Best North East resort for New Years getaway?

[Maksim]

Hey all,

New member here, so go easy on me.

My gf and myself are looking to get a bunch of our friends and go away skiing for a few days for new years, so either a few days before or after. Probly a group of up to 8 or 10 people...

Half the people have experience skiing, a few will be new.

Would want to stay close to the mountain, and if night skiing avail, I know, spoiled here in the poconoes, would be great.

We would want to rent a house or a large condo? though open to hotel rooms, dont need a huge apres-ski/nightlife as we would be our own nightlife, lol.

I have picked up skiing last year, and hit it hard, skiing nearly every weekend, open to close at Blue in the Poconoes, have not made it up, or west.

We are in NJ/NY, and dont mind a bit of a drive as this will be 3 or 4 days. I was looking at Gore mountain, as it looks like a good prices on multi day lift tickets, but wanted to get your opinions on this.
-Max

 

[scootertig]

So, the question I have is, are the "non-skiers" commited to being skiers? Or do you need non-skiing activities for them?

If you're looking for an only-skiing sort of thing, your choices may be very different from your options if you're looking to have lots of non-skiing (shopping, dining, drinking, entertaiment) options.

Basically, are you looking for a ski area? Or a resort area?

aaron

 

[Maksim]

non skiiers commited to skiing.

in the condo/house, would be the drinking partying, eating.

If the facility or resort has a pool, all the better, but dont think it is trully necessary.

But open to both.

 

[WJenness]

non skiiers commited to skiing.

in the condo/house, would be the drinking partying, eating.

If the facility or resort has a pool, all the better, but dont think it is trully necessary.

But open to both.

Sunday River might be a good choice for you.

A bit of a haul, but a one or two slopeside condos and you guys would be good. The stuff by South Ridge i.e. Fall Line is ski-in ski-out, right next to the beginner area, Night skiing starting up this year, great learn to ski program, and if you're trying to plan it this far out you can be confident that SR's snowmaking and grooming prowess will let them have the best conditions possible for you, as it is still semi-early season and many places could still have limited terrain (depends on natural snowfall, a year like last year and everything will be open).

Oh, and the condo complexes have pools / hot tubs.

-w

 

[Vortex]

Fall Line would give you ski on ski off for day and night skiing. Its a quiet complex. Its not rentened through Sr River anymore. Its newengland vacation rentals. The Magic Carpet is visable from my deck. You can walk to activites. Mountain explorer runs to town, comes to the Rest in the building a couple of times a night if you want to get out with out driving. Huge.

Sunrise complex is also another option that is rented by the mountain. .

. Many activites. We went to a couple of Mt sponsonerd New years parties last year. Probably just go to dinner this year. The lesson programs are very good. Check the web page they do have some 1st time free packages. copied them below.


Bring a Friend!

Introduce a friend to skiing or riding, and you'll get a free lift ticket!

It's a great way to introduce your friends and family to the sport you love. All you need to do is register your friend for an Adult First Experience Learn to Ski or Ride Package by calling 207-824-5959, accompany them when they check in at the Sprint? Discovery Center at South Ridge, and you'll receive a free lift ticket valid for that day.

Three-Day Advance Reservation Required. Please call 207-824-5959 or toll free at 800-207-2371.

Cannot be combined with any other offers. First-time skiers and riders only. Ages 15 and up. Limit one free ticket per person per day. Three-day advance reservation required. Free ticket must be used the same day as the skier's/rider's first day. Must be full price First Experience clinic ($80).
http://www.sundayriver.com/SkiSchool/Learn_to_Ski_Ride.html




Long ride though.

Very fun Vibe here. Not an uptight attitude.

 

[fixedgrip16]

Well if you're willing to go to SR you might also consider the Loaf. It tends to run a bit colder being taller and further north but that assists in preserving snow. SR does have A+ snowmaking though and WJeness offers good advice. Sugarloaf probably appeals a bit more to advanced skiers but has plenty of more moderate terrain. Remember too that regarding snowmaking the Loaf's got more vertical than SR so it's going to take more snow and time to cover a longer trail than a shorter one.

Staying on the Buckboard trail in a mountainside condo would work perfect for a large group. You can ski right to Whiffletree Quad (detach) which serves beg/ int. trails. Around New Years, I'd expect us to be at 100% capacity-- lifts and trails-- At night around that time there's fireworks, torchlight parade, concerts, hot tubs (some condos have them but there are outdoor ones at the Sugartree health center) turbo tubing. The only issue might be you're looking at an 8 hour drive or so.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Hey all,

New member here, so go easy on me.

My gf and myself are looking to get a bunch of our friends and go away skiing for a few days for new years, so either a few days before or after. Probly a group of up to 8 or 10 people...

Half the people have experience skiing, a few will be new.

Would want to stay close to the mountain, and if night skiing avail, I know, spoiled here in the poconoes, would be great.

We would want to rent a house or a large condo? though open to hotel rooms, dont need a huge apres-ski/nightlife as we would be our own nightlife, lol.

I have picked up skiing last year, and hit it hard, skiing nearly every weekend, open to close at Blue in the Poconoes, have not made it up, or west.

We are in NJ/NY, and dont mind a bit of a drive as this will be 3 or 4 days. I was looking at Gore mountain, as it looks like a good prices on multi day lift tickets, but wanted to get your opinions on this.-Max

Gore is great, but drive a little farther North to Whiteface/Lake Placid. In case the new to skiing part of your group wants some non skiing activities there is more to do in Lake Placid then any other place you could pick.

 

[billski]

Welcome aboard.

We're not all experts, but were are passionate and obsessed with skiing, so you'll get the no-bull report from this group.

Let's focus more. How about some nuts and bolts.

How far do you want to travel? Be specific. What is your threshhold of travel pain? With all due respect to Maine, that's a long drive and can have just as nice an experience a bit closer to home.

How much do you want to spend? Cheap, moderate or higher end? (I'm talking everything)
Eating out or eating in?

What's your threshold for cold?
What kinds of skiing, what is your group's tolerance for risks?
Groups by definition often have to cater to the lowest common denominator: skill level.
Are you planning on lessons? What's the skill level/interest: black/blue/green (break it up by percentages).
How important is a lodge to you?
How important are good snow conditions to you? Does your group want perfect grooming or something wilder?
Is your group a mix of boarders and/or skiers? What is the age range and number of years skiing experience.
Will you want to break up into smaller sets and regroup later, or all stay together.

I know this sounds like the Spanish Inquistion, but there is a wide range of areas to choose from and this group is large enough to have experienced pretty much every resort in northeast. If I was you, I would want to go a bit further for something more unique, but I'll wait to hear back from you.

 

[deadheadskier]

As much as I like Sunday River and Sugarloaf, I would NOT bring a group of never evers there all the way from New Jersey. If you were in Boston, I'd give it a consideration, but it's a long long way to go for some folks who have never been on snow.

Judging by the sound of your group, I would give a serious look at the Manchester, VT area and here are the reasons:

1. Depending on where you are in Jersey, it'll be roughly 5 hours from you.

2. You say the non-skiers are committed to skiing. There is no guarantee your guests will take to the sport like you did and might say screw it after a first morning. I hope they plan on getting lessons. If they don't like it, Manchester has lots of things to do outside of skiing.

3. Weather....a big turn off for many never evers can be a nasty cold first day. Bromley faces south, which helps. Sugarloaf can be without question the nastiest, coldest mountain in the east.

4. Terrain options....Bromley for beginners, Stratton for intermediates, Magic for experts if there's good natural snow. All of these areas are within 20-30 minutes of one another and there is all Okemo, Killington and Mt. Snow within an hour.

 

[deadheadskier]

Gore is great, but drive a little farther North to Whiteface/Lake Placid. In case the new to skiing part of your group wants some non skiing activities there is more to do in Lake Placid then any other place you could pick.

I was also going to suggest Whiteface / LP as an option, certainly better than Gore for off hill type stuff. My only reluctance in doing so is the potential for extremely cold weather and how that can turn a never ever off to the sport in a hurry. Southern VT the risk of that is lower.

 

[tjf67]

Lake Placid/ Whiteface. Best overall experience. Not the best skiing.

Best overall skiing that time of year Jay Peak Vermont.

Jay peak is an extra 2 hr drive each way.

 

[Maksim]

thanks for all your help so far...

Here is some more info to clarify it.


How far do you want to travel? Be specific. What is your threshhold of travel pain? With all due respect to Maine, that's a long drive and can have just as nice an experience a bit closer to home.
6 to 7 hours. Obviously would stop on the way. Made a few trips to Dover/NH before via boston so it is ok. Considering NY/VT/NH, dont want to go into Maine. The newbies wanted to do New Years in the Pocono's but want to do something a bit nicer/ better skiing.


How much do you want to spend? Cheap, moderate or higher end? (I'm talking everything)
Eating out or eating in?
Biggest expense would be the lift tickets/lodging. We have a few goood cooks in the group, and would be bringing up the booze, not that we are big drinkers. A day or two would go out, but we would bring up food if need be.

What's your threshold for cold?
When you have good skiing, you dont feel it. =) we are tolerable.


What kinds of skiing, what is your group's tolerance for risks?
Would be all downhill, on piste skiing. No woods or anything.

Groups by definition often have to cater to the lowest common denominator: skill level.
Are you planning on lessons? What's the skill level/interest: black/blue/green (break it up by percentages).
about half the group has a few years experience, and more than once or twice a year. lol.
Mostly skiiers, may have one or two snowboarders. the newbies have been on skiis before, but maybe once or twice before. There may be one or two true newbies who have never been on skis. Mostly blue's and greens, one or two out of the group can do black's.

How important is a lodge to you?
Not very, but would be a nice have.

How important are good snow conditions to you? Does your group want perfect grooming or something wilder?
If we are driving all the way there...would be very good to have good snow conditions. If I wanted Ice, would just stay in the pocono's. =) Good snow important, perfect grooming is not soo much. But once again, a nice have.

Is your group a mix of boarders and/or skiers? What is the age range and number of years skiing experience.
From mid 20's to mid 30's. Out of the group of 8 to 10, all but one would be skiiers, and my gf does both, ski and board.

Will you want to break up into smaller sets and regroup later, or all stay together.
Would probly break up into smaller groups later... that, or if there is night skiing... which would be fuggin awesome, the core skiers would be able to go back to ski after the newbies are done. =)

 

[Maksim]

A few other follow ups.
I am not 100% certain the others in the group would be taking lessons, but would take advantage of the offer someone posted before.

All but 3 or 4, would need rentals. The core skiiers/boarders have their own equipment/gear

 

[billski]

Here is some more info to clarify it.


How far do you want to travel? Be specific. What is your threshhold of travel pain? With all due respect to Maine, that's a long drive and can have just as nice an experience a bit closer to home.
6 to 7 hours. Obviously would stop on the way. Made a few trips to Dover/NH before via boston so it is ok. Considering NY/VT/NH, dont want to go into Maine. The newbies wanted to do New Years in the Pocono's but want to do something a bit nicer/ better skiing.


How much do you want to spend? Cheap, moderate or higher end? (I'm talking everything)
Eating out or eating in?
Biggest expense would be the lift tickets/lodging. We have a few goood cooks in the group, and would be bringing up the booze, not that we are big drinkers. A day or two would go out, but we would bring up food if need be.

What's your threshold for cold?
When you have good skiing, you dont feel it. =) we are tolerable.


What kinds of skiing, what is your group's tolerance for risks?
Would be all downhill, on piste skiing. No woods or anything.

Groups by definition often have to cater to the lowest common denominator: skill level.
Are you planning on lessons? What's the skill level/interest: black/blue/green (break it up by percentages).
about half the group has a few years experience, and more than once or twice a year. lol.
Mostly skiiers, may have one or two snowboarders. the newbies have been on skiis before, but maybe once or twice before. There may be one or two true newbies who have never been on skis. Mostly blue's and greens, one or two out of the group can do black's.

How important is a lodge to you?
Not very, but would be a nice have.

How important are good snow conditions to you? Does your group want perfect grooming or something wilder?
If we are driving all the way there...would be very good to have good snow conditions. If I wanted Ice, would just stay in the pocono's. =) Good snow important, perfect grooming is not soo much. But once again, a nice have.

Is your group a mix of boarders and/or skiers? What is the age range and number of years skiing experience.
From mid 20's to mid 30's. Out of the group of 8 to 10, all but one would be skiiers, and my gf does both, ski and board.

Will you want to break up into smaller sets and regroup later, or all stay together.
Would probly break up into smaller groups later... that, or if there is night skiing... which would be fuggin awesome, the core skiers would be able to go back to ski after the newbies are done. =)

You increase your odds of good snow and smaller crowds the further north you go. Of course those places with top snowmaking capacity will help too. If I was you, I think I'd be gravitating to VT or perhaps, maybe Bretton Woods in NH. In VT, Sugarbush (stay in town). In So. VT, if you want to mix it up, as said before, you could stay local and do Stratton, Bromley, Magic, Mt. Snow. If I was you, I'd probably stay at one place. So My picks based on all you say, would be Mount Snow, or, if the budget permits, Stratton. Stowe could be real nice if the budget permits. Okemo would be a little lower on my desire list, but still an option. Other choices in NH might include Attitash and Wildcat.

My number one pick, if everything else was equal would probably be Sugarbush.

 

[BigK]

Killington usually has the most open terrain and is the best New England resort for nightlife. The Wobbly Barn, Pickle Barrel and Tabu/Outback pizza all have new years parties with live bands.

 

[Maksim]

What about night skiing?
Just a thought, some of the group may enjoy snow tubing.
Any reason to go to Whiteface/Gore instead of new england?

 

[takeahike46er]

Reason to go to ADKS...

1) Both WF and Gore are debuting significant amounts of new terrain this winter.
2) less crowded than S. Vermont

 

[billski]

Reason to go to ADKS...

1) Both WF and Gore are debuting significant amounts of new terrain this winter.
2) less crowded than S. Vermont

what shape will the snow be in on New years? Unless they have aggressive snow making (don't know), it could be dicey.....

 

[campgottagopee]

Gore is great, but drive a little farther North to Whiteface/Lake Placid. In case the new to skiing part of your group wants some non skiing activities there is more to do in Lake Placid then any other place you could pick.

Lake Placid/ Whiteface. Best overall experience. Not the best skiing.

Best overall skiing that time of year Jay Peak Vermont.

Jay peak is an extra 2 hr drive each way.

Reason to go to ADKS...

1) Both WF and Gore are debuting significant amounts of new terrain this winter.
2) less crowded than S. Vermont

Nother vote here for the Dacks---if your going to make your own party then Gore would be great. If you want great shops, eats, bars and the Olympic Center head to Lake Placid--can't go wrong

 

[billski]

Nother vote here for the Dacks---if your going to make your own party then Gore would be great. If you want great shops, eats, bars and the Olympic Center head to Lake Placid--can't go wrong

these guys want to ski ski ski.