How busy will Presidents Day be?

[gotr0]

I haven't had that much time this year to get on the slopes, so with a day off on Monday, I'm tempted to go, but am worried about crowds. My thinking is since it's not a great year for snow not as many people are motivated to go. I have vouchers for Bretton Woods, Waterville, and Wachusetts that I need to use this season. I'm leaning towards Waterville for a day trip. Have the weekends been as busy as past seasons? Will there be big crowds?

 

[Bene288]

A lot of kids have the week off from school. The whole week will be busier than usual. But given the season who knows. I would anticipate Monday being the most crowded. I'm planning on getting out Sunday. I have no clue what to expect this year.

 

[mlkrgr]

A lot of kids have the week off from school. The whole week will be busier than usual. But given the season who knows. I would anticipate Monday being the most crowded. I'm planning on getting out Sunday. I have no clue what to expect this year.

Of those choices, I'd probably choose Bretton Woods because of crowds. Took a quick look at the Sunday River cam and it looks a bit less crowded than what I'd expect it to be but still reasonably so; the freeze over could have turned off some people from yesterday's 40 degree temps then a freeze over the night but I'm sure it's not that big of an effect.

 

[ScottySkis]

Support your small hills if it's a possibilities, they need the cash this year and less crowds, if you like VT Magic, in Mass Berkshire East, in cats Plattekill.

 

[4aprice]

Just got back from 2 1/2 hours at Camelback. On snow at 7:30 am for first tracks. About 20 runs with a couple of bump runs on Asp. Good conditions in the morning but when I left at 10 they were starting to pack em in. The weekend at least will be busy.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[snowmonster]

OP: I recommend Bretton Woods since it's the farthest away from city centers among your choices and will probably be the least crowded among the three.

That being said, because of this strange season, for the resorts' sake, I hope that the lines are long this weekend.

 

[4aprice]

That being said, because of this strange season, for the resorts' sake, I hope that the lines are long this weekend.

Not strange, I agree. Hopefully there will be plenty of skiing after the holiday and the crowds will be gone.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[riverc0il]

I haven't had that much time this year to get on the slopes, so with a day off on Monday, I'm tempted to go, but am worried about crowds. My thinking is since it's not a great year for snow not as many people are motivated to go. I have vouchers for Bretton Woods, Waterville, and Wachusetts that I need to use this season. I'm leaning towards Waterville for a day trip. Have the weekends been as busy as past seasons? Will there be big crowds?

Your vouchers may be blacked out. Make sure you read the fine print and call to verify before you go. No mountain that I am aware of accepts vouchers during President's vacation week or either weekend. Mad Cards are still good at MRG, though. There may be a few other exceptions. But for the most part, you are SOL this week on vouchers.

That said, if they work, I suspect that the week including Monday will be about as busy as your typical busy weekend. The weekends should be packed for sure, busiest weekends of the year even with the bad snow. Many families book far in advanced and most of the bigger mountains have 100% of their snow making terrain open so it isn't that bad.

 

[abc]

I haven't had that much time this year to get on the slopes, so with a day off on Monday, I'm tempted to go, but am worried about crowds. My thinking is since it's not a great year for snow not as many people are motivated to go. I have vouchers for Bretton Woods, Waterville, and Wachusetts that I need to use this season. I'm leaning towards Waterville for a day trip. Have the weekends been as busy as past seasons? Will there be big crowds?

There's your dilema: Waterville is within day trip distance for quite a population, so it'll be a lot more crowded than Bretton Woods, which has a very limited bed based.

 

[meff]

If this morning at Attitash was any indicator, don't count on finding anywhere with lower crowds. From 8:30 till about 10 it was ski on and then the lines went to insane, they even have the old double turning to get folks out of the base area.

 

[riverc0il]

Skied Owl's Head today. Skied on every chair and never waited in line for less than fitty bucks. Nice.

 

[wa-loaf]

Burke was really pushing the 5 minute limit for lift lines today ...

 

[BenedictGomez]

Friday at Jay Peak was absolutely ghost town empty, i think the longest I waited for a lift was 1 minute. Conditions were amazing too. Woods fantastic.

Today at smuggs it wasn't that crowded either for Pres weekend, maybe 5 minute waits at worst. Honestly, its worse on normal Saturday's. I really think the lack of snow and "perception" that the skiing must be terrible, has kept thousands away. Never seen a holiday weekend so empty.

Anyone else experience similar empty slopes this weekend?

 

[gmcunni]

Skied Owl's Head today. Skied on every chair and never waited in line for less than fitty bucks. Nice.

how were conditions? i talked to a guy @ orford today who skied Owl Head yesterday and he didn't have high praise.

 

[hammer]

Gunstock had 5-10 minute wait at the HSQ and a few minute wait at the Pistol triple in the early afternoon. The Tiger lift looked like it was ski-on the whole time. Was definitely busy but was quite manageable.

Good to see that they had some crowds.

 

[riverc0il]

how were conditions? i talked to a guy @ orford today who skied Owl Head yesterday and he didn't have high praise.

Worst conditions I've skied on all season. Super hard pack and scrapped with occasional groomer tracks. Only skied about 3.5 hours to give the mountain a full work over and hit the road. Still have Orford and Sutton on the List but am going to wait until conditions are better before trying those two out. Figured Owl's Head was a good option for today since it is mostly groomers any ways. Still, it was far worse than I was expecting.

Nice mountain, though. Might be the lowest price per high speed lift in the country at three high speed quads for $45 weekend. Wish I opted for the morning ticket which was priced in the thirties. One of the best mountains I have ever skied for steep groomers.

 

[eatskisleep]

Black Mountain of NH wasn't crowded on Saturday. Should be pretty good up there all week.

 

[WoodCore]

Busiest day of the season at Okemo today!

 

[ski_resort_observer]

The Bush had big crowds this weekend, bigger than last winter. Win announced in a story on WCAX tonight that the Bush is up about 10% over last year so far for skier visits. He credited being 100% open and heavy use of social media. I talk to alot of people in my job everyday and guests are happy and surprised with the good conditions. No big storms lately but alot of 2-4" type storms have made a big diference.

 

[RISkier]

I can attest that Mount Snow had big crowds today. Not a Mt. Snow regular and couldn't compare to regular weekend crowds. Did a couple of runs off the 6-pack early, then rode the other summit quad. Skied North face for a few runs and then a few runs down the Sun Dance area. Pretty much stayed on the quad that doesn't reach the summit after lunch. Waits on that weren't bad but there was a mass of humanity over by the new 6-pack. Snow held up surprisingly well