Crowded ski areas

[hammer]

I guess so, if you mean dependably awful conditions. At least on weekends (which is when those areas are crowded), conditions are deplorable. There are places that strike a decent balance.

Agree that conditions can be questionable due to crowds but if one wants to go to a decent sized area for a day trip it seems you end up following the masses.

That said, I do my best to stay away from the busiest areas on holiday weeks, even if it means going to a smaller area or one that is more "natural-dependent".

 

[ScottySkis]

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Bolton Valley in Vermont not much crowds, and Burke to, and both get 250+ of snow.

 

[mlkrgr]

Crowded in terms of lift lines easily goes to MRG b/c of the single chair. Of course, everywhere isn't that bad during the week although I have waited 10 minutes for the Loon gondola midweek when it was functioning properly (was just a normal midweek day without any walkup ticket specials running).

So;
1. MRG
2. Wachusett
3. Sunapee
4. Loon
5. Mount Snow

 

[riverc0il]

Crowded in terms of lift lines easily goes to MRG b/c of the single chair. Of course, everywhere isn't that bad during the week although I have waited 10 minutes for the Loon gondola midweek when it was functioning properly (was just a normal midweek day without any walkup ticket specials running).

Sure, Loon only has a 10 minute midweek wait. But the MRG Single is ski on or a minute or two wait on a non-powder day week day. It really doesn't make sense to talk about mid-week when discussing crowding. Every ski area is not crowded mid-week. Interestingly enough, the Single can be pretty short line even on a weekend depending on the weekend and conditions.

But if you are going to put MRG into the mix, you have to stipulate that is only for the liftline on a busy weekend. MRG has some of the least crowded slopes, trails, and glades even on the weekend due to the single.

 

[thetrailboss]

Its Saturday, 10:12 AM and the hordes of weekend warriors from Boston begin to decend the slopes. As this terrifying phenomenon occurs, which ski areas become a hellish mix of skiied off trails, massive lift lines, packed lodges or are just plain crowded?My votes go to:1. Loon2. Sunapee3. Waterville4. Killington5. Okemo6. Wachusett7. Mt. Snow

I've only had experience with Loon, Sunapee, Killington, and Wachusett. I'd say that out of those Wachusett would be #1. Any ski area can be crowded if you ski it at the wrong times and don't get there early.

 

[AdironRider]

Sure, Loon only has a 10 minute midweek wait. But the MRG Single is ski on or a minute or two wait on a non-powder day week day. It really doesn't make sense to talk about mid-week when discussing crowding. Every ski area is not crowded mid-week. Interestingly enough, the Single can be pretty short line even on a weekend depending on the weekend and conditions.

But if you are going to put MRG into the mix, you have to stipulate that is only for the liftline on a busy weekend. MRG has some of the least crowded slopes, trails, and glades even on the weekend due to the single.

When do crowds really matter all that much other than in a lift line? Feeder trails sure, but I think for the majority of this board, the crowds problem is really just a liftline problem.

 

[steamboat1]

When do crowds really matter all that much other than in a lift line? Feeder trails sure, but I think for the majority of this board, the crowds problem is really just a liftline problem.

I don't agree with you. To me a crowded slope & having to ski defensively to avoid other skiers takes all the fun out of skiing. Not being able to ski freely as you like because of human obstacles takes away from the experience.

 

[AdironRider]

I don't agree with you. To me a crowded slope & having to ski defensively to avoid other skiers takes all the fun out of skiing. Not being able to ski freely as you like because of human obstacles takes away from the experience.

Fair enough, Ill openly admit I dont have to deal with that type of issue anymore.

However, I think you are vastly overstating the amount of pure defensive skiing you claim above. How often can you truely ski anywhere youd like with no repercussions? Frankly, unless its just you and a couple patrollers, that never happens, even out here.

 

[Bene288]

Mount Snow would be the busiest mountain I've been to.

 

[kingdom-tele]

Fair enough, Ill openly admit I dont have to deal with that type of issue anymore.

However, I think you are vastly overstating the amount of pure defensive skiing you claim above. How often can you truely ski anywhere youd like with no repercussions? Frankly, unless its just you and a couple patrollers, that never happens, even out here.

you should go to burke, midweek, 4-6" new that shows up with the squalls and takes everyone by surprise.

you won't even see patrol.

 

[ScottySkis]

Mount Snow would be the busiest mountain I've been to.

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When Mount Snow is fully open its not so crowed.

 

[jrmagic]

Fair enough, Ill openly admit I dont have to deal with that type of issue anymore.

However, I think you are vastly overstating the amount of pure defensive skiing you claim above. How often can you truely ski anywhere youd like with no repercussions? Frankly, unless its just you and a couple patrollers, that never happens, even out here.

I can do that at Magic just about any day of the season. Last year I skied one Sunday at Stratton and was amazed at how many people there were on just about any trail I hit. I have to admit I was a little freaked out. Normally when I'm away from Magic, I spend most opf the time in the woods so the crowds aren't really a problem. Last year I skied one Sunday at Stratton (no woods in play) and was amazed at how many people there were on just about any trail I hit. I have to admit I was a little freaked out.

 

[ScottySkis]

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Magic is never crowded from what I hear.

 

[AdironRider]

I can do that at Magic just about any day of the season. Last year I skied one Sunday at Stratton and was amazed at how many people there were on just about any trail I hit. I have to admit I was a little freaked out. Normally when I'm away from Magic, I spend most opf the time in the woods so the crowds aren't really a problem. Last year I skied one Sunday at Stratton (no woods in play) and was amazed at how many people there were on just about any trail I hit. I have to admit I was a little freaked out.

Thats like me saying I hate traffic after living in Wyoming for six years.

You still dont really make a clear point. Unless you have literally an entire trail to yourself, you are skiing somewhat defensively already. It seems we agree on this.

Just having other people on the trail meaning you being uncomfortable, Id say thats more a psychological problem than a crowding problem. Outside of holiday periods its just not an issue for the most part.

 

[steamboat1]

Fair enough, Ill openly admit I dont have to deal with that type of issue anymore.

However, I think you are vastly overstating the amount of pure defensive skiing you claim above. How often can you truely ski anywhere youd like with no repercussions? Frankly, unless its just you and a couple patrollers, that never happens, even out here.

I don't deal with it either being a weekday skier myself. I can ski & make turns when I feel like making turns pretty much anywhere, anytime I please without obstruction. However my few encounters with weekend trail congestion I can't turn when I want. I'm just skiing around human obstacles not being able to link my turns or get into any sort of rhythm. Not exactly what I'd call free skiing. How often can I truely ski anywhere I'd like without repercussions you ask. Pretty much every day. Give me an area like MRG or Smuggs on a weekend with limited uphill capacity & I'd be a much happier camper. Lift lines wouldn't be an issue as you suggest, trail congestion wouldn't be either. Yeah I remember the days when places like Sugarbush had 1+ hr. liftlines for the 3 pass. gondola. Much better times in my opinion.

 

[JimG.]

Crowds don't really bother me much. I guess I just accept that some days will be more crowded than others.

Look at it as skiing trees that are just tighter. Look for open spaces.

I would never let other people interfere with my skiing time.

 

[Smellytele]

I think everyone has a different idea of what a crowded trail is. Also every trail handles traffic differently as well.

 

[billski]

Where's that photo of the massive Mt. Snow lift line. It's enough to put me back in my car and move on. Say, where is Dr. Jeff these days anyways?

 

[Smellytele]

Where's that photo of the massive Mt. Snow lift line. It's enough to put me back in my car and move on. Say, where is Dr. Jeff these days anyways?

Don't you worry, he and Glenn have been here defending Mt Snow like you would expect. :roll:

 

[drjeff]

Crowds don't really bother me much. I guess I just accept that some days will be more crowded than others.

Look at it as skiing trees that are just tighter. Look for open spaces.

I would never let other people interfere with my skiing time.

Great comment JimG!

Where's that photo of the massive Mt. Snow lift line. It's enough to put me back in my car and move on. Say, where is Dr. Jeff these days anyways?

It's what you make of it. That photo that you refer to Bill was of the base area of Mount Snow last December soon after the Bluebird Express opened, with limited terrain and some BIG lines on both the Bluebird and Canyon quad in the picture. Was it ideal, nope. But it is what it is.

I'm sure that any regular at a MAJOR mountain will tell you, that there are certain days and scenarios during the season where they know that they'll be looking at some big crowds. You learn your mountain and how to handle it. I'm also pretty sure that anyone who is a regular at a major mountain to the point where they've bought property at/near the mountain will also tell you that they bought not just for the skiing/riding, but also for the slew of other opportunites that the general community provides, and those are some of the intangibles that the day tripper and/or even the multi-day extended ski/riding vacation crew don't get a chance to pick up on.

I'm quite sure that my fellow AZ "Mount Snow 'Homer' " Glenn will agree when I say that there have been multiple times when the fun that we have with friends AFTER the lifts close, or even some days when the lifts are still running, but we've decided that we've had enough for whatever reason, the fun that we have off the hill is atleast as good, if not even better than we had on the hill