THE QUESTION: “We want to come ski for Thanksgiving. If conditions aren’t good, is there anything else to do?” Early season demand is real. Once the weather starts cooling down, people want to visit the mountains, even if the skiing isn’t great—or available at all. And a lot of folks enjoy traveling for the holidays, Thanksgiving included. Ski area personnel often wonder why this is. “Just wait a few weeks,” they think. “It’s still stick season.” But guests are ready to travel and need stuff to do, so ski areas should be ready come Thanksgiving, especially those with lodging. Granted, this Spy mission includes a small sample size, but there really wasn’t any mention of Turkey Day events or other offerings that make a holiday at a ski area special. Perhaps there are some fun things on the docket and these staffers didn’t know about them?
Hopefully, other ski areas and their staff are better prepared to handle the calls from anxious guests who just want to get to the mountains—and perhaps have some fun—than most of these were.
Has a guest asked you an interesting question lately? Send it to jordyn@saminfo.com for the Spy to pose to other mountains! We won’t tell anyone the question came from you. Plus, if we use it, your resort will be immune for that issue.
MOUNTAIN 1, PA
ers accessible at that time. And there is not a lot of terrain accessible for upper-level skiers. So, you know, typically its conditions permitting, but if we are open Thanksgiving, typically it’s kind of blue-run skiers. A lot of times there is not a lot of off-trail skiing at that point. SAM: OK, that makes sense. Staff: And if the conditions are poor, there is nothing to do here. [Dif- ferent resort] may have some more options or down in the valley you might be able to do stuff. But I have seen a lot of Thanksgiving ski
First Contact: Male. SAM: Stated question. Staff: We won’t open until mid- to end-December (snarky) .
SAM: OK. Is there anything to do if we decide to come for Thanksgiving? Staff: The resort closes down in November and will reopen in Decem- ber (rude) . SAM: So, there is nothing to do? Staff: No, not really. SAM: Is there anything to do in the area? Staff: Yeah, I guess… Um, there are [lists a few activities]. SAM: OK, thanks. Staff: Yep, is that all? SAM: Yes, goodbye. Score: 2 Comment: Understandably, resorts don’t have activities during their off season, but if the region has a lot to do and a guest wants to stay at your resort, why discourage them?
vacations kind of be pushed based on the conditions. SAM: Yeah, I get that. Well, thank you for your help. Staff: No problem. Goodbye.
Score: 6 Comment: The call started a bit rough, but he eventually lightened up. And his honesty about the conditions was appreciated.
MOUNTAIN 3, MT
First Contact: Female. SAM: Stated question.
Staff: It really just depends on what you guys like to do, (mono-toned) but there are other third-party activities that we offer on the mountain and away from the mountain. There is things like horseback riding, I think they do tours through [specific place], and then a couple other things. SAM: Oh, great. That would be fun. And do you think you will be open in time for Thanksgiving? Of course, weather permitting. Staff: This year our opening date is scheduled for November 27th. SAM: Oh, OK, great! Staff: Yep, is there anything else?
MOUNTAIN 2, UT
First Contact: Male. SAM: Stated question. Staff: Nope (stern) . SAM: OK.
Staff: Not here at [resort]. Thanksgiving skiing is variable. There have been some years where it was pretty good (starting to lighten up) . There is typically not a lot of low-level terrain, good for low-level ski-
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