailhead - I do think it would be appropriate to reduce rates if over 50% of the mountain is closed, for whatever reason, including avalanche danger - but that doesn't happen does it? I'd say the most that gets shut for avalanche risk would be well below 50%. But we're not talking about 50% here, we're talking way over that - the mountain has been running on less than 20% open since opening day. Runs are either open or shut. They have the capacity to make snow, so if they can't make enough to compensate for lack of natural snowfall, then doesn't that come down to mechanical failure also? Once they are open, the quality of the terrain is up to you to decide whether it's worth it, but if it's closed, then how is it okay to charge for it?

I absolutely agree that charging by the hour or the lift ride would be a great idea. I've pretty much given up downhill skiing and moved on to cross country, because I live in town and rarely have the opportunity to spend an entire day on the mountain and can't justify $80 for a couple of hours. I'd spend a lot more time and money up there though if I could just pay for a couple of of lift rides or a couple of hours at a time. As it's possible to purchase an afternoon ticket, then it must also be possible to set the system to allow for this type of purchase (additional ticket checkers would be required however, particularly on the upper mountain lifts). I don't expect to see it happen though, as it would be a customer satisfaction venture, and we all know RCR are not really in the customer satisfaction business.

I understand people being upset that the skiing is not what they want. However I was amazed at how well the groomers had done at opening up what they have. Everyone should go and give Blair a case of beer for the job they have done 7 days before opening I really didn't think they would be able to do it. As far as snow making goes this is Fernie making snow is almost a sin. Take out the rock skis and enjoy it. The snow will come. At least I hope so. If it doesn't come then people can start on the discount fight but right now it is a late pre season. Just imagine the great touring that will be out there in April. Have Faith in the Griz. If you want snow it is really nice North of Elkford.

I agree, its early days yet, one dump can change the mountain and then we'll all be cheering. RCR can't be held responsible for that, surely.
Although the 29feet fact i feel is a myth from yesteryear. I travel to Fernie each year and i love the place but you take a real gamble on the conditions. But when conditions are good they are really unbelievable.
I know Fernie is getting more expensive, but is'nt everywhere? You should try skiing in France, Italy or Swizerland, you could pay $20 for a coffee there and its not even served with a Fernie smile, and you have to lock up your equipment everytime you leave it for even a second. The snow will come on the 22nd Dec in a big 1 meter dump, then $80 will seem cheap.

Why would you think that lift prices would stay the same or go down....The price of Gasoline...Electricity...Wages...Copper...and every other thing I buy have gone up in the last year, and there never going back down... Why would you think it would be different for lift ticket prices...The cost to operate goes up every year and who do you think is going to cover the increase...RCR? And if you remeber when we got all the new lifts and RCR upgrades...the owner Charlie Locke.. went bankrupt after 3 years and lost the ski hills.