I'll simply share the note I sent to customer service:
Vail Resorts Customer Service, I am writing to inform you of the experience I had while at Hunter Mountain this last weekend on Saturday February 24, 2024. To provide you with a little background, my husband REDACTED and I have been skiing for almost a decade and have visited several of your resorts along the Northeast. We've always had pleasant experiences and enjoy renting with our friends for a long weekend while skiing. On this latest trip, our friend REDACTED was unable to use his lift ticket due to a medical procedure he had this past week. He called customer service and was refused a refund. Not wanting our friend to be out the money he paid for the ticket since we were skiing anyway, we purchased the lift ticket from him. REDACTED took us to the drop off on Saturday morning and picked up his card to give it to us, afterwards returning to our rental unit with the car. We had a nice time skiing during the morning and had lunch in the lodge. After returning to the lifts after lunch (which were rather packed and slow all morning) we again had our badge scanned. We were told to leave the line because the attendant who asked my name didn't like that I had my husbands card in my pocket; he was further concerned that my husband had our friend's lift ticket. We returned to the customer service with the attendant and were asked to wait until other customers' needs were met. After about 10 minutes and some back and forth between two customer service representatives we were told if we wanted to return to the mountain we would need to purchase two new lift tickets-- ONE OF THE LIFT TICKETS WAS PURCHASED IN PERSON BY MY HUSBAND THAT MORNING. After sorting out that my husband was who he said he was, they said I would still need to purchase another lift pass. The customer service rep also told me that our friend could have easily walked in that morning to customer service and asked for a refund which he did not know since 1) the rep on the phone never told him and 2) the rep on the phone told him he was not entitled to a refund. Further, the rep who spoke with our friend on the phone never left notes that he asked for a refund which the customer service rep sounded like was possible but that they should have left notes. My husband and I PAID to ski and care about our friend; we were staying at the same rental unit and he knew we were skiing so there was no reason for us not to use the ticket he already purchased. Throughout all of the years we have done vacations like this, there are times beginners don't like how they felt the first day so didn't want to use the day 2 of their pass or someone felt suddenly sick from dinner the night before-- we have used lift passes numerous times before and paid our friends for them so this was a shockingly new occurrence. I have to say I am also disappointed in the contradictory information provided by the rep on the phone vs the rep in person vs what I was able to find online. People trust the information being provided to them over the phone. I asked for a written confirmation that day that the lift ticket was being confiscated but the customer service rep told me there was nothing they could provide me. Sorry but that is a very odd policy. As a CPA myself, an audit trail for things like this is key. Not to mention, I would have understood if the conditions were absolutely terrific and the resort was hustling and bustling. Though the lifts were slow, the trails were not crowded and the snow in the Northeast has been horrible. Hunter had to blow snow while we were there which was also an inconvenience. We always liked skiing at Hunter because it is closer to home for us in NJ, however I will tell you that I am doubtful that I will ski at...
Read moreHunter Mountain, nestled in the beautiful upstate New York landscape, is a ski resort that has quickly become a favorite winter destination for me. With its well-maintained slopes, efficient ski lift process, and excellent rental and lesson options, it's a ski haven for both beginners and seasoned skiers alike.
One of the most notable aspects of Hunter Mountain is the variety of slopes available for skiers of all skill levels. The resort boasts a good number of trails, ensuring that everyone can find a suitable challenge. The easy ski lift checking process is another plus, making it a breeze to navigate from one slope to another without any hassles.
The resort's rental shop offers a wide range of equipment for all ages and skill levels, ensuring that guests have everything they need for a day on the slopes. Additionally, Hunter Mountain provides a variety of lessons tailored to different experience levels, making it an ideal destination for those looking to learn or refine their skiing abilities.
While most of the trails were in great condition during my visit, I did notice that some of them were icy, making for a slightly less pleasant skiing experience. However, the majority of the trails were well-groomed and enjoyable to traverse.
Although I didn't personally venture into the terrain park, Hunter Mountain does offer one for those seeking a more adventurous skiing experience. It's a great addition for guests looking to push their limits and try something new on the mountain.
The lodge at Hunter Mountain is a welcoming retreat after a day on the slopes, offering a well-stocked bar, a variety of delicious food options, and plenty of seating. It's the perfect place to unwind, refuel, and share stories of your skiing adventures with friends and fellow guests.
In conclusion, Hunter Mountain is a fantastic ski resort that caters to the needs of skiers of all levels. With its well-maintained slopes, efficient ski lift process, and extensive rental and lesson options, it's a must-visit destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Although some trails can be icy at times, the overall experience more than makes up for this minor drawback. I highly recommend Hunter Mountain for your next skiing adventure and look forward to...
Read moreMy son and I skied Hunter this past weekend. You would think that our experience would reflect the exorbitant price of a lift ticket. On Saturday, the first issue we encountered was the long lift line of their high speed Sixpack lift at the base to the top. We noticed that it was running very slowly and the line got very long very quickly. It was stopping from time to time. When they finally were up and running, we noticed that they were only loading every other chair and running at a reduced speed. When asked what the problem was, an employee answered, "It was because there was a greater load on the lift since most of the weight was exerted on the uphill operation ". Apparently, unknowledgeable about how a lift is designed, I asked, "Aren't they designed for that?". Utterly clueless. The problem persisted throughput the day with very long lift lines developing. We only got on it twice that day. It looked like there was decent coverage on the top. We skied Belt Parkway for our first run and discovered lots of icy patches. We tried Hellgate on our next run, and it, too, was getting skied off to ice. We did not have a good day. BTW, $12 for a small locker is highway robbery. On Sunday, we woke to a snowstorm. Having high hopes, we were at the "A" lift bright and early. Same problem with the lift as on Saturday. This time, since there was a good amount of fresh snow, there was a great influx of additional people looking to get up the mountain. The other available lift in the vicinity, the "G" Lift quickly was overwhelmed. Due to the fresh snow, the conditions improved but the crowds were horrible. For a ski area that claims that it only sells limited lift tickets, we didn't see it. Hunter should make sure they fix their Sixpack lift ASAP. If they can't handle it themselves, then they should get the manufacturer out there yesterday. I had heard that this was not the first time that this lift was malfunctioning but I can't corroborate that. By 1pm, we had had enough and we left. This was NOT a...
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