Holiday crowd or blackout peace on IKON mountains?

[abc]

I have some friends who’re Epic full pass holders. They said the blackout of base pass on holiday actually make the holiday the “quiet period” on mountains with blackouts. I‘m wondering if the same happens to Alterra owned mountains?

With President’s Day weekend coming up, Sugarbush/Stratton/Killington are all on the blackout list. (I have the full IKON pass, which is the only way to ski Aspen/Jackson). Could it be a good time to hit those on the black list?

 

[thetrailboss]

I thought that they got rid of the blackouts for Alterra-owned mountains?

In my experience, partner resorts are not too bad (at least out here). I am talking about Alta/Bird and Brighton.

In the last few years I have had some good days during holiday periods at Alta and Snowbird with no crowds amd decent skiing for the time of year. I would think that with all the snow out east that there will be demand.

 

[DrPeteG]

At Killington the crowds have appeared lighter on black out dates compared to weekend prior and after.

 

[drjeff]

I would say that my experience with mega passes and holiday blackouts the last few years, is that while busy, its more like an average to slightly slower decent weather Winter Saturday crowd, than a HUGE crowd. Definitely not as crowded at a mountain that has some level passes blacked out than in pre blackout times

 

[boston_e]

Anecdotal, but in my observation at Killington - the weekends after the blackout weekends tend to be the busiest over the past couple of years.

I'd guess the weather / temps / conditions still have more to do with the crowds than what is and isn't blacked out.

 

[cdskier]

I thought that they got rid of the blackouts for Alterra-owned mountains?

The base pass still has nearly all Alterra and partner properties in the east blacked out. Their Canadian properties (Blue and Tremblant) might be the only 2 eastern ones with no blackouts.

 

[machski]

The base pass still has nearly all Alterra and partner properties in the east blacked out. Their Canadian properties (Blue and Tremblant) might be the only 2 eastern ones with no blackouts.

And that is also partially because USA blackout periods and vacations don't necessarily line up with Canadian ones.