is december gonna be a wash

[loafer89]

and on the bright side, everyone repeat after me:

"at least we are not snow mobilers."

seriously, yo. at least we got man made. not that that is much to write home about.

Some of us are snowmobilers, ie, ME and last season I did not get the chance to get out at all:-( . While I do not own a sled, I rent one every year at Sugarloaf and now that we live in Connecticut I was thinking about buying one.

As of right now there is no Snowmobiling in Maine, but the extended forecast looks good for snowmaking at the resorts in Maine as well as the chance for some natural snow for sleding.

The forecast is for temps in the single digits next week at night, which is ideal for snowmaking production, GO COLD WEATHER.

 

[from_the_NEK]

Originally Posted by riverc0il
and on the bright side, everyone repeat after me:

"at least we are not snow mobilers."

seriously, yo. at least we got man made. not that that is much to write home about.

Thats funny Steve..I was thinking the same thing. I have a friend that spent big bucks on his sled and trailer and it just sits there

We were just discussing that here at work yesterday. There is a snowmobile trail that runs through the back yard of our building. We were out in short sleeve shirts and flipflops playing frisbie at lunch. The joke was to look both ways before running across the trail

Seriously though...
These are merely estimates. I'm sure some people spend way more (especially families) and some spend way less (those who live near a mountain).

Skier/snowboarder:
Season Pass = roughly $500
Average gas $ to/from ski area (assuming a 3 hour drive and 10 trips per year) = roughly $500 ($50per trip)
Lunch in lodge and other meals (x10) = roughly $500/per person ($50 per trip)
Ski equipment for the year = roughly $1000

Year Total estimate = $1500 - $2000

Snowmobiler:
Season Trail Pass (per weekend pass not available) = $95
Average Gas to and from trail heads (remember they are pulling a heavy trailer with a big truck) = $800 ($80 per trip)
Meals and gas for Snow machines = $700 ($70 per day)
Snow machine = $9000
4 sled enclosed Trailer = $4000
Big ass truck to pull loaded snow machine trailer = $35,000
Other gear, equipment, and tune-ups = $1000

Year Total estimate = $50,595

Yea. I really wouldn't ant to be a snowmobiler right now :beer:

 

[Skibum_dan]

Next week looks like it is supposed to get a little colder....
:smile:
I know I have seen posts on this topic before, but while we're talking about weather, does anyone have suggestions on the most accurate on-line weather reports?
December might not be a wash after all.
All I want for Christmas is snow.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

its 50 here on Long Island and I'm in shorts at work.....this is nuts....time for a ski sacrifice....

 

[loafer89]

We were just discussing that here at work yesterday. There is a snowmobile trail that runs through the back yard of our building. We were out in short sleeve shirts and flipflops playing frisbie at lunch. The joke was to look both ways before running across the trail

Seriously though...
These are merely estimates. I'm sure some people spend way more (especially families) and some spend way less (those who live near a mountain)

Skier/snowboarder:
Season Pass = roughly $500
Average gas $ to/from ski area (assuming a 3 hour drive and 10 trips per year) = roughly $500 ($50per trip)
Lunch in lodge and other meals (x10) = roughly $500/per person ($50 per trip)
Ski equipment for the year = roughly $1000

Year Total estimate = $1500 - $2000

Snowmobiler:
Season Trail Pass (per weekend pass not available) = $95
Average Gas to and from trail heads (remember they are pulling a heavy trailer with a big truck) = $800 ($80 per trip)
Meals and gas for Snow machines = $700 ($70 per day)
Snow machine = $9000
4 sled enclosed Trailer = $4000
Big ass truck to pull loaded snow machine trailer = $35,000
Other gear, equipment, and tune-ups = $1000

Year Total estimate = $50,595

Yea. I really wouldn't ant to be a snowmobiler right now :beer:

Those snowmobile expenses that you mention are a big reason why we rent them ($300 for a full day). That way I can get my fix in a few days a year and not break the bank as skiing is expensive enough on it's own.

 

[SnowRider]

Snowmobiler:
Season Trail Pass (per weekend pass not available) = $95
Average Gas to and from trail heads (remember they are pulling a heavy trailer with a big truck) = $800 ($80 per trip)
Meals and gas for Snow machines = $700 ($70 per day)
Snow machine = $9000
4 sled enclosed Trailer = $4000
Big ass truck to pull loaded snow machine trailer = $35,000
Other gear, equipment, and tune-ups = $1000

Year Total estimate = $50,595

This is accurate for the first year but the next years you wont need to get a trailer, snowmobiles ect.

If we are going to add sleds and trailers to the snowmobile total shouldn't we add gas to get to the mountain, skis, thule, boots, and even tune ups? Oh and a couple of speeding tickets for people who live in North Troy:razz:

 

[from_the_NEK]

This is accurate for the first year but the next years you wont need to get a trailer, snowmobiles ect.

If we are going to add sleds and trailers to the snowmobile total shouldn't we add gas to get to the mountain, skis, thule, boots, and even tune ups? Oh and a couple of speeding tickets for people who live in North Troy

Originally Posted by from_the_NEK
We were just discussing that here at work yesterday. There is a snowmobile trail that runs through the back yard of our building. We were out in short sleeve shirts and flipflops playing frisbie at lunch. The joke was to look both ways before running across the trail

Seriously though...
These are merely estimates. I'm sure some people spend way more (especially families) and some spend way less (those who live near a mountain)

Skier/snowboarder:
Season Pass = roughly $500
Average gas $ to/from ski area (assuming a 3 hour drive and 10 trips per year) = roughly $500 ($50per trip)
Lunch in lodge and other meals (x10) = roughly $500/per person ($50 per trip)
Ski equipment for the year = roughly $1000

Year Total estimate = $1500 - $2000

Snowmobiler:
Season Trail Pass (per weekend pass not available) = $95
Average Gas to and from trail heads (remember they are pulling a heavy trailer with a big truck) = $800 ($80 per trip)
Meals and gas for Snow machines = $700 ($70 per day)
Snow machine = $9000
4 sled enclosed Trailer = $4000
Big ass truck to pull loaded snow machine trailer = $35,000
Other gear, equipment, and tune-ups = $1000

Year Total estimate = $50,595

Yea. I really wouldn't want to be a snowmobiler right now

I already had gas to and from the mountain included for skiers. Other thoughts have been taken into account below.

Skier/Rider Additions:
Thule Rack = $500
Tune-ups = $150

Revised total = closer to $2000

Snowmobiler:
Okay so they don't have to buy a new sled, trailer, or truck every year but they probably do every 3 years or so. Therefore I will divide those numbers by 3.

Snowmachine = $3000
Trailer = $1333
Truck = $11666

Revised Total = $18594

I'm still seeing a HUGE difference here.

 

[from_the_NEK]

P.S. Speeding tickets occur just as frequently for snowmobilers as they do for skiers. I see a lot of trucks pulling trailers pulled over every year. Therefore this amount of money becomes a draw and therefore was not included.
:idea: :idea:

 

[hammer]

Snowmobiler:
Okay so they don't have to buy a new sled, trailer, or truck every year but they probably do every 3 years or so. Therefore I will divide those numbers by 3.

Snowmachine = $3000
Trailer = $1333
Truck = $11666

3 years for the trailer and truck seems a bit short IMO...I have two cars, one almost 6 YO and the other over 8 YO and they are still going strong even through daily 40 - 50 mile Boston-area commutes.

I don't know the particulars, but I'd think it's obvious that snowmobiling is potentially a lot more expensive than skiing.

Saw a co-worker outside with a short-sleeve shirt...that is so wrong for December...:sad:

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Don't forget about the x-c places, while some have snowmaking alot don't.

 

[from_the_NEK]

3 years for the trailer and truck seems a bit short IMO...I have two cars, one almost 6 YO and the other over 8 YO and they are still going strong even through daily 40 - 50 mile Boston-area commutes.

I'm basing the 3 year replacement time purely on what I see as the common trend in equipment setups that I see rolling in to twon up here in Northern VT. Very few of the vehicles are older than 3-4 years and most of the equipment is shiney and new looking. Sure you or I would probably be more frugal with our money but a lot of these folks feel they have to have the biggest/newest/shineyest setup out there.

 

[hammer]

I'm basing the 3 year replacement time purely on what I see as the common trend in equipment setups that I see rolling in to twon up here in Northern VT. Very few of the vehicles are older than 3-4 years and most of the equipment is shiney and new looking. Sure you or I would probably be more frugal with our money but a lot of these folks feel they have to have the biggest/newest/shineyest setup out there.

And I've heard that skiing is a rich person's sport...:roll:

 

[thetrailboss]

I am so ready to get 2006 and its lousy weather over with.

Here's to better weather in 2007! :beer:

 

[Warp Daddy]

I'm with you on that TB . NOV /DEC 06= uke:

 

[from_the_NEK]

And I've heard that skiing is a rich person's sport...:roll:

It is if buy the $1.5 million ski house to go along with the rest of the expenses :razz: :razz: :razz:

 

[ccskier]

I have a few friends here from the Cape that drive up to Maine all of the time. They do get new sleds every year, upwards to 10k/machine and drive sweet a$$ trucks. Mostly 4 door 1-2 year old diesel GMC's or Fords. Their trailers can also fit up to 5 machines. A little bit more crazy than skiers.

3 years for the trailer and truck seems a bit short IMO...I have two cars, one almost 6 YO and the other over 8 YO and they are still going strong even through daily 40 - 50 mile Boston-area commutes.

I don't know the particulars, but I'd think it's obvious that snowmobiling is potentially a lot more expensive than skiing.

Saw a co-worker outside with a short-sleeve shirt...that is so wrong for December...:sad:

 

[riverc0il]

last year hit the economy hard due to sledders staying home because of bad weather. from_the_NEK points out the high costs of the activity, but you also have to look at who that money often goes to.... local hotels, inns, gas stations, restaurants, convenience stores, markets, trail associations, gear shops, etc.

no snow to be found in the StJ/lyndonville area today. but to stick season yet again, it is a sad sight. 8 trails at jay peak tomorrow, woo hoo! :roll:

 

[loafer89]

The closing on our house got delayed until monday, so we decided to go skiing this weekend at Sunday River and we just arrived.

The drive up was interesting with thick fog on the Maine Pike and near zero visibility on route 26 north where the fog became freezing fog around Paris.

Right now we have in and out fog mixed with clear skies and it is 26F on the condo thermometer. We walked on the snow at the South Ridge area when we checked in and it is frozen solid, yummy.

Perhaps we will have some snowmaking tonight and on saturday night, but things are sad looking 10 days from Christmas.

I will report on the ice skating tomorrow .

 

[thetrailboss]

I'm with you on that TB . NOV /DEC 06= uke:

I think you mean:

JAN FEB MARCH (Except for ten days) APRIL MAY OCT NOV DEC 06 = uke:

:wink:

 

[kingslug]

Well, after reading all this.......I'm even more depressed. Think I might hit Hunter on Monday..even if it rains...alone if neccessary.