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 #1 Snowboarder run companies Posted 25/06/2009 @ 11:10 |
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Just thought I'd throw this up for discussion.I have over the last few months used two "Snowboarder run" companies and on both occassions been left a little bit disappointed. It may be just me but I found customer service to be lacking something. On both occassions it seemed to me that the customer ie me was a sideline to their pursuit of snowboarding, or maybe I just expect too much????? Has anyone else had similiar experiences? |
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| #2 Re: Snowboarder run companies Posted 25/06/2009 @ 18:02 |
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| In reply to post #1
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not quite sure what you mean by 'snowboarder run companies', i'm assuming you mean chalets and the like...
personally i've had a mixture of experiences, some good some bad and some ok. having said that i have found that you get more out of snowboard orientated chalets if you are of a decent level yourself. me and the missus went on our first holiday with CSB and we were complete beginners at the time and well, we felt pretty let down, almost to the point we considered not going boarding again, i think partly we felt a little miss-sold on what to expect as they advertised as a burton sponsored beginners centre but we didnt feel that well supported. a couple of the people there were great and went out with us on a couple of days but it felt really cliquey and exclusive because we were'nt ripping down the mountain etc... since then though we've had nothing but positive experiences, some better than others but always meeting our minimum expectations, a couple were particularly great, chill-chalet in montchavin and mountain mavericks in morzine were both amazing with great staff and fantastic atmospheres. i think sometimes it helps if you are more confident in yourself and what you want rather than hoping everything will be put in your lap... |
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| #3 Re: Snowboarder run companies Posted 25/06/2009 @ 18:58 |
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| In reply to post #2
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I went away with Alpine Elements in April and the chalet was run buy skiers and it sucked big time.
I say they were skiers at a glance you's think they were boarders they way they dressed.
The place was scruffy, there was mouldy fruit in the fruit bowl and the food was awful and they tried to jip us out of our cooked breakfast in the mornings.
I don't think its boarders or skiers I just think that is what the kids are like these days. Serving people isn't their priority. having a good time on their season away is why they are there. |
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LD Mountain Centre
Since 1966 |
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| #4 Re: Snowboarder run companies Posted 25/06/2009 @ 21:22 |
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| In reply to post #1
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Gazar
what were the companies called if you dont mind me asking  |
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I thought at 42 years of age i would never fall in love again.
I have! snowboarding
Sno-Age Ltd has a facebook group to join
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=46819957764&ref=ts |
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| #5 Re: Snowboarder run companies Posted 26/06/2009 @ 00:49 |
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| In reply to post #3
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QUOTE (LDMC - 25/06/2009 @ 18:58) I went away with Alpine Elements in April and the chalet was run buy skiers and it sucked big time. I say they were skiers at a glance you's think they were boarders they way they dressed. The place was scruffy, there was mouldy fruit in the fruit bowl and the food was awful and they tried to jip us out of our cooked breakfast in the mornings. I don't think its boarders or skiers I just think that is what the kids are like these days. Serving people isn't their priority. having a good time on their season away is why they are there.
I agree with you there.
I went to zermatt a few year back in the last week of the season and oue chalet host pulled sickies and showed up late all the time and he was a skier. he was doing a gap year and then was off to be an officer in the army.
There's just more sh*t people about 
not all seasonairs do it for the love loads of them now are just on some kind of gap year or living off mummy and daddy and spend most of the season on the drink |
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For godz sake weather!!! Get Colder!! |
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| #6 Re: Snowboarder run companies Posted 26/06/2009 @ 02:18 |
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| In reply to post #4
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QUOTE (snow the way to - 25/06/2009 @ 21:22) Gazar what were the companies called if you dont mind me asking
It's unfair to judge entire companies based on a few sh*t staff. Most of these kids will never do another season, and companies are always trying to improve their hiring and training policies. |
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| Posts: 1103 |
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UK - Scotland |
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| #7 Re: Snowboarder run companies Posted 26/06/2009 @ 08:37 |
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| In reply to post #6
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I gotta say the whole "made for boarders, by boarders" thing, is, for me - a bit of a cliche.
I don't really care if the company that I buy my t-shirt from, or book my holiday with is run by snowboarders, skiiers, businessmen, pygmies or whatever. What really counts is the actual product/service - not that it's snowboarder owned or run.
Of course, you would exepct anyone who's running a ski/snowboard company to have good experience in that field - but for me, being 'snowboarder owned or run' has very little sway over my purchasing decision.
It's all down to the actual product. |
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| #8 Re: Snowboarder run companies Posted 26/06/2009 @ 09:53 |
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| In reply to post #4
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I dont really want to name names as different people have different experiences and none of the service I recieved was that bad. I wouldn't choose either company again but that is my choice. I would say though that it was more of a management problem as on both occassions the on the ground staff were fantastic. For years I have usually travelled independantly and booked self catering accomodation direct but with the pound being rubbish I thought I would save by going for a catered chalet.I think in future I will return to the independant route ,
Gazar
what were the companies called if you dont mind me asking
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| Posts: 663 |
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Advertising Partner |
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Oxfordshire |
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| #9 Re: Snowboarder run companies Posted 26/06/2009 @ 11:49 |
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| In reply to post #8
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QUOTE (gazar - 26/06/2009 @ 09:53) I dont really want to name names as different people have different experiences and none of the service I recieved was that bad. I wouldn't choose either company again but that is my choice. I would say though that it was more of a management problem as on both occassions the on the ground staff were fantastic. For years I have usually travelled independantly and booked self catering accomodation direct but with the pound being rubbish I thought I would save by going for a catered chalet.I think in future I will return to the independant route , Gazar
There are plenty of good chalets and companies out there, run by snowboarders or not. I wouldn't judge them all by the odd bad experience. Are you talking about a package travel company or an independent chalet ? As you mention going independent again next time.
Like mentioned below it's the service that matters, anyone can have a few lessons and call themselves a snowboarder. |
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| #10 Re: Snowboarder run companies Posted 26/06/2009 @ 13:14 |
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| In reply to post #9
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I agree with sinbad, i don't care what thier background is, i only care that customer service is adequate at best. That being said i've had some under-par experiences with both boarder-owned companies and package holiday providers. It's just that i expect boarder owned/run companies to know better because they should be more aware of my requirements if they say they are boarders themselves. Pretty much open themselves open for more scrutiny by thier target audience.
Ofcourse generalising all boarders is dumb, but the fundamental reason someone goes on a snowboard holiday is prety much the same.
So how about we turn this thread around by giving them a hand with what we expect boarder run holidays to be good at (feel free to add to this in subsequent responses). these are some of the things i've found lacking in previous boarder run holidays:
Proffesionality - I know you're a boarder but please dont try to come across as a straight-up park rat (with dialogue from a hip 80's cartoon) to show how core you are. It doesnt make me respect or hold you in high regard. Tone it down and connect with your customers.
Punctuality - Goes hand in hand with the above. Can also be linked to better communication. Keeping the customer informed makes you look like less of a slacker when you turn up an hour late to pick them up. How are they to know of any tailbacks or road closures.
Act on Feedback - The food wasnt all that, the programme was a bit too fast/slow and the tuition was too targetted. So why do you run the same format year after year and why dont you cater for a broader range of abilities. Sending out questionairres about ability before hand gives the impression that you're gonna cater for this, when in fact you dont.
Clarity on Services - Don't say you have wifi if it's the guy's from upstairs and it's only available when he's in. that sucks BIG time!
Affiliation to 3rd parties - If the action filmer/photgrapher isnt part of your outfit why's he wearing your logos and why is he including in your package.
Don't get me wrong, this isnt a rant. I applaud all who have set up business which cater to a particular snowsport demographic, but hiding under a label doesnt automatically make you the prefered choice if you dont meet the basic requirements of boarders, which can be found on the holidays offered by most package holiday providers.That being said, some of you guys do an awesome job as is evident by user reviews, so keep it up, we love you for it
To all the other "boarder run" outfits, if you need to step your game up........................
Don't playa hate,
innovate 
inna bit |
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with a jib jib here and a jib jib there, here a jib, there a jib, everywhere a jib jib |
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| #11 Re: Snowboarder run companies Posted 26/06/2009 @ 13:39 |
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| In reply to post #10
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good post |
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I thought at 42 years of age i would never fall in love again.
I have! snowboarding
Sno-Age Ltd has a facebook group to join
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=46819957764&ref=ts |
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| #12 Re: Snowboarder run companies Posted 26/06/2009 @ 16:41 |
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I've tried to keep zip.... but for those that know me, they'll know its impossible!! 
QUOTE ( - 01/01/0001 @ 00:00) I went away with Alpine Elements in April and the chalet was run buy skiers and it sucked big time.
Did it suck because of the skiers or did it just suck??
QUOTE ( - 01/01/0001 @ 00:00) The place was scruffy, there was mouldy fruit in the fruit bowl and the food was awful and they tried to jip us out of our cooked breakfast in the mornings.
So it just sucked then!
QUOTE ( - 01/01/0001 @ 00:00) I say they were skiers at a glance you's think they were boarders they way they dressed.
Is there a difference these days?? 
QUOTE ( - 01/01/0001 @ 00:00) I don't think its boarders or skiers I just think that is what the kids are like these days.
So why bring it into the argument then??
Next....
QUOTE ( - 01/01/0001 @ 00:00) I went to zermatt a few year back in the last week of the season and oue chalet host pulled sickies and showed up late all the time and he was a skier.
So he pulled sickies and showed up late because he was a skier??
Next....
QUOTE ( - 01/01/0001 @ 00:00) It's unfair to judge entire companies based on a few sh*t staff. Most of these kids will never do another season, and companies are always trying to improve their hiring and training policies.
Well said Mr. Grill
Next.....
QUOTE ( - 01/01/0001 @ 00:00) I gotta say the whole "made for boarders, by boarders" thing, is, for me - a bit of a cliche. I don't really care if the company that I buy my t-shirt from, or book my holiday with is run by snowboarders, skiiers, businessmen, pygmies or whatever. What really counts is the actual product/service - not that it's snowboarder owned or run. Of course, you would exepct anyone who's running a ski/snowboard company to have good experience in that field - but for me, being 'snowboarder owned or run' has very little sway over my purchasing decision. It's all down to the actual product.
Very, very, very well said....
I'm a skier.... I enjoy boarding too, but having been on ski's since I was a kid it's hard to change!
But I have a love of the Snow, the mountains, the vibe.... I dress how I dress, and I like to have as much fun as possible.... It does not matter how many pieces of wood I have attached to my feet!
When I worked in resort I would look after the guests how they wanted to be looked after, not how I wanted to treat them. I'm sure if I was to run a "Snowboarder" Chalet, the guests wouldn't care that I had two planks as they would have a great time, I can still show them parts of the hill that are fun for snowboarders, beginner, advanced, etc!
If a company's service level is poor, then complain about that.... Not about the chosen discipline of the host..... There are plenty of wasters working resorts in both camps!
Rant over!  |
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"If you know all 4 seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Construction..... you may be living in Canada!" |
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| #13 Re: Snowboarder run companies Posted 26/06/2009 @ 16:42 |
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| #14 Re: Snowboarder run companies Posted 26/06/2009 @ 23:28 |
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| In reply to post #13
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I think you missed the point.
The point i was trying to make is that it's not just snowboarders who sometimes offer a more laid back approach to customer service
hence my comment that there are just more sh*t people out in the world. whether the ski, board or enjoy painting their balls with sky blue paint 
Do you not know that there are ski forums out there? or are they full of old fuddy dudys? |
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For godz sake weather!!! Get Colder!! |
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| #15 Re: Snowboarder run companies Posted 26/06/2009 @ 23:36 |
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Revision #1 (Last edited: 26/06/2009 @ 23:37) |
| In reply to post #12
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QUOTE (Rogue_Skier - 26/06/2009 @ 16:41) Is there a difference these days??
No because you lot stole our identity! like some identity robbing gangsters!
After years and years of giving snowboarders sh*t you started dressing like us as if you invented baggy pants and big beanies!
Remember it was only 10 year ago when you looked like this
and this
and you thought a half pipe was something a snowboarder smoked |
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For godz sake weather!!! Get Colder!! |
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