VAIL SUCKS

[snoseek]

You can still walk into the door or parka and buy patrol a beer.

I have lived here my entire life, we lost portsmouth, I really hope we do not lose north conway.

Gorham is the answer to that IMO

 

[Geoff]

I haven’t been on this message board in years. I sold the Killington condo a month ago after 28 years and bought one at Beaver Creek. I clicked on the $49 deposit for an Epic Pass a month ago. I’m not planning to be there until January 3 after the holiday mayhem ends so I’m looking at New England options to get some days and get my legs going in November/December.

Dr Jeff…. How busy is Mt Snow midweek? With COVID-19 and all the telecommuting, Killington was really busy last year. The midweek days were all like a Friday where the parking lots were pretty full.

 

[2Planker]

You can still walk into the door or parka and buy patrol a beer.

and we do Thank You for that

 

[dblskifanatic]

So I ran in to someone that skis Wildcat and Attitash regularly. He and his wife belong to a ski club that has a house up there. I was talking about how things seem to have been this season and he pointed out that much of the issues were due to lack of resources and changes in management. He was hopeful this coming season will be different. I still think there may be issues finding resources. Likewise, I hope the way Wildcat and Attitash are managed will change as well.

 

[p_levert]

I haven’t been on this message board in years. I sold the Killington condo a month ago after 28 years and bought one at Beaver Creek. I clicked on the $49 deposit for an Epic Pass a month ago. I’m not planning to be there until January 3 after the holiday mayhem ends so I’m looking at New England options to get some days and get my legs going in November/December.

Dr Jeff…. How busy is Mt Snow midweek? With COVID-19 and all the telecommuting, Killington was really busy last year. The midweek days were all like a Friday where the parking lots were pretty full.

The Beav seems like an odd choice for a longtime Kmart skier, as I would expect something along the lines of JH or Bozeman. Just wondering, what was your decision making process? I'm guessing airplane flights has something to do with it.

 

[deadheadskier]

So I ran in to someone that skis Wildcat and Attitash regularly. He and his wife belong to a ski club that has a house up there. I was talking about how things seem to have been this season and he pointed out that much of the issues were due to lack of resources and changes in management. He was hopeful this coming season will be different. I still think there may be issues finding resources. Likewise, I hope the way Wildcat and Attitash are managed will change as well.

Hopefully so. I'm taking the year off from Cat. Just didn't feel right giving Vail my money again after last year.

 

[2Planker]

Big Patrol turnover at the Cat. BW and Shawnee hired 5 over the phone, no questions asked.

Heard that Attitash is really scrambling just to get a summer crew in place. Thus the delayed start.
Their winter ops are already loosing veteran full timer seasonal staff - SAD

 

[Geoff]

The Beav seems like an odd choice for a longtime Kmart skier, as I would expect something along the lines of JH or Bozeman. Just wondering, what was your decision making process? I'm guessing airplane flights has something to do with it.

Fiancée’s daughter has lived in Vail for 15 years. The thought was sell Killington and buy at Vail but we’re priced out. Avon walkable to the town lift is a lot cheaper than Vail miles from the lift on the free bus loop. I know tons of Killington people at Beaver Creek. Two couples I know are across the street. The flights help. Boston-Denver has tons of nonstop service and good prices. The van with the Epic Pass discount is cheap and convenient.

 

[drjeff]

I haven’t been on this message board in years. I sold the Killington condo a month ago after 28 years and bought one at Beaver Creek. I clicked on the $49 deposit for an Epic Pass a month ago. I’m not planning to be there until January 3 after the holiday mayhem ends so I’m looking at New England options to get some days and get my legs going in November/December.

Dr Jeff…. How busy is Mt Snow midweek? With COVID-19 and all the telecommuting, Killington was really busy last year. The midweek days were all like a Friday where the parking lots were pretty full.

Congrats buying out West!

Most years, unless it's a powder day, Mount Snow isn't too crowded midweek. Last year obviously was more crowded, and who knows how that will translate this season based on folks potential WFH status or not? Some Fridays get somewhat crowded by midweek standards especially in the main base area lifts, however once you get out of the main base area, the lines tend to be quite light midweek.

 

[p_levert]

Fiancée’s daughter has lived in Vail for 15 years. The thought was sell Killington and buy at Vail but we’re priced out. Avon walkable to the town lift is a lot cheaper than Vail miles from the lift on the free bus loop. I know tons of Killington people at Beaver Creek. Two couples I know are across the street. The flights help. Boston-Denver has tons of nonstop service and good prices. The van with the Epic Pass discount is cheap and convenient.

Ok, that all makes sense. So you start your day on the Riverfront Express Gondola, is that it? That's kinda cool if you can completely avoid shuttle buses, which can be a real time waster.

 

[jaytrem]

2 nice things I've noticed about Beaver Creek...

1. Bumps bumps and more bumps.
2. If you happen to get a power day, there will be substantially less people skiing it than at some other places (unless things have changed).

 

[snoseek]

Hopefully so. I'm taking the year off from Cat. Just didn't feel right giving Vail my money again after last year.

Man, I'm not gonna lie I may go with the same cannon/epic veteran this year. I know it was shit last year but I kinda like the close areas on that pass and am looking for a big tour out west. If I do I'm sorry and promise not to give them a dime in the bar or shop. As a midweek guy it's hard to pass.

 

[deadheadskier]

Man, I'm not gonna lie I may go with the same cannon/epic veteran this year. I know it was shit last year but I kinda like the close areas on that pass and am looking for a big tour out west. If I do I'm sorry and promise not to give them a dime in the bar or shop. As a midweek guy it's hard to pass.

Haha. If I were a midweek skier, I'd probably hold my nose and do the same.

I went Gunstock for the close substitute and booked what will be my 3 and 6 year olds into Sunday seasonal programs. 3 year old goes first, so I have an hour and a half with the 6 year old, then it flips, so I have the same with the 3 year old. Have lunch and depending on the development of the 3 year old either ski as a family or split for the day. I have no idea what to expect out of the 3 year old, so Gunstock being the closet to home makes sense.

Indy Pass for Saturday to take the six year old other places or ski solo with friends. Use it for February school vacation week vacation to Saddleback again hopefully. Or maybe a Jay family trip with water park.

If I see improvement from Vail, maybe I go back the following year or switch to Cannon plus Indy if they still are running their mountains like crap.

Almost went Cannon + Indy this year, but didn't want to commit to the longer commute each weekend to Cannon until I know what I'm working with with the three year old.

 

[Geoff]

Ok, that all makes sense. So you start your day on the Riverfront Express Gondola, is that it? That's kinda cool if you can completely avoid shuttle buses, which can be a real time waster.

Yep. Walk up the railroad tracks to the Rocky Mountain Taco trailer, take a left to the Westin. ~10 minutes. I’m thinking I’ll buy a cup of coffee and boot up there as my routine. I can also grab the free bus loop shuttle in front of the condo so a couple hundred feet of walking on pavement in ski boots. One set of Killington friends across the street have a handicap tag. He had a hip replacement some years ago. They get free parking.

This is partly a generational transfer to my fiancée’s daughter. She wasn’t ever going to be able to afford Vail housing. Even Minturn is now unaffordable. Avon is cheaper and way better walk score than anything at Vail. City Market is a 5 minute walk. She has the fancy parking structure pass that reserves a spot 7 days per week so the 10 minute drive up I-70 to Vail from a heated garage stall under the condo is a pretty convenient way to get to work.

Anyways, I plan to be there - half time from January to mid-March. I need to get a dozen New England days in before New Years to have some ski legs. I’m thinking mostly Okemo midweek staying with various friends at Killington. Mount Snow is 3 hours and 15 from here so I’m thinking I’d hit that some on my way to Killington to get Okemo days. Thus the Dr Jeff question. Sunapee would also be an option but I’m on the wrong side of Boston so Providence-146 is easier rolling at 6am. I suppose I could hit Sunapee at noon after Boston traffic subsides. I haven’t been to Crotched since I was a little kid but that might be worth an afternoon on my way north. I might hit Stowe midwinter if it’s good. I had college passes there back in the dark ages.

 

[p_levert]

Yep. Walk up the railroad tracks to the Rocky Mountain Taco trailer, take a left to the Westin. ~10 minutes. I’m thinking I’ll buy a cup of coffee and boot up there as my routine. I can also grab the free bus loop shuttle in front of the condo so a couple hundred feet of walking on pavement in ski boots. One set of Killington friends across the street have a handicap tag. He had a hip replacement some years ago. They get free parking.

This is partly a generational transfer to my fiancée’s daughter. She wasn’t ever going to be able to afford Vail housing. Even Minturn is now unaffordable. Avon is cheaper and way better walk score than anything at Vail. City Market is a 5 minute walk. She has the fancy parking structure pass that reserves a spot 7 days per week so the 10 minute drive up I-70 to Vail from a heated garage stall under the condo is a pretty convenient way to get to work.

Anyways, I plan to be there - half time from January to mid-March. I need to get a dozen New England days in before New Years to have some ski legs. I’m thinking mostly Okemo midweek staying with various friends at Killington. Mount Snow is 3 hours and 15 from here so I’m thinking I’d hit that some on my way to Killington to get Okemo days. Thus the Dr Jeff question. Sunapee would also be an option but I’m on the wrong side of Boston so Providence-146 is easier rolling at 6am. I suppose I could hit Sunapee at noon after Boston traffic subsides. I haven’t been to Crotched since I was a little kid but that might be worth an afternoon on my way north. I might hit Stowe midwinter if it’s good. I had college passes there back in the dark ages.

Dang, you talked me into it. Before yesterday, I had zero interest in skiing the Beav (too expensive, Vailish vibe). But if you stay in Avon with the peons, you can save money and still have lift access to the mountain. Plus, Avon is on the low elevation side, only 7.4k, which is a plus for me. So maybe I try the Beav one of these years.

 

[kingslug]

And if you want moguls..ski Birds of prey a few times and call it a day.

 

[dblskifanatic]

Dang, you talked me into it. Before yesterday, I had zero interest in skiing the Beav (too expensive, Vailish vibe). But if you stay in Avon with the peons, you can save money and still have lift access to the mountain. Plus, Avon is on the low elevation side, only 7.4k, which is a plus for me. So maybe I try the Beav one of these years.

We have skied Beaver Creek several times per season over the past 5 years and It is a cool place to ski. Heck three floors of escalators to get to the base - that alone s interesting. Cookies at three! Varied terrain. Nice Aspen Glades. Good bumps off Grouse Mountain and off the lift for Birds of Prey. Most other bump runs are short.

2 nice things I've noticed about Beaver Creek...

1. Bumps bumps and more bumps.
2. If you happen to get a power day, there will be substantially less people skiing it than at some other places (unless things have changed).

I would not think of Beaver Creek for bumps. Don't get me wrong, they do have decent and some very good bump runs but 70% of Beaver Creek is greens and blues. It definitely a stuffy place - lots of Bogner wear. Walking around the village is cool!

 

[Geoff]

I would not think of Beaver Creek for bumps. Don't get me wrong, they do have decent and some very good bump runs but 70% of Beaver Creek is greens and blues. It definitely a stuffy place - lots of Bogner wear. Walking around the village is cool!

Beaver Creek claims 39% of the resort is designated advanced to expert. Killington claims 40% expert and has less skiable acres. It’s like Deer Valley or Snowmass where the Bogner people completely ignore trees and ungroomed terrain. The last time an orthopedic surgeon was in a knee, he told me to stay out of the bumps. My New England ice bumps days are behind me.

 

[dblskifanatic]

Beaver Creek claims 39% of the resort is designated advanced to expert. Killington claims 40% expert and has less skiable acres. It’s like Deer Valley or Snowmass where the Bogner people completely ignore trees and ungroomed terrain. The last time an orthopedic surgeon was in a knee, he told me to stay out of the bumps. My New England ice bumps days are behind me.

It does not ski like 38%. looking at the trail map it does not look it either. Wikipedia has 38 and On the Snow has 32%. In all seriousness, the amount of acreage that is advanced or expert is bigger than most NE resorts.

 

[p_levert]

What does the Beav sound like? Specifically, what languages do you hear? I'm guessing that the clientele comes from all over the world. I'm certainly not opposed to overseas visitors in general, but I do find that resorts become very impersonal once you reach a certain non-American threshold.