Women-only ski center carves new turn in Vail

OK, now I get it. There is no bar. They get women-only service with flowers in the bathrooms, etc., then go to the "everyone" side and get free drinks and/or get sucker-men to buy them for them.

Is there a men-only slope there? I want special instruction, too!

One way men can fight this is to tell any woman in his life who wants HIM to finance HER trip to it that he won't do it. (Well this assumes he has the cojones to say 'no' to his old lady.)

I have to wonder how long such businesses would last if men all over would stop financing such decisions? Imagine if we refused to pay taxes to municipalities that allowed or supported segregated public accommodations or services? Just imagine how fast they would stop.

Money doesn't talk; it screams.

The supposed income difference (men make more than women) could be true. And that is because women make very bad business strategies like limiting you potential customer base by 50 percent in risky high expense ventures like ski resorts and exercise spas.

A few years ago there was a bank that exclusively catered to women only banking needs. It flopped in record time. Besides being against Federal civil rights laws and statutes.

No curing stupid!

This is a ski store that sells only women's gear. It is "slopeside" which makes it easy for customers to go right out on the slopes and try out the gear. (Something many high-end ski shops offer). The slopes are open to everyone (some of you may get the wrong impression that there is a private women's only ski area, which there isn't)

As far as I know the store is privately owned, and I believe men would be free to open a men's only store. (If someone tells me otherwise, then I will upset). It is difficult to find women's clothing and gear in snow sports as most shops carry about 75% men merchandise and 25% women merchandise.

Unless I am missing some details, this is no different than a men's or women's clothing store opening up. This just happens to be a 'super store'.

I can't speak for Vail. However, there are a number of women-only venues at ski resorts and similar places. For example ...

http://www.kirkwood.com/pages/lessonsrentals/adultprograms.asp

Another example is REI. They have specialty trips exclusively for women.

http://www.rei.com/adventures/activity/womens.html

This has nothing to do with a store selling products that are geared towards men or women. This is about the violation of fundamental civil rights. People are being denied entrance to commercial enterprises because of their sex. A business can't exclude customers by race. They can't exclude customers by religion. But many think it's just peachy to exclude customers by sex (but only when that sex is men).

15 years ago my local park district (funded by my tax dollars) offered a backpacking trip exclusively for women. I signed up but was denied the opportunity to participate because of my sex. They didn't even refund my fee. They still do this today. I'm waiting until I retire to have sufficient time to properly deal with this.

This problem is wide-spread and it's getting worse. Apparently, women are so weak and helpless that they're incapable of being in the company of half the population. Poor babies.

I understand why you are upset about venues that exclude or when public money is used. I am supportive of the cause in that regard. But I don't think this store fits that description.

Men are not excluded from shopping at this store, they are probably encouraged to shop (I bet men account for most the money spent in the store, as Vail is full of multi-millionaires ). As far as I can tell this is no different from a men's clothing store or a women's clothing store (or a 'big and tall shop' or a children's clothing store).

I don't think we can dictate that privately owned companies carry an equal amount of merchandise for men and women. If we could, then most the ski and sportswear shops would have to increase their line of female gear.

Unless it is illegal for a similar men's shop to open up, or if men are excluded from shopping at the store, I don't think this is a violation of anything.

I don't think this has anything to do with wanting to be separated from men, it has to do with getting the right equipment and the right fit. If you have ever skied, then you know that equipment will cost you about $1000 and upwards if you are an avid skier. You got to get it right, as it is a big investment.

If an avid skier man is dating a non skier women, it would be the perfect place to take her to get her the right equipment and the right fit, so they could enjoy the sport together.

Perhaps I was not clear in my response.

I agree that stores should be allowed to target given demographics. Whether or not this is good business practice is one thing. But it is the free market in action.

Hence, there's nothing wrong with a retail outlet exclusively selling products (e.g., ski clothing and equipment) that are designed for women, as long as both women and men can shop at the store. We can argue about the social implications if one demographic is more heavily targeted than another (i.e., there are more retail outlets designed for women), but it certainly isn't illegal. A store selling dresses doesn't violate my civil rights, as long as I can buy a dress for the same price as you.

I'm not specifically commenting about the women-only ski center at Vail, assuming both men and women can shop at the store (although the Denver Post article makes it sound as if men are not allowed).

What I'm talking about are the hundreds if not thousands of public venues that completely exclude men. This includes ski venues. Effectively, the signs out front say, "no men allowed." Whether this includes the Vail shop, I can't say. Never been there. But it does include many other retail establishments and service providers.

quote : "It is difficult to find women's clothing and gear in snow sports as most shops carry about 75% men merchandise and 25% women merchandise."

supply and demand, my friend. there's just not enough of the latter.