The Average Skier is the Enemy!

[4aprice]

I don't know, maybe I'm in the minority but I see an ideal ski season as approximately Nov 15 - April 15. As much as I love spring conditions I can't see skiing beyond that point. I hold a pass to a local area and therefore get a good amount of days in per season. My last day at Camelback PA will be Saturday even if they remain open. I'm planning a trip to Smugglers the last weekend of the month and then (hopefully) a last hurrah at Whiteface the weekend of April 12th. I'll cap out at around 40 days. The shrink wrap is due to come off the boat and the lawn needs tending to. By the time the boat gets put away in October the fever will be kicking in again. I'll start thinking about it when that first preseason football game is played.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[Greg]

Turn earning

I knew it wouldn't take long before all the turn earners chimed in with their painfully obvious solution. Simple answer for the guys that live near the mountains that hold snow late. For me, the problem is when the local hills close, there's still lift-serviced somewhere. If I have to burn a V day, I would rather drive a bit to get lift access. I'm not too keen on hiking Sundown when Mount Snow is still open for example. I still might hike for some post closing turns at Sundown in April. It will be interesting to see if only a few runs satisfies me...

 

[deadheadskier]

You had me until the gas prices issue. That extra 10-15 cents a gallon certainly adds up to.... a buck or two more when most people are spending over $200 for a weekend. Even for a one person day trip, that is a drop in the bucket. I had this conversation with my significant other just this past weekend about hunting for the lowest gas station in town to fill up at. She only saves one buck on a fill up when the price difference is +/- $0.08.

I think he may have been refering to year over year gas prices, which is significant. It's what 75 cents a gallon more this year than last at this time?

Gas prices have certainly factored into my skiing plans this winter. There have been times when I've decided to hit Shawnee Peak instead of Wildcat when I knew the conditions at Wildcat wouldn't be significantly better or at least in my mind worth the extra $10 it cost in gas to go there over Shawnee. That said, I've also driven all the way to Black on a powder morning when I only had a few hours to ski and didn't even think twice about the nearly $30 in gas it cost me for those three hours.

 

[riverc0il]

I knew it wouldn't take long before all the turn earners chimed in with their painfully obvious solution. Simple answer for the guys that live near the mountains that hold snow late. For me, the problem is when the local hills close, there's still lift-serviced somewhere. If I have to burn a V day, I would rather drive a bit to get lift access.

You won't see me earning turns when I believe that I can still have a very satisfying day lift serviced. But when I believe I can have a more enjoyable and satisfying day earning turns, only then do I by pass the lifts. For example, you really don't see many earned turn reports from me during the ski season even though I always keep saying I am going to earn more during the snowy season.

I still might hike for some post closing turns at Sundown in April. It will be interesting to see if only a few runs satisfies me...

Whether it is satisfying or not will probably be dictated by expectations. It is more than just about the skiing... I do not recall many days where I hiked up and thought "yes, the quality of that one run was definitely worth all the effort and better than the quality of runs I would have gotten lift serviced" (assuming a lift is running and servicing similar terrain/conditions). Happens sometimes but usually not. More often than not, when the experience feels good, some exercise happy neurotransmitters get kicked into high gear, especially on a blue bird corn snow spring day in the mountains. Point taken regarding the location. People drive from further away to ski Tux in April/May though

 

[Greg]

Whether it is satisfying or not will probably be dictated by expectations. It is more than just about the skiing... I do not recall many days where I hiked up and thought "yes, the quality of that one run was definitely worth all the effort and better than the quality of runs I would have gotten lift serviced" (assuming a lift is running and servicing similar terrain/conditions). Happens sometimes but usually not. More often than not, when the experience feels good, some exercise happy neurotransmitters get kicked into high gear, especially on a blue bird corn snow spring day in the mountains. Point taken regarding the location. People drive from further away to ski Tux in April/May though

Interesting perspective. I know it's more than just the skiing. I've never done it, but I'm more inclined to hike for some turns this season more than ever, especially at the mighty Sundown, a mere 25 minutes away. They have made an incredible amount of snow and are still covered 100% side to side and probably 2-4' in depth over most of the mountain with huge whales/jumps scattered about. Skiable patches will be around well into late April and possibly longer (May CT turns? :blink. For that simple reason, I've made the decision to not let it go to waste and will take at least a few midweek post-work hike to ski sessions up there. Might even try to make it a weekly thing as long as the snow hangs around. I'm inspired and hopefully I can get some of the Sundown crew to join me.

Anyway, I'm sure the vibe at Tux is worth a longer drive than the vibe at Sundown...

 

[Geoff]

You won't see me earning turns when I believe that I can still have a very satisfying day lift serviced. But when I believe I can have a more enjoyable and satisfying day earning turns, only then do I by pass the lifts. For example, you really don't see many earned turn reports from me during the ski season even though I always keep saying I am going to earn more during the snowy season.


Whether it is satisfying or not will probably be dictated by expectations. It is more than just about the skiing... I do not recall many days where I hiked up and thought "yes, the quality of that one run was definitely worth all the effort and better than the quality of runs I would have gotten lift serviced" (assuming a lift is running and servicing similar terrain/conditions). Happens sometimes but usually not. More often than not, when the experience feels good, some exercise happy neurotransmitters get kicked into high gear, especially on a blue bird corn snow spring day in the mountains. Point taken regarding the location. People drive from further away to ski Tux in April/May though

That's my view as well. I've been at KMart forevah. I see no point in hiking when I can ride a lift and get 20x the vertical while still drinking my body weight in cocktails tailgating. I've always done minor hiking at Killington to get to the unskied corn snow... walking up Launch Pad from Superstar when the K1 closes. Walking up Killink to get to Snowdon from the K1. Walking through the mud to get to Outer Limits and then schlepping across the Bear lot to my ride. That's always been my limit. Now that KMart is no longer the King of Spring, I'll ski wherever they happen to be spinning the lifts and cut back on the alcohol since I'm driving. When that ends, I might earn turns a day or two but I'll mostly flip to summer mode. I walk up and down mountains for the exercise in the summer but I don't have a lightweight setup and I'm not really big on lugging 40 pounds of skis and boots on my back.

 

[snoseek]

Interesting perspective. I know it's more than just the skiing. I've never done it, but I'm more inclined to hike for some turns this season more than ever, especially at the mighty Sundown, a mere 25 minutes away. They have made an incredible amount of snow and are still covered 100% side to side and probably 2-4' in depth over most of the mountain with huge whales/jumps scattered about. Skiable patches will be around well into late April and possibly longer (May CT turns? :blink. For that simple reason, I've made the decision to not let it go to waste and will take at least a few midweek post-work hike to ski sessions up there. Might even try to make it a weekly thing as long as the snow hangs around. I'm inspired and hopefully I can get some of the Sundown crew to join me.

Anyway, I'm sure the vibe at Tux is worth a longer drive than the vibe at Sundown...

If you really enjoy hiking then give it a try. Think of it as a nice hike with a heavy pack and you get to ski down as a bonus. I bet you have fun hanging at your local area with no people. Maybe find a nice line of bumps before they melt down and just lap it a whole bunch.

 

[riverc0il]

Anyway, I'm sure the vibe at Tux is worth a longer drive than the vibe at Sundown...

LOL. That was the point, when you coming up?

 

[Greg]

LOL. That was the point, when you coming up?

Someday...

 

[Bumpsis]

Does any one know which areas do not allow turn earners to climb about their slopes once they close down for the season?
I'm definitely willing to hunt for corn on a nice spring day but would not want to run into access hassles.

 

[hrstrat57]

great thread

I started one similar to this on epic last year and got interesting, and very similar responses.

For me it is complicated.....I have had several 100 plus ski day winter/springs so I didn't used to be average....but now I clearly am.

Life, and to a greater degree other passions get in the way of an extended season.

Sad really cause I love spring skiing, and I bet I would love it even more now with the volkl explosivs buddhas sitting in my closet nearly unused again this season.....those babies are made for spring mank and crud.

However during the week the new job is in the way....I am doing very well there and want to be successful after a meltdown with my last company.

Weekend.....

I love skiing, but I love tennis and golf almost as much. I am on a mission this year to really dial in the golf game again, and although I consider myself a good skier my tennis game still is way better than my ski game. I still play quite a bit of league tennis and need to get ready to play well. In addition my daughter is on the hs tennis and softball teams and has scholarship potential(no 1 son played d3 college tennis) at both....not d1 of course but d2 or d3 is achievable. This means I can't head off 200 miles away and ignore the kid.

My family all love skiing too...but they are done.

I'd really like to get one more strong weekend of skiing in up north with my wachusett pals....but it is not certain.

I am a big part of the problem Greg......and I am sure most have similar reasons as me for waxing em up one last time and hangin em in the basement.

Kinda stinks.

......until I crack that first huge forehand winner or stick a 9 iron inside the leather.

 

[hrstrat57]

bianchi giro

....and I just picked up a new Bianchi Giro road bike....looking to fire up that passion again too. Celeste is sweetness.

So I guess I might be done unless my buds can talk me off the golf course, tennis court, bike path or ball field.

Never know do ya?

 

[ckofer]

The vast majority of AZers are average skiers, but I guess I'll stay off that.

There's no point in arguing technical and athletic abilities. I've gotten the impression that most AZers are relatively fanatic about the sport-at least compared to the masses. The question is how do the ski areas remain open late and viable at once. Maybe late season discounting is the real answer. $25 tickets to make it worth the gamble? Financially, many are tapped out at the end of winter too.

 

[Geoff]

Does any one know which areas do not allow turn earners to climb about their slopes once they close down for the season?
I'm definitely willing to hunt for corn on a nice spring day but would not want to run into access hassles.

I'm not aware that anybody will chase you off. Killington posted "go away" signs last November but that was when they were rather busy trying to make snow and get the resort open; they didn't want 500 people getting in their way. I'd be surprised if they said anything if people hiked for turns in April and May this year.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Interesting perspective. I know it's more than just the skiing. I've never done it, but I'm more inclined to hike for some turns this season more than ever, especially at the mighty Sundown, a mere 25 minutes away. They have made an incredible amount of snow and are still covered 100% side to side and probably 2-4' in depth over most of the mountain with huge whales/jumps scattered about. Skiable patches will be around well into late April and possibly longer (May CT turns? :blink. For that simple reason, I've made the decision to not let it go to waste and will take at least a few midweek post-work hike to ski sessions up there. Might even try to make it a weekly thing as long as the snow hangs around. I'm inspired and hopefully I can get some of the Sundown crew to join me.

Anyway, I'm sure the vibe at Tux is worth a longer drive than the vibe at Sundown...

Does Sundown tolerate earned turns? Blue mountain PA will call the cops for tresspassing and they should have a few patches until May as well..a shame ..

 

[thetrailboss]

We combat this problem by bringing friends to the slopes who buy tix, buying beer, and spreading the love. We do this and also ask the resorts to stay open.

We can use AZ to help the resorts AND us in this way....

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Stowe combats the problem with lots of British Skiers in early April..and GrilledSteezeSandwich..lol

 

[gladerider]

$%&#$ weather didn't help this season. when 3-4 storms go bust people start to think rain+ski=no go.
i had an awesome weekend beginning of this month and when i was explaining that to a friend of mine
who is a 'casual skiier', he said 'they got that much snow? i thought they got all rained out...'
that's when the conditions were fabulous. now, after 2 straight rainny weekends, skiing is long gone in people's minds.

for many flat-landers, seeing is believing...

oh, and no matter how many days you rack up a year, if you are trying to squeeze in an extra day against all odds in your life? others don't think you are an AVERAGE skier. just accept it. you are a fanatic.

 

[deadheadskier]

oh, and no matter how many days you rack up a year, if you are trying to squeeze in an extra day against all odds in your life? others don't think you are an AVERAGE skier. just accept it. you are a fanatic.

TRUE

guess we all just wish there were more fanatics out there so the mountain operators would stay open longer

 

[campgottagopee]

Feels like one of those commercials-----

Hi, my name is Camp----"Hi Camp"----and I'm an average skier.............