Industry News
A Northstar Ski Resort, CA passholder who was unhappy with the resort’s decision to charge for parking has beaten the resort’s appeal of his previous victory to have the cost of his pass refunded.
Robert Grossman, Truckee, CA, took the resort to a small claims court in Tahoe City back in January, seeking the refund of his unused season pass. He claimed he had been unable to use his pass due to the parking charges the resort introduced. Although the court ruled in his favor, Northstar appealed. That appeal was heard in the Placer County Superior Court in August, with the judge ruling in favor of Grossman, and ordering he be reimbursed for $652.95 for the cost of the pass and trial expenses, plus an additional $135 for court costs.
Vail Resorts owned Northstar California Resort announced back in October that starting the 19/20 season it planned to charge guests to park at the Village View Lot. According to the resort, the change was to help reduce congestion on Northstar Drive and encourage guests to carpool, rideshare, and make use of local shuttle options and public transportation.
- Related: Northstar, CA Responds to Angry Complaints | “Paid Parking Will Improve the Guest Experience”
The main issue for those upset was that the decision was announced only after most had already purchased their season passes and the company has a ‘no refund’ policy on all pass purchases. It was estimated that it could cost frequent skiers an extra $2,000 in parking alone.
“I had purchased a season ski pass back in April of 2019, with the understanding that parking would be free, as it has always been throughout Northstar’s entire history. Northstar took my money, and then later released a notice that parking in the lot closest to the lifts would be paid only.”
Grossman is the second passholder to receive a refund after taking the resort to court. The Superior Court of California, Placer County, previously ordered Vail Resorts to repay Robert Scott’s ski pass costs and court fees. Vail attorney’s said:
“This is a dispute over the terms of a $429 ski pass, which Plaintiffs mistakenly believe includes guaranteed free parking in a particular parking lot at a particular resort. Plaintiffs should have filed this case in a local small claims court, not a federal district court.”
That’s a defense? The lawsuit was filed in the wrong court? Should have been triple damages for malicious impunity. I wish I had been the judge ….