Attitash on 12/15

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I'm thinking of taking my first trip of the 06-07 season to Attitash. I'm very new to New England skiing, and really want to try as many areas as possible. From the trail maps, this place looks big and promising.
Is there anything I should look out for or any suggestions on the best time to get there? I planned on getting there for the first chair, and leave if it gets too crowded.
Thanks for your input.
And it looks VERY promising for snowmaking up there this upcoming week, after a couple warm days, it's gonna drop to the low 20's at night and mid 30's during the day.
Let it !!!

 

[Talisman]

Attitash is a fun place to ski but early season and with little natural snow it wouldn't be my pick unless the place was at least 60% open. Attitash has some interesting terrain but like most areas is best after a decent snow storm. Attitash has a relatively low base elevation which doesn't help the snow making effort. You may do better early season at Sunday River which also has a low base elevation, but has a massive snow making system that can open a up a lot of terrain.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Thanks, the main reason I chose Attitash was because they have a free ski day, and if my shoulder isn't feeling right, and I need to head home early, I'd rather not waste 60 bux. They are supposed to be open on 12/1, but I'm not sure of the amount of trails they'll have ready. Hopefully, it will remain pretty cold and they can make snow or heaven forbid, get some actual snow from the sky.

Hey, and if any one of you AZ'ers wants to head to Attitash (weather permitting) that day. I'd be glad to meet some folks who know the mountain.

 

[Rushski]

If there is some solid snow in between now and the 15th, hit the Bear Peak side. Less crowded, better terrain and just a better layout.

Though, regardless the crowds for that free day will probably be nothing short of brutal...

 

[Warp Daddy]

Agreed : Free =2 many @ Attacrash and on less than good coverage --------------------not 4 me !

 

[thetrailboss]

I agree with some of the comments here....wait on Attitash. Go to K-Mart or Sunday River instead. Attitash is best served before or after a holiday period...when snowmaking has kicked in.

 

[kickstand]

the free day, which I believe is a Friday, is usually pretty crowded, especially given that it's early season and not much will be open. The way things have gone this year, it should be even more crowded. IMHO, I wouldn't bother since it's a solid 3 hour ride for you. Now if it gets very cold and they get dumped on, different story. If you want to go there mid-season, drop me a PM and I'll give you the ins and outs of the place and the area.

BTW, I plan on being up there that weekend, but I have every intention of going to Wildcat, regardless of conditions.

 

[riverc0il]

I'm very new to New England skiing, and really want to try as many areas as possible. From the trail maps, this place looks big and promising.

not sure where you were used to skiing before hitting up new england, but attitash is not a very big mountain. from my experience at attitash at a free december friday a few years back, they open the main mountain first and probably will not have bear peak open. it will be a zoo for sure. i found that the attitash free day attracted a very obnoxious and youthful crowd and was pretty... how do you spell it? oh yea, crowded. for reference, here is my report from that time i did the free day a few years ago. free is always a good price, but you certainly get what you pay for. probably better than paying $40+ or whatever else kmart is charging for a few routes down. i say go for it. at least you can cross attitash off the to do list without sacrificing a good day somewhere else

 

[snowconehead]

From now on I don't get sucked into these free or highly discounted days anywhere. It's just asking for trouble. As to Attitash it can be a lot of fun if you are skiing it with friends, but it's not so challenging for an expert that he would go there instead of better areas. Locally, Wildcat has better terrain. You can ski it for $26 on Wednesdays, I believe.

 

[Talisman]

Given a choice I prefer Wildcat to Attitash, but if the wind has the summit quad on hold in Pinkham Notch, Attitash is a great back up plan. Attitash does offer some challenging runs with some steep shots on the main Mtn and some bump lines and trees on Bear Peak. I have seen years when Attitash had made snow on Ptarmigan and Idiots Option when Wildcat was open with just Pole Cat open off the top. I have never paid full price to ski Attitash and I'm not sure what they get for lift tickets these days but, SKI NH ticket coupons or the Mobil $15 off coupon are the way to go. Another place to check out if you get blown out at the Cat is Black mountain, but they need lots of natural snow to open up the good stuff.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

The main reason I'm chosing Attitash is because it's free that day and I am 3 months recovered from shoulder surgery. If my shoulder gives me any grief at all, I can pack my gear up, head home and not be bummed I just dropped 50 bux for 2-4 runs. Thanks for all the info, and this will really depend on the amount of snow they have. It's about a 167 miles, which can be done in about 2 - 3 hours. I plan on getting on the road no later than 6am.
Again, I really appreciate all the input. I'm originally from Chicago, and have skied in Michigan (the UP), and Wisconsin (Alpine, Wilmot (barely a bump), and a place in Madison that was really nice, but I can't remember the name).

 

[hammer]

I don't know what they'll have open for that weekend, but have you considered going to Pats Peak or Crotched? They are smaller places but when they have crowds they manage them well.

You will have to pay for a lift ticket but you'll spend a lot less time on the road...

 

[kickstand]

It's about a 167 miles, which can be done in about 2 - 3 hours. I plan on getting on the road no later than 6am.

I live 30-40 minutes north of you and it takes me 2.5 hours. I do this trip just about every weekend, I-95 to 16. There is no way you will make it in 2 hours. Plan on 3 hours, minimum, even with no traffic.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I live 30-40 minutes north of you and it takes me 2.5 hours. I do this trip just about every weekend, I-95 to 16. There is no way you will make it in 2 hours. Plan on 3 hours, minimum, even with no traffic.

Works for me. I planned on doing 70ish, unless the back roads don't permit that. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[kickstand]

Works for me. I planned on doing 70ish, unless the back roads don't permit that. Thanks for the heads up.

you can do 70 on 128/I-95, and 75 when I-95 splits, without any worry of getting pulled over. You can't do 70 on rt. 16, especially once you get past Rochester. And there WILL be speed traps on 16, you can count on it. When the speed limit drops, be sure to slow down.

One other note - I seem to recall in the past the number of tickets on the free day were limited, unless I am getting this mixed up with another promotion. Check into this, because if the tickets are limited, you'll be shut out if you don't leave Dedham until 6:00 am.

 

[Paul]

you can do 70 on 128/I-95, and 75 when I-95 splits, without any worry of getting pulled over. You can't do 70 on rt. 16, especially once you get past Rochester. And there WILL be speed traps on 16, you can count on it. When the speed limit drops, be sure to slow down.

One other note - I seem to recall in the past the number of tickets on the free day were limited, unless I am getting this mixed up with another promotion. Check into this, because if the tickets are limited, you'll be shut out if you don't leave Dedham until 6:00 am.

Not to mention getting stuck in the end of a conga line on 16, with the leader rocketing along at 25....

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

you can do 70 on 128/I-95, and 75 when I-95 splits, without any worry of getting pulled over. You can't do 70 on rt. 16, especially once you get past Rochester. And there WILL be speed traps on 16, you can count on it. When the speed limit drops, be sure to slow down.

One other note - I seem to recall in the past the number of tickets on the free day were limited, unless I am getting this mixed up with another promotion. Check into this, because if the tickets are limited, you'll be shut out if you don't leave Dedham until 6:00 am.

Directly from Attitash's website:
FREE DAY
12/15/2006
Time for the annual Attitash Free Day. No strings attached just head to the ticket window and pick up you free lift ticket for a full day on the slopes.

I was going to leave at 6am to get on the first chair, maybe a little earlier. Thanks again for the info.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

What about Stratton? I have the day off, and won a free lift ticket....

 

[shneedemon]

Given a choice I prefer Wildcat to Attitash, but if the wind has the summit quad on hold in Pinkham Notch, Attitash is a great back up plan. Attitash does offer some challenging runs with some steep shots on the main Mtn and some bump lines and trees on Bear Peak. I have seen years when Attitash had made snow on Ptarmigan and Idiots Option when Wildcat was open with just Pole Cat open off the top. I have never paid full price to ski Attitash and I'm not sure what they get for lift tickets these days but, SKI NH ticket coupons or the Mobil $15 off coupon are the way to go. Another place to check out if you get blown out at the Cat is Black mountain, but they need lots of natural snow to open up the good stuff.

That's rather good to know. I haven't skied Attitash in over a decade. I can't ski bumps much anymore so Bear Peak has never appealed to me. However, I've been at Attitash when it was closed due to the wind. When I've been at Wildcat and that happened, I opted to snowshoe in the valley. On windy days, staying in the woods can be a lot of fun.

 

[kickstand]

I can't ski bumps much anymore so Bear Peak has never appealed to me.

You should check out Bear. There is really only 1 trail they let bump up. The rest of it is groomed as flat as a sidewalk.