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

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 December (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? 

 

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 skiers 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. [Different 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 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?

SAM: Nope, that is all. Thank you.

Staff: No problem, goodbye. 

Score: 5

Comment: Her attitude was fairly unremarkable. The information on activities was helpful, but limited, especially given the amount of stuff there is to do in the area. As a potential customer, I would have liked to hear a bit more—and with a bit more enthusiasm.

  

MOUNTAIN 4, CO

First Contact: Male.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: OK. (a bit short) Have you been on our website?

SAM: Yes, I have looked at the various activities, but I wasn’t sure what would be open around that time.

Staff: It’s hard to say just because everything is kind of weather depedent. Typically, all the activities are open once the mountain and season does begin. 

SAM: OK, that makes sense. 

Staff: Unfortunately, it is too early for us to know anything definite (sincere). 

SAM: Oh, I definitely understand. 

Staff: I always suggest you keep checking back on the website because the website is always going to have the most up-to-date information when it comes to that. 

SAM: Sounds good, I will do that. Do you have an opening day in mind? 

Staff: We don’t have a set date, but it will likely be early November. 

SAM: Great, thank you. 

Staff: Yep, is there anything else I can help you with? 

SAM: No, that’s all. Thank you.

Score: 6

Comment: He recovered after a snippy start. Still, the basic gist of this call was “go to the website” when I would have much rather talked to the human on the phone about all the great activities on offer. 

  

MOUNTAIN 5, VT

First Contact: Male.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: Keep in mind that if you want to ski that weekend, we only have expert and intermediate terrain available (irritated).

SAM: OK, that would be fine. 

Staff: We do have [event] that weekend, but outside of that there is not much else going on at that time (rude). 

SAM: OK, but nothing for families to do if riding isn’t great?

Staff: No, not in this area...

SAM: OK, well, thank you. 

Staff: Yep, goodbye. 

Score: 2

Comment: That was a missed opportunity. Setting aside his bad attitude, this guy completely undersold what appears to be a cool event with plenty to offer for families even if the sliding is lackluster. 

 

MOUNTAIN 6, WI 

First Contact: Male.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: Well, we don’t even know if we will be open then (annoyed).

SAM: OK, no worries. If you happen to be open, is there anything that we could do other than skiing?

Staff: Not exactly.

SAM: OK…

Staff: Yeah…

SAM: Is there anything in nearby towns?

Staff: Yeah, I guess.

SAM: OK… I assume you don’t know of anything, though?

Staff: Well, we’re close to [bigger town], and they should have a lot to do.

SAM: Alright, well, thanks.

Staff: Yep, goodbye.

 Score: 1

Comment: Well… maybe he’s not exactly the best person to be answering the phone. I guess we’ll take our holiday fun (and holiday open wallets) elsewhere. 

 

MOUNTAIN 7, ME

First Contact: Female.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: At that time, we would just be open for (connection breaks up).

SAM: Sorry, just open for skiing?

Staff: Yes (connection garbles again).

SAM: OK. There wouldn’t be anything else to do?

Staff: Well, (chipper) if you are staying at the hotel, the pool and hot tub will be open.

SAM: Oh, great, that would be nice.

Staff: Yes (excited).

SAM: Is there anything else to do in town?

Staff: Um, there is a bowling alley in [town] that has a restaurant, bags, cornhole, and darts (still excited).

SAM: Oh, cool. Sounds like fun. 

Staff: Is there anything else I could help you with?

SAM: No, that was all. Thank you.

Score: 8

Comment: She must be excited for ski season! Her attitude was great, but I wish I didn’t have to ask so many questions to get the information I needed.

Identity Revealed: Sunday River