Thinking of a next weekend trek to Northern VT?

[gores95]

I was thinking of taking my 7yo daughter to Stowe and Jay Peak next weekend. The forecast looks not so good though. The NOAA is calling for rain/snow (mostly rain) this upcoming week and then Friday and Saturday will be VERY cold but sunny. Seems to me that spells ICE.....any thoughts on this upcoming weekend? I do want to take a last trip with her but maybe waiting until after Easter would be better? The next opportunity for us would be 4/8-11 but I am thinking in two weeks conditions can only be worse...

I would guess with highs next weekend in the low twenties corn skiing will not be enjoyed! Any suggestions? TWith this really warm weather I would think sooner rather than later would be better for a last ditch ski trip in the East. Thanks.

 

[riverc0il]

Areas will almost certainly still be open April 8-11 so by not going this weekend you only risk it being even worse during your next window... which odds are against. But past odds are no guarantee of future performance. It could be even worse during your next weekend. It could be perfect spring skiing. Heck, it could even be a powder day. Who knows. If you are unsure, just go this weekend and enjoy what ever the mountain offers.

My assessment is that this coming weekend does not look terribly good from one week out but who knows what will happen or how it will ski.

 

[gores95]

Areas will almost certainly still be open April 8-11 so by not going this weekend you only risk it being even worse during your next window... which odds are against. But past odds are no guarantee of future performance. It could be even worse during your next weekend. It could be perfect spring skiing. Heck, it could even be a powder day. Who knows. If you are unsure, just go this weekend and enjoy what ever the mountain offers.

My assessment is that this coming weekend does not look terribly good from one week out but who knows what will happen or how it will ski.

Thanks Steve. I think I will wait until Tuesday or Wednesday of this week to book the hotel. That way the forecast will at least be a little more accurate. Hopefully the rain forecasted for the entire region ends up as snow for the mountains!

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Like Steve says you don't really know what the conditions will be like so go anyway as you might be surprised.

Your assumption that two/three weeks down the road will be worse could be way off. More times than not you could have some awesome spring skiing.

This weekend does look abit funky but even with the cold temps if the sun is out there is a good chance for corn, might not be until 11AM, and for the sun to soften things up in the afternoon. The springtime sun is rising up higher in the sky so it heats things up faster than in the dead of winter.

Just cause the forecast calls for rain in one area always a chance another part of the northeast might get little rain, a mix or snow, much less than people thought. Talked to alot of folks from Boston who told me stories about the 10" of rain they got last week, northern Vermont got some rain but nothing close to that.

The forcast looked pretty dire for today but here at the Bush, mostly cloudy with a few shots of sun. Very little rain and some snow, actually snowed hard for a few minutes this morning, things softened up nicely in the afternoon, especially for terrain facing east/southeast but a couple of guys came in at the end of the day and said even Moonshine was skiing nice. The groomers tilled half of Ripcord so people were loving that.

Chatted with Summit Challenger and Yardsale and I don't think they would mind me saying they both had a fun day. Course, they are both experienced Sugarbushers so they know when and where to go. Just alot of the folks in here with their home mountains.

So, check the weather at the places your thinking about going to. Nowadays you can track the weather easily and if possible wait till a couple of days before your heading out before you commit. Spring skiing can be great, you just have to adjust your start time based on the temps mother nature gives you.

 

[deadheadskier]

Thanks Steve. I think I will wait until Tuesday or Wednesday of this week to book the hotel. That way the forecast will at least be a little more accurate. Hopefully the rain forecasted for the entire region ends up as snow for the mountains!

you could book on Friday morning truthfully. I was at Stowe over the weekend. The town was pretty dead. Last minute often leads to better deals.

FWIW - Stowe was quite icy today. The three inches of snow they got helped, but things didn't really get decent until after 3.

 

[Smellytele]

I was at Stowe this weekend as well and I agree with DHS - Sunday morning was crap. After the warm Friday and Saturday. They temps didn't drop until early morning/late night and they didn't get out and groom much. The added snow only added a dusting over the ice and frozen crud. Not sure there was 3 inches maybe an inch and 1/2. The trail counts are dropping fast. 111 on friday, 109 Saturday, 106 on Sunday. 86 today.

 

[Riverskier]

Definitely looks cold this weekend, but I will be at Sunday River skiing regardless. Sure, I would rather be skiing soft Spring bumps, but tearing up the groomers sure beats the alternative of not skiing at all. The offseason is long, and with just over a month left of the season, I for one am going to take every opportunity to get out there!

 

[billski]

My thoughts of going to Stowe this weekend 27-28 are swirling down the drainage ditch about now.

Edit: applies to skiing Mansfield, see followup post

 

[billski]

I was thinking of taking my 7yo daughter to Stowe and Jay Peak next weekend. The forecast looks not so good though. The NOAA is calling for rain/snow (mostly rain) this upcoming week and then Friday and Saturday will be VERY cold but sunny. Seems to me that spells ICE.....any thoughts on this upcoming weekend? I do want to take a last trip with her but maybe waiting until after Easter would be better? The next opportunity for us would be 4/8-11 but I am thinking in two weeks conditions can only be worse...

I would guess with highs next weekend in the low twenties corn skiing will not be enjoyed! Any suggestions? TWith this really warm weather I would think sooner rather than later would be better for a last ditch ski trip in the East. Thanks.

OK, I just read your specific question and have a different perspective on this now that it sunk in you are taking your 7YO daughter. I've taken three daughters through their 7th birthday skiing and would offer the following:

a) Stowe will be OK if you stick to sunny Spruce. Temps should warm sufficiently for softening, plus the grooming over there will be great, coupled with a decent man made base. Most of the negs around Stowe revolve about Mansfield. In a couple weeks, Spruce will still be skiable, but may not be so hot. Decent choice of restaurants for kids and other things to do. tickets are 2 days for $99 this Sat-Sun weekend, which could be very appealing.

b) Bromley - Nice, south-facing mountain keeping the whole thing soft, will be skiing well, with fairly gentle terrain. However within a couple weeks it will undoubtedly be closed.

c) Okemo most anytime, for it's decent man made base.

 

[Geoff]

If I were on a day ticket, I'd pick Bromley or go find something else to do. With the weather I've seen so far, northern Vermont would be out of the question. I figure a few southeast exposure things at Killington like Devils Fiddle have a shot at softening a little but I wouldn't shell out $82.00 on that bet.

 

[Smellytele]

This past Sunday Spruce was worse than the Mansfield side. With it baking Fri/Sat and freezing solid Sun. If it doesn't warm up on the weekend forget it.

 

[mthebby]

I'm spending 3 days at Bolton next week courtesy of some cheap Liftopia tickets. I'm a novice/intermediate skier who sticks to the groomers, so I should be okay. I don't understand all the jargon on this board, but from the discussion about daily freezing/thawing cycles I take the following:

Fall before 11:00 AM: Break my a**

Fall from 11:00 - 2:00: Bruise my a**

Fall after 2:00: Call it a day

 

[gores95]

Guys thanks for the input. I am actually leaning towards Okemo now. Here is my logic on Okemo vs Stowe:

1. Okemo is probably two hours closer to my home in NW NJ.
2. If I went to Stowe I would probably do Stowe on day, Jay the other. I don't want to be limited to just Spruce...I think we would enjoy the Gondola runs as well.
3. Its supposed to be unseasonably cold on Friday/Saturday the two days we are skiing. Stowe being further north might not crack the 32 degree mark during the day so not as much softening of the snow. Okemo forecast to be in the mid to upper 30's each day.
4. I am thinking Okemo does a really good job of grooming so I would think the trails would be in OK shape although not sure how much grooming at this late stage of the season.
5. I can get 4 tickets fairly inexpensively to Okemo!

What do you think of the Stowe vs. Okemo comparison? If I knew Stowe would be getting fresh snow I would go there in a minute. I think this weekend is just gonna be cold and clear though. I think its probably better to go somewhere a little further south. Does anyone know if Okemo is still grooming these days?

Thanks!

 

[EOS]

I'm spending 3 days at Bolton next week courtesy of some cheap Liftopia tickets. I'm a novice/intermediate skier who sticks to the groomers, so I should be okay. I don't understand all the jargon on this board, but from the discussion about daily freezing/thawing cycles I take the following:

Fall before 11:00 AM: Break my a**

Fall from 11:00 - 2:00: Bruise my a**

Fall after 2:00: Call it a day

MTHEBBY - Welcome! Keep reading around here and you'll pick up the jargon pretty quick. Post any questions you have too, these guys/gals around here have no problem helping anyone out!!
________
Honda SL125

 

[Angus]

I plan to ski at Okemo on Saturday - thinking is further south, grooming and forecasted sunshine should make things nice by 11ish.

 

[Euler]

Guys thanks for the input. I am actually leaning towards Okemo now. Here is my logic on Okemo vs Stowe:

1. Okemo is probably two hours closer to my home in NW NJ.
2. If I went to Stowe I would probably do Stowe on day, Jay the other. I don't want to be limited to just Spruce...I think we would enjoy the Gondola runs as well.
3. Its supposed to be unseasonably cold on Friday/Saturday the two days we are skiing. Stowe being further north might not crack the 32 degree mark during the day so not as much softening of the snow. Okemo forecast to be in the mid to upper 30's each day.
4. I am thinking Okemo does a really good job of grooming so I would think the trails would be in OK shape although not sure how much grooming at this late stage of the season.
5. I can get 4 tickets fairly inexpensively to Okemo!

What do you think of the Stowe vs. Okemo comparison? If I knew Stowe would be getting fresh snow I would go there in a minute. I think this weekend is just gonna be cold and clear though. I think its probably better to go somewhere a little further south. Does anyone know if Okemo is still grooming these days?

Thanks!

You wont go wrong with Okemo as an intermediate skiier...places like Mt. Snow and Okemo might stop making snow late in the season, but they will keep thier signature corduroy cruisers well groomed until the day they close. Have fun!