Politics on the Hudson

Are those property-taxed slopes you’re skiing on?

Posted by: Cara Matthews - Posted in David Paterson, state legislature, taxes on Jul 21, 2008

   Private ski areas, golf courses, campgrounds and other businesses are joining together to ask that Gov. David Paterson sign a bill to examine the outdoor recreation industry. If signed, a commission would study ways to create “fair” competition between publicly and privately owned facilities. The groups urging its passage include the Business Council of New York State, Ski Areas of New York, the New York State Turfgrass Association and the Campground Owners of New York.  

   “Private sector outdoor recreational facilities, which pay real property taxes, payroll taxes, sales and use taxes—all of which support communities—are being asked to conduct business against government-owned and taxpayer-subsidized competitors,” Kenneth Adams, president and CEO of the Business Council, said in a statement.

   Competing with “taxpayer-financed facilities raises fundamental issues of fairness and for many owners of such businesses, has forced them to question whether they can continue to exist,” said Mike Elmendorf, state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses.

   Bellayre Mountain in Ulster County, which is run by the state, has hurt business at privately owned ski resorts, according to Tim Woods, president and general manager of nearby Windham Mountain in Greene County.

   The bill passed the Legislature this year and is under consideration by the governor’s administration.

 

 

 

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One Response to “Are those property-taxed slopes you’re skiing on?”

1. Randy Agness July 23rd, 2008 at 8:32 am

   Over the past five years, NYS DEC Bellayre Mountain Ski Resort has been at the NYS Fair. They have a very nice booth in the NYS DEC section. Initially, they had given out four free tickets to attract skiers to the Catskills area. Three years ago, number of free tickets was reduced to two. Over the last two years, it was reduced to a buy one – get one free.

   With gas prices so high, the buy one – get one free was not enough of an enticement to have us go. We went skiing in the Upstate region.

   I have never seen any New York State Ski Resort make any attempt to host a booth or provide discounted tickets to attract skiers at the New York State Fair (annually one million attendance). Bellayre created a mailing list from the people who received the discounted tickets. I get regular email messages from Bellayre about events.

   I have been skiing at Bristol Mt, Holiday Valley, Swain and many others, but they have not marketed their product eventhough they have had much more access to contact information.

   Bellayre provides a reasonable product at a reasonable price. We will ski on the discounted tickets and stay in the area to continue skiing and provide economic impact for the area business. My son and I receive several ski magazines, but does the ski associations buy subscriber lists (specifically NY, PA, NJ & CT residents). If so, then none have made any attempt to attract our attension.
   Don’t critcize Bellayre, look internally for your failure. Our family skis at minumum approximately 12 to 16 day per year. Maybe family friendly prices will help.

   Regards,

   Randy Agness