If you were the CEO, what would you do to 'fix' June?

[BlackHawk1776]

So everyone has an opinion - I've read many in the past couple of days. Most seem to be a snippet here, a snippet there along with a few Rusty Gregory insults thrown in. Lets try something more constructive and perhaps educational - if you were the CEO, in Rusty's position AND you had the ability to make changes the way you wanted without having to cowtow to a board of directors or who knows what other groups of goons looking over your shoulder, what would you change at June?

I keep reading there was an idea of connecting June to Mammoth - that sounds like one hell of an awesome change but I'm sure the BS in the way of that happening is miles deep; if only that were a goal attainable with only a cash investment. As an aside, does anyone know what that pile of BS actually looks like?

[Powderboy]

The only economical way June can succeed is to eliminate some government control and for the USFS to surrender some of its land in order to preserve the community. June needs to have what Mammoth does not. Until then, it will always be in Mammoth's shadow. It'd be preferable if the USFS would sell June mountain, however, all of the people far away in SF would cry.

Starting with the sale of lake front lots on the backside of June and Gull lake and silver lake. The town/USFS could generate a pile of cash from which it could use to improve the city. I don't mean to litter the lake with lots either. Year round lake front cabins right next to a ski resort seems to work well for Tahoe. I realize these will be second homes, but they will be for people who have money to spend. And it is something Mammoth does not have.

The base of June needs to be centered with the "town". Not a new town at the Rodeo site. We know too well what happens when a new town (the village) is created next to an existing town. The town and the base need to function as one location. I can't recall how accessible the area to the east of the june parking lot is, however if a new main base was built next to the town it would be idea. And it is something Mammoth does not have.

I think MMSA has kept onto June this long for the simple reason that it gives them a monopoly on ES skiing. The best thing for the skier may be a healthy dose of competition between June and MMSA. I am a young real estate guy who loves the easter sierras and dreams of being able to lead a group into the purchase of ski area, so I could go on for days, but these are just a few ideas I have.

[Photoho]

Improve J1 , J2 , market to family's and entry level skiers and boarders. That's all that's needed in the very short term just to keep it open and viable.

[rphenry]

My memory may be faulty, but I recall that at the time MMSA bought June, snowboards were not allowed at Mammoth. June drew all the snowboard business plus a good share of old-school skiers.

So -- just ban snowboards at Mammoth again and June is immediately healthy.

As a compromise position, eliminate the snowboard-specific efforts at Mammoth (halfpipes, jumps, etc) but continue them at June.

[Photoho]

^^^ please rethink this and start all over

[Grizzly Barfly]

My memory may be faulty, but I recall that at the time MMSA bought June, snowboards were not allowed at Mammoth. June drew all the snowboard business plus a good share of old-school skiers.

So -- just ban snowboards at Mammoth again and June is immediately healthy.

As a compromise position, eliminate the snowboard-specific efforts at Mammoth (halfpipes, jumps, etc) but continue them at June.

You are aware that these features are ridden by a ton of skiers also, right?

[rphenry]

My memory may be faulty, but I recall that at the time MMSA bought June, snowboards were not allowed at Mammoth. June drew all the snowboard business plus a good share of old-school skiers.

So -- just ban snowboards at Mammoth again and June is immediately healthy.

As a compromise position, eliminate the snowboard-specific efforts at Mammoth (halfpipes, jumps, etc) but continue them at June.

You are aware that these features are ridden by a ton of skiers also, right?

A ton of skiers is about 12, so I believe that. In any event, they could also use the features at June.

[Photoho]

So take the boarders and their money from Mammoth and send it to June? Why not leave everything the way it is and send June a check each month ? Oh wait a minute, that's what they have been doing.

[PerfectZero]

Open up a casino, top of J6. Done.

[MountainNut]

As the CEO, I would buy up all of old, old, old June Lake with beaucoup Goldman Sachs' and Credit Suisse "money" (heh). Then bulldoze the whole stinkin' town, after buying off, oops, I mean convincing all of the key regulatory people to allow for massive development to occur where June Lake's so-called "town" used to sit. June Lake could then be re-named Starwood Lakes, along the shores of Sternlicht Lake and MountainNut Lake, and basically be alot more like Beaver Creek or Dear Vallet or Whistler or what have you are today.

Movie stars, celebrities, Lebron, Gaga, Bieber, etc, etc...

Yes sir, a real boom town, right there at the foot of June Mt!

Think of it ... the prosperous happy little hamlet of Starwood Lakes, California ... population 30,000. Median home price of $2.7 million. Median condo at $790,000. Upscale accoutrement and gentrification! And all those misguided old JLA protesters moved off/away to Hawthorne, NV..

Think of the inve$tment opportunitie$ here, folks!

Davos, Gstaad, St Anton, Lech, Lake Como, Starwood Lakes...

[MountainNut]

The post was sarcasm on top of sarcasm on top of sarcasm...

I'm well aware of Credit Suisse and the YC lawsuits and all their financial and lending problems. Credit Suisse is toast.

My post has multiple layers of irony and cynicism in it.

Yes, I've read Downhill Slide and followed the fall in the fiat-money ski-town debacle(s)..

The whole post was facetious.

[SnowNBeachAddict]

Note: The following assumes MMSA does not sell June Mtn.

If I were the the CEO I would:

1. Resign
2. Work with Starwood to transition to a new CEO (and upper mgt layers @ MMSA)
3. Clean house in the marketing department
3a. Sumbit RFPs to several agencies for refreshed campaigns with a clear digital strategy
4. Develop new staffing models that permit MMSA to shift resources on the fly based on weather, available resources and staff skill sets (model needs to be flexible and scalable)

Once the transition is complete the new CEO would:
1. Create an enterprise volunteer advisory council that is made up of:
> Locals (say 3 from Mammoth and 3 from June)
> A couple of long-term MVPs (pick a couple from Nor Cal and So Cal)
> A couple of new MVPs (get a fresh perspective)
> A couple of external customers that are not pass holders and if possible a couple from out of state
> A representative from Mountain Riders Alliance (can provide ideas and some guidance)
> A representative from USFS
> A representative from MMSA Exec Mgt
> Limit participation in the council to 2 seasons (so fresh perspectives can be brought on board)

-Prior to council formation a clear mission statement that includes 5 goals/objectives would be created

*** The creation of the enterprise volunteer advisory council creates "The Voice of the Customer"***

2. MMSA and Volunteer Advisory council will have two way transparency into ideas and financials
>Note: Since MMSA is owned by a private entity financial disclosures may be an issue. This could potentially be resolved by having the council members sign an NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement)
3. Conduct brainstorming sessions and present outcomes to the council and MMSA Executive team
4. MMSA Executive team makes decisions based on the outcomes presented
>MMSA would not be obligated to implement recommendations

Most importantly MMSA needs to set realistic expectations and learn to do more with less (e.g. when replacing chairs at MM could the used chairs from MM have been used at June?)

[M2M]

^^^ please rethink this and start all over

he got it backwards - ,
keep all the parks at Mammoth, leave June (less) groomed

[M2M]

Improve J1 , J2 , market to family's and entry level skiers and boarders. That's all that's needed in the very short term just to keep it open and viable.

all the money went to the second flying chair - still a mistake in my mind, and the new chair 5
what did happen to all the chairs they pulled ?
coulda, shoula put them to use in June -

[ski30+]

Turn the rodeo grounds into a camp ground. And start planning on a new summer only June.
MMSA file Chapter 11 and give back June to the FS. MMSA break away from Starwood.