by lesvierra » Mon Sep 11, 2006 3:28 pm
I like it Auggie. Here are my comments inserted into your list.
SNOWKITING AT POWDER MOUNTAIN
>>Augie-Id break this into some sections
>>1. What is snowkiting?
• What is snowkiting? Only 7-8 years old and growing fast
>> how it has grown, everywhere, eastcoast, Midwest, and how utah >>could be the most desirable place to kite because of the famous snow >>and high elevation wind exposure. Did you decide on a video or not. >>I like the 3 minute ozone video for ’06. impressive. You can tell them >>about it, but until you see a pro do this, you wont believe it. You could >>play on their tv, or my laptop.
>>2. SAFETY. I would address safety because this is one of their concerns. I think this would be a good place to do this. Ie. Using your kite for the demo. There is a possibility for people to get hurt snowkiting, but like climbing or kayaking, there are ways to minimize the risk. Maybe explain how wind speed affects size of kite used for given conditions.
>>3. Benefits to Powder Mountain. Remember, we can tell them why we >>think they should allow snowkiting and how we think they can benefit >>from snowkiting until we are blue in the face, but if we are not >>addressing their questions, concerns, needs, it will go in one ear and >>out the other. During or after the presentation, lets make sure we or >>you know what the OWNERS/Managers have in mind for the future and >>see if we can fit this in to their framework for their benefit. I have >>stated this before, improvements at Powder Mountain shown in Jack >>Johnsons master plan (this includes new lifts, condo’s, and individual >>residential units) have been preliminarily approved by Cache County. >>Weber County has yet to approve the plans in their county. Powder >>Mountain is working on Webers approval. This may be Powder >>Mountain’s focus going into the future. Snowkiting could easily fit into >>a marketing plan. However, when compared to real estate, which >>Powder Mountain has lots of and they plan to take advantage of, >>snowkiting lessons and kite sales revenues may not turn a head. >>However, one more reason to come to Powder Mountain will.
• Benefits to Powder Mountain-Ways to Produce Capital
• More skier visits-family, friends accompanying kiters are intangible but realistic. If the wind dies, kiters can go skiing
• Attracts non-kiters -as many as 25 people watching at times
• Free publicity-photo shoots, videos, internet, magazine articles
• Unique opportunity-most ski areas don’t have the terrain/ most kite areas don’t have lodge facilities. Also, fairly windy at Hidden Lake.
• Kite festivals-Skyline Drive in Fairview Utah had 150 kiters last year plus spectators. Event televised on all 4 local TV stations plus newspapers. Professional riders from around the world attended
• Kite lessons-expensive- $150-$200 for 3-4 hours. Turn key operation possible.
• Kite sales-new kites cost $700-$1000
• Terrain Park- lots of interest. Sell banner advertising on ramps.
• Punch Pass? Ideal for the kiters when the wind dies and access in and out of area. Lots of out of state interest.
• Designated kite area will be off limits to snowmobiles
• Closer drive for most local kiters than Skyline
• Concerns
• Insurance-Additional cost? Liabilities? Kiter Waiver Form
• Kite Pass-What type? If it is a punch pass, can it be converted to day pass? Kite unique hazards should be printed on pass
>>4. I would address the punch pass or lift ticket thing here. I would get >>a feel of what they think is feasible and ask what their concerns are. >>Then address with ideas brought up in this forum.
• Other Issues
• Lodge being built in Fairview for kiters
• Out of state businesses already are making money here with tour packages and lessons at Fairview
• Kiters don’t have to pay to kite other places and can carve turns on frozen reservoirs or flat fields
>>before we/you leave, make sure we/you have affectively addressed >>their concerns and leave an open dialog with owners/managers for >>future meetings. Also query for additional concerns that may not have been addressed for next time.