Mountain Creek observations and questions

[deadheadskier]

If it's as crowded as you all say and half of it is a terrain park, then perhaps I too would give it a hard pass.

Up here crowds at CM are really light and Pat's isn't terrible in the morning. Both mountains are mostly ski terrain and not parks. CM has some pretty great tree skiing that's open 5-6 weeks a season. Pat's has a really good bump run. Wachusett I've only skied once in the past 30 years, so I can't really comment about there. I do hear the crowds are nuts though.

I guess I was just really surprised by the overall size of Mountain Creek. I certainly wasn't expecting something like that so close to NYC.

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[abc]

If you really want to try it, make sure it's a weekday, and NOT a school holiday. Or you'll hate it like the rest of us!

All my experience at MC were before they converted south mountain to terrain park. So I thought the terrain was decent for its size. It's just the crowd that's the problem. I'm not even talking about the crowds on the slope, the crowding BEFORE you even get to hit the slope was enough to drive me out of there! But now with the terrain park, I have even less reason to go there.

Part of the "hate" has to do with the relatively easy access to far superior alternatives in the Cats. Most of the Cats' mountains are, in my opinion, are just a tad below the critical point of crowdedness. MC is above that critical point, which makes it impossible to enjoy it.

[mbedle]

I guess it would be very expensive, but they could probably blast and grade something if they really wanted to on that peak.

It just seemed weird that there is this vast acreage between the two areas with what looked like a HSQ servicing only one trail.

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That lift was original installed to service more than one trail (maybe around 5, but somewhat interconnected). Its main purpose now is to provide a way for people to get over to South Peak, in the same way as the double that takes you from South Peak to Granite. However, it does beg the question on why they chose to close pretty much all of the former trails. My guess, it has to do with the pipeline and safety.

[Killingtime]

Skied there a few years ago on the Max pass too. Like a lot of people on this forum, I didn't have high expectations. Its a pretty quick drive from LI, so I figured if it really blows at least the lift tickets were free and all it cost me was gas and tolls. I found it wasn't nearly as terrible as its reputation and some runs were actually fun. The terrain park area was worth a few laps. The mountain itself was larger than I expected and felt that it skied bigger than the trail map suggested. The stand up gondola was a little weird and that's where most of the crowds were. One observation, place is littered with beer cans under every lift line. Dirtiest ski resort I've ever seen. WTF? Someone told me they do night skiing and then it all made sense. I'd go back if I can get cheap lift tickets and I was looking for a very short day trip.

[ScottySkis]

This is from my trip reported from 2016 winter of almost no snow
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IndexForumSkiing and SnowboardingNortheast Skiing and Snowboarding Trip Reports Sunday 1/24/16 Plattekill and mountain Creek NJ
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Jan 24, 2016, 10:16 PM #1
ScottySkis ScottySkis is online now

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Sunday 1/24/16 Plattekill and mountain Creek NJ
So first day at Platty for season. Cold windy maybe high if 5 not sure good snowmaking getting better. Over recent years for sure. Got their at 830 only easy hour in half ride no snow to deal with on way up. Skiied every trail open and closed ones except blockbuster. Good half foot fell no natural trails last weekend ski over some small rocks not muc damage. Glad I went had great day then decided on way home to hit up snowy mountain Creek NJ that trip reports goes up after I watch new X file show
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ScottySkis ScottySkis is online now

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Drive up is opposite then usual. Middletown just and 2 inches maybe .taken back roads when I get to onion town just miles from NY nj border it looks like north vermont. Epic snow fall everywhere they definitely got a good 18 inches. Booted up In the car.a lot of people where here during day can tell by extra parking lots open. Looking like a lot left now which I was hoping for. Got my kift ticket at south singles lines at first about 8 to 10 minutes. Got up packed powder everywhere good night lights and 100% night trails open which I can see this hill from Middletown which I love .deffinly a too 2 day their ever. Then went to granite Peak no crowd here stayed for about an hour or so. Tried to ski closed trail fun powder lines to I found out why it was close but ass rocks not enough sniw in it yet to not get hurt . got back to south at 730 no wait now. A lot lot of kids vaporizer on lines getting in trouble this place is definitely place NY c joes go to much more so then what I see at hunter. Finished at 815 pm because I was tired. Hill stays open to 9/Sunday and 10 other days. Glad I came for real packed powder at night still a lot of people on slopes but crazy like I sure it was in morning. First for me skiing 1 day at two different hills so glad I did though.

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Cool, glad you got a double dose, I know you needed it. In retrospect, I wish I had traveled to storm ski the Poconos on Saturday instead of skiing Greek, oh well, it's gotta snow up here eventually... right?
Leave no turn unstoned!
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Quote Originally Posted by Cornhead View Post
Cool, glad you got a double dose, I know you needed it. In retrospect, I wish I had traveled to storm ski the Poconos on Saturday instead of skiing Greek, oh well, it's gotta snow up here eventually... right?
It's all Corns fault we are not getting any snow this winter because he bought new snow tires this season. HA HA, Montage Mtn. got 4 inches.
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It my fault to because I have snow tires to lol.

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Thanks Bob and Dan hopefully we will again make turns soon.
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[mriceyman]

Pipeline used to be the only reason to go.. was a legit difficult trail back in the day. I will drive past and go to blue 100 out of 100 times


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[ThinkSnow]

Skied MC once probably over 20-25 years ago now-- even back the terrain just seemed boring. I used to patrol at Wachusett, and while that hill does get boring pretty quickly as well, it is good for a mid-week stretching of the legs after work-- past 7pm when all the school groups have gone home & you have the place to yourself. And while it is mostly groomed, because of that they do a nice job keeping the quality of the snow decent throughout the season.

[BenedictGomez]

C. This area of New Jersey would be considered incredibly scenic for anywhere. I drove in from 84 and the roads I took south through Warwick, Florida and down into Vernon were great. Tons of beautiful farms and cool old farmhouses.

Sigh........ Much of New Jersey would be considered incredibly scenic for anywhere.

The disparity is (most) people drive though on the GSP, NJ Turnpike, or land at EWR, and somehow believe they're an authority on the totality of the 9,000 square miles comprising State of New Jersey.

[BenedictGomez]

If I did make it down there during winter, I'd probably pack my skis and hang for a couple of days to try out something local. Likely Hunter and Plattekill or maybe Bellyare. But I did find myself looking at Mountain Creek the past few days and thinking I'd like to try it sometime.

If you only have 1 day, and it's an average or a solid snow year, Plattekill is where you need to go.
If you only have 1 day, and it's a terrible snow year, Hunter is the place where you should go.
If you only have 1 day, there'd never be a reason to hit Belleayre instead of Hunter or Platty.

Mountain Creek is 45 minutes from me. The Cats are 2 hours. So for me the choice is easy. I would much rather drive an extra hour or so and ski vastly superior terrain (and conditions) in the Catskills.

THIS.

I'm born & raised in NJ, yet DHS & I both share the fact we've never skied Mountain Creek. I don't see the point.

[ThinkSnow]

Much of New Jersey would be considered incredibly scenic for anywhere.

Agreed-- just not most of it.