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President week crowds
- Thread starter slatham
- Start date
Duncanator24
New member
What are you talking about? I was at Mt Ellen on that Saturday and faced no issues getting on the lift all day. Sure the Summit lines were longer than usual but that is mainly due to how slow that lift is. Riding the single line at North Ridge I never waited more than a minute or two. And this was even with the lot so full that people were parked along the road all the way down to German Flats. I took the bus over to Lincoln around 2pm and made a few laps on Castle Rock with relatively short waits for a Saturday. For a holiday weekend, the mountain was pretty empty. I expected much worse.
It was by no means empty...it just handles crowds well when it is fully open. LP was decently crowded on the web cams Saturday morning. Going to CR late in the day was a good move. That lift always tends to empty out late in the day (as does the mountain in general I suppose you could say).
BenedictGomez
Well-known member
Am I misunderstanding you, or are you comparing folks waiting in the proper line for a lift against those who jump into the singles line?
SIKSKIER
New member
Cannon ran out of parking both Saturday and Sunday.Monday was fine.
Duncanator24
New member
Why would I ride anything other than the singles line? Even when skiing with friends, we can just meet at the top and get more runs out of the day rather than wait with the tourists. When the singles line takes more than 5 minutes, then I know the mountain is crowded. Hence why I avoid castle rock on saturday/sunday mornings.
Duncanator24
New member
Yes, very true. People were spread out so it never really felt crowded. I don't go to the lodge for lunch so I guess I would not notice that. Due to the abundance of natural snow, there were plenty of woods areas to explore that day as well. All I am saying is the mountain never felt nearly as crowded as it was. I have certainly had terrible experiences with crowds at other mountains so it was a quality experience.
joshua segal
Well-known member
Repeat question: In general, most everyone saw good crowds on Sat./Sun. (Feb. 18/19). Whiteface reported record crowds both days, Gunstock stopped selling tickets, etc. My observation at my home area and inputs from friends at other areas would indicate Feb. 20 to 26 were lighter than expected. Those of you who suggested it was mobbed on Saturday: Were you referring to the 18th or 25th?
I'd have to believe they were referring to the 18th. The 25th was less crowded than a regular Saturday at Sugarbush.
medfordmike
Member
Pico was busier than I have ever seen it on the 18th and 19th. I thought the 19th was the busier of the two. Saturday the 25th was less than a typical non holiday Saturday. Lifts were practically ski on which was good since the terrain was stressed and much more limited.
Duncanator24
New member
Weather was predicted really bad for the 25/26 so it was deserted at sugarbush. Ended up with rain Friday afternoon but Saturday was perfect and with a late start Sunday, it was nicely powdery. Can't imagine it was too crowded Tues-Thurs in between. Is midweek Presidents weekend usually busy?
At Bretton, crowds were light on the 25th and 26th - a very welcome and pleasant surprise.
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billski
Active member
That's exactly what I'm talking about Duncanator! For ME, that's mobbed. So are more than 10 cars at a stop light! Not everyone is single and not everyone choses to go to the MRG singles line. A 15 person line at the single chair is mobbed in my book too.
I often do single when I'm with people who are amenable to it. I sometimes chose the bigger line, and often it's due to the pretty women in my company! And I don't care about the speed of the lift if the company is right (see previous comment
If all you're out for is to get as many runs as you can it, then you can avert the crowds anywhere, but don't disparage the 95% who don't. The "tourists" bring in the money that keeps things running and I'm happy to engage them.
billski
Active member
Wow, that is too cool for them! I hope the cash register was over flowing!
billski
Active member
18th. Traditionally the President's weekend (first weekend) is mobbed. Most people are working stiffs and can only take off the day they get off, even though the kids are only off for one week. I found it interesting that MRG was blacked out the week before and through President's weekend and was wide open the remainder of the week. Hunch tells me they make most of their money the first weekend.
billski
Active member
I'm banking on that same thing happening this weekend. See you, or not, in No.VT.
Duncanator24
New member
That's exactly what I'm talking about Duncanator! For ME, that's mobbed. So are more than 10 cars at a stop light! Not everyone is single and not everyone choses to go to the MRG singles line. A 15 person line at the single chair is mobbed in my book too.
I often do single when I'm with people who are amenable to it. I sometimes chose the bigger line, and often it's due to the pretty women in my company! And I don't care about the speed of the lift if the company is right (see previous comment
You make a good point, that it is relative. But since this was a general thread and not a Sugarbush specific thread, it really is important to note the difference in crowds. Sure at ME, waiting 5 minutes is a very long time. But for something like Mt Snow? That would be a godsend.
And yeah I see your point, the singles line isnt for everyone. And if it was, then it would take significantly longer for me. So I am happy with the current system allowing for my advantage. The "tourist" jab is a bit out of line since I am just as much a tourist being a yellow plater anyways haha.
BenedictGomez
Well-known member
Yeah, the "singles line isnt for everyone", it's for singles, and your "current system" is entitlement.
Ski singles lines exist to efficiently pair-up (or quad-up) skiers for efficiency at loading chairs, not so four teenagers or 20-somethings can cut hundreds of people and wait in a 3 minute line instead of an 8 minute line.
I wish more ski areas enforced this, I can probably count on my 2 hands the number of times I've seen singles line cheaters booted out of the singles line and sent to the end of the line.
Uh oh...I agree with BG on something!
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