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I am posting this thread to vent my frustration of the steady decline of West Yellowstone's SNOWEST EXPO.
First, thank you to Snowest and the West Yellowstone locals who still care about this dying event. It is appreciated.
I am from Montana and have attended EXPO since the early '90's. The last 5 years my attendance has changed from amusement/vacation to my son's racing snocross. During these past 5 years I have seen West/EXPO steadily decline (with the understanding that a certain amount it due to the economy). During that same time, Jackson Hole has done nothing but grow. Why, because it is embraced by the JH community unlike West. West has become more of a motion or exercise, not an event.
This year, no different than the last five we spent right at about $2000 at the event only to feel as if this was a hassle for some local businesses. This includes race entries, hotels, meals, fuel and gear/souvenirs. This also does not include the grandparents and family member that attend on behalf of my son.
Thursday night we arrived for registration (at the Holiday Inn and "Headquarters of EXPO"), my family of 5 ordered dinner. When my burger arrived (the 1/2 pound special for $10) it was a patty, bun, and peice of lettuce. I asked was there tomatoes, pickles, onions, etc. The response....."Tomatoes are $1 more because of fuel prices, and they are low on pickles and onions because it is the end of the season, and if I wanted mayo it was going to be extra." WOW nothing like happy to have the party come to town.
Friday night, Casino night at HI, couple of beers - oops we just are out of those flavors but we do have bud light and miller lite.
Saturday night, time for a change from the HI. Well we found 2 pizza places open. The other restaurants/bar and grills we called (as we now had a party of 16 and thought it best to make some reservations revealed more frustration. The answers we got were, NO kids, sorry no cooks for this time of year, and bar food only. Leaving us with 2 pizza joints in town that did not take reservations - we had to order it to go and eat in our race trailers - good times huh.
Sunday night - Snocross and Drags awards night. Again, family of 5 to eat at HI (after all what are our options based on Saturday night and it was the location of the awards). Still no Blue Moon beer, but this time the burger comes with even less for that same $10 price (no fries, chips or diced breakfast potatoes for the same price). And the Big Sky Chili Cheese fries that we ordered Thursday night....now half the size, with cheese and bacon bits. When asked why the order was different than Thursday night and half the size? "Because it is the end of the year and we are out of supplies"
Now, go to Jackson next weekend and see if you can find places that say "End of the season we are out", you won't. See if they have the same displeasure on there faces that you see in West. Instead it is an fun, energized environment.
So the next time that I read an article that the economy in WY is suffering because the new park restrictions on sleds....I don't think I will buy into the sympathy. In fact doubtful that I will even support the fight (CBU, BRC) for West Yellowstone. Fact is, West has done nothing for themselves but bitch about it. They have rested on their past successes as the Snowmobile Capital of the West. What a JOKE, no wonder the ISOC (formerly WPSA and WSA) bailed out on this place to hold there finale.
West Yellowstone, you have been dethroned. Next year we will make other arrangements, to not bother you. I am sure the wolf watchers will be there to support you with their Subaru's, packed lunches, and cross country skis.
First, thank you to Snowest and the West Yellowstone locals who still care about this dying event. It is appreciated.
I am from Montana and have attended EXPO since the early '90's. The last 5 years my attendance has changed from amusement/vacation to my son's racing snocross. During these past 5 years I have seen West/EXPO steadily decline (with the understanding that a certain amount it due to the economy). During that same time, Jackson Hole has done nothing but grow. Why, because it is embraced by the JH community unlike West. West has become more of a motion or exercise, not an event.
This year, no different than the last five we spent right at about $2000 at the event only to feel as if this was a hassle for some local businesses. This includes race entries, hotels, meals, fuel and gear/souvenirs. This also does not include the grandparents and family member that attend on behalf of my son.
Thursday night we arrived for registration (at the Holiday Inn and "Headquarters of EXPO"), my family of 5 ordered dinner. When my burger arrived (the 1/2 pound special for $10) it was a patty, bun, and peice of lettuce. I asked was there tomatoes, pickles, onions, etc. The response....."Tomatoes are $1 more because of fuel prices, and they are low on pickles and onions because it is the end of the season, and if I wanted mayo it was going to be extra." WOW nothing like happy to have the party come to town.
Friday night, Casino night at HI, couple of beers - oops we just are out of those flavors but we do have bud light and miller lite.
Saturday night, time for a change from the HI. Well we found 2 pizza places open. The other restaurants/bar and grills we called (as we now had a party of 16 and thought it best to make some reservations revealed more frustration. The answers we got were, NO kids, sorry no cooks for this time of year, and bar food only. Leaving us with 2 pizza joints in town that did not take reservations - we had to order it to go and eat in our race trailers - good times huh.
Sunday night - Snocross and Drags awards night. Again, family of 5 to eat at HI (after all what are our options based on Saturday night and it was the location of the awards). Still no Blue Moon beer, but this time the burger comes with even less for that same $10 price (no fries, chips or diced breakfast potatoes for the same price). And the Big Sky Chili Cheese fries that we ordered Thursday night....now half the size, with cheese and bacon bits. When asked why the order was different than Thursday night and half the size? "Because it is the end of the year and we are out of supplies"
Now, go to Jackson next weekend and see if you can find places that say "End of the season we are out", you won't. See if they have the same displeasure on there faces that you see in West. Instead it is an fun, energized environment.
So the next time that I read an article that the economy in WY is suffering because the new park restrictions on sleds....I don't think I will buy into the sympathy. In fact doubtful that I will even support the fight (CBU, BRC) for West Yellowstone. Fact is, West has done nothing for themselves but bitch about it. They have rested on their past successes as the Snowmobile Capital of the West. What a JOKE, no wonder the ISOC (formerly WPSA and WSA) bailed out on this place to hold there finale.
West Yellowstone, you have been dethroned. Next year we will make other arrangements, to not bother you. I am sure the wolf watchers will be there to support you with their Subaru's, packed lunches, and cross country skis.
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To be able to stop and watch a 20 bull elk all together right off of the side of the trail 10' from ya...or the bison on the trail or off to the side...not to mention Yellowstone's own creations.
