Jay peak late December conditions?

[gdoan]

So weve managed to find equal prices for trips to whiteface and jay peak this December break. We plan on going for 4 days over the new years time frame. Were torn between whitefaces vertical and long runs versus Jays snow.
Does Jay normally have good snowfall by this time of the year? Would it be wishful thinking to expect some pow? Would the most the runs be open? Would most the glades be skiable by this time?
Hows the crowds at Jay this time of the year? Are the crowds at the tram a disaster?
Any information that could give a clearer idea about what Jay will be like at this time of the year is appreciated!

Cheers!

 

[Geoff]

This question is impossible to answer since every year is different. Jay could be epic. Jay could be awful with just a hand full of snowmaking trails open.

If you want good odds on Christmas skiing, try Snowbird/Alta or Whistler. Anywhere in the northeast is a crap shoot. Jay is better odds than most for natural snow but they lack the snowmaking to make me want to do non-refundable reservations during the most expensive week of the year.

 

[thetrailboss]

Here goes...

Does Jay normally have good snowfall by this time of the year?

Hard to tell.

Would it be wishful thinking to expect some pow?

No. I think Jay is your best shot for "powder" as they get a lot of it that other places don't, especially early season when the lake effect is stronger.

Would the most the runs be open?

Their usual MO is to open with Stateside and then open up the snowmaking runs off of Bonnie and then work across to looker's right to include the Tram and Flyer. By Christmas I would imagine that they will have most of the cruisers going. All weather dependent.

Would most the glades be skiable by this time?

Depends on how much natural they get, but Jay probably is your best shot for glade skiing at that time.

Hows the crowds at Jay this time of the year?

Some may disagree, but Jay can be quite crowded, especially on Canadian holidays.

Are the crowds at the tram a disaster?

The lines for the tram can be long on any weekend or holiday. Honestly, unless you are looking for the summit terrain or a token run off the top, you can access most of the terrain via the Flyer, Jet, or Bonaventure Quad.

One major caveat to Jay is the wind factor. You simply can't forecast it and they have a lot of windholds that other places may not. The wind brings the snow to the mountain, but shuts the lifts down as a result. With that in mind, if you get a windhold day and there is natural snow you can venture to some nearby areas such as Sutton, Burke, or Owls Head.

 

[Huck_It_Baby]

I would choose Jay over Whiteface for sure. Like Geoff said above Jay has better odds for natural snow.

It's all up to mother nature. Last New Years I hit up Killington and was skiing knee deep powder in the trees.

You never know what you will get but look at the averages:

Whiteface reports an average of 230 inches per season VS Jay Peak at 377.

 

[Geoff]

For me, Jay Peak is a place you cherry pick when it's really good. I think most people use it that way and that's why you always hear all the raves about it.

 

[gdoan]

you guys are awesome with response times! weve experianced the wind delays before, but it was in exchange for some powder.

 

[gdoan]

hard to cherry pick from Toronto!

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

I would choose Jay over Whiteface for sure. Like Geoff said above Jay has better odds for natural snow.

It's all up to mother nature. Last New Years I hit up Killington and was skiing knee deep powder in the trees.

You never know what you will get but look at the averages:

Whiteface reports an average of 230 inches per season VS Jay Peak at 377.

I thought a year or two ago even Whiteface was claming 180 inches per year on average.

 

[thetrailboss]

For me, Jay Peak is a place you cherry pick when it's really good. I think most people use it that way and that's why you always hear all the raves about it.

That's very true. If you can pick your days, Jay works.

gdoan: another option, though not in the same league terrainwise and vertwise, is Sunday River. I mention that because they have the "lowest price guarantee" promo going and with their they are bound to have the most open if there is no snow and if things really suck. Might be something to consider. I have had good luck there, but it is not as difficult or challenging as the other places you've mentioned. But if you are looking for good value and almost guaranteed skiing, it is hard to beat.

 

[Huck_It_Baby]

hard to cherry pick from Toronto!

Indeed. That's a long drive.

So it depends on what you enjoy on a ski trip. I will always opt for cold temps with high winds at Jay in exchange for powder. If you have a family with kids and you're not into tree skiing then White face or somewhere that has a stronger focus on snowmaking and grooming would be your best bet.

The only place I like better than Jay is Whistler, BC but I have yet to hit every resort out there.

 

[gdoan]

I thought a year or two ago even Whiteface was claming 180 inches per year on average.

yeah whiteface is an option more because it offers long runs. if theres no good snow at jay id rather ski at whiteface, but jay with snow blows whiteface away in my experiance

 

[snowmonster]

I echo everyone's reaction about Jay being a crapshoot at the end of December. However, staying with the gambling analogy, if I were a betting man, this is where I'd book a trip this far out. Besides, it's a shorter drive from Toronto than the Loaf.

 

[gdoan]

That's very true. If you can pick your days, Jay works.

gdoan: another option, though not in the same league terrainwise and vertwise, is Sunday River. I mention that because they have the "lowest price guarantee" promo going and with their they are bound to have the most open if there is no snow and if things really suck. Might be something to consider. I have had good luck there, but it is not as difficult or challenging as the other places you've mentioned. But if you are looking for good value and almost guaranteed skiing, it is hard to beat.

thanks for that idea, we debated maine for a while now but decided cutting the drive 3hrs each way is probly whats best!

 

[drew626]

For me, Jay Peak is a place you cherry pick when it's really good. I think most people use it that way and that's why you always hear all the raves about it.

+1

There is more to do in the Lake Placid area than there is around Jay Peak (although they are trying to fix that with this new water park, ice rink, etc). I would recommend booking at Whiteface, and if there is a massive powder day, take the drive to Jay for the day, since the glades are incredible. A ferry ride across Lake Champlain can break the drive up nicely, and you can stop in Burlington on the way back if you'd like.

...just my two cents.

 

[gdoan]

+1

There is more to do in the Lake Placid area than there is around Jay Peak (although they are trying to fix that with this new water park, ice rink, etc). I would recommend booking at Whiteface, and if there is a massive powder day, take the drive to Jay for the day, since the glades are incredible. A ferry ride across Lake Champlain can break the drive up nicely, and you can stop in Burlington on the way back if you'd like.

...just my two cents.

so they run the ferry in the winter?

 

[Huck_It_Baby]

I thought a year or two ago even Whiteface was claming 180 inches per year on average.

That sounds much closer to what I understood WF snowfall to be but when I checked their website before I made that post they have the 3 year average at 230.

Lies I'm sure. Every resort lies.

Either way Jay gets the most snow in the East with the exception of Snowridge.

What I love about Jay is that you don't always need a BIG dump of snow. There is often a steady snowfall of 2-3 inches per day. It adds up over a week or long weekend.

 

[drew626]

so they run the ferry in the winter?

The Cumberland Head one does.

 

[thetrailboss]

so they run the ferry in the winter?

Only the Grand Isle/Cumberland Head Ferry IIRC.

If you are going to Jay, you might be better off crossing the border in Newport or in between Newport and St. Albans.

 

[riverc0il]

I had a pass at Jay for a few seasons. I have seen nothing but two trails open and I have seen most trails open by Christmas. It is a TOTAL CRAP SHOT. PERIOD. Every year is different. If you have to book in advanced, I would suggest mountains that have the best snow making systems and best grooming systems. They will also be the most crowded but they will be the most reliable too.

Does Jay normally have good snowfall by this time of the year?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Would it be wishful thinking to expect some pow?
YES. It would be wishful thinking to expect some pow no matter when you pre-book. You can't expect pow anywhere when you pre-book.

Would the most the runs be open?
Crap shot. Could be two trails, could be sixth.

Would most the glades be skiable by this time?
NO. Not even in a good snow year would "most" glades be skiable by New Year's. You might get a few low angle glades if you are lucky.

Hows the crowds at Jay this time of the year?
Holiday break? Same as most other big resorts. Depends on numerous factors including how good the snow is (or how bad it is if not many trails are open).

Are the crowds at the tram a disaster?
YES. Take the first tram if you must, 2-3 tram wait should be minimum expectation during a holiday week.

Any information that could give a clearer idea about what Jay will be like at this time of the year is appreciated!
CRAP SHOT. Just like any other resort. Book the area you want to go to the most and let the chips fall where they may. Don't go in with expectations if you are booking in advanced.

 

[crank]

Can't really add a lot to the above. Jay is always hit or miss no matter what time of the season. I would think about Killington or Sugarbush over Whiteface for that time period but I don't know the drive times from Toronto.