The NEW Magic Mountain

[NYDB]

It's January, they aren't open, and they've turned off guns all today and tonight despite temps at the base barely breaking freezing and a low in the mid 20s tonight. My friend who is a full-time Magic pass holder and didn't get to ski over Christmas is done after this year, and I don't blame him. They need to be making every effort possible and that includes making snow in marginal temps.

I'm done buying passes after this year also. I'll buy a four pack or 2 and only show up when it snows, like everyone else.

one of the goals of the new ownership coming in was to show people they legit made snow and could be consistent but I don't see it ever happening. I know they have made efforts in that area, but I have not seen the results.

 

[NYDB]

I agree. That is what I don’t understand. If it’s marginal down low, then blow up top. They just don’t seem to be making an effort at all except in the park, which makes NO sense. Black now scheduled for “sometime in January.” FFS, they haven’t even committed to having red open for MLK. I bought an ICON this year for the first time and already got my money out of it on days magic wasn’t open.

they have some sort of park contest this weekend so they need enough snow in the park to make a few hits, etc.

they have updated the website to say they'll be open wand-showoff. I dont see them blowing up top with the forecast.

 

[slatham]

The news on Black is disappointing to say the least. I was hoping…….

On snowmaking, perhaps Newpylong, who has actual snowmaking experience, can comment on the ability to shift from top to bottom and back again based on temps.

As far as the weather, where I have some experience, they lost temps today. There’s a weather underground site nearby at 1,500’ (higher than base elevation) that hit 31. Another station at 2,200’ - a bit higher than summit of Green, hit 29. You can check it out on the web. With their air system they need 26 - ideally 24 - as max wet bulb temp. No sense watering the piles…

Ski areas also plan and act based on a forecast - not what the temps are moment by moment - and forecasts can be wrong. Bromley experienced this issue this fall with a forecast that was off and they missed a window.

And on those fan guns running at the base? 2 are brand new, state of the art. They can blow snow at a higher wet bulb. That’s why they are often running at the base when the air system is not. See this at Bromley all the time, including this past weekend.

My guess is they run tonight.

Now for gods sake can it effing snow!

 

[drjeff]

I fully get that micro climates within the mountains do exist and certainly can be an issue, let alone what a difference a few hundred feet of elevation can make, no disputing that at all. However it seems interesting that just about every ski resort within say a 20 mile radius of Magic I believe was running all day today on atleast some parts of their mountain, certainly can bring some more questions as to what the heck is actually going on right now to the forefront....

Add in with the next Holiday weekend less than 2 weeks away, and one would think that even if they didn't have reasonable temps down low, they'd be running up high to pile it up on if not the typical 1st route down the East side, then maybe even start the loop on the West side. Is there more to the Red and Black situation than has been publicly said?

 

[RH29]

they have some sort of park contest this weekend so they need enough snow in the park to make a few hits, etc.

Great for the local park rats who get a $15 night/terrain park ticket. The Brattleboro Ski Tow has offered a better product so far this season with a season pass that is $75 rather than $900, and one dollar drinks and snacks. I guess all that extra soul is worth an extra 800 bucks.

Magic might as well be a mismanaged sports team. I've rooted for them for years, had high ropes for the new regime, cheered them through some tough seasons and tolerated their many failures. But all the excuses are piling up and their shtick is getting old when they're regularly finishing last in the league. Get it together.

 

[skithetrees]

they have some sort of park contest this weekend so they need enough snow in the park to make a few hits, etc.

they have updated the website to say they'll be open wand-showoff. I dont see them blowing up top with the forecasthonsetl

they have some sort of park contest this weekend so they need enough snow in the park to make a few hits, etc.

they have updated the website to say they'll be open wand-showoff. I dont see them blowing up top with the forecast.

Honestly, screw the park competition when it’s mid-January, there are 2.5 months left in your season, and you still haven’t opened the summit. I think they may have pissed enough people off for the final time this year.

 

[slatham]

I fully get that micro climates within the mountains do exist and certainly can be an issue, let alone what a difference a few hundred feet of elevation can make, no disputing that at all. However it seems interesting that just about every ski resort within say a 20 mile radius of Magic I believe was running all day today on atleast some parts of their mountain, certainly can bring some more questions as to what the heck is actually going on right now to the forefront....

Add in with the next Holiday weekend less than 2 weeks away, and one would think that even if they didn't have reasonable temps down low, they'd be running up high to pile it up on if not the typical 1st route down the East side, then maybe even start the loop on the West side. Is there more to the Red and Black situation than has been publicly said?

FYI - Bromley shut down this morning and Stratton mid-day.

Also, someone above (as well as social media) noted Red is inspected and ready to spin.

 

[NYDB]

Honestly, screw the park competition when it’s mid-January, there are 2.5 months left in your season, and you still haven’t opened the summit. I think they may have pissed enough people off for the final time this year.

I agree. leave the park build outs for the big boys who make alot of snow. or as an add on after you have your main snowmaking routes open. it just looks bad to me too.

maybe they'll get another mlk bailout storm.

 

[Keelhauled]

Why has the rumor mill declared Red dead? They did the bullwheel bearings weeks ago now, and if it was actually inoperable still I doubt they would have made snow above the top of Green.

 

[skiatomic]

Blowing snow in park is an unfortunate choice.

Not too excited about resources being used for a rail jam. Come on.

 

[NYDB]

for those without the gram...

 

[thetrailboss]

for those without the gram...
View attachment 60334

Goon Jam?

 

[urungus]

Goon Jam?

Goon Jam Tour 2025

The Goon Jam Tour December 28th - Snowridge - Turin New York Janurary 5th- bousquet ski area - pittsfield ma January 11th- Pine knob - Independence MI Janurary 18th - ski gull ski area - Minnesota January 25th - Trollhaugen- Dresser Wisconsin February 1st- frisco railyard- frisco CO February...

www.goongear.shop

 

[drjeff]

Why has the rumor mill declared Red dead? They did the bullwheel bearings weeks ago now, and if it was actually inoperable still I doubt they would have made snow above the top of Green.

I think that with the numerous posts that Magic has made about various things from lifts to snowmaking and other operations items, that haven't gone as they hoped it would, they have created a degree of skepticism around what they say will happen that many people, even the Magic faithful, have pivoted to the viewpoint of "I'll believe it when I actually see it happen"

Again, I wish nothing but the best for them and hope they can get a lengthy string of "wins" in the near future. Running a ski area, even with a large amount of capital to work with is tough, the on going process of bringing Magic back from the state of disrepair it was in a decade or so ago, let alone on a limted budget, is a herculean task for sure.

The degree at times at which the optimism from a marketing standpoint and the reality of what the actual situation is, often have been on seperate paths, and that's something that they will have to work hard to rebuild the trust of their fans as well as those interested in trying that gem of a mountain out when the snow is good and the lifts are spinning

 

[danimals]

Goon Jam?

Lucas Magoon was a pro snowboarder from vermont back in the mid 2000's, and he kind of disapeared for a while. Now hes got his own small company and is doing these small contests at smaller ski areas around the region. Hes a pretty solid guy, I met him a few times.

As for magic, Its not good when a shoestring operation like spring mountain, PA located in the suburbs of Philadelphia was open before magic. They have to be heading towards NELSAP again, right? cant stay open if you cant make money, and they may miss yet another holiday weekend.

 

[skithetrees]

As for magic, Its not good when a shoestring operation like spring mountain, PA located in the suburbs of Philadelphia was open before magic. They have to be heading towards NELSAP again, right? cant stay open if you cant make money, and they may miss yet another holiday weekend.

I certainly hope not, especially as a homeowner. That said, I don’t think I will be buying my family six passes again next year. I may buy one for myself. But with the new RFID I can just reload without going to the ticket window (I think). My magic pass isn’t all that much less than my icon pass and I get literally half the season from the magic pass that I do from icon. With kids activities all winter, losing Christmas break kills almost half the value of their pass. What gets me the most is the constant “press” magic does about the shitty hand they have been dealt and making “lemonade.” I’m sorry, but if shit goes wrong every year for you, you are no longer just the victim of circumstance. Just own up to it, apologize, and tell us what you are going to do better next time. Until I see that, it’s pretty damn hard to have faith in them. Whether it’s lifts, snowmaking, or whatever.

 

[Newpylong]

I have and will continue to support Magic (and any other independent ski area keeping the faith), but without pointing fingers (or trying to come up with a reason) the hours have been there to get something off of Green going. Similar to what is happening at my old hill (however heartbreaking that it is), these are "unforced" errors that are occurring with regards to snowmaking.

 

[Newpylong]

Looks like they are a go for Green this weekend. Lots of dirt and grass still showing, they'll need from tonight to then too.

 

[NYDB]

will red spin sunday if this storm delivers?

 

[Bubba]

will red spin sunday if this storm delivers?

What are people seeing for this storm? Does not look like a game changer too me? It also looks like it’s starting too late to add much for Sunday operations.