NH House voting on free ski passes for lawmakers

[The Straight Story]

CONCORD, N.H. —New Hampshire's House is voting this week whether lawmakers should get free ski passes for Cannon Mountain.

The majority of the Legislative Administration Committee is recommending killing a bill Wednesday that would grant the legislative perk.

A one-day lift ticket is $70 for an adult and the bill allowed unlimited free access.

Opponents say using the perk a half dozen times would be worth twice as much as lawmakers' biennial salary.

Supporters argue that lawmakers have open access to state parks which promotes awareness of the locations.

http://www.wmur.com/news/nh-news/NH-House-voting-on-free-ski-passes-for-lawmakers/-/9857858/18588466/-/g631a7z/-/index.html#ixzz2LNPIXKlj

[angstlessk]

1. Would it be 'free' and the ski lodge pick up the tab..or would the TAXPAYERS pay for 'free'?

[cali]

2. Cannon is owned by the state

I think one can argue that the taxpayers would be picking up the tab.

lift tickets are wildly expensive. Even if I hadn't smashed up my leg, no way could I afford it anymore. $92 for a day pass at Stowe.

[angstlessk]

3. $92.00 is more expensive than most hotel stays..which includes a maid...

and the lift will just keep lifting even if you do not pay your $92.00...so what exactly do you GET for $92.00?

[cali]

4. you get to ski

at snooty mountain resort owned by AIG.

[angstlessk]

6. You can tell by my questions..I have never been skiing...

If a couple purchases ski lift tickets on which they will ride the same lift together do they each need to pay the $92.00 or do they get a couple discount?

[cali]

8. Nope. No couples discounts

There are ways to make it cheaper. My son bought this thing called a bash badge at Smugglers' Notch- pretty major ski area here in Vermont, for $150 and that entitles him to a $25 dollar lift ticket any day. That's almost a 1/3 of the regular price, but you have to buy it before Oct. 1. And then some ski areas have Vermonter days when you can ski half-price. Still, it's not a cheap sport.

[winter is coming]

5. Don't lawmakers get enough free passes? n/t

[Gorp]

7. NH ski resorts are over-rated. Vermont has better ones.