The 'tourist' is back.

[Powderhound21]

After my trip back in late June (I found some snow as well), Im scheduling another trip up to VT. Putting it short, I have two options. Mid- December or Late January. The tricky part is that I can find many resorts for Mid-December weeks, but Nothing seems to be coming for Late January.

Common Sense- The snow will be better in January (At least more coverage). Hoping something comes up.

Just in case, would anyone be willing to take the time to bluntly describe what one would expect in Mid- December?

Broken record, I am.

Thanks alot_

 

[ski_resort_observer]

No one knows what can be expected next December, weatherwise. If the time your looking at Jan is not a holiday weekend like maybe Martin Luther King's weekend I can't believe you can't find any availability in July. What are you looking for? If your just checking online, many resorts might not have their lodging updated yet, that's why their seems to be no availability. Have you called the resorts directly?

 

[Powderhound21]

No one knows what can be expected next December, weatherwise. If the time your looking at Jan is not a holiday weekend like maybe Martin Luther King's weekend I can't believe you can't find any availability in July. What are you looking for? If your just checking online, many resorts might not have their lodging updated yet, that's why their seems to be no availability. Have you called the resorts directly?

RCI.

Maybe thats the case. Best scenario is that Smugglers Notch comes up for sometime in Late January. Went there in Nov '05 (During Wilma), and loved it. Huge condo, and loved the resort.

 

[riverc0il]

most people don't believe in being able to predict the weather so far out. however, i am able to predict december snowfall like nobody's business. december will be either really snowy with a lot of big dumps, not much snow at all, or something in between.

if you are trying to plan when to go based on powder, you are probably better off picking "where" you go based on who gets the most snow at the time of year and crossing your fingers. since jay gets the most annual snow fall, that is your best bet for early season powder but any place in the northern greens will probably be a safe bet.

 

[marcski]

I agree with RC...northern Greens are probably your best bet....Just beware of the dreaded January thaw....

 

[Powderhound21]

January thaw. I kind of forgot that.


Where we will be staying really does not say where we will spend our days. Plan to Hit Jay, Stowe, Smuggs, and two others while there.

Could I get a reference of what has happened in past Decembers? Biggest dump? Cold? Warm?

 

[ski_resort_observer]

The Borg, for any fellow Star Trek fans, would say "predicting the weather is futile" . Looking at what happened last season weatherwise probably won't help predict either. We had a bunch of thaws last year.

Just like the stock market has become incredibly volitle, so has the weather. Wonder if there is a connection?

Your plan looks great! Any thought about checking out a couple of smalller hills? Are you going to stay in one central location or move around? BTW I believe the Eagles Resort in Waitsfild is RCI.....did you check there?

 

[Grassi21]

Powderhound21, I'm going to flip that question on you. We have friends in Fishersville, VA. We are trying to get down there a couple times a year to visit. Can you recommend a good spot to try? Snowshoe looked interesting. And despite the volatility of the weather, what time of year would you suggest?

 

[John84]

Powderhound21, I'm going to flip that question on you. We have friends in Fishersville, VA. We are trying to get down there a couple times a year to visit. Can you recommend a good spot to try? Snowshoe looked interesting. And despite the volatility of the weather, what time of year would you suggest?

It really depends what you're looking for. Snowshoe would be a good choice for an overall family vacation, ie little kids to adults. Don't overlook the Timberline and Canaan Valley Ski Resorts in the Canaan Valley State Park in Davis, WV. Both resort have a base around 3300' and a summit at around 4300'. Both resorts average about 150" per year. Timberline is slightly bigger with an extra 100 or so of vertical. PM me if you have an extra questions.

 

[Powderhound21]

Powderhound21, I'm going to flip that question on you. We have friends in Fishersville, VA. We are trying to get down there a couple times a year to visit. Can you recommend a good spot to try? Snowshoe looked interesting. And despite the volatility of the weather, what time of year would you suggest?

It varies from year to year, but my favorite weeks seem to be-

Mid-December- Right before rates go up, but the mountains are pumping the snow out to open the slopes for the Christmas holiday. Plus, this is prime Lake Effect season for Snowshoe, Canaan, and Timberline.

Third week in January. I like it cold, and this is usually a week that is the coldest. Again, it varies from year to year.

And Early march sugar season. No lines, nice snow (Not slush, that doesnt show until After St. Patricks), and good temps. Also it is not uncommon to get a nice dump.

Avoid late December-Jan 5. Crowded, and the snow gets tracked up.

Anytime it snows, the wimpy sliders come off the hill, so it is usually good sliding if you can take the harsh weather.

Now I can give you a quick rundown on local hills.

Snowshoe is the King down here. 180" a year, 57 runs. Its 'atmosphere' or 'feel' varies day to day. It can be one huge park mountain if its sunny and 'warm', but I like to go when theres been a recent dump, that leave the pines covered in rime and snow, making for a big mountain feel. It is what you make of it.

The Homestead is my local hill, A 15 minute drive from me. Overpriced, yet it gets the job done. It has a small country resort type feel. 50" a year, and only one double chair. The basics, but it keeps me coming back.

Wintergreen has more of a park party feel. Since its in the Piedmont, They do not receive much snow. Usuallly around 40". If you can get there midweek when it is cold, you will find some nice manmade snow, and no liftlines. But choose a weekend, and youll be waiting. Its a decent sized mountain, but its feel isnt something im into.

Masanutten- "The Nut"
Like wintergreen, it is in the Piedmont. Same weather and climate. It is generally less crowded, but can be very busy. Be aware, It has SLOW lifts.

Canaan Valley/Timberline
This is big solitude snow country. They both have parks, but being high up in the mountains, and no college towns or really large cities around, Its just you, alot of snow, and cold wind. If you want a solitude feel, THIS is your place. Average 160" of snow annually.

Id stay away from the Piedmont. Snowshoe, Canaan Valley, and Timberline bear the best conditions in any given weather through the region.

So there. Any more, I will be more than happy to answer. Also, not to 'spam' but if you want to check out a more in depth website, check www.dcski.com

 

[thetrailboss]

Historically, Mid-December has been hit or miss. In recent years, it has been good and ironically as the holiday comes, the rains always seem to come :roll: That said, 2005 was good in December....almost prime. January usually can be good, but again, last season was terrible. The only thing you can do is throw a dart and keep your fingers crossed. Late January may be better...

 

[thetrailboss]

OK, Decembers I can recall:

2000: Slow start, but the snowgods got going to make the 2000-2001 season epic.
2001: Dry...warm as well. No snow on the ground until a week before Christmas and that was not good.
2002: VERY good month. We had great skiing in Early Nov-Dec. Lots open...glades, etc. Good bases.
2003: We got some snow up north, but rains took it all away...literally on Christmas Eve.
2004: Warm and wet in first two weeks. Mid December snowmaking runs were just getting going.
2005: Solid late November and December skiing. Good cold temps and decent snow, but not enough to get glades going.

 

[Grassi21]

John84 & Powderhound21, thanks for the information. If we get down during the winter I'm definitely going to check out one of these hills. I'm really curious to see what the skiing is like down there.

 

[riverc0il]

PH21, seriously, december can be anything from warm and rainy to cold and snowy. historically, anything can happen. just like any other month. december is particularly fickle and hard to predict because it is during a seasonal change. at least january through march you can dependably say it is going to snow and be really cold more often than not and a thaw with rain can be expected but odds are against it on any given day. december is a total crap shot.

 

[kcyanks1]

I'd definitely look for late-January, at least if you hope to ski natural snow trails. Mid-December is very iffy in that regard. You could get lucky and have a storm and have stuff opened, but natural snow trails that are opened are likely to be thin (still fun, of course). By late-Jan you are more likely to have more of a base, so even if you don't have a recent storm, you might still have more of a variety of trails.

I'm wondering why you are having trouble getting stuff. July should be plenty early, I would think. Good luck!

 

[Powderhound21]

Well, after a few hard searches, the spot is found.



Drumroll-








http://www.mountainsideresort.com/

Stowe Mountain Side Resort
January 20-28
1 mile from the lifts.

Quite Satisfied.

 

[thetrailboss]

Well, after a few hard searches, the spot is found.



Drumroll-








http://www.mountainsideresort.com/

Stowe Mountain Side Resort
January 20-28
1 mile from the lifts.

Quite Satisfied.

Good choice. Knock on wood, there will be good skiing and riding for all! :beer:

 

[riverc0il]

can't go wrong with that. don't forget about smuggs since you are right there. good dates too, after the MLK weekend.

 

[BeanoNYC]

how long of a drive is that for you, PH?

 

[Powderhound21]

how long of a drive is that for you, PH?

Been up there three times to date.

Typical stop in Scranton, PA for a nights sleep, but all together, around 14 hours, including stoppage time.