My wife and I have a place at Mount Snow so that's where we usually ski. This season we purchased the Classic pass with blackouts for 12/25 to 12/31 so we'd like to ski elsewhere the weekend of 12/29 to 12/31. Where should we go to Magic or Berkshire east? Which one will be less crowded this Holiday season? My wife prefers the groomers but she can ski anything and if coverage is good she likes natural trails too. I like to mix it up and I'll ski anything except very bumped up mogul runs. We're both advanced intermediate skiers. I've never skied Berskshire East and it's been at least 15 years since I've been to Magic. Magic was always a favorite of mine back in my college days. I really liked the feel of the place and the way the trails were cut, also it was seldomly crowded. Travel time to either would be about the same.
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Magic or Berkshire East for 12/29 to 12/31?
- Thread starter mlctvt
- Start date
I'd probably stick with Magic. Looks like they're both about the same distance away and they're both nice places, but Magic wins in my book with better terrain. You could always do a day at each...
billski
Active member
coin flip in terms of crowds. I think you'll have a good day at either. If you're really concerned call the day before and ask how long the lift lines are. Both resorts have a reputation for honest reporting. I think BE grooms more than Magic, but it all depends on the timing. Neither are quick to get out and groom. BE is more of a local family crowd. You pick, either will be good.
p.s., be sure to send us a report!
p.s., be sure to send us a report!
Magic does have some good groomer terrain in addition to their natural trails, IIRC.
threecy
New member
Berkshire East has more snowguns (one of the largest fleets of SMI guns in New England) and a newer grooming fleet...with the exception of powder days, all of the main trails are groomed out nightly with modern Bombardier snowcats. Magic has more expert terrain, but Berkshire East's diamonds and double diamonds are legit. Both Magic and B-East will have amongst the shortest lift lines and least crowded trails in New England during the holiday week. Lift ticket prices at both are quite reasonable. Both are a reasonable drive from the Mt. Snow area (up 100 to 11 to Magic, down 112 to 2 to B-East).
madskier6
Member
Since you are talking about a 3-day period (12/29 to 12/31), my recommendation is you ski both Magic & BEast at some point over the 3 days. What have you got to lose?
Thanks everyone for all the info, I think we will try both. You know the only bad thing about owning a vacation home near a particular ski area is we don't get out to other ski areas anywhere near as much as we did in the past.
billski
Active member
You pick depending on your needs.
Berkshire is fully covered at this point in my experience from Friday. They will be tracked out I'll bet. Interesting, I didn't see many school age kids there yet,mostly collegians, and not that many, mostly for a half day.
I'm not sure what grooming Magic has done. they simply have not been able to make any snow. Is someone here willing to call them today about grooming? I'm flat out busy or I would. If not, I will call them late day, since I want to ski at Magic on friday.
I read your trip report from Friday 12/14 and that's what reminded me of Bershire East. Looks like conditions were awesome and you had the place to yourself, perfect. It'd be cool to be on the first chair at Magic whenever they open.
billski
Active member
It was kinda funny, the place "opened" at 9, but the lift wasn't running until 9:15. I didn't get out until 930, but it simply didn't matter, I still got tracks. Some of it was 1st day startups. I've also learned that a little patience there goes a long way, they march to a different drummer. No AIG insurance running the show here, just someone who simply likes skiing & boarding.
