Talking Pennsylvania

[trtaylor]

Lodging is probably Elk's biggest weakness. At least for your criteria.

Elk area info

this thread is awesome. anyone that reads it and can't chuckle needs to step away from the internetz for a while.


this thread is also timely...i'm looking to book a long weekend (thurs-sun) at the end of this month and was looking for something in NE PA...can drive there in 4-5 hours from annapolis, MD. we have 2 kids (8 & 6) who are in their 2nd full season of skiing (we got 12 days on skis last year, including 4 days at bromley/magic, and just 2 days the year before).

primary requirements for our trip: minimal ice! minimal crowds! above average amenities/lodging. terrain is not a priority at this point since the kids are just starting to tackle low intermediates.

any suggestions will be appreciated!



i never skiied sno or blue...my experience with the others was 20 years ago, so about all i really remember is the terrain...i've skiied blue knob (technically it's in west PA) 8-10 times and elk twice...feel pretty confident in saying those would be the top 2 for terrain. if blue knob got elk's snow i think it would win hands down. not sure where blue stacks up with those.


thanks in advance for any trip recs.

~jack

 

[legalskier]

i'm looking to book a long weekend (thurs-sun) at the end of this month and was looking for something in NE PA...can drive there in 4-5 hours from annapolis, MD. we have 2 kids (8 & 6) who are in their 2nd full season of skiing....primary requirements for our trip: minimal ice! minimal crowds! above average amenities/lodging. terrain is not a priority at this point since the kids are just starting to tackle low intermediates.~jack

Given your requirements, you might do Blue on Thursday, avoiding weekend crowds and starting at the southernmost large area. It also has a terrific snowtubing area at the base that my kids love. On Friday you could head further north to another area one would avoid on weekends, like Camelback or JF/BB. You also might check out Shawnee, which would be fine for the kids with its long, gentle runs. My kids liked the turtle pond at the base. On the weekend the largest areas with the fewest crowds and most varied terrain would be Sno and Elk, but there also is Alpine, a friendly smaller mountain that rarely gets crowded. Check out their websites too–some of these areas offer decent deals/discounts (some of which are online only); others offer half day options, like Blue and Shawnee.

 

[happyjack]

thanks for the recs so far...

i'd rather stay in one place than trek around...packing and re-packing the car with 2 young kids being the sweet fun that it is. I was thinking something near elk and sno, so we could get a day trip to each.

speaking of elk...I don't have many detailed recollections of specific trails. I remember it as an intermediate-plus type of mountain...but i'm wondering if there are enough options for the kids there? are there some easier intermediates they could handle? I noticed on the trail map that several intermediates funnel into the bowl...I don't even remember this bowl...doable for solid wedge turn kids?

 

[TeleMac]

Elk

Conditions last Friday and Saturday (1/2-3) were decent due to Elk's excellent grooming. The fact remains that fully 1/2 the mountain remains closed and what is open became quite icy by 2 PM. Elk needs new snow and continued cold before it will improve to its usual January form. Lift lines were minimal; lighter on Saturday than Friday. Go figure.

By the way: (a) there is no "bowl". Rather, after the top 2/3s of the mountain, there are a series of wide open, lightly graded slopes back to the lifts; (b) the terrain park is minuscule; (c) there is no night life for kids aside from night skiing; (d) for sake of variety and to break up the trip, you would do well to stop at Blue or Sno on your drive north from MD.

All that said, Elk maybe the best choice among a not so good lot this winter.

 

[ski9]

thanks for the recs so far...

i'd rather stay in one place than trek around...packing and re-packing the car with 2 young kids being the sweet fun that it is. I was thinking something near elk and sno, so we could get a day trip to each.

speaking of elk...I don't have many detailed recollections of specific trails. I remember it as an intermediate-plus type of mountain...but i'm wondering if there are enough options for the kids there? are there some easier intermediates they could handle? I noticed on the trail map that several intermediates funnel into the bowl...I don't even remember this bowl...doable for solid wedge turn kids?

You'd get better and more timely feedback at http://paskiandride.com

Be prepared to wade through suggestions about the best rails and biggest jumps, but there are lots of families who post regularly.

Or you could just travel a bit further to Hunter and dodge the cigarette butts they throw at group lessons from the lift. Just think of it as confetti and they are showing their love...

 

[happyjack]

thanks guys...

i'm hoping that booking something for the last weekend in january will give mother nature sometime to do her thing.

your comment on the "bowl" makes sense...it was confusing to see it on the map. so how difficult would you rate trails like mahican, lenape and wissahickon...on a scale for 8 & 6 year old kids?

as for variety...i guess if we stay in scranton, it's pretty convenient for accessing most of those areas for daytripping?

and as for night-life...if the lodging has a pool that's all my kids need. i full day skiing usually has them pretty worn out.

and i did post at the skipa forum...

thx!

 

[dmc]

as for variety...i guess if we stay in scranton, it's pretty convenient for accessing most of those areas for daytripping?

Say hi to Jim, Pam and Dwight...

 

[ski9]

thanks guys...

i'm hoping that booking something for the last weekend in january will give mother nature sometime to do her thing.

your comment on the "bowl" makes sense...it was confusing to see it on the map. so how difficult would you rate trails like mahican, lenape and wissahickon...on a scale for 8 & 6 year old kids?

as for variety...i guess if we stay in scranton, it's pretty convenient for accessing most of those areas for daytripping?

and as for night-life...if the lodging has a pool that's all my kids need. i full day skiing usually has them pretty worn out.

and i did post at the skipa forum...

thx!

http://www.snovacations.com/

Both of the closest hotels to Sno have indoor pools. Skiing at Jack Frost, Camelback, and Elk are all within a half hour, or so.

To add: there's also a large movie theatre and high-end outlet mall next to the hotel.

 

[happyjack]

Say hi to Jim, Pam and Dwight...

it's all about creed.

 

[ski9]

it's all about creed.

Just to add, Jack, I'd seriously consider crowd size over terrain because of the little ones, especially since you have two. Camelback may have some wide, easy trails, but if the weather's nice, kids turn into sitting ducks. My youngest was on the CB race team and I worried about her every day when she was little.

Teaching kids is so much easier when they can safely traverse an easy blue---easier than them trying to survive a busy green circle.

Alpine is an awesome hill for families, as long as it's not a holiday. Tanglwood reopened this season and is a good possibility, although you might get bored pretty quick---and I can't think of any indoor pools around here. Their non-detachable wood seat double chairs are also a problem---kids get whacked a lot.

Sno will have all it's green and blue terrain open by this weekend, despite whatever it's ridiculously slow to update website says.

 

[campgottagopee]

Hey, I got on the wrong side of people because I posted that the Sox, Bonds, and the recent Yankee accomplishments were all because of cheating. Greg told me I should shut up and not come to a New England MB and say such a thing. Ya know, like some people come to PA MB's and chuckle (or was it cackle?) about dipshit little PA places that claim to be as steep as anything up north. In fact, AZers called for the immediate firing of the marketing staff of said dipshit little ski area...turned out to be a 72 yr. old guy who volunteers his time, but off with his head anyway.

Kind of ironic how my mentioning the steroid abuse that ruined an era of baseball (an the Curse of the Babe) drew such ire, yet I'm the Angry Man.

And then the hyena mentality went crazy when I used hyperbole about throwing people off the lift for lighting up next to me. Ya know, sorta like saying there are seven thousand crappy skiers at WF. I guess I should say a trillion next time...ah, but then somebody would chirp that there probably hasn't even been a trillion skiers visits at WF in the years since opening.

Internet bully? Pfffftttt...I define internet bully as someone who abuses a friendship by joining flame wars on a MB that a person is held accountable for by a boss. Listen dmc: you sent June home crying more than once because of the grief she took in the office defending you and the endless wars you jumped into. You could have been a voice of reason, but couldn't help yourself. I'm sure you have no clue what I'm talking about. Your surely above ever having done that.

WF management? Someone wants to look into the real story? Hey, go right ahead. But the only reason WF management found a moral backbone and fessed up to the crappy little secret was after a NY superstar racer (and subsequent US Ski Teamer) had his inspection skis "accidentally" picked up. Eh, the dude was sure they were his and was really sorry...nothing negative meant about the innocent victim who is a fantastic kid and had no idea what had happened. If you want dates, the future US Ski Teamer crashed out that December day, as I recall. It was a GS...

Sorry you fl that wa GSS, really. I can only take so much BS then I gotta spout off and call a spade a spade. The dude may be cool, but he's not showing it in here---just sayin'

Still stickin with this one

 

[TeleMac]

Elk

Final words --

"blues" like Mahican are very mellow cruisers that wend their way through the woods with one or two minor pitches to give the kids a thrill.

It is exactly 20 miles (and about 25 minutes) between the hotels in Clarks Summit and Elk. Most area hotels offer ski packages so be sure to ask about tickets.

A reminder for future years that 4th (& 5th) graders with a Pa Passport ski free (3 free days at each area during non-holdays). Vt has a similar program for 5th graders only.

 

[happyjack]

ski9 - i hear ya on the crowds...that's exactly why i try to avoid the bigger resorts. as long as i can find a hill with 4-5 different runs that challange the kids enough so they don't get bored, then we're good to go.

telemac - that's EXACTLY what i wanted to hear about elk's blues! and i've already been looking at clark's summit lodging and found a few places with packages. will make some calls over the next couple of days to see if any of them are negotiating.

i think our plan will be to ski sno on friday and elk on saturday. we'll play sunday by ear...need to be on the road toward home around 3:00 or so...may decide to head south in the morning and hit jack frost or blue...unless elk turns out to be too great to pass up again, or that where our package lift tickets send us.

great stuff on the PA passport...my son will be a 4th grader next year.

az rules...thanks guys!

~jack

 

[TeleMac]

Elk v. Blue

IMHO Blue is a local hill, and not a destination worthy of a stop on your way home from Elk or Sno. As GSS and ski9 have often noted, it IS a place for mach speed cruising, teens, park, large crowds on the weekends, talking smack, "Hollywood" patrollers,etc. Maybe if the kids were a bit older, but even then . . . .

 

[happyjack]

thanks for the advice on blue.

maybe we'll just stick to elk and sno...that seems to be where the package deals are anyway.

 

[4aprice]

Hit Camelback on Sunday AM on your way back home. Sunday mornings are generally never mobbed til about 11. By that time you can be winding down a good morning of 20+ runs. 100% of the mountain is open. The morning ticket will let you ski 8:30 - 12:30. After you can hit the road and be about an hour closer to your home.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

IMHO Blue is a local hill, and not a destination worthy of a stop on your way home from Elk or Sno. As GSS and ski9 have often noted, it IS a place for mach speed cruising, teens, park, large crowds on the weekends, talking smack, "Hollywood" patrollers,etc. Maybe if the kids were a bit older, but even then . . . .

huh??? Blue is better than Sno and Elk...plus they have the Poconos coldest 6-pack..I see alot of Maryland plates at Blue..

 

[happyjack]

i didn't intepret telemac's post as blue being "less good" than elk or sno. given that i have 2 kids who are just working their way onto low intermediates, i think he was saying the blue's scene (sounds like maybe a younger and potentially more aggressive crowd) would not be as "friendly" for the kids.

don't think he was tryin' to harsh your blue steeze...:lol:

 

[TeleMac]

Correct. My comments were geared to the very specific facts at hand. Blue has its place. Peace.

 

[skicone]

Jack, I live and ski in NEPA. and raised my family to be skiers. There is NO WAY I would subject my kids to the crowds at the Pocono resorts ( Camelback, JFBB, etc.) and would certainly ski at Elk, rather than Sno. If you stay in Clarks Summit, you can access both areas with a 20-25 min. drive. Elk expanded their trail system the last few years and created some nice cruisers. We have not received enough snow this winter to create natural moguls, so these runs should be groomed and flat. Perfect for your situation. Elk is better for crowds because it is an hour further from the metropolitan areas. Skied at Sno last Tuesday night and it was icy. Wednesday it rained heavily, and froze yesterday and today. So my guess is you'll encounter " Pennslyvania Powder" commonly known as " dust on crust". Restaurants, movies, malls are all available in the Clarks Summit area. PM me if you want more details.