MLK Weekend

[telegirl]

Mlk

Middlebury is a nice small mountain with limited grooming and snowmaking. We went there last year on MLK day and had a great time. It was busy but not crowded. Racing was limited to one trail. Get there early because of the small parking lot. Check for the number of trails open before you go. Prices are reasonable, half-day ticket for either AM or PM and they offer young seniors at 62 a discount.

 

[Masskier]

I'll be at Burke Friday, Jay Sat and Cannon Sunday. Crowds be damned

Jay will be a zoo on Saturday. I would switch and ski Jay Friday, and Burke Saturday. just my 2 cents

 

[riverc0il]

Jay will be a zoo on Saturday. I would switch and ski Jay Friday, and Burke Saturday. just my 2 cents

Probably a good idea.

Though Jay on a holiday is not as bad as other major resorts. Perhaps due to the distance. I used to ski Jay on holidays as a pass holder. Wasn't bad unless they also got a big dump recently. Don't forget MLK is a USA holiday so 1/2 of Jay's base won't have any extra incentive.

I'll be skiing Jay this weekend, Sat or Sun, not sure yet. If the crowds don't scare me off, they shouldn't scare hardly any one.

 

[mikestaple]

I'm skiing jay for the first time fri - sun. Although if windy or blown off we'll be hitting sutton. Have to pack the passports. Didn't think they would have a zoo this weekend (so far north) but then I saw they have some sort of vertical challenge on sat. Not sure how big of a deal that is

 

[Edd]

Neither of those two are mid-sized areas, though. :razz:

Also, I am not sure I would recommend Saddleback. They seem to get the Maine locals crowd, perhaps from Portland and the like. Reports from Saddleback from Christmas week indicated crowds for the Rangely Double were extensive.

Yes. Saturday crowds on a holiday here are to be avoided I think given the current lift situation. Last year I took a chance and the wait at the Rangeley double was breathtaking.

If the lifts change then the mountain can certainly absorb crowds to an extent.

 

[billski]

I buy your logic, and am certain that would yield the best conditions, but you're killing my budget!

 

[carbonXshell]

I'll be on a bus to Okemo this Saturday... what can I expect?

 

[WWF-VT]

Just like the trailboss I'll be spending time at Mt Ellen.

Regardless of where you choose to ski on MLK weekend keep in mind that a lot of areas have lifts that start as early as 7:30 (Stowe) or by 8 AM. Get out early to avoid the typical 10-2 ski crowds.

 

[BackLoafRiver]

Our Boyne Silver Passes are blacked out (which works for us as we prefer to avoid holiday crowds).

Same here.

Also, I am not sure I would recommend Saddleback. They seem to get the Maine locals crowd, perhaps from Portland and the like. Reports from Saddleback from Christmas week indicated crowds for the Rangely Double were extensive.

I agree with Steve. I can't see this coming weekend being an exception at Saddleback and with only Tri-color operating off the Quad, lines at the double should be long.

I do plan on skiing this weekend. Still not sure where. Might venture to Vermont and hit Burke with the lady. A lot will depend on this weeks weather.

 

[Smellytele]

Jay will be a zoo on Saturday. I would switch and ski Jay Friday, and Burke Saturday. just my 2 cents

I would but Friday is a $15 day at Burke for ski club members

 

[dmc]

I'll be at Hunter skiing onto the Y chair with no lines and only advance skiing terrain..

 

[billski]

Same here.



I agree with Steve. I can't see this coming weekend being an exception at Saddleback and with only Tri-color operating off the Quad, lines at the double should be long.
.

I didn't follow the Saddleback discussion. What is the lift problem and are they planning to fix it/when?

 

[thetrailboss]

I didn't follow the Saddleback discussion. What is the lift problem and are they planning to fix it/when?

The problem was not enough chairs! Saddleback was busy over the holidays.

 

[riverc0il]

I didn't follow the Saddleback discussion. What is the lift problem and are they planning to fix it/when?

The problem is that the Rangely Double is slow and low capacity. Which is great when there is not a packed lodge and a lot of families which can cause lines (which is why I would suggest an avoid for the holiday weekend for the crowd conscious folks). The big problem is that the Rangely Double is the only chairlift serving the mountain from the lodge. Sure, there is an old school wooden slat hall t-bar with telescoping poles (oh my!!!) but most folks don't appreciate that sort of thing.

The line problem will be fixed when (if) they install a replacement lift for the double. At least a fixed grip quad, perhaps a high speeder one can hope. They have enough room to spread guests out that I think the Back could handle a high speeder as far as downhill capacity goes. Whether its in the financial cards is another story.

 

[SkiFanE]

Wouldn't even consider staying home because of a threat of crowds. Know where to go to avoid them. Nothing can be as bad as last year's MLK, I think SR had tough windhold days with huge crowds on the few lifts open.

It's a weekend in the winter...wtf else is there to do but ski?

 

[jrmagic]

I'll be on a bus to Okemo this Saturday... what can I expect?

LOTS and LOTS of people. They seem to draw very large crowds during the Holiday weekends in particular.

I'll be at Magic hoping I have to wait in line:grin:

 

[BackLoafRiver]

I didn't follow the Saddleback discussion. What is the lift problem and are they planning to fix it/when?

I don't know they had a real "lift problem" other than the capacity. The bigger issue is terrain offered right now off the Kennebago Quad is extremely limited (I think only Tri-Color is open) so everyone skis off the double.

 

[gmcunni]

I'll be on a bus to Okemo this Saturday... what can I expect?

LOTS and LOTS of people. They seem to draw very large crowds during the Holiday weekends in particular.

and impeccably groomed trails!

 

[deadheadskier]

Sure, there is an old school wooden slat hall t-bar with telescoping poles (oh my!!!) but most folks don't appreciate that sort of thing.

.

not to mention it services very short vertical......

The one day I skied Saddleback we rode that T-bar quite a bit to avoid the 15-20 minute lines at the double. I did find the terrain over there to get fairly boring rather quickly.

I think the smarter money spent for them would be a fixed grip and put the $$$ saved from not employing a HSQ to use in snowmaking.

 

[SIKSKIER]

That's when you cash in your perk for having a season pass.Ski a couple hours till the late arrivals come after 10 and if it gets crowded I get out of there.Only a couple weekends that have lines at Cannon and this is one of them though Sunday seems worse than Sunday.