Ski Till I Die - Blue Mountain (Mogul) Review

[RootDKJ]

This one is for the bump lovers.
http://skitillidie.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/mountain-review-blue-mountain/

Mountain Review: Blue Mountain

Currently some people might say that I am ‘unemployed’, ‘homeless’, and haven’t gotten a haircut in almost 5 months. 1 of those 3 things is true. However, one of the BEST things about my current situation is all the gems of mountains I have been able to find, and subsequently ski, as a result of my search for exposure and opportunity.

This past weekend I had the privilege to ski Blue Mountain (http://www.skibluemt.com). I had never given it much thought, focusing my skiing efforts in Vermont & New York. Generally when I think of the Poconos (technically the Blue Ridge Mountains in this case) I think of short trails, no snow, and Philly fans – but I have to tell you about how pleasantly surprised I was after my day at Blue.

After getting in a dozen runs before lunch my first thought was, “how have I never skied this place before”! The snow was perfect, even for man made hard pack powder. The runs were wide and putting your edge perpendicular to the hill was no problem if you wanted to put some solid GS style turns in. Then we found the moguls.

We were supposed to ski with this guy called Flying Johnny – the mogul coordinator for the mountain. Couldn’t find him all day but he said he would step out some moguls for us to rip. He was right, they were amazing. They weren’t your standard skier made bumps. These were legit, competition bumps, and a perfect start to the season I am deeming the ‘year of the mogul’.

We hopped back up to the summit for lunch. They had just renovated the entire lodge and patio this summer and it’s ready to go for the season. Outdoor grille, bar, huge fire pit – complete with free ski check and views of the whole valley. The beer wasn’t cheap (to be expected on the mountain) but the burger was delicious. Setting up shop at the picnic tables they have by the fire pit was the ideal location to refuel for the second half of the day.

I really tried hard to find something I didn’t like about this place. The vertical is over 1,000 feet, they have almost 40 super wide trails, the patio was a great central location to grab a cold one, it was closer to NYC than Hunter or Windham, and everyone was super friendly.

We finally came up with our gripe for the mountain. Blue doesn’t give you a standard lift ticket, they have cards you put in your pocket and get scanned – just like an easy pass for skiers. Now, as I understand it this place gets pretty packed when they are in mid-season form (lift lines were non existent last week) so the scanning process saves time and creates a more efficient lift line process. Technology prevails again apparently. However, I like seeing the same lift attendant after every run. It’s nice to be able to create a report with the guy or girl checking your badge – the EZ-Pass system takes away from the personal aspect that gives skiing one of those special qualities.

Anyway, we finally found Johnny (of all places) in the moguls after lunch, putting together a little clinic for some junior bumpers with his ski pal Chris. Not only could these guys rip it, but they had some of the best stories I have ever heard. Johnny wasn’t technically an employee of the mountain – but his calling can be found in the moguls. This year he is putting together 2 bump competitions at Blue and based on present interest they look to be HUGE events. Chris has skied over 70 mountains and hearing him talk about some of the gems he has been able to find really puts into perspective how much more work I have to do. These guys were the epitome of what it means to Ski Till I Die – you do it for the love of the sport.

Bottom line. You want bumps, think Blue, they are the best you will find anywhere on the East Coast. You want easy access to the mountain, look no further. You want that personal element that makes skiing skiing, come here. Even with the automated lift access you still might get lucky enough to catch a ride up with a couple of guys who call Blue home, with some stories to keep you occupied on your 7 minute trip along the way.

I can’t wait to ski Blue again… thanks for a great day!

 

[keyser soze]

I skied Blue about 20 years ago and remember it was a pretty good day. There was one trail that seemed very steep, not sure if it really was or my limited skiing ability back then made it feel so. I don't remember mogul runs, probably because if they were there I shied away. Is that your review or just something you came across?

 

[goldsbar]

Went there last year and thought the bumps were OK. The competition bumps I've seen before - not claiming I'm an expert on the subject - were generally very tight and very difficult for someone not proficient in bumps to ski. Blue's had a lot of spacing when I was there. You could easily get through them without actually bump skiing. They did have 2 nice jumps. Maybe it's different this year (hope so!). Great for the Poconos. Have you tried Elk? Haven't been there in 4 or 5 years but they used to have some nice bumps for the area. FWIW, my ideal bump trail is Middle Earth on Castlerock.

 

[jaywbigred]

Love it! I would have to agree with the review and not with the above comment. The bumps I skied last year at Blue were terrific. The spacing was perfect, the pitch and length of Challenge, imo, is perfect, and leaving the jumps open for the general public is fantastic. I will certainly get back to Blue at least once this year.

 

[4aprice]

Love it! I would have to agree with the review and not with the above comment. The bumps I skied last year at Blue were terrific. The spacing was perfect, the pitch and length of Challenge, imo, is perfect, and leaving the jumps open for the general public is fantastic. I will certainly get back to Blue at least once this year.

I liked the bumps better this year on Challange. Setting them on the 2nd headwall is better then the top and it's a longer line then the top headwall was last year. The bumps on Barney's I think have a little better flow to them but they are both fun. Tunk at Elk is still probably the premire bump slope in Northeast PA but Blue is giving Elk a run for its money. And now Camelback is jumping into the fray by seeding Rocket. The job is not complete as the winds in the Pocono's won't quit right now and the idea is to blow more snow on it but it should be a good fun mogul field when done and bumps on Lower Cleo are going up this week as well. Looking like its gonna be some good bumpin in the Pocono's this year.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong,NJ

 

[Anklebiter]

I liked the bumps better this year on Challange. Setting them on the 2nd headwall is better then the top and it's a longer line then the top headwall was last year. The bumps on Barney's I think have a little better flow to them but they are both fun. Tunk at Elk is still probably the premire bump slope in Northeast PA but Blue is giving Elk a run for its money. And now Camelback is jumping into the fray by seeding Rocket. The job is not complete as the winds in the Pocono's won't quit right now and the idea is to blow more snow on it but it should be a good fun mogul field when done and bumps on Lower Cleo are going up this week as well. Looking like its gonna be some good bumpin in the Pocono's this year.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong,NJ

Hey Alex

Do you think camelback will have bumps by Wednesday evening or Thursday of this week?

 

[powhunter]

Just saying to the boys today,...Blue is on my list this year

steveo

 

[Anklebiter]

This one is for the bump lovers.
http://skitillidie.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/mountain-review-blue-mountain/

I've skied Blue, since it was known as "Little Gap". My how the place has changed over the years. I still don't think there's a better place to ski in PA, specially during the midweek. It's like having the whole mountain to yourself. I haven't been there this season, yet. But, I can't wait to work on my mogul skiing and play on sidewinder park. Plus, I'd like to see the changed made to the upper lodge. I like the outside firepits down at the lower lodge. Nothing like taking a break from skiing with a beer and nice warm fire.

 

[4aprice]

Hey Alex

Do you think camelback will have bumps by Wednesday evening or Thursday of this week?

The wind has been playing havoc with mogul making operations. I talked to the mountain ops people today and while the seeded bumps are already on Rocket they need to blow more snow on top to finish them off and the wind has not allowed that since before Christmas. They want to get both Rocket and Cleo going and I give them all sorts of credit for the work they've done, now they need a break from nature and they'll be go. I will be up there tomorrow and report.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong,NJ

 

[Greg]

Very cool. Love to see bumps have made a comeback.

 

[amf]

No comment on the skiing, but its nice to see someone who realizes that Blue is NOT in the Poconos! Just one of my many peeves... like folks going around axking questions or dropping nucular bombs.

 

[4aprice]

No comment on the skiing, but its nice to see someone who realizes that Blue is NOT in the Poconos! Just one of my many peeves... like folks going around axking questions or dropping nucular bombs.

What would you call it then? Blue considers itself in the Pocono's, belongs to the Pocono Mountain Visitors Association, and part of the Pocono Mountain Ski Area Association. Elk is technically in the "Endless Mountain Chain" but to me anything north of the Lehigh Valley, east of the Sussquahanna River and south of the Catskills is the Pocono's.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[RootDKJ]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Mountain_(Pennsylvania)