Mount Snow on the Weekends?

[Mark_151]

I'm playing around with the idea of my first visit to Mount Snow because of the great conditions so early and it's a short ride from Leominster. I was thinking of hitting it this Sunday the 9th and was wondering if someone could give me an idea of what to expect on Sunday's for crowds, from the perspective of a Wachusett regular? Also, as an intermediate, would I get my money's worth on the $72 ticket?

Mark

 

[MRGisevil]

Every Sunday I have ever gone to Mt. Snow has been a shooting gallery. Personally, I think it's way too damn crowded on the weekend to pay 72 bucks to go there, but others might feel different.

 

[drjeff]

Sundays are generally speaking a good day to hit Mount Snow. Usually you'll see about 75% of the Saturday crowd, and the later you stay, the quicker the masses exit. Typically Sunday afternoon's will have atmost a 2 to 3 minute line on the major lifts. Sunday AM's the lines on the major base area quads might peak in the 10 minute range in the 10 to 12 time frame. The secondary lifts are atmost a 1 to 2 minute line on just about any Sunday.

The snow is good right now, if the fan guns happen to be running while you're there, it's impressive both with the snow they make and the lack on nosie from them while they're running.

If you do go, Mount Snow changed their traffic pattern this year to basically make it a 1 way loop. Now you need to goto the 2nd blinking light as you're headed North on Rte 100 (the North entrance) instead of the 1st blinking light(South entrance) that most folks went to in years past. If you goto the South entrance, you'll be asked to make a u-turn and then head up behind the Snowtree condos to the North Entrance.

 

[Greg]

If you do go, Mount Snow changed their traffic pattern this year to basically make it a 1 way loop. Now you need to goto the 2nd blinking light as you're headed North on Rte 100 (the North entrance) instead of the 1st blinking light(South entrance) that most folks went to in years past. If you goto the South entrance, you'll be asked to make a u-turn and then head up behind the Snowtree condos to the North Entrance.

I always entered that way anyway.

 

[roark]

meh, I usually park at Carinthia.

Probably somewhat crowded, although if you're used to Wa probably not that bad.

The mountain is in great shape and many more blue cruisers are opening. But would I pay full price - No.

 

[bdjeep]

I did a bunch of weekend day trips to Snow last year for the same reasons. It was relatively close to where I live.

I think it'll be crowded given the great early-season conditions, but more terrain is opening this weekend. Sunday afternoon might not be bad, but a lot of the intermediate groomers might be skied out by then. There's never any crowds on the north face if you can get up the nerve to try it.

I say give it a shot and post a trip report to let us know how it went.

 

[rachelv]

I don't know, so far this season I think Mt. Snow has been far less crowded than in past seasons. I was up for the day on Nov 11th (Sun), Nov 18th (Sun), and all weekend December 1-2, and it was not crowded at all. The longest we waited for a chair was maybe 3 minutes, and we skiied right up to the chair without waiting at all most of the time. As far as intermediate terrain goes, they have a ton.

I'd definitely give it a shot and judge for yourself.

 

[mlctvt]

There's never any crowds on the north face if you can get up the nerve to try it.

This is true, the north face almost never has long lift lines and with multiple ways down the slopes shouldn't be crowded either.
Also arrive early for the best uncrowded conditions, I'm always shocked how many people arrive as late as 11:00 AM. If you're skiing the front side and it gets busy mid morning, move to alternate lifts instead of the Grand Summit Express quad.
If you break for lunch break early or late and ski when everyone else eats lunch.


Here's a good Mount Snow insiders guide
http://www.skiernet.com/mount-snow.html

I wouldn't pay full price either , after this weekend my season's pass will already be paid for (8+ days), the rest of the season is free :grin::

 

[Mark_151]

Good advice everyone. It sounds like the crowds wouldn't be anything I'm not used to with Wachusett. And, I'd be getting there for opening and staying about 5 hours or so, so hopefully I'd get most of my time in before the place got scraped off too much.

The consensus seems to be that paying full price is the objection. I was thinking in terms of my other options -- either Crotched or Berkshire East. Mt. Snow is just a little farther drive than either of them, and $20 or so more than what I'd pay at either according to their rates of around $50. I figured the longer drive and bigger expense would be worth it for more terrain (and new terrain to me at that), and possibly better conditions.

BTW -- I'm planning on next Friday, the 14th off, for my 2nd visit to Okemo. I'll be posting it in the trips section soon as an intermediate friendly day.

 

[drjeff]

I don't know, so far this season I think Mt. Snow has been far less crowded than in past seasons. I was up for the day on Nov 11th (Sun), Nov 18th (Sun), and all weekend December 1-2, and it was not crowded at all. The longest we waited for a chair was maybe 3 minutes, and we skiied right up to the chair without waiting at all most of the time. As far as intermediate terrain goes, they have a ton.

I'd definitely give it a shot and judge for yourself.

Last weekend, (December 1 + 2) wasn't crowded, the fullest I saw the parking lots had all the cars in the primary lots with no cars in the "overflow lots" either down by Snow Lake(only Grand Summit Hotel guest cars there) or the North Access overflow lots up towards Snow Vidda/The Outlook developments and Carinthia lot was maybe 25% full. Turkey Day weekend had the overflow lots close to capacity. I'm seriously expecting a similarly large sized crowd on Saturday, but with the extra trails open/lifts they'll be spinning on hill should be a reasonable skier/rider density.

 

[rachelv]

...but with the extra trails open/lifts they'll be spinning on hill should be a reasonable skier/rider density.

Yeah, they've opened a TON this week with the snow on Monday. I'd be up there this weekend in a second if I didn't have other obligations.

 

[bdjeep]

The consensus seems to be that paying full price is the objection. I was thinking in terms of my other options -- either Crotched or Berkshire East. Mt. Snow is just a little farther drive than either of them, and $20 or so more than what I'd pay at either according to their rates of around $50. I figured the longer drive and bigger expense would be worth it for more terrain (and new terrain to me at that), and possibly better conditions.

If you're looking to beat the crowds and save a few bucks, Crotched might be the place to go. I wouldn't discount the conditions at Crotched, they're expecting to be 85% open by the weekend.

Of course, it just depends if you want the big mountain or small mountain experience.

 

[Newpylong]

Every Sunday I have ever gone to Mt. Snow has been a shooting gallery. Personally, I think it's way too damn crowded on the weekend to pay 72 bucks to go there, but others might feel different.

Nope, Sundays especially later in the AM/PM are the day to be at Mount Snow if you're going on the weekend. No more crowder than anywhere else. Now that more terrain has opened, you're not going to have as much of a problem with overcrowding on the trails.

As for money's worth - they are tied with Okemo and above Stratton for mileage and acreage, and a lot of the runs on the North Face can be navigated by an upper intermediate when groomed, so it's worth a shot. They are adding more blue square terrain for saturday as well. Have fun if you go!

PS - I suggest parking at Carinthia, or even Sundance (it may be opened by then, I know they are plastering that area now).


Oh yeah, they currently have the most open terrain in New England outside of Sugarloaf - tied for 26 miles.