Attitash Opening Date

[deadheadskier]

I'd be interested in seeing what their opening date history is. After being away a very long time I'm back with Attitash/WC as my primary mountain.

It is interesting that Loon had a strong opening 1 full month before Atittash, by virtue of location I know Lincoln is better suited to day trippers- but a full month?, we have a relatively short season. I think that is significant.

I think you nailed it regarding Loon being a Day Trip area, where as the MWV areas are more of a "destination." Most of the people I've encountered over the years in the MWV tend to be either locals or second home owners. You don't run into many people heading up to Wildcat from Boston for the day. Loon is a totally different story.

Regarding Boyne areas opening a full month before Peaks area; I guess it's just a difference in operating philosophies. I think Boyne realizes they will always be in a dog fight with Killington in terms of cornering a large percentage of the Boston market. A few years ago, Peaks was aggressive with opening Mount Snow early, but they've since backed off.

It does seem crazy to me that Attitash doesn't push hard to open for Thanksgiving weekend due to the real estate development at the mountain. If I were a condo owner there, I'd probably be upset. Then again, the vast majority of skiers don't think of skiing until Christmas week.

Honestly, I don't mind too much that Peaks doesn't push hard for early season product. In a way, I think it's healthier for early and late season ski operations in the east to have fewer mountains going for it. There are only so many of us diehards who look to get out as soon as possible in late October and Early November. Same goes for the spring side of the season. If every major area made a push to get open early in the fall and stay open late into the spring, it would dilute the profitability across all areas. I'm fine with Killington and Sunday River cornering the early season market. They usually offer good values and I enjoy starting my season at one or the other (usually both) through mid-December before I move on to where I have a pass for the season. That's been the case for me when I was a pass holder at Ragged for a couple years, Gunstock for a couple years and now this season going with the Granite pass. I viewed skiing yesterday at Crotched as a bonus. I wouldn't have had a problem going to Sunday River, Loon or Killington if Crotched or Wildcat weren't open.

As long as Crotched and Attitash make major efforts to have as much terrain open as possible for Christmas week through the end of March, I'm happy with that. Wildcat I always have low expectations for early season until the natural snow starts coming. Peaks can announce how much they've invested in snowmaking there on the front page of the New York Times if they wanted, but I don't expect anytying major. However, I do have high expectations that they operate Wildcat until May 1st. It's one of the best spring skiing mountains in the East and being right across the street from the premier hike to skiing in the east, I think they should push out the season through April. Most years they do.

 

[Brad J]

I really think the whole mt washington valley would greatly appreciate it if peak resort pushed for a early opening, diehard skiers are developed with a long season, 4 month just does not cut it. you can not just do it one year and make any kind of judgement on one season

 

[yeggous]

I understand being so conservative with Attitash. Their market is definitely the crowd that skis from Christmas vacation until the end of March and then stops because they have to go to Little League games.

Wildcat is a totally different area. Their regulars are diehard skiers who are chomping at the bit early and have to be dragged off the hill in the spring. They don't care about amenities, but want a fast lift and lots of snow. I know lots of passholders who go elsewhere in the early season because of the meager to non-existent early season offerings. I am one of them who went elsewhere 2 of 3 days this weekend.

I am seriously considering ditching Peak Resorts and picking up the new Super Pass. Cannon and Wildcat are just about an even trade. Bretton Woods and Cranmore easily cancel Attitash. I'd probably never go to Waterville Valley. Yes, that pass would be more expensive, but it is more affordable than buying lift tickets for 1-2 months before Peak Resorts gets into gear.

 

[canobie#1]

Although cranmore kicks attitash'a ass, cannon and wildcat don't swop out that easily to me.

 

[Quietman]

They don't care about amenities, but want a fast lift and lots of snow.

Crotched! Yes their terrain doesn't match up to Wildcat, or Attitash, but it is open, and the trails that are open have a deep base.

 

[deadheadskier]

Although cranmore kicks attitash'a ass.

seriously?

 

[Edd]

Although cranmore kicks attitash'a ass

I assume you're not talking about challenging terrain. I am a fan of Cranmore, however.


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[canobie#1]

I super cereal.
I like cranmore better.

 

[Gforce]

Great points on Peaks v. Boyne and the markets/demographics, it does make sense. Intersting story about the hay and water pipes. Wow.

I also prefer March skiing, and both Attitash and WC usually hold up well for the best portion of the season.

That said with the number of condos/homesites on mountain and Peaks recently promoting record pass sales.... a thanksgiving weekend without skiing seems to be a botched approach and an invitation for criticism.

 

[Riverskier]

Peaks holds the purse strings very tight. As a Maine skier I am just thankful it was Boyne that picked up Sunday River and Sugarloaf and not them.

 

[dlague]

I assume you're not talking about challenging terrain. I am a fan of Cranmore, however.


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Looking at Cranmore - not much there seems that challenging. I liken it to Bretton Woods in terms if the type of skiing that can be done there. I have never skied there but have not for two reasons - lack of deals and people calling it Cranless.

Looks like cruising hill!?

 

[yeggous]

Looking at Cranmore - not much there seems that challenging. I liken it to Bretton Woods in terms if the type of skiing that can be done there. I have never skied there but have not for two reasons - lack of deals and people calling it Cranless.

Looks like cruising hill!?

Cranmore reminds me more of Black Mountain (NH), but with a fast lift and decent snowmaking. There are broad meadows intertwined with narrow trails. They have good progression glades too.

 

[Edd]

Cranmore reminds me more of Black Mountain (NH), but with a fast lift and decent snowmaking. There are broad meadows intertwined with narrow trails. They have good progression glades too.

That's fairly accurate, although Cranmore is obviously way more commercial than Black. My GF used to work there so I've skied it quite a bit. It had a good vibe and a legit place in ski history. It skis bigger than it is.


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[xwhaler]

Cranmore has some decent advanced runs---Koessler, The Ledges, and Hurricane are fun. Black's steepest sections at the top are steeper than anything at Cranmore but I'd say Cranmore's advanced runs have more continuous pitch than Black.

If they partner again on the Simon Malls AMEX giftcard deal I may head up there some wknd. Used to night ski there as a kid when my family had a condo at Attitash.

 

[Gforce]

Only 4 Trails open as of yesterday. I have not seen any trip reports yet. I'll be up there at the end of the week.

Also, Brad J mentioned the issue at Wildcat with frozen pipes, hay bales and no snowmaking at the summit, anyone know what is the situation there ? The trails at the top are still not open.

 

[Quietman]

Snow Report says that they are making snow on Upper Catapult.

 

[yeggous]

I skied 8 runs this morning at Wildcat and 4 runs after lunch at Bear Peak at Attitash. Very few people at either place.

This weekend things were scratchy, but the snow today helped a lot. Wildcat had a few inches all over corduroy making for wonderful skiing. I really should have stayed there all day.

Wildcat has abandoned snowmaking on upper lynx and polecat despite previous promises. They are now back to their old strategy of blowing on upper catapult despite having small piles on upper lynx. I'm not sure where the frozen pipe stands, but I heard from others that they saw smoke / smoldering yesterday and there was still hay around the base. I don't know how they are plumbed, but they may be able to get water to upper catapult but not lynx or polecat.

Attitash had much less snow to the point of still being relatively scratchy. I quit after an hour because the snow had turned to sleet at the base and freezing rain at the summit, which has glazing over my goggles creating visibility issues.

Coverage at both Attitash and Wildcat was great on the little terrain they had open. Both were much better than Bretton Woods or Cranmore who seem to be trying to increase trail counts rather than blowing a deep base.


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[Brad J]

Only 4 Trails open as of yesterday. I have not seen any trip reports yet. I'll be up there at the end of the week.

Also, Brad J mentioned the issue at Wildcat with frozen pipes, hay bales and no snowmaking at the summit, anyone know what is the situation there ? The trails at the top are still not open.

I was at both Attitash in morning and Wildcat in afternoon , Attitash had the old Hall chair running to almost top, with Northeast Passage open , good snow and coverage, they where not very aggressive with the snow making with just blowing snow on Comp and Tightrope,Ilusion was firm but edge able. Wildcat was running around six going on upper Catipult but not on the summit area, they seam to still have a problem with the system. They certainly have backed away from the plan they touted. They need to get there act together , If they froze pipes with the prime snowmaking weather that is coming, an explanation is owed to the Pass holders, their blog is very quite .

 

[deadheadskier]

Yeg or Brad, do you think Attitash or Wildcat will offer the better product Thursday morning?

Neither area's current offering excites me much to make the drive up there. I'd rather stick closer to home and ski what Crotched has open for a few hours, but they don't open until 1 and my availability to ski is only during the morning.

....or I do have a voucher to Bretton Woods I could use, so that might be the best option for me at this point even though they pretty much have only low intermediate terrain open.

This is my first year buying a Granite Pass and I didn't have huge expectations for early season product at these areas with Crotched being far south, Attitash low elevation and Wildcat never historically having great snowmaking. I need to keep those expectations in mind before getting too frustrated with Peaks efforts at these areas so far. They definitely need to put the peddle to the metal over the next week or so though. As of right now with Loon only, Boyne is offering 100 more acres of skiing tomorrow than Attitash and Wildcat combined. Even if Crotched were open, Boyne would have 50% more terrain at one area alone to offer their customers than what Peaks is providing in NH across three mountains. Mount Snow in VT, seems to be well behind their competition right now too. I'm sure come January, I'll forget all about this conversation and be thrilled skiing Wildcat et al., but right now things don't look positive for Peaks in the east. Unless Mother Nature helps out in a big way, they need to kick it up a notch.

 

[EPB]

They definitely need to put the peddle to the metal over the next week or so though. As of right now with Loon only, Boyne is offering 100 more acres of skiing tomorrow than Attitash and Wildcat combined. Even if Crotched were open, Boyne would have 50% more terrain at one area alone to offer their customers than what Peaks is providing in NH across three mountains. Mount Snow in VT, seems to be well behind their competition right now too. I'm sure come January, I'll forget all about this conversation and be thrilled skiing Wildcat et al., but right now things don't look positive for Peaks in the east. Unless Mother Nature helps out in a big way, they need to kick it up a notch.

When the connection between Attitash and Bear Peak opens, you will see a big spike in acreage. The other trail offerings tend to fill in pretty quickly thereafter. I'm definitely disappointed to this point, but i think this weather has been especially problematic for Peak because it looks like it has been just too warm to make snow at Attitash while other places have been getting after it. Wildcat's snowmaking system is (and will be for a while in all likelihood) about as weak and antiquated as it gets for a mid size or bigger area east of the Connecticut river.