Lift lines-How long is too long?

[SIKSKIER]

Same here Adiron.Cannon pass,every weekend,almost never a line.Except there will be this weekend.If it goes over 5 minutes,I'm usually done cuz there are too many people on the mountain.I see a 10:00 finish tomorrow.

 

[Vortex]

On weekends, the key is to stay one step ahead of the crowds. Preparation, planning, and common sense will make all the difference.

For me, it begins the night before. Organize the stuff, load the car, and have the clothes all layed out. Set the coffee maker on timer mode. Before going to sleep, look the trail map over and anticipate the likely crowd patterns. Look for interesting terrain that is serviced by lifts that are away from the main base area. Also keep an eye out for any secondary base/parking areas, especially ones that are further from the bulk of the condos and hotels.

You have to be there early, especially at the busier areas. I can't stress this enough, as it is the foundation of any successful crowd minimizing strategy. Most areas, the lifts are running by 8:00 on weekends. I like to be pulling into the parking area at least 45 minutes before that time. This gives me a reasonably close parking spot and avoids the hassle of taking a shuttle from a remote satellite lot. I like to have time to get the tickets, stretch, put my stuff on, and be at the lift when it starts running.

If the area features a main bottom-to-top HSQ, count on it, and the trails it services to get crowded...after 10:00. Between 8:00 and 10:00 the HSQ can allow me to get in a LOT of runs when the conditions are the best, my legs are fresh, and the crowds sparse.

As soon as I notice the crowds begin to pick up, it's time to head for another part of the mountain. I look for a section with a fixed grip lift that doesn't have a base lodge at the bottom...maybe one that services mainly ungroomed trails. The Sunbowl quad at Sunapee, the Blue Ribbon quad at Bromley are 2 examples of lifts that will often have short lines while the main HSQ is mobbed.

I also like to break early for lunch, especially after getting an early start. I like to time it so that I'm heading back out, well fed and well rested, right at noon. Often, but not always, the crowds will ease noticably during the 12:00 - 1:00 lunch hour.

I tend to take a break around 2:00...when the crowds are often the worst. I'll usually look for a summit or midway type of lodge, preferably with a deck, such as North Peak at SR, or the summit lodge at Sunapee. A cold beer and a cigar hit the spot for me around that time. Around 3:00 the crowds and lift lines start to diminish, so I like to take advantage of that last hour to get a few nice runs in.

I can fantasize about helicopters dropping me into remote couloirs in the Bugaboos. But skiing reality for me usually means a weekend drive to Vermont, NH, or Maine with my kids or a few buddies. Out-maneuvering the crowds, being able to get in a great day of skiing at the busiest areas on the busiest days....that's what it's all about.

This is not your 1st Rodeo.
Only difference is I break for lunch earlier and I don't need to get to the lot quite that early. I get on the lift about 5 min after they open to avoid the 1st rush. We get more skiing done before lunch than most due that show up at 10 do all day. The key is to drag your ass out of bed. Its really that simple.:-D

 

[hammer]

The key is to drag your ass out of bed. Its really that simple.:-D

Agree, but tough to do with a family sometimes...:???:

 

[Vortex]

Ya I cheat. My wife and Daughter come up later. My son and I go early. Alot of family yelling if we go early together. :smash:

I some day would love to get up and take the shuttle to the mountain like the folks who are close and on bus routes. That would be the best. Never could afford it though.

I just like getting the coffe ready the night before for a cup on the road.. I make b-fast sandwiches the night before for eating during the ride.. I put out all the clothes the night ahead. I have a lift plan to avoid the lines as best as possible. I do have it easy, but try to over plan as much as posssible.

I put everything out last night for tonights skiing. Want to come along Hammer?

 

[hammer]

Ya I cheat. My wife and Daughter come up later. My son and I go early. Alot of family yelling if we go early together. :smash:

I some day would love to get up and take the shuttle to the mountain like the folks who are close and on bus routes. That would be the best. Never could afford it though.

I just like getting the coffe ready the night before for a cup on the road.. I make b-fast sandwiches the night before for eating during the ride.. I put out all the clothes the night ahead. I have a lift plan to avoid the lines as best as possible. I do have it easy, but try to over plan as much as posssible.

I put everything out last night for tonights skiing. Want to come along Hammer?

Thanks for the invite...busy day at work today and I already got my midweek allocation on Monday. Guessing you're hitting Pats tonight...hopefully the wind didn't blow the snow off of Twister.

Besides, I have to start getting stuff together tonight for Sunday...8)

 

[Vortex]

planning, planning,planning, To bad on tonight. I guess I got my mid week ski fix also. don't tell my wife.

Ya pats tonight using my AZ discount coupon I might add...
My son has a race at ragged tomorrow staying with family in the area, What better reason to go skiing and arrive late.

Not going to my place until Sat with my shovel in hand.

 

[Vortex]

I am going to be up at Pat's this evening too ...

pm sent

 

[ckofer]

Tell all your so-so friends who are going to skiing on the weekend how great Waterville and Loon are, then go to Cannon yourself.

 

[MrMagic]

any time over 15 on a weekend is too much for me. the longest i have ever waited was at loon 1st weekend in march 45 deg. out three years ago. gondi was 40 min all other chairs 30 min wait even in the singles line it wasnt any better. the next day no lines at all well it was raining ha ha. i havent been back to loon since, but would love to try it mid week trip.

 

[millerm277]

Anything over a couple minutes for a fixed grip is too much for me to usually enjoy it, and anything over 10-15 minutes for a HSQ/Gondola.

 

[MadPadraic]

I have season passes to Cannon and Whiteface. That being so if Im not skiing onto the lift, even on a weekend, its a bad day.

I agree that the lines at Cannon are good, but I've NEVER seen so many people just stop right in front of the lift and create a human wall that always seems to cause an extra chair or to go by. Why can't these people wait for their friends on the side? And no, I'm not even talking about the HSQ.