*UPDATE* =
Stevens Pass has just written to Unofficial and they’d like to publish this response to our article:
“We would like to take the opportunity to clarify, from our perspective, events over the 2011-12 season passes. Our schedule for the 2011-12 season was set and published in June of 2011 so that pass holders would be aware of the season they were purchasing for which clearly ended on April 15th. The decision to continue further into the spring could not be made until we knew if snow pack and conditions looked favorable. We contacted our pass holders prior to the end of the season, informing them that we would extend past April 15th. Though most areas have a similar pass sale structure for continued spring skiing and riding, it came as a surprise and shock to our pass holders. After listening to many of our loyal guests, it was apparent that this was a potential deal breaker and we immediately changed our decision. To rectify help the situation we offered those who purchased a $39 daily ticket or a $99 spring pass, to apply that towards a 2012-’13 season pass. Also all 2011-12 season passes will be valid this weekend, May 4th-6th.
We will be publishing a season schedule for the 12-13 season that clearly shows our intention to offer our pass holders the season in its entirety whatever that may turn out to be. The large majority of our pass holders have reacted to this change and apology with a very positive outlook and feel encouraged to know that we do and will in the future listen to our valued and loyal guests. “
-Stevens Pass
Does This Response Make You Feel Any Better?
ORIGINAL ARTICLE BELOW:
The only proper reaction to this is:
“WTF were they thinking!?!?!?”
Season pass holders were slyly screwed out of two weeks of skiing…
Stevens Pass ski resort in Washington decided that it would be an intelligent idea to deactivate season passes on April 15th this year, despite the fact that they were still operating until May 6th.
Needless to say, this thoroughly pissed off pass holders and sent them on a mission of retribution via phone calls, social media, and good old fashioned walking right into the office and giving them a piece of your mind.
REACTIONS TO THE DEACTIVATION OF PASSES:
“Canceling our Seasons Pass for the end of the year is pretty low.”
“BOOOO BOOO BOOOO!!!! BOOO YOU!!!! I’ve have always wished to see you stay open longer in the season, but to charge people extra? Extra seasons pass? WHAT THE WTF?!?! What about 4 years ago when you closed down for a month+??? You NEVER gave a refund for that!!! QUIT BEING GREEDY. You used to be open until the 20th every year ( or the weekend of) and now you are “closing” early to make more money? I hate to say it, but you lose some love.”
“Dear Stevens, I am pretty bummed that my 11/12 season pass was not good for the whole season. And I know I am not the only one. I mean it is still spring of the 11/12 season right?”
“you’d think a season pass would cover the whole season. especially when you’ve held a pass in the past and didn’t get a whole season! way to be faithful to those faithful to you.”
STEVENS PASS FORMAL APOLOGY:
Dear Loyal Pass Holders,
It has become evident that the decision for the 11-12 season passes to expire as of April 15th was a poor one. We want to apologize for the oversight and want you to know that we heard and value your concerns and feedback.
We are reversing this decision and your ’11-’12 season pass will be valid for the remainder of our operations which will be ending after Sunday, May 6th, so we invite you to join us for a final weekend on the slopes. As pass holders, if you have purchased a $39 daily ticket or a $99 spring pass, you can use that to apply towards a ’12-’13 season pass. For the ’12-’13 season, all ’12-’13 passes will be valid for our ENTIRE operating season.
We realize that some of you were surprised by the return to a spring pass sale. This was Stevens’ model for many years in the past and is a sale structure we plan to continue. To give you more time to budget and plan we are extending the pass sale through June 30, 2012. You will have until then to purchase your 12-13 passes at the lowest rates available. In the future we will launch this sale in mid March and run through mid May.
Again, we apologize for the error in judgment and hope that you will allow us the opportunity to do better. Our goal is to build a stronger and better partnership with our loyal guests. We have many plans for the future growth of Stevens Pass and hope that you will be a part of that growth and help us to build our Stevens community.
So tell your friends, spread the love, and we’ll see you this Cinco de Mayo weekend for one last hurrah!
REACTION TO APOLOGY:
“So….now my 11-12 season pass covers me until May 6th, but who is going to reimburse me for the $ 40 I paid to ride last weekend? Ridiculous. My wallet is not a yo-yo.”