Ski Programs For Young'uns? (First Post)

[Slow]

First off- Just found AlpineZone and glad I did. Coming back to spending some time skiing now that my kids are getting old enough.

So any adivce/guidance/thoughts on doing a seasonal rental and enrolling my kids in a season long program?

Basic Overview: I grew up South of Boston with 3-5 ski trips a year (only been West 3 times). After college, I didn't get up much. (but did switch over to tele...now I seem to go 50/50 depending on the skill level of the people I am skiing with) Now that my kids are 3 and 6 we can start it up again and cannot wait. My 3 year old has decided skiing means putting on his skis, lying down on the snow, and trying to eat as much snow as he can. He could not be happier but...he is not getting in much vert. The only time I have seen my 6 year old cry on skis was a day last year at Stowe when, after 7 hours of Ski School and two more bonus runs, he buttonhooked to ski back into the lift line and there was a cone in the way...the lift shut for the day (tomorrow was not going to come fast enough so took off his skis and to started trying to hike up for another run...no joke). My wife grew up skiing but has been out for 15 years (back in 5 days over the past 2 years)

After a trip to Stowe earlier this year my wife started talking about doing a seasonal rental and getting the kids in a program. After Sunday at Burke, we have committed to the idea (or, at least, to getting in something like 30+ days next year)

So, we need:
1) Good ski programs for the kids (the 3 year old will come around and the 6 year old is begging for a full on "program")
2) A mouintain with enough good terrain for me (I like the East: trees, bumps, narrow)
3) Some quality groomers so the family can ski together
4) We are price conscious but would find a way to make the right mountain work.

What I have been thinking:
Stowe- Their ski program seems to be top notch (although I have no idea how competitive). It gets pretty pricey and I am worried a regulars/locals vibe has been overrun by the resort/vacation crowd.
MRG- Have not gone this year because of the snow. I love the mountain and I feel there is enough mountain there for all of us. They have a great vibe and (it seems) a solid program. But, seems almost all of the housing is well off mountain and, as far as I know, no bus.
Sugarbush- Good mountain and looking at their programs it is clearly everything anyone could need. Seems to get spendy but not the worst.
Burke- Went on Sunday to check it out after hearing it was also a laid back, family, mountain and good skiing. Right on ALL accounts. I assume the relationship with BMA means a top notch program. E. Burke is great...but I worry it could be a bit thin on the activity meter when my kids get a little older...maybe there is so much community on the mountain that it doesn't matter.

Anyone have opinions on:
1) Any mountain I need to add to the list?
2) How much difference between the programs and which are the best/most fun?
3) MRG (I would be scared to death of a bad snow season but love the mountain and we know someone who did the season up there and really were not that bummed out by the snow...I just have no idea if they know what they missed...do you invest in doing MRG and then just buy tickets elsewhere to sneak through a tough season)?
4) How much am I looking at spending on the season...ie is Stowe really 2x some of the others?
5) Over a season, how important is On-Mountain vs. Shuttle Bus vs. Self Drive if we plan to ski all day and only have one car up there?
6) Do we need other "stuff" to do in the area (and how much)...how about in 5-8 years? do I care about knowing it will fit our needs in 5-8 years?
7) Any thought on moving around and not doing a season long program?
8) And, after this weekend...is there anythign better than Burke!!??

Sorry for the long first post (you should see how I am trying to spreadsheet this decision matrix :-o ) and thanks for any and all advice.

 

[SkiFanE]

First off- Just found AlpineZone and glad I did. Coming back to spending some time skiing now that my kids are getting old enough.

So any adivce/guidance/thoughts on doing a seasonal rental and enrolling my kids in a season long program?

Basic Overview: I grew up South of Boston with 3-5 ski trips a year (only been West 3 times). After college, I didn't get up much. Now that my kids are 3 and 6 we can start it up again and cannot wait. My 3 year old has decided skiing means putting on his skis, lying down on the snow, and trying to eat as much snow as he can. He could not be happier but...he is not getting in much vert. The only time I have seen my 6 year old cry on skis was a day last year at Stowe when, after 7 hours of Ski School and two more bonus runs, he buttonhooked to ski back into the lift line and there was a cone in the way...the lift shut for the day (tomorrow was not going to come fast enough so took off his skis and to started trying to hike up for another run...no joke). My wife grew up skiing but has been out for 15 years (back in 5 days over the past 2 years)

After a trip to Stowe earlier this year my wife started talking about doing a seasonal rental and getting the kids in a program. After Sunday at Burke, we have committed to the idea (or, at least, to getting in something like 30+ days next year)

So, we need:
1) Good ski programs for the kids (the 3 year old will come around and the 6 year old is begging for a full on "program")
2) A mouintain with enough good terrain for me (I like the East: trees, bumps, narrow)
3) Some quality groomers so the family can ski together
4) We are price conscious but would find a way to make the right mountain work.

What I have been thinking:
Stowe- Their ski program seems to be top notch (although I have no idea how competitive). It gets pretty pricey and I am worried a regulars/locals vibe has been overrun by the resort/vacation crowd.
MRG- Have not gone this year because of the snow. I love the mountain and I feel there is enough mountain there for all of us. They have a great vibe and (it seems) a solid program. But, seems almost all of the housing is well off mountain and, as far as I know, no bus.
Sugarbush- Good mountain and looking at their programs it is clearly everything anyone could need. Seems to get spendy but not the worst.
Burke- Went on Sunday to check it out after hearing it was also a laid back, family, mountain and good skiing. Right on ALL accounts. I assume the relationship with BMA means a top notch program. E. Burke is great...but I worry it could be a bit thin on the activity meter when my kids get a little older...maybe there is so much community on the mountain that it doesn't matter.

Anyone have opinions on:
1) Any mountain I need to add to the list?
2) How much difference between the programs and which are the best/most fun?
3) MRG (I would be scared to death of a bad snow season but love the mountain and we know someone who did the season up there and really were not that bummed out by the snow...I just have no idea if they know what they missed...do you invest in doing MRG and then just buy tickets elsewhere to sneak through a tough season)?
4) How much am I looking at spending on the season...ie is Stowe really 2x some of the others?
5) Over a season, how important is On-Mountain vs. Shuttle Bus vs. Self Drive if we plan to ski all day and only have one car up there?
6) Do we need other "stuff" to do in the area (and how much)...how about in 5-8 years? do I care about knowing it will fit our needs in 5-8 years?
7) Any thought on moving around and not doing a season long program?
8) And, after this weekend...is there anythign better than Burke!!??

Sorry for the long first post (you should see how I am trying to spreadsheet this decision matrix :-o ) and thanks for any and all advice.

I've got 3 kids in ski programs at SR - 3 hour drive from West of Boston for us. LOVE it. Can't be happier. I think between all 3 it is ~$3500/year, then the cost of passes for all 3...not a cheap venture. They are almost 16, 11. and 6yo...wide range. Stowe is probably my most fave mountain in NE, but it is pricy (lift ticket wise), not sure about housing, programs, etc. SR works for us for many many reasons, and don't regret it. We bought a small house right in Bethel village, so we get a free shuttle bus to mountain and my 2 oldest use it all the time.

Ski programs, to me, basically mean you are "committed". We haven't been home a weekend since Xmas...packing and the drive is routine. It's a lifestyle. Harder to do if kids insist on playing weekeend sports or going to birthday parties (haha). My kids have friends in the programs, so it's not just 'skiing'. My teen says if it wasn't for her ski buddies, she wouldn't even want to ski much.

Plus..they learn to ski the right way. The number of kids I see charging down slopes with ZERO skill is amazing, so dangerous and the way to build bad ski habits. All 3 of mine had good falls this past week, so it can also be a tough sport to see your kids get involved in, but at least if they have the skills I think they are safer.

In my experience, kids love sking at different levels. My now teen skied about 4 times in her 13/14yo years...hated it. My now 6yo started at 2.5 and has loved it every day and never complains about a thing.

Hubby and I are both lifelong skiers, if it wasn't for a total comittement to a ski house, ski programs, etc ...we'd never be able to ski like we do now. Since my kids now love it, I know it's going to be a family actitivity that we'll do together forever. Very lucky we can afford to do it.

Edited to add: Sunday River has the GACP program which uses Gould coaches and participates in USSA races, etc.. They also have River Runners which is just free skiing with coaches in a group. For us, we've started kids in RR (3yo is youngest I think...or 4, I forget?) and then moved to GACP when they've asked. Then there is the Alpine vs. Freestyle choice, my oldest 2 chose alpine, not sure about the lil guy.

 

[St. Bear]

Lots of good advice.

Ski programs, to me, basically mean you are "committed". We haven't been home a weekend since Xmas...packing and the drive is routine. It's a lifestyle. Harder to do if kids insist on playing weekeend sports or going to birthday parties (haha).

I think there are two ways to approach this. This is the way you choose. I'm considering going to a local feeder hill, and then taking occasional family trips to larger mountains. It's much less of a commitment, but can end up with similar results.

My kids have friends in the programs, so it's not just 'skiing'. My teen says if it wasn't for her ski buddies, she wouldn't even want to ski much.

#1 reason why kids ski (or don't). I learned to ski as a kid in NH, but didn't ski much in middle school, and stopped skiing in HS and took a 12 year break from the sport. My brother started around the same age, and always skied consistently. The difference? His best friends skied, mine didn't.

 

[Slow]

Clarification: I am well aware of the commitment (and effects) of having a home away from home. For me that one is a foregone conclusion.

We live in a great town (same one I grew up in) but still are out of town probably more than 50% of weekends. I have always had a home on the Cape where many/most of our friends were so I grew up with (and so have my kids) spending Friday evenings staring at a headrest for a couple of hours. Skiing is a couple more hours spent staring at a headrest (or now a DVD).

Part of what I like is having the opportunity to have my kids grow up surrounded by people who are as active and engaged as they are.

 

[legalskier]

Welcome to the board.

1) Any mountain I need to add to the list?

I'm surprised you didn't mention Smuggler's Notch; their kids program is recognized as one of the best in the NE. And Stowe is literally on the other side of the mountain.

 

[WWF-VT]

Welcome to the board.



I'm surprised you didn't mention Smuggler's Notch; their kids program is recognized as one of the best in the NE. And Stowe is literally on the other side of the mountain.

Smuggs maybe on the other side of the mountain from Stowe but in the winter you need to add 30+ miles and an additional 45 minutes to an hour drive to get there

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

i can vouch for the Smuggs program..thats where mine learned to ski, now they are racing (9 and 6 yr old)

true..you can ski from smuggs to stowe, but its a 45 min drive as the pass is closed in the winter (unless you want to snowshoe back and forth...

 

[SkiFanE]

Lots of good advice.



I think there are two ways to approach this. This is the way you choose. I'm considering going to a local feeder hill, and then taking occasional family trips to larger mountains. It's much less of a commitment, but can end up with similar results.



#1 reason why kids ski (or don't). I learned to ski as a kid in NH, but didn't ski much in middle school, and stopped skiing in HS and took a 12 year break from the sport. My brother started around the same age, and always skied consistently. The difference? His best friends skied, mine didn't.

True...but it really depends on what YOU want to. Hubby and I want to ski ALL the time, so we could not survive on a local feeder hill. We need a bigger mountain or we wouldn't be happy. I grew up skiing the local feeder and a small NH mountain, so I know it's entirely possible..just that my parents didn't ski until I was a teen and the small mt. challenge was enough for them...myself as a parent, I need more.

I also like committing to a mt. full time for the safety/comfort. My kids can be let loose b/c they know the mountain, people know them by now, it's basically a home away from home for them. Bad side..they've seen very little of other mountains besides SR, as we don't travel.

 

[skiberg]

Cannon has a great learned seasonal program. Cannon kids. Many transition into Franconia Ski Club. There a many very good instructors intje Cannon kids program and as they grow and learn they will even introduce some basic race training. Really good and affordable program

 

[vdk03]

check out the bromley "pigdog" situation.

 

[Hawkshot99]

check out the bromley "pigdog" situation.

The pigdog is no longer the mascot of Bromley, and Im guessing no longer in use at all at the mtn.

 

[vdk03]

thats to bad. Great family mtn regardless.

 

[ERJ-145CA]

My son learned to ski at Bromley, as did I 30 something years ago. They have a great program for kids though now it's called the Kids Rule Mountain Camp, Pigdog was phased out when the new owner took over a few years ago. I'll be taking the family there next week and this will be the year that my daughter, who's 3, will be on skis for the first time, that's the age the child care program puts kids on the magic carpet. I don't know how their seasonal programs work because we only go to Bromley once a year but my son loves it and can't wait to get there.