Despite economy, people still skiing

By Kevin Stump
“Gore is on a tremendous growth curve and has been undergoing significant changes over the last several season,” said Emily Stanton, marketing director at Gore Mountain Resort. Both Gore Mountain and Whiteface Ski Resort are state operated said Stanton.
“I feel people are getting a better deal than last year because of how much the mountain has improved,” said Stanton.
“Even though the economy is not ideal, I am still going to go [skiing], the gas card is just a plus,” said Kerry Mowbray, SUNY Plattsburgh student. For Whiteface and Gore Mountain, students pay the same $ 260 as last year but the first 100 to sign up get a $ 25 gas card.
“Myself and three of my friends all signed up early to get the $ 25 gas card, so we have $ 100 dollars in gas collectively to go skiing,” said Tyler Havercamp, SUNY Plattsburgh student.
Gore Mountain has held the majority of their prices, even though they have expanded their services from last year.
Gore season passes for an adult are $ 799 thru November 13th and $ 959 November 14th and on. For one full weekday of skiing, it costs $ 64 for an adult and for a weekend day it costs $ 71 for an adult. To rent skies for one day costs $ 40 for an adult.
For a couple to ski, with rentals, at Gore Mountain Resort for a weekend before considering the cost of two nights at a hotel with food and other expenses costs $ 222.
“Adult, senior and student prices have gone up,” said Christian Deladruere, Jay Peak sales representative.
“We are offering the same promotions as last year and our season pass sales have actually gone up since last year,” said Deladruere.
Jay Peak season passes are $ 599 for an adult until October 19th and are $699 after. For one full day of skiing, it costs $ 67 and for a half it costs $ 49.
For a couple to ski, with rentals, at Jay Peak for a weekend before considering the cost of two nights at a hotel with food and other expenses costs $ 214.
For both Gore, Whiteface, and Jay Peak someone with a season pass must go skiing at least 10 times a season.
“We do four day trips and one weekend trips through the Student Association Activities Coordination Board (ACB) Trips committee,” said Melanie Wyand, Student Association secretary. The day trips are $ 25-30 round trip including transportation and lift ticket.
“Luckily our budget [for the Student Association] is totally separate from the colleges, so we can still put these trips together,” said Wyand.
“If we had to pay the full season pass prices we would not have been able to afford it. Thankfully, Gore and Whiteface appreciate how broke students are,” said Mowbray.