EXPO attendence
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IdahoMike
Active member
That same thing happened to me last year. Word to the wise Do Not buy into the Blaze scam it does not work. That is one vendor I would not miss at Expo.
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IowaSnowCat
Active member
HayDays in Minnesota... put that on your TO DO LIST. Priceless!
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khogan
Well-known member
WEST is DEAD
Couldn't agree more with 90% of you. West is done. Here is my experience and from the thread I started this morning before seeing this. WEST NEEDS NEW BLOOD ORGANIZING IT
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.
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.
Couldn't agree more with 90% of you. West is done. Here is my experience and from the thread I started this morning before seeing this. WEST NEEDS NEW BLOOD ORGANIZING IT
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.
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.
K
khogan
Well-known member
Good for you XRider. Did you forget there was 3 days snocross racing, 2 days of drag racing and a freestyle show? Oh and lets not forget that the Expo is HOSTED at the Holiday Inn. I am glad you and your wife found a nice place to eat. We will make sure to make note of every 4 table restaurant in West next year when we get ready to make those reservations for 16.
Do you not find it odd that you were in the 5% that thought it was good. I supposed you like the booth of grandmas knit stocking caps and rescue tape as well rather than BCA, ABS, Snobunje, Sleddecks, Thunderstruck, HPS, Snogirl. Why don't ask them why they are not there anymore. I have. I know the answer. Some how this has become 1/2 snow show, 1/2 craft fair.
Go to Jackson next week and tell me why there are more vendors, why the restaurants are open. And, tell me that 3 days of sleds climbing the same hill offers more than West can (snocross, drags, freestyle - all in the same place). Can you ride out of your motel while you are in Jackson? Will Polaris have a semi with 18 sleds in it to test in Jackson?
Do you not find it odd that you were in the 5% that thought it was good. I supposed you like the booth of grandmas knit stocking caps and rescue tape as well rather than BCA, ABS, Snobunje, Sleddecks, Thunderstruck, HPS, Snogirl. Why don't ask them why they are not there anymore. I have. I know the answer. Some how this has become 1/2 snow show, 1/2 craft fair.
Go to Jackson next week and tell me why there are more vendors, why the restaurants are open. And, tell me that 3 days of sleds climbing the same hill offers more than West can (snocross, drags, freestyle - all in the same place). Can you ride out of your motel while you are in Jackson? Will Polaris have a semi with 18 sleds in it to test in Jackson?
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K
khogan
Well-known member
I am with you, I don't want to see it die either. But the fact is, if they (motels/hotels, restaurants) need to help themselves. Those people need to get behind this. Fact is, they need new blood IN West leading this like the Snow Devils do in JH. I think people can have a good time with/without beer. I think either way you can make it a family venue - JH does it. It is like West is too proud to go see what is working for other people.
BTW - Xrider, I forgot, there is also a Vintage sled show at West as well. West was and still SHOULD be more than JH.
BTW - Xrider, I forgot, there is also a Vintage sled show at West as well. West was and still SHOULD be more than JH.
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EXACTLY ^^^^^^^^ They need to overhaul the whole program, make amends with vendors,blah etc blah.
Maybe the Chamber of Commerce,BBB, who ever can ask or poll the town to see if they even WANT to continue?
richracer1 yes it does cost for all of that and it has not gone up in years.....but the show declines,less racers attend WTF is going on?
I'm not bashing West as I visit there 6-7 times a year ALL year. Just hoping SnoWest or someone can show them the future is not on the current path. Bullwinkles is closed for **** sakes!!!!
And all of the listed vendors and more have been displaced by no one as much as the show itself.....why? ask them!!!!
Maybe the Chamber of Commerce,BBB, who ever can ask or poll the town to see if they even WANT to continue?
richracer1 yes it does cost for all of that and it has not gone up in years.....but the show declines,less racers attend WTF is going on?
I'm not bashing West as I visit there 6-7 times a year ALL year. Just hoping SnoWest or someone can show them the future is not on the current path. Bullwinkles is closed for **** sakes!!!!
And all of the listed vendors and more have been displaced by no one as much as the show itself.....why? ask them!!!!
The show has been in decline for years. We started Vending there in 04 had enough by 2010. I wont go into specifics, but the organizer should take a good look at why many vendors have said No Thanks to W.Y..
Its not an economy issue.
Several issues where brang up to management,They thought we where not serious.
It really is to bad, we looked forward to it every year. But hey we still have our memories..
Its not an economy issue.
Several issues where brang up to management,They thought we where not serious.
It really is to bad, we looked forward to it every year. But hey we still have our memories..
Come to Sledfest and bring your mountain sleds to run the HillCross,you will have a good time,we are filling up the vendor spaces,this new and fresh and getting better every year,we were parked next to you at the race track
www.sledfest.net
www.sledfest.net
Maybe you ought to ask the vendors why they aren't participating anymore. You'd be surprised I think.
