The good, the bad and the ugly about NorthStar California ski resort and Vail Resorts
NorthStarSucks and VaileEpicFail Traffic sources
Hopefully by reading the blog they will start working on improving their resorts, starting with NorthStar California.
We want to enjoy our vacations, not visiting a prison camp-like facility.
My family are season passholders while I’m a non skier. When they ski I normally sit in the lodge. Not at Northstar. They are now charging $40 for me to get on a gondola and ride to the lodge (because I get a ride) or the other option is taking a gondola up to the Ritz where I can’t stay because I don’t have a room. There is no other ski resort that charges for a non skier to sit in the lodge. They have lost our families business as we will not be returning to ski or do anything else at Northstar!
Mandi M. (via Yelp)
The service is terrible here at Northstar. The check in time is at 4pm. They do t really care if you arrive early. We came early due to an activity and want to drop off our luggage at the room. We asked them to accommodate an earlier check in. After waiting two hours since 11am, they asked us to continue to wait till 4pm. I have not been to a hotel that makes no efforts to accommodate their customers who arrive early. For an expensive hotel, it is very surprising. Given the checkout time is 10am, it will take them 6 hours to clean and get the room ready!
Sophie W. (via Yelp)
2 weeks after training I found out that they scam customers, either due to neglect or company policies. If you actually care about customer service do not work here. If you want to be a mindless drone that redirects phone calls all day then this is a good job for you.
General Sales Agent (Former Employee) – Broomfield, CO (via Indeed)
This used to be my favorite place. The atmosphere felt like a Christmas Card. There used to be photographers in bright green ALL over the mountain so we always loved combining annual family photos with our ski trips. We used to get there early and enjoy free close parking with ski in access. We always timed our departure with complimentary s’mores by the fireplace. Complimentary wagons made hauling the children’s equipment a pleasure. For all of these benefits we were willing to pay the exorbitant fee for an annual pass. Well all of that is no more every single perk I’ve listed is gone and do you think there is a discount on the pass? Nope
Weimar M. (via Yelp)
I used to love Northstar not only for the ski, but also for their amazing service! That all went down the drain this year! I have been trying to reach them for weeks, via phone, emails or Chat… only to be disconnected after hours of wait! This is so frustrating! At least respond to emails… please try to fix your issue and pay a little attention to your customers.
Arnaud S. (via Yelp)
This is obviously part of a corporate growth plan. Brilliant actually….create an artificial problem….then implement a solution that increases revenue. Customers don’t even realize they got had.
Step 1 – Discount season pass prices to encourage more people to buy passes
Step 2 – Create an artificial staff shortage to make it extra miserable for everyone
Step 3 – Implement a reservation system that limits how many season pass holders can visit each resort on any particular day. Create a new class of pass that gets priority reservations for $250 premium.
Step 4 – Increase the limit on season pass sales the following year since 20% of pass holders won’t be able to use their passes on peak holiday dates.
Step 5 – Rake in the cash.
Forkboy2 (via Reddit)
Over 30 min line to pickup buddy pass at 0900am today. I understand patience during covid but reservations were made to registered pass holders today which tells me this place knew how many would be coming today. The Epic pass is 500$ a pop which isn’t cheap,that should pay for a service . The line was long enough for 50 people thats 25grand. And you got 2 people checking riders in but 5 staff at the entrance welcoming you in? Come on Northstar id expect this at a bargain bin ski park, your supposed to be resort level with property ownership. Didnt even mention the $30 for 2 beers and a small fries (cold).
Ace M. (via Yelp)
Definitely NOT the Nordstrom”” experience!!! Just spent 12/30 – 1/2 @ Northstar. Horrible, condescending treatment by employee Mike S. from VT @ the equipment rental office. Demo rental office was closed so went to general rental. Sign on rental door says no more than 30 or 35 people @ a time inside (no problem w/this) after skiing I waited in line to return equipment & get my shoes. When it was my turn (I was 10’+ away from Mike) I said I really can’t get these boots off standing up, can I go inside & take them off – his response was “first of all – get your mask on” I had an 8″ wide neck/face mask on which was pulled up to the top of my lip just below my nose as my glasses were fogging up. I said “I have a mask on” to which he replied “no you don’t, that’s not a mask . . yada yada yada” his belittling continued AND he would not let me inside (was totally on his own little power trip). There were only 3 sets of customers (MAYBE 6 or 7 people) inside renting skis so they were well below the 30/35 people max. I am 63 & in good shape, but my rental boots were so tight It was near impossible to get them on or off & there was not a single chair outside of the rental bldg for customers to sit @ so they could remove equipment ????? What a way to treat your customers!!! The whole experience really felt a lot like – “give us your money, shut up, stand in line, and bye bye . . .
We have been homeowners @ Northstar since the 70’s (over 45 years) & have seen many changes over the years, but I have never been treated with such disrespect. ITS ALL ABOUT PRESENTATION & ABOUT BEING REASONABLE!!! What happened to providing customer service which includes showing a sense of urgency, an appreciation of or a concern for your customers – COVID 19 or no COVID 19 !! And, it really is time to stop using COVID as an excuse please.
Patty J. (via Yelp)
On sSunday there were 20-30 minute waits on every single lift. completely packed with people. limited occupancy is absolutely a lie. i get it, you need to have people buy food to get a beer. to charge be $15 for the cheapest entree (tiny bowl of chili) and another $14 for a beer i feel is just disrespectful. at sierra they have $2 hot dogs which is totally fair. and, on top of all that the snow quality was absolute garbage. which is kind of out of their control. but they do advertise that their snow base is 18″-35″ which from what i can see is also a lie. there’s exposed dirt on almost every run when i was there and exposed rocks all over the place.
so if you’re going to take something away from this.. byob. screw their rules. i would also suggest not even going. at least until it snows again. definitely not worth the full price of a lift ticket.
Darrick F. (via Yelp)
NorthStar California Sucks | VailEpicFail 