I have no affiliation with Loon or WV, I;ve skied at each only once, and have heard comments going in either direction from kick ass to lame, what i want to say, and this goes for every area...
please dont down talk entry fees for events, dont down talk ticket prices
allow me to explain.
First, the entry fees. Events are expensive as hell to set up. Oraganizing, marketing, running, insurance, snow making, saftey, ski patrol... the list goes on. THe costs are astronomical if you break them down. 10 bucks to ski in a closed course with the prospect of a prize, and to gain the experience of doing the event is a good deal. I dont know if you meant what i thought you did when you said 'but it costs 10 bucks' but i gotta tell you, it kinda irks me. There is NO money to be had in this industry. I promise you, no one, from stratton, killington and okemo, down to the little guys like wa wa and sundown is making any real money. Not a single person after ownership. We're all just tryin to make things happen cause we like this stuff. Ticket prices have gone up in the last 10 years quite a bit. and before i got the job i have, i used to complain and boycott certain places because of them. revenue is only available 3-5 months a year, Then i learned that insurance costs take up 60% of ticket prices snow making at least 25%. Leaving 15% to cover pay roll, maintence, capitol improvements and marketing. Only after all of that, can there be room for left overs.
this rant has gone on long enough. Im sorry you read all this. I guess im just frustrated from the need to get a 3rd job.