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.

 

[abc]

Thanks

 

[abc]

K vs Sugarbush for the weekend?

I’ve acquired a hangers-on for the weekend. She is a happy-on-blue-with-occasional-black-for-challenge skier. And not a early riser.

(Ok, there’s some advantages of my hangers-on, I’m now comfortably situated at a rather nice place midway between Sugarbush and K. So it’s worth the headache).

Personally, I would love to go to SB, which I didn’t get to ski that often. But I really don’t know the mountain. So don’t know how a blue/black skier will enjoy it. (Actually, I’m sure there’re terrain for that. Just I don’t know it well to plan for the day. What lift to avoid, what lifts/trails are crowded and scraped off… that sort of thing)

I know K well enough, so I know where I should take my friend. Ram’s Head has nice blue runs. And in between them are trees I could go down and then meet up with my friend at the 6 pack. But, on a holiday weekend, the part of K that’s blue-heaven could get crowded? Another thing is parking. I usually park at Bear and lap the bear(s), especially on busy weekends. But that’s not going to make my blue-happy friend‘s day. Also, the parking at Ram’s looks pretty tight every time I drove by. K1 base is probably going to be a mad house?

Given the unknown, maybe I should just take my chance at SB?

 

[Vter]

It’s going to be Very Busy, Doctor
(In my experience) lol !!!

 

[Vter]

Repeat: VERY BUSY !!!
From 6:45 till bell rings, then the shit show of leaving ! It’s going to be insane tomorrow, I’m working it and packing-up tonight for battle “with a smile”
I do love the vibe, that’s why I do it !

 

[AdironRider]

Check out Middlebury. Seriously it’s rad.

They will park out, prob by 10 or so, but will have shuttles running up from Breadloaf.

 

[jimk]

Isn't Sugarbush North/Mt Ellen always a good option for lower crowds? And there's groomers over there.

I did a rest day today 14 Feb, but will go up tomorrow to Snowbird. Lately these holiday blackout days are lighter than non-holiday weekends.

 

[BenedictGomez]

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

That's my EPIC experience as well.

Pent up short-term demand from blacked-out passholders has been my suspicion.

 

[letitsnow1]

Light crowds at killington yesterday