A $1,799 fast pass for ski hills
Mont Tremblant and Blue Mountain are selling priority lift, lounge, and parking access.
Good afternoon everyone.
In today’s newsletter: Canadian ski resorts are going full Disney World mode, execs from Him & Hers and Starface are working on at-home acne injections, and why potential home buyers are now assessing properties for ‘good vibes.’
NEWS:
You are now a shareholder of Wealthsimple, in a way. Canada’s pension plan participated in a $750 million raise that valued the company at $10 billion. Michael Katchen says they are “on a roll.” Nobody tell Will Arnett.
Mont Tremblant and Blue Mountain are selling priority lift, lounge, and parking access for $1,799 a year. The reality is, there’s a small but growing group of consumers that are happy to pay for convenience, and the hotel groups, airlines, and amusement parks that have stepped up to meet that demand have seen explosive growth. So, if you’re an executive at a resort conglomerate trying to drum up funds without raising already-high ticket prices, a premium offering for a small percentage of visitors seems like a no-brainer. The problem? It could kind of kill the vibe on the hill. There’s no way to know until I check it out and report back, but add a $2,100 Ikon Pass into the mix and you might as well consider a private ski club.
Opposition towards the new pass at Alterra-owned resorts is growing, with skiers and snowboarders in the U.S. already petitioning against it.
That’s in a country where TSA PreCheck and Disney World fast passes are a way of life, so I think Canadians are even more likely to resist it.
Canada Post has been losing $10 million a day leading up to a corporate restructuring. The national postal service is on life support as courier companies scoop up more market share following two recent strikes.
Telehealth companies could soon start selling injection pens for acne. Cortisone is offered at clinics across the city as quick fix for pimples, but execs from Him & Hers and Starface are working on at at-home version.
Don’t be alarmed when you see workers at your local FreshCo wearing bodycams. Brazen daylight robberies have been a topic of concern at Parisian museums and Sobeys-owned grocery stores. I think if your part-time cashier job requires ‘regularly apprehending criminals’ and suiting up with a body camera you should be making more than $17.60 an hour.
The Toronto Star interviewed a man who has led more than 1,400 séances across Toronto. You can watch him contact the dead for $69.
Live Nation has slated a renovation of the Budweiser Sta—sorry, RBC Amphitheatre for 2027. I wonder whether this will reverse what people are starting to call the “Toronto concert curse.” A recent analysis by The Globe and Mail found artists are disproportionately cancelling Canadian tour dates compared to shows in U.S. cities. It comes down to the tough economics of touring in Canada: costs are rising, there’s lots of ground to cover, and a weak loonie means there’s limited revenue to make up for it.
Also curious to see whether the American Express partnership for ticket access will be impacted, as Visa is RBC’s credit card of choice.
A string of high-profile divorces is leading more young people to sign prenups. That’s one way to manifest some Jeffrey Bezos-level wealth.
Potential home buyers are now assessing properties for “vibes.” Which tells you everything you need to know about the market right now. Faced with options, people want to understand the context: did the seller raise their own family here, or did they buy it to flip it? Homes that feel devoid of soul will struggle to sell, which also explains why only 53 condos sold in Toronto last month (GTA sales are 90% below the ten-year average).
This reminds me of a brilliant article my friend Filipa wrote two years ago for the Toronto Star about the city’s only psychic licensed realtor.
It’s cool to see Othership continue to dominate headlines around the world. Wellness members clubs really are the new happy hour, and some would say this global trend all started at the corner of Brant & Adelaide.
Gigi Hadid’s cashmere sweater company is now a $30 million business.
There are not enough artisans to keep up with the global demand for Japanese denim. Visits to custom denim shops like Momotaro Jeans in Tokyo have been well-documented on social media over recent years.
