Magic Mountain in late December

[bheemsoth]

Hey folks,

My family has a home in the Keene area of New Hampshire, and my girlfriend and I were thinking of heading up there for a few days post-Christmas. Our ski club is running $43 passes at Magic all of that week, so we were thinking of checking it out one day.

Having never been there, I'm not sure what to expect. What are the conditions generally like this time of year? I figure like all Southern VT mountains, it will depend on the weather to date in the season. I'd also imagine that the lift lines are much shorter than at other area mountains - correct?

 

[jrmagic]

As you figured it all depends on the weather. Some years, its been great that week and others not so great. The crew put in a lot of effort this year fixing the snowmaking system which should help substantially. The liftlines are usually pretty short and even when they do swell, the trails are still rpetty empty. Hope to see you there!

 

[djspookman]

weather has been the major factor in years past. Generally, December at Magic is it's early season type skiing, limited trails/ terrain, but if we get a few larger snowstorms, it will be pretty good there then!

I too hail from the Keene, NH area (moved down there 6 years ago). It's not a bad drive over to the mountain.

Dave

 

[maineskier69]

We used to ski Magic all the time in the late 80's as students (if you squinted) at Keene State and loved the mountain ever since. Students lift tickets were $15.
Now that we live in Maine it is a difficult trek to that end (or anywhere) of VT.

 

[orangegondola]

Hey folks,

My family has a home in the Keene area of New Hampshire, and my girlfriend and I were thinking of heading up there for a few days post-Christmas. Our ski club is running $43 passes at Magic all of that week, so we were thinking of checking it out one day.

Having never been there, I'm not sure what to expect. What are the conditions generally like this time of year? I figure like all Southern VT mountains, it will depend on the weather to date in the season. I'd also imagine that the lift lines are much shorter than at other area mountains - correct?

That's great, what club are you in? See ya this season!

 

[bheemsoth]

That's great, what club are you in? See ya this season!

We're part of the AESki Club, which belongs to the larger CSC consortium.

I actually just saw that a radio station here in Hartford is selling Magic tickets for $29.50 per day, with no blackout restrictions. I'll probably pick those up instead. http://store.wccc.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=17

 

[jrmagic]

We're part of the AESki Club, which belongs to the larger CSC consortium.

I actually just saw that a radio station here in Hartford is selling Magic tickets for $29.50 per day, with no blackout restrictions. I'll probably pick those up instead. http://store.wccc.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=17

That is an awesome deal. Hopefully that will bring some new people to the hill.

 

[riverc0il]

What are the conditions generally like this time of year?

It could be two feet of powder with all trails open or the mountain could be completely closed due to no snow or anything in between. Not trying to be smart.... that is the simple fact of the matter and I suspect both extremes and everything in between has actually happened at some point during history.

 

[billski]

If you can hold off on buying your tickets until mid December, check conditions then buy, that will be the wisest move. You are spot-on about lift lines. What skill levels are we talking here?

 

[bheemsoth]

It could be two feet of powder with all trails open or the mountain could be completely closed due to no snow or anything in between. Not trying to be smart.... that is the simple fact of the matter and I suspect both extremes and everything in between has actually happened at some point during history.

That's pretty much what I figured, as I'm no stranger to early season skiing in southern New England. I suppose I was looking more to understand how crowded it may be.


As for skill level, I'm an intermediate to advanced skier, but my girlfriend is still relatively new, and probably has only about a half dozen days of skiing under her belt. She can deal well with blues/easy diamonds, but struggles on more advanced trails.

 

[billski]

I suppose I was looking more to understand how crowded it may be.
.

Let's put it this way, Magic would be one of my "hide-aways" during the holidays. It will be relatively "busier" than an ordinary weekend, but compared to say, Stratton or Mt. Snow, you would think not. Maybe, just maybe you'll have a 5-10 minute lift line for maybe a short time, but that would probably be peak. Get there now, before it gets "too discovered" to see what it's like.

The good news about low skier traffic is that trails will stay in good shape longer.
The mountain has two distinctly different flavors, east and west. Green and blue skier favor the east, and the black skiers gravitate towards the west. It is a nice topology for keeping things separate.

And you know, one more thing, you didn't ask. There aren't any "yahoos" skiing/boarding there with aimless abandon. It's a really good, friendly, respectful vibe.

 

[bheemsoth]

Let's put it this way, Magic would be one of my "hide-aways" during the holidays. It will be relatively "busier" than an ordinary weekend, but compared to say, Stratton or Mt. Snow, you would think not. Maybe, just maybe you'll have a 5-10 minute lift line for maybe a short time, but that would probably be peak. Get there now, before it gets "too discovered" to see what it's like.

The good news about low skier traffic is that trails will stay in good shape longer.
The mountain has two distinctly different flavors, east and west. Green and blue skier favor the east, and the black skiers gravitate towards the west. It is a nice topology for keeping things separate.

And you know, one more thing, you didn't ask. There aren't any "yahoos" skiing/boarding there with aimless abandon. It's a really good, friendly, respectful vibe.

Sounds perfect to me. Hopefully the weather will cooperate, and we'll be able to get there for a day or two. I may pick up a couple of the $29.50 WCCC tickets at any rate, figuring that we'll get there at some point this season.

 

[orangegondola]

I only skied elsewhere 2 days last season and that was because obligations kept me in the NY area. I can honestly say I have never had a bad day at Magic and I think Rusty would agree. Unless we have a horrible heat wave combined with the R word, there will be a way down the hill. If you introduce yourself we will make sure you have a good time.

Katie, who wrote our first big article in the globe came on the worst weekend from a condition perspective last year. She had so much fun, she came back for our torchlight parade and we expect to see her again this year.

I may be beating a dead horse but people have to take a leap of faith this year and see what the boys can do with repaired snowmaking and 2 groomers.

 

[Geoff]

If you can hold off on buying your tickets until mid December, check conditions then buy, that will be the wisest move. You are spot-on about lift lines. What skill levels are we talking here?

With all the risk skiing Magic in December, I don't think any kind of pre-purchase more than a week out makes sense at all. It's not like their $59 holiday walk-up ticket window prices will break the bank.