Where to ski Saturday and why

[Cheese]

I'm heading somewhere in NH, VT or ME on Saturday. I will spend money, but I'd rather use it to compliment a resort that has gone the extra mile this season. So, who should get my business and why?

 

[hammer]

Doing the same on Sunday. Need to get my ski fix and the DS is home from college for the weekend and wants to head out.

 

[bobbutts]

Cannon, because they have continued to make snow throughout the season and their higher elevation may help keep it frozen now through the weekend.

 

[xwhaler]

I have an event Sat night so can't do my customary wknd trip to VT or Maine. Also have a friend coming up from Virginia who skis once a season and is looking forward to coming out (I warned him on conditions haha!)

The potential for crowds at the start of vacation week, the lack of discounts available, and that we would like to keep driving to a minimum given the Sat event is an hour south of me in NH.
I'm going to decide between either Pats or Whaleback. Pats has a 2fer with the RSNE card and I can get 2fers to the Whale with the Mtn Sports membership I bought.
Figure both will be fun to ski some hard pack groomers for a few hours at $29 for Pats and $20 at the Whale. Can be at both places in 1:15 or less from the house.

 

[crank]

I am picking up my son and nephew at their respective schools in Burlington and Plattsburgh and then making them drive us up to Mont Ste Anne where we will stay and ski there and Le Massif this weekend.

 

[gmcunni]

I am picking up my son and nephew at their respective schools in Burlington and Plattsburgh and then making them drive us up to Mont Ste Anne where we will stay and ski there and Le Massif this weekend.

i will be slightly south of you (magog) :beer:

 

[Smellytele]

I have an event Sat night so can't do my customary wknd trip to VT or Maine. Also have a friend coming up from Virginia who skis once a season and is looking forward to coming out (I warned him on conditions haha!)

The potential for crowds at the start of vacation week, the lack of discounts available, and that we would like to keep driving to a minimum given the Sat event is an hour south of me in NH.
I'm going to decide between either Pats or Whaleback. Pats has a 2fer with the RSNE card and I can get 2fers to the Whale with the Mtn Sports membership I bought.
Figure both will be fun to ski some hard pack groomers for a few hours at $29 for Pats and $20 at the Whale. Can be at both places in 1:15 or less from the house.

Pats has been skiing okay lately and they have been pumping out snow when they can. Tornado and Cyclone were pretty good last weekend. Hurricane not so good this past weekend but was great the weekend before. I will probably be there Saturday afternoon and maybe Sunday as well to get in a few runs.

 

[jrmagic]

Come to Magic. There will be less crowds than at other mountains, they have been blowing snow to get Wizard open, the vibe is great, the food and drink are very good and who knows.. maybe you'll get a cameo in a Guy Douchette production:grin:

 

[xwhaler]

Come to Magic. There will be less crowds than at other mountains, they have been blowing snow to get Wizard open, the vibe is great, the food and drink are very good and who knows.. maybe you'll get a cameo in a Guy Douchette production:grin:

+1 I'd be at Magic if it weren't for my Sat night plans. 2 for 1 with a RSNE card at Magic as well on Saturday is a great deal for vacation week.

 

[hammer]

Any further word on Gunstock? Thinking we will go there but Pats and Crotched are also possibilities. Loon seems to have a lot of trails open but I went there once over President's Day weekend and it was such a sh!tshow...

 

[bigbog]

I'm heading somewhere in NH, VT or ME on Saturday. I will spend money, but I'd rather use it to compliment a resort that has gone the extra mile this season. So, who should get my business and why?

So you're assuming what...that members of resort management, who Are working...need additional monetary compensation? :lol: To be honest I'd forget the deep pockets of a big resort and give my business to the smaller areas of choice... If any big resort begins to go under, it's not because of skier visits or weather....more of greedy salaries & mismanagement, where the actual people out on the mountain seldom see any rewards for their dedication.
Cooler air with a little snow throughout northern NewEngland...starting Friday night Cheese = should be a good weekend.

 

[WinnChill]

Any further word on Gunstock? Thinking we will go there but Pats and Crotched are also possibilities. Loon seems to have a lot of trails open but I went there once over President's Day weekend and it was such a sh!tshow...

I'm taking my little guy up to Gunstock Sat. I haven't heard of direct reports yet (an older trip report from last month sounded good) but I haven't skied there in over 20 years and it's time to get back. It''ll be a bit colder and breezy--with some cloudiness hanging on in the Whites for part of the day, I'd rather get a little more sun just to the south. Plus I could do with some good views. Gonna buy tix online tonight to save a few bucks too.

 

[Cheese]

So you're assuming what...that members of resort management, who Are working...need additional monetary compensation?

Basically I was looking for opinions from members about why they might choose one area over another this weekend. I would weed out the "I have a pass" or "I live close by" as they don't really apply to me. Perhaps expecting replies that might say, "they have 10 trails but they won't be crowded" or "they have 50 trails to better scatter a mob". Perhaps others like me split consecutive days at two resorts so comparisons are fair. In the back of my mind I know that Killington and Loon have a lot of beds per trail so holiday weekends are dicey. Then again, perhaps this was a thread where someone might change my mind.

 

[Cheese]

Mittersill Backcountry Area: Closed

Guess Cannon didn't get more than an inch from this storm. Well, at least it didn't rain!

 

[billski]

Basically I was looking for opinions from members about why they might choose one area over another this weekend. I would weed out the "I have a pass" or "I live close by" as they don't really apply to me. Perhaps expecting replies that might say, "they have 10 trails but they won't be crowded" or "they have 50 trails to better scatter a mob". Perhaps others like me split consecutive days at two resorts so comparisons are fair. In the back of my mind I know that Killington and Loon have a lot of beds per trail so holiday weekends are dicey. Then again, perhaps this was a thread where someone might change my mind.

Hey Cheese,

If I could, I would head to Maine. In general, NW Maine has the best snow conditions in all of New England. They didn't get too much rain-freeze-rain-freeze-thaw action.

I would choose Saddleback,Sugarloaf and Sunday River in that order.

I'd pick Saddleback for the lowest crowds, with much higher crowds at the other two, which are seen more as "destinations."

If apres-ski is your thing, Sunday River has more of an infrastructure outside the resort. Saddleback has the least.

For this season, I really don't care much about trail count. Each resort has worked hard to make sure there is something for everyone.

I'm sure you'll find much better glades skiing in Maine.

Regarding crowds. Word I hear on the street is that lodging booking are down 10-20% thanks to the lack of Ullr action. My several excursions seem to validate that.

 

[Nick]

Mittersill Backcountry Area: Closed

Guess Cannon didn't get more than an inch from this storm. Well, at least it didn't rain!

That bites.

I'm going somewhere Sunday too.... tbd but I'm thinking MRG. It was on my hit list this year. I was hoping to go after a decent dump but maybe it's time to just do it. Their facebook images look pretty good

 

[xwhaler]

Pats has been skiing okay lately and they have been pumping out snow when they can. Tornado and Cyclone were pretty good last weekend. Hurricane not so good this past weekend but was great the weekend before. I will probably be there Saturday afternoon and maybe Sunday as well to get in a few runs.

How have crowds been on a typical Sat at Pats? Notice you have been quite a bit this season. I like the fact they have more open than Whaleback but I'd prefer to not stand in long lines to ski 700' of vert. Wonder how much extra volume they see tomorrow with the start of vacation week?

 

[Cheese]

Hey Cheese,

If I could, I would head to Maine. In general, NW Maine has the best snow conditions in all of New England. They didn't get too much rain-freeze-rain-freeze-thaw action.

I would choose Saddleback,Sugarloaf and Sunday River in that order.

I'd pick Saddleback for the lowest crowds, with much higher crowds at the other two, which are seen more as "destinations."

Thanks Bill! This is exactly the type of answer I was searching for. Unfortunately I had a bunch of last minute add-ons decide they only want a day trip and can't even agree on Saturday or Sunday. Consequently I can't do a Maine overnight trip this weekend. So, it's going to be Bretton Woods Saturday and Waterville on Sunday to ski with different groups of friends.

I will take your Maine advice for next weekend and head up to Sunday River. I understand that Saddleback will be less crowded but when I'm that close to the Loaf, I'd just wind up there. Since I'll be at the Loaf for the AZ trip, I might as well vary it up at Sunday River next weekend.

I'm going somewhere Sunday too.... tbd but I'm thinking MRG. It was on my hit list this year. I was hoping to go after a decent dump but maybe it's time to just do it. Their facebook images look pretty good

I'm putting MRG on hold till next year. March is already fairly booked with two western trips and the AZ Summit.

 

[Riverskier]

Hey Cheese,

If I could, I would head to Maine. In general, NW Maine has the best snow conditions in all of New England. They didn't get too much rain-freeze-rain-freeze-thaw action.

I would choose Saddleback,Sugarloaf and Sunday River in that order.

I'd pick Saddleback for the lowest crowds, with much higher crowds at the other two, which are seen more as "destinations."

If apres-ski is your thing, Sunday River has more of an infrastructure outside the resort. Saddleback has the least.

For this season, I really don't care much about trail count. Each resort has worked hard to make sure there is something for everyone.

I'm sure you'll find much better glades skiing in Maine.

Regarding crowds. Word I hear on the street is that lodging booking are down 10-20% thanks to the lack of Ullr action. My several excursions seem to validate that.

I agree with most of what you said, but if Saddleback is at all busy (by their standards) they could actually have the longest lift line in the state for the Rangely Double, even though they will have the least number of customers. Sunday River will have the shortest lift lines (if you know how to ski the mountain), but will have the most customers overall. Saddleback will most likely have the best snow though, and perhaps the best glade skiing in New England this weekend.

 

[hammer]

How have crowds been on a typical Sat at Pats? Notice you have been quite a bit this season. I like the fact they have more open than Whaleback but I'd prefer to not stand in long lines to ski 700' of vert. Wonder how much extra volume they see tomorrow with the start of vacation week?

FWIW I've been at Pats Peak during a holiday week (and I did have a season's pass for one season), and if they have all lifts running the lines are usually not long. Just stay on the more advanced trails if you want running room.