Yes that is it for the season of skiing/riding in Aspen. I’ve heard a spook of the rumor that Ajax may open for Memorial Day, but for now that’s it. It was overall a great season. I had some great powder days. Although I didn’t hike Highlands Bowl more than a dozen times and skied less than a hundred days I’m ready for biking season.
It was good to get out for the real last day of the 2009 ski season at Highlands but it lacked the bang because all the sizzle went to the first “closing day” two weeks ago which if anyone realized wasn’t the last day.. Which in our book is lame. Kinda like celebrating Halloween on October 27th.. See these little things mean something.
So does trying to maximize profits before the season crowd leaves town, hence ZG Grill promoting the “Closing Day Party” before it is in fact the last day. Understandable for it will be a dry summer season out in Highlands as it is. Highlands Pizza has done some good things to court business such as the patio, “regular” live music, Aspen Brewing Company Beer, perhaps they have some cool things up their sleeve to make Highlands Plaza a spot to journey out to this summer.
Over all the last day of skiing was an overcast, not neccesarally spring day, with soft slighty sticky snow. The light crowd made for a very mellow energy. Pond skimming and a band at the Merry-go-Round was a highlight. At the end of the day the Merry-Go-Round restaurant was selling food items 2 for one. Last day of the season after all, get the product out the door. That made for a $2.50 slice of Cheese Pizza. Almost a regular price on mountain. I think that’s great.
And makes me think of some marketing advice for the Aspen Skiing Company. (I’m not a marketing guru but just think.) If you offered a “loss leader”, like slices of Pizza for $2.50 for anyone with a ski pass they might eat at more Aspen On Mountain Restaurants. See this would be the trick to capture more of the Aspen locals who will often just head home for lunch to save some change. Give them a cheap slice and they might stick around for a beer or two. The $3 pints out at Sneaky’s Tavern at the new Snowmass Base Village for season pass holders was a step in the right direction now lets get $2 slices everywhere. And hey why not spread the cheap pint of beer thing around too. Do it. Do it now… Highlands Pizza you can follow my lead on the $2 slice and now that I think about it, a $4 pint isn’t really a deal, so you may want to review that policy. Offering true specials creates vitality which in turn churns extra business, maximizing the profits and the good times. After all, it’s these little things that matter.