This YouTube video showed up on my feed. It explains two corporations now dominate the American ski resort market, and it’s made the ski experience terrible. High prices, long lines, and poor working conditions.
I’ve a suggestion: don’t participate.
There’s obviously zero incentive for the companies to change operations when there are still lines. If the high prices aren’t enough of a deterrence, then surely a poor experience should? Perhaps sunk-cost fallacy is in play here. A skier isn’t likely to turn back at the sight of the long line, after paying hundreds for a pass, plus the cost of getting to the mountains.
Nothing is going to change if consumers don’t move with their feet and vote with their wallet. McDonald’s didn’t (re)introduce a value menu until enough customers stopped customer-ing. (That’s me!)
Anytime I read about corporations doing this horrible thing or that, I simply go back to: don’t participate. None of us are entitled to anything, other than what’s listed in the United States Constitution. Credit card companies being evil with their interest rates? Don’t get a credit card. So what if Vail has ruined the ski experience? Don’t go! You’re not entitled to a ski weekend.
It’s fine if skiing becomes an exclusive province of the rich. Some things in life just aren’t meant for the lower classes. I would love to buy another Porsche 911. But because I cannot afford one (fuck you, inflation), it’s not for me. I also can’t afford to stay at a Grand Hyatt when I travel. So I don’t.
I know. Right to privilege jail. Right away.
Hiyao.