Holiday Week Strategies

[billski]

Looking for ideas.

My company has a mandatory shutdown the week between Christmas and New Years. Not a lot going on for me this year, so while I usually avoid skiing this week, I may call an exception.

What do you think of checking out some of the lesser-known, non-local, non-resort places such as Middlebury and Dartmouth Skiway during these periods? I know the small areas depend a lot on good natural snowfall, which the NE usually lacks during this period. What about Suicide Six, albeit in a "resort" area? Other ideas? Maybe some of the smaller places in Maine? How's Burke or Magic during this week? Berkshire East?
Hmm, Saddleback???

I'm hoping to avoid traditional "peak" ticket-price-gouging this week by going to the smaller areas, away from the large mass markets (i.e., Wachusett). All my vouchers have holiday blackouts, so I don't want to pay top dollar for middling conditions. I known I sacrifice primo conditions, but hey, I'm saving those days for the GREAT terrain.

Thanks.

p.s., don't say "go out west"; that's not in the cards.

 

[hammer]

Have you considered heading to Crotched one day? It's closer than some of the other areas that you mentioned, and while they can be crowded, my experience has been that they handle crowds reasonably well. In addition, unless the weather is completely uncooperative, they should have near 100% of their trails open.

I also think that Pats Peak is a good bet during vacation week...can also be crowded, but they have a lot of lifts.

 

[billski]

Have you considered heading to Crotched one day? It's closer than some of the other areas that you mentioned, and while they can be crowded, my experience has been that they handle crowds reasonably well. In addition, unless the weather is completely uncooperative, they should have near 100% of their trails open.

I also think that Pats Peak is a good bet during vacation week...can also be crowded, but they have a lot of lifts.

Yes I have. I usually take my littlest one to these areas on a regular weekend day trip. I am looking for an area more for myself. Hidden agenda: My goal is to hit every area in New England, and I'm getting close, the first three areas listed are remain on my "hit list.", Berk east for my littlest, and the rest are just darn good areas, but I don't know what their holiday period looks like in terms of crowds or conditions.

 

[Mark_151]

Berkshire East

 

[billski]

Berkshire East

Tell me why. Conditions? Crowds?

 

[catskills]

Over the Holidays there are days with very low number of skiers. If you get your shopping done early you can get in some awesome ski days. Here is my prediction:

• Dec 22 - Saturday great day for skiing everyone is still shopping.
• Dec 23 - Sunday great day for skiing everyone is still shopping
• Dec 24 - very quiet on the slopes in the afternoon - Christmas eve
• Dec 25 - Christmas day , a day for only real skiers.
• Dec 26 - Returning gifts
• Dec 27 - Could start to get busy on the slopes.
• Dec 28 - Friday forget about it very crowded
• Dec 29 - Saturday CROWDS and MORE CROWDS
• Dec 30 - Sunday CROWDS and MORE CROWDS
• Dec 31 - Less crowded on slopes especially in the afternoon. The bars will start to get crowded.
• Jan 1 - News Years day Very few people on the slopes in the morning and most people heading home.

 

[C2H5OH]

Over the Holidays there are days with very low number of skiers.

I agree with catskills' assessment, although I think it'll start to get crowded on Dec. 26

We go to Whiteface on 22 - 25 for 4 days and then I plan go skiing on 1st. Skiing on Christmas day became a tradition for me.
Keep in mind that those 4 days are considered as holiday period by some resorts and as regular days by others.

The only time I ever skier Christmas week was at Stowe - the busiest days were spent exclusively at Spruce Peak, that was before highspeed quad. It was not as bad as on Mt Mansfield.

My suggestion: Spend 22 - 25 at a big resort, then check out low profile places like Middlebury.

 

[Mark_151]

The crowds will be reasonable. Of course, I have the "advantage" of being a Wachusett regular, so my my idea of un-crowded might not meet with the majority. Also, there's plenty of interesting terrain, and a good mix of groomed and natural, if there's a good dumping. I'll qualify interesting by saying I'm an intermediate, and there's plenty there that can and has kicked my butt, but there's plenty of stuff that's solid intermediate and green and very entertaining.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I notice that during the Holiday periods..it's mostly occasional a few times a year skiers/riders...who often get their day started on the later side so you can still get several uncrowded runs by arriving early..Alot of diehard skiers/riders have the perception that the Holidays are uber crowded and don't even bother so there aren't so many savvy skiers/riders on the hill. Me personally I only have Christmas Eve day and Christmas off so during the Holiday week I go night skiing and the crowds thin out considerably between 4-5:00PM at Blue mountain..

 

[njskier]

Have to agree with Catskill. Was at Jay last Christmas ( conditions sucked, but thats another story ) and it was empty until the day after christmas. This year I would expect to be the same. At least I hope as I'll be in Smuggs for that week. New Years day is another great day, always empty that day.

 

[riverc0il]

Burke and Saddleback would be good options if they have good snow making temperatures next month and get some natural. Magic is a long shot for December Holiday week but keep it on your short list. You can always go north of the border to Quebec.

 

[snoseek]

Looking for ideas.

My company has a mandatory shutdown the week between Christmas and New Years. Not a lot going on for me this year, so while I usually avoid skiing this week, I may call an exception.

What do you think of checking out some of the lesser-known, non-local, non-resort places such as Middlebury and Dartmouth Skiway during these periods? I know the small areas depend a lot on good natural snowfall, which the NE usually lacks during this period. What about Suicide Six, albeit in a "resort" area? Other ideas? Maybe some of the smaller places in Maine? How's Burke or Magic during this week? Berkshire East?
Hmm, Saddleback???

I'm hoping to avoid traditional "peak" ticket-price-gouging this week by going to the smaller areas, away from the large mass markets (i.e., Wachusett). All my vouchers have holiday blackouts, so I don't want to pay top dollar for middling conditions. I known I sacrifice primo conditions, but hey, I'm saving those days for the GREAT terrain.

Thanks.

p.s., don't say "go out west"; that's not in the cards.

You have the right idea, saddleback would be my choice because of their newfound commitment to blowing snow, terrain, price, and lack of crowds. If natural falls maybe check out somewhere like black, balsams, mt. abram.

I have the same plan out here. I won't use my copper-winter park pass once on holiday weeks, rather i'll use loveland pass and buy tix at smaller areas like monarch ect... .

 

[spooner]

I agree with those who mentioned the lack of crowds on the actual holidays, I think they're generally correct. One of my favorites is the first weekend in January, most people are done with the holidays, spent their money and not riding or skiing that weekend. Of course it all depends on the conditions this past year it was 52 degrees and raining so it's all relative I suppose. I generally go that weekend to Wildcat with a group of friends, and we've not been let down yet.

Mike

 

[MikeTrainor]

I agree with those who mentioned the lack of crowds on the actual holidays, I think they're generally correct. One of my favorites is the first weekend in January, most people are done with the holidays, spent their money and not riding or skiing that weekend. Of course it all depends on the conditions this past year it was 52 degrees and raining so it's all relative I suppose. I generally go that weekend to Wildcat with a group of friends, and we've not been let down yet.

Mike

I have to agree Spooner that is a good week to go. However like the original poster I also have a shut down between Christmas and New Years. I tend to ski mountains that attract less crowds, Wildcat is a good example, I skied there MLK weekend last year with next to no wait. The only thing that is tough about early season is usually all that is open is groomers at the less popular mtns.

 

[crank]

Last year's MLK weekend is not a good indicator. We skied Okemo and there was no one there either. It was such a warm and rainy January that the ski season seemed pretty non existant and people were staying home in droves.

That said, I used to ski Hunter on December 24th every year. Completey uncrowded and hassle free.

 

[MRGisevil]

Not sure if it's on your list, but I'd steer clear of Jiminy. Seems to be the stopping point for the NY crowd holiday week and the end result is something akin to an iced-over pinball machine. BEast would probably be a better bet for crowds, but I've never liked the conditions much there as it tends to be really icy (which is why in the field we call it Berkshire Ice)... unless they've really imporved their snowmaking since I've last been. Butternut's always fun Can't tell you what Burke'll be like, never been.

But If there's a good dump that week I'd recommend getting your bum up to Magic!