Mom of 3 skiers - help me cut costs!

[Julie8]

I need some advice.
I am the Mom of 3 boys -8 year old and 6 yo twins who are all very good, black diamond skiers thanks to a lot of time on the slopes and commitment to season long lesson programs. My husband is an expert skier. We moved to the Boston from CO and have really enjoyed skiing at many places - we are thinking we will buy season passes to Loon because it is easy to get to and seems to have good season long programs for the kids. We are looking to get a seasonal condo rental wherever we ski because the amount of gear we now carry for a family of 5 skiers is ridiculous and we want to ski all weekend. You can imagine how expensive this all is! So a few questions for you all:

• DO you like the seasonal programs at Loon for kids? Somewhere else?
  
• Any one know of a private way to score a seasonal condo rental so we don't have to pay realtor fees?
  
• Does it make financial sense for me to become an instructor at the resort we commit to? I would be available weekends and holidays but I think it would only offer a season pass and a little bit of cash to me and not offer discounts to the rest of my family. How much might I get paid?
  
• I am a nurse. Does becoming a ski patrol person make more financial sense?
  
  
  Have any other advice on how to manage costs on a family of 5 skiers? I really want to keep providing my kids with the instruction and supervision they need to grow into safe skiers. they will be maniacs without it.
  Thanks Julie

 

[Vortex]

Craigs list has plenty of units for rent in the loon area. I had a hard time finding a renter for my unit in the region. Avalibility is no issue. I would suggest you look at a realtor though. Johnskiismoore "of this board" has many contacts. Even though its a realtor you get the insider view.

I am 3 years removerd, but my son loved the Loon Seasonal programs. He was in the Snowboarding one for a few years. Very good for the social aspect of the sport as well. I would suggest you find a place on the shuttle route. Parking is always tough. Shuttle system is safe and easy.

Gear

I use ski fanatics in Campton its a nice place if you need gear off exit 28 in Campton. they have seasonal equipt rentals and a congisnment area to sell and buy old stuff. I still go there after leaving the region. I dropped two snwoboards an five pair os skis there Sat to get season ending tunes.

Good luck.

 

[Talisman]

Another potential option to save some cash and still ski a lot would be to join one of the family friendly ski clubs that have lodges in the area where you want to ski. North Conway used to be studded with Ski Clubs with houses.

 

[bobbutts]

Waterville Valley has alot of the same things as Loon.. Haven't been in awhile but I loved it as a kid. Worth checking out to compare with Loon.

 

[MogulQueen]

I hear your pain. I too have three boys and it isn't easy. We share a house up at Killington with a bunch of friends. This is definately the way to go, if you can find some other friends who ski. If your boys are really into skiing, I would look into a season ski program such as the "hopefuls" at Killington. They get together every weekend and cruise around with an instructor. It is a freestyle program not a slalom program. We have had friends that were instructors and they say that it is one of the most affordable ways for kids to ski if you are going to be up every weekend. I don't know if Loon has a program like this, but I would check into it. Also, I would look into working the first aid station. I know that many mountains offer tickets in exchage for time. With your nursing experience, they would consider you an ideal candidate. Hope that helps. Welcome to the East!

 

[SkiDork]

I hear your pain. I too have three boys and it isn't easy. We share a house up at Killington with a bunch of friends. This is definately the way to go, if you can find some other friends who ski. If your boys are really into skiing, I would look into a season ski program such as the "hopefuls" at Killington. They get together every weekend and cruise around with an instructor. It is a freestyle program not a slalom program. We have had friends that were instructors and they say that it is one of the most affordable ways for kids to ski if you are going to be up every weekend. I don't know if Loon has a program like this, but I would check into it. Also, I would look into working the first aid station. I know that many mountains offer tickets in exchage for time. With your nursing experience, they would consider you an ideal candidate. Hope that helps. Welcome to the East!

mq - how old are your kids? I may know them, I've got 1 in Bs (9 years old) and know a bunch of the hopefuls as well...

 

[Julie8]

These are great ideas - keep them coming!! As someone new to the East they are all helpful to me and I appreciate your thoughts. Plus I am glad that I am not the only person who dreams of skiing even on a beautiful 80 degree day!
Julie

 

[jaywbigred]

Plus I am glad that I am not the only person who dreams of skiing even on a beautiful 80 degree day!
Julie

You have come to the right place!

My new favorite saying on the golf course, after each errant shot or stupid mistake (read: lots), is "I hate golf. Is it ski season yet?"

 

[billski]

Julie -
Would like to hear your definition of "very good black diamond" skiers. Name some resorts. Anyone coming from the rockies would probably find Waterville quite boring, if you get your kicks on black diamonds. Have you skied Loon?

With regard to patrolling, it's very competitive to find a position. I would suggest checking over at epicski.com, where a lot of patrol and school staff hang out. Make financial sense? While you might get your pass for free, that might be it for comps. Don't know for sure. Depends on the commitment they require (how much time do you want to ski away from your family anyways?). I know a couple of Ambassadors at Loon and I've heard a lot of cost-reductions going on there.

 

[snoseek]

Your husband may not be very satisified with the terrain at Loon......

 

[riverc0il]

Three Words: MAD RIVER GLEN

With the purchase of a Family Season Pass, kids under 12 ski FREE. I am not sure if it is a one for one deal or all inclusive (i.e. two free kids cards or all kids ski free with the pass). Last year's rates were $734/adult season pass, so ideally the family skis a full season for under $1500 though I would verify whether that is one for one kids pass or not.

MRG also has the most challenging terrain on piste terrain in the East (might be a little too hard for you west coast folks, ski good or eat wood! ). But as snoseek suggested, if you guys are used to skiing legit terrain, many ski areas like Loon or Waterville might not offer up enough challenge.

Draw backs at MRG are lack of snow making (i.e. season starts in December eventually and tough recovery periods after rain), life lines on many weekends (especially when the snow is good), and not much grooming (if you are into that sort of thing). MRG has some of the BEST kids programs around. MRG is the ultimate family friendly mountain, IMO. Check out their web site.... huge focus on the kids. And your kids will develop skills unlike any where else at MRG. It is awesome watching all the kids ripping around that mountain.

Another option would be a Mount Ellen only pass at Sugarbush. Bush looks like they offer a similar 12 and under ski free with a season pass type deal (again, no idea if that is one for one or not). Though full season passes at Bush would probably be expensive, Mount Ellen only passes are very reasonable. My personal taste is that ME only for a full season might get old.

I am sure other mountains offer free kids passes with purchase of an adult pass, so look around and come up with a short list. Spend next season trying them all out before making a decision if you're planning on purchasing a condo somewhere. Every area has its own feel. Travel distance with kids could be an issue too... many NH areas are closer to Boston than VT and ME.

 

[WWF-VT]

Sugarbush is one kid free with an adult pass purchased:

Adult All Mountain 7 = Free youth 12 and under All Mountain 7
Adult Mt. Ellen 7 = Free youth 12 and under Mt. Ellen 7

 

[Julie8]

Would like to hear your definition of "very good black diamond" skiers. Name some resorts. Anyone coming from the rockies would probably find Waterville quite boring, if you get your kicks on black diamonds. Have you skied Loon?

yes, we enjoyed Loon but I think we will outgrow it. We skied everything in CO but I get misty when I think about Telluride and Steamboat. Nothing wrong with a powder day at Vail either. My husband is a bumps fanatic but now we have to balance that with the needs of our kids so great instruction and a fun social atmosphere for families is the key right now. They will ski anything - they don't care about going fast and there legs are like noodles on bumps at that age. I am just trying to keep them off snow boards until they are 10 and make sure that they can ski as well as snowboard (if they choose to do that).

I would like the opportunity to really work on bumps ( I suck and really want to improve)and take several ski clinics this year. I might try to go to a ski workshop and really work on skills. I can get down most anything but it ain't always pretty. I figure I've got about 2 years to stay ahead of my twins - my 8 year old is already better than me.

Heck, I just love to be outside and ski - my kids are lucky we don't just sleep in the car in the parking lot to get first tracks in the AM. They probably wouldn't mind actually...

After the comments made I'm seriously looking at Sugarbush now.
And I might need to put in a Warren Miller DVD right now!!!

Julie

 

[drjeff]

Would like to hear your definition of "very good black diamond" skiers. Name some resorts. Anyone coming from the rockies would probably find Waterville quite boring, if you get your kicks on black diamonds. Have you skied Loon?

yes, we enjoyed Loon but I think we will outgrow it. We skied everything in CO but I get misty when I think about Telluride and Steamboat. Nothing wrong with a powder day at Vail either. My husband is a bumps fanatic but now we have to balance that with the needs of our kids so great instruction and a fun social atmosphere for families is the key right now. They will ski anything - they don't care about going fast and there legs are like noodles on bumps at that age. I am just trying to keep them off snow boards until they are 10 and make sure that they can ski as well as snowboard (if they choose to do that).

I would like the opportunity to really work on bumps ( I suck and really want to improve)and take several ski clinics this year. I might try to go to a ski workshop and really work on skills. I can get down most anything but it ain't always pretty. I figure I've got about 2 years to stay ahead of my twins - my 8 year old is already better than me.

Heck, I just love to be outside and ski - my kids are lucky we don't just sleep in the car in the parking lot to get first tracks in the AM. They probably wouldn't mind actually...

After the comments made I'm seriously looking at Sugarbush now.
And I might need to put in a Warren Miller DVD right now!!!

Julie

One of my hygienists and her family, 3 kids ages 7,13 and 16 did for their 1st time ever a seasonal rental at Loon last year. They had a great time, and enjoyed the volume of people for social opportunites that being at a reputible ski area essentially right off an interstate high, 2 or so hours from Boston offers. They've already signed the lease for the same place for this coming winter, and their kids, the youngest, a novice/low intermediate skier, and their teens who did a mix of skiing/snowboarding, really enjoyed both the programs that Loon offered and the number of new faces they met. A very good family situation for them!

And Julie BTW, I'm a Mount Snow 2nd home owner for many of the same reasons that you mentioned, a very family friendly mountain with a strong kids program and social opportunites, even if the mountain itself may not be the most challenging in New England, but at the same time provides an very good quality snow surface day in and day out all season long. The criteria that one often looks for when they're looking for a FAMILY resort that has some terrain to challenge certain family members, but yet still offer up a good deal of terrain that makes a parent feel comfortable with their kids on the hill vs. a resort that offers up truely challenging terrain with some family programs is often quite different. The bottomline is that as a parent, it's very, very enjoyable to have the entire family together, sitting around the dinner table near the mountain after a day on the snow!

 

[riverc0il]

Would like to hear your definition of "very good black diamond" skiers. Name some resorts. Anyone coming from the rockies would probably find Waterville quite boring, if you get your kicks on black diamonds. Have you skied Loon?

yes, we enjoyed Loon but I think we will outgrow it. We skied everything in CO but I get misty when I think about Telluride and Steamboat. Nothing wrong with a powder day at Vail either. My husband is a bumps fanatic but now we have to balance that with the needs of our kids so great instruction and a fun social atmosphere for families is the key right now. They will ski anything - they don't care about going fast and there legs are like noodles on bumps at that age. I am just trying to keep them off snow boards until they are 10 and make sure that they can ski as well as snowboard (if they choose to do that).

I would like the opportunity to really work on bumps ( I suck and really want to improve)and take several ski clinics this year.Julie

Three words again! MAD RIVER GLEN! Though Mount Ellen would be a good option as well. BushMogulMaster will sell you on the bumps there! I think MRG is a better family mountain, though. It is an incredible family atmosphere, coming from someone without kids himself. Either way, you really can not go wrong with the Mad River Valley and having a place there, you could switch up the mountains every other year to keep from getting board.

 

[snoseek]

Yeah coming from places like T-Ride Northern Vermont would be a good place to set up. Snow, terrain, bumps. Mad River Valley would be a great base for your adventures

 

[vonski]

The Mt. Ellen plus pass is also reasonable as it gives you five days at South during the season along with the free pass for child 12 and under. Also 6 and under ski free at the Bush! So, if the boys are 6 till the fall then they will ski free for 10/11 season. Blazers is a great seasonal program. There is also the Sunday Blazers at Ellen so you ski with kids on Saturday and Sunday on your own.

 

[jaywbigred]

My husband is a bumps fanatic

Wow, you've DEF. come to the right place. You are getting good suggestions; depending on drive times, Sugarbush and MRG are great bets, esp. w/ Mt. Ellen possessing the best bumps on the east coast, imo.

Dr. Jeff is right to point out Mt. Snow's family programs. It might be something to consider depending on if it saves you driving time. They have shown a real commitment to bumps over the past few years, both in terms of natural/traditional bump trails (more challenging) that your husband will enjoy, as well as progressive/low angle/seeded bumps that allow folks like you/your kids to learn bumps via progression from bump fields on greens, blues, blacks and double blacks.

 

[bobbutts]

Mad River valley is a significantly longer drive vs. Loon from boston. If it's on the table why not put Maine on the table too. Loaf and Sunday River are both good family destinations.

Conway is another place to consider, several resorts to choose from and a larger vacation rental pool.

The problems with Loon are that it lacks in Natural Snow, Challenging Terrain, and is overcrowded on weekends. All places have crowds to some extent but Loon stands out as the worst or at least one of the worst IMO. At least Cannon is very close to Lincoln, so a rental near Loon leaves the door open for Cannon (Terrain, Less crowd) too.

 

[billski]

Dr. Jeff is right to point out Mt. Snow's family programs. It might be something to consider depending on if it saves you driving time.

From a proximity from Boston point of view and challenge, Mt. Snow indeed competes with Loon, though the clientele will be slightly more metro NY-centric.

I know /have done drive time metro Boston to Mt. Snow of 2.25 hours several times. Loon is pretty close 2 hours.