VAIL SUCKS

[PAabe]

Route 66 at Blue Knob is 200' longer at 4900'. That too is a slow ass, old double.

Apparently before last season they rebuilt the motor on Long Haul at Montage and cut the time down by a few minutes...

There is a comment on there questioning how route 66 is 4900' if high hopes is listed as 4160' when they are parallel. long haul listed as 4730'
Oh well must be a pretty close race for slowest ass lift in PA

I will say, we were at Montage the one time this year, we were the only ones on the Long Haul lift and my friend mentioned to the lift operator that it would be cool to see what the top speed is and I can't say for sure but it did seem like we were moving a bit faster that time...

 

[Ski2LiveLive2Ski]

There is a comment on there questioning how route 66 is 4900' if high hopes is listed as 4160' when they are parallel. long haul listed as 4730'
Oh well must be a pretty close race for slowest ass lift in PA

I will say, we were at Montage the one time this year, we were the only ones on the Long Haul lift and my friend mentioned to the lift operator that it would be cool to see what the top speed is and I can't say for sure but it did seem like we were moving a bit faster that time...

I don't rule out that the main lift at Liberty could be longer duration trip though it is definitely shorter. I'm pretty sure I could sidestep up the mountain faster than that thing moves.

 

[jimmywilson69]

that lift at liberty is slow but not as slow as either long haul or rt 66.

 

[xlr8r]

I'm guessing Vail is going to introduce something that makes the pass seem cheaper, but also makes it more difficult to use. They probably are looking at ways to stop the overcrowding without losing the revenue. Might become more like Ikon with most resorts only getting 5 or 7 days each.

 

[PAabe]

Actually looks like Beginner's triple at Blue Knob used to be by far the longest in the state - used to go all the way down to the condos 5,600 ft.

Blue Knob really needs some love, hopefully the new owners can at least continue to improve snowmaking.
Unfortunately even Peter Graves (Captain Clarence Ober, over, roger roger) could not generate enough interest for significant terrain expansion and lasting capital improvements at PA's highest skiiable mountain:

is quite the video

Just found this video when looking for the other one, apparently they had a stellar year which is finally some good news for them

 

[jimmywilson69]

and that will be a straight up Fail.

they own all of these mountains, so they have to do some sort of unlimited access

 

[jimmywilson69]

Just found this video when looking for the other one, apparently they had a stellar year which is finally some good news for them

They had a terrible year to start. They were only offering $8/hr for snowmakers and couldn't find anyone. they like many other mountains in the east were bailed out by a snow and cold February. In January my buddy who has a pass there said never again. By the end of February he changed his tune.

It has some legit steep terrain. When the snow is good, its a great mountain to ski. Its not close enough to a lot of people and the more glitz and glamour is about an hour west at 7s Springs where the skiing is not as technical or as much vertical.

 

[Ski2LiveLive2Ski]

Kind of doubt I will ever make it to Blue Knob unless I have some reason to be in that area. It's about 30 min closer to me (Princeton area) than Mt Snow and 75 min further than Hunter.

 

[jimmywilson69]

yeah if you are in NJ you shouldn't even be coming to my area

 

[Ski2LiveLive2Ski]

yeah if you are in NJ you shouldn't even be coming to my area

Only Epic got me there - sometimes Hunter is too far or too cold and Frost gets dull and crowded. And I've avoided paying to ski non Epic places.

Once was enough for Liberty though - gave it a shot to break up drive on my way home from Whitetail

 

[cdskier]

I'm guessing Vail is going to introduce something that makes the pass seem cheaper, but also makes it more difficult to use. They probably are looking at ways to stop the overcrowding without losing the revenue. Might become more like Ikon with most resorts only getting 5 or 7 days each.

That really doesn't make much sense. Adding limits or restrictions wouldn't be something to hype up by saying "This changes everything". As for Ikon, most of the resorts owned by Alterra are unlimited. It is mainly the partner resorts that have the 5/7 day limit which makes complete sense. For Epic as most of the resorts on the pass are owned by Vail, the 5/7 day limit on them wouldn't make a whole lot of sense unless they also create an additional tier in their pass strategy or something like that.

 

[Ski2LiveLive2Ski]

It could be adding limited days at partner resorts

That really doesn't make much sense. Adding limits or restrictions wouldn't be something to hype up by saying "This changes everything". As for Ikon, most of the resorts owned by Alterra are unlimited. It is mainly the partner resorts that have the 5/7 day limit which makes complete sense. For Epic as most of the resorts on the pass are owned by Vail, the 5/7 day limit on them wouldn't make a whole lot of sense unless they also create an additional tier in their pass strategy or something like that.

 

[jaytrem]

If you do go to Blue Knob you better...

 

[PAabe]

Only Epic got me there - sometimes Hunter is too far or too cold and Frost gets dull and crowded. And I've avoided paying to ski non Epic places.

Once was enough for Liberty though - gave it a shot to break up drive on my way home from Whitetail

If you ever end up with Indy Pass, Blue Knob is currently on it, could just maybe be worth it if everything is miraculously open. You even could do the Indy Pass Southern Skiing Hill Billy Tour all the way to Tennessee. Laurel Mountain worth checking out if there was a snow dump also if you find yourself in the area

Also Roundtop has far better terrain than Liberty imo

 

[Ski2LiveLive2Ski]

If you ever end up with Indy Pass, Blue Knob is currently on it, could just maybe be worth it if everything is miraculously open. You even could do the Indy Pass Southern Skiing Tour all the way to Tennessee. Laurel Mountain worth checking out if there was a snow dump also if you find yourself in the area

Also Roundtop has far better terrain than Liberty imo

Yeah I have enjoyed both Roundtop and Whitetail. First Feb weekend I did Roundtop Sat and Whitetail Sun then it was snowing too bad to get home so I stayed over and skied Liberty on my way home Monday.

 

[jaytrem]

You even could do the Indy Pass Southern Skiing Tour all the way to Tennessee.

Only a complete idiot would do that.

 

[jaytrem]

Yeah I have enjoyed both Roundtop and Whitetail.

Kinda tempted to go back to Whitetail this weekend. Bumps should be real nice again. Much softer than things further north. I also enjoy how the trails there are mostly top to bottom, not a lot of intersections.

 

[jimmywilson69]

I haven't looked yet, but I bet Whitetail is melting out super fast. Its 75 and sunny here today. With its east facing aspect it goes fast this time of year. I am really missing the spring corn harvest that is for sure...

 

[jaytrem]

I haven't looked yet, but I bet Whitetail is melting out super fast. Its 75 and sunny here today. With its east facing aspect it goes fast this time of year. I am really missing the spring corn harvest that is for sure...

Wow, you're right. Just checked the cams. They lost a lot since Monday. They might have to move some moguls around soon, but should be okay for the weekend.

 

[Ski2LiveLive2Ski]

Scheduled to be at WT this weekend as I thought they would avoid the freeze/thaw cycle Hunter is getting this week. But looking at bare spots emerging on WT Webcams today I am keeping my eye on Hunter to see if reservations open up.

They will need to do some grooming on lower Exhibition to keep it passable.