What early-mid December skiing?

[threep]

Hi all,

I just joined the forum to get some information on what skiing I can expect to find in the Northeast in early to mid December. I'm getting ready to book flights to Boston and I want to make double sure that bringing the skis will be worth it.

I've done a search and I can see which ski areas people rate, but which are most likely to be in good condition in early-mid December? I'm happy on piste and off, most of my experience in the latter coming from 3 years in Japan.

Also is there plenty of accommodation at the ski resorts (like you'd find in Europe or Whistler, my only other NA ski experience) or do you typically have to travel miles to get from hotels to go skiing? I was thinking of just hiring a car at the airport, driving to different ski areas and just look for accommodation when I get there.

Sorry if this is stuff you've covered a million times before, but I couldn't find it so be gentle with the newbie!

Cheers,
threep

 

[Moe Ghoul]

There's plenty of skiing, it all depends on where you are headed when you land in Boston. If you are planning on making Boston your homebase while visiting, there are plenty of New Englanders here that can point you in the right direction based on travel time, transportation mode, and your expectations for accomodations, quality of mountain and cost. If you are only skiing a few days, it prolly makes sense to just bring your boots and rent a pair of good skis from a local shop. That can run you about 30-40$ a day depending on the ski.

 

[Vortex]

Many people from the uk goes to Sunday River. We have a few owners in Jordan area there. I think Stowe would have more of the village like atomoshere you asked for. Most large resorts will have enough snow to make it worth while. Natural snow is a hit of miss early in the seson. As long as its cold the big areas will have some coverage. www.sundayriver.com www.stowe.com

 

[deadheadskier]

December is hit or miss. Last year saw some of the best conditions of the year in December, the year prior was poor. I'd say on average in early December throughout most of New England you can expect 30-60% of the terrain at a given area open with little to no off piste skiing available except for Northern Vt and even there there's no guarantee. Most major areas fall within a 2 and a half to 3 and a half hour drive from Boston, so you'll have lots of options. I think your best bet is to fly in and when you land, plug in your lap top and check back here. New England weather and skiing is too hard to predict to give you an answer today that you can hold onto with confidence.

 

[threep]

A mate is moving to Boston imminently but if I'm skiing for a few days I don't want the hassle of commuting each day from there, I'd prefer to stay closer to the slopes. I would hope to visit say 3 of 4 areas resorts just to see what's there. My mate is into cross country skiing so I'd need to find somewhere to ski on the weekend which caters well for both XC and alpine skiing.

Snow is becoming less reliable in Europe. In 2006 I was in Morzine in the second week of January and found grass and rain! Not sure if things are that variable in the Northeast yet, any advice on which resorts are more likely to have natural snow would be welcome. I'm really not into skiing in rain on artificial snow, I'd prefer to be in the pub.

I think I will bring my skis MG, no skiing to be had in the UK (well Scotland occasionally has good conditions, but you have to be lucky and be close enough to just drop everything when things are in-condition) so if I'm going skiing then my skis are coming with me!

 

[ComeBackMudPuddles]

December is hit or miss. Last year saw some of the best conditions of the year in December, the year prior was poor. I'd say on average in early December throughout most of New England you can expect 30-60% of the terrain at a given area open with little to no off piste skiing available except for Northern Vt and even there there's no guarantee. Most major areas fall within a 2 and a half to 3 and a half hour drive from Boston, so you'll have lots of options. I think your best bet is to fly in and when you land, plug in your lap top and check back here. New England weather and skiing is too hard to predict to give you an answer today that you can hold onto with confidence.

100% agreed, but, if you have to make plans, you probably should focus on the bigger areas with better snowmaking capacity.

Also, regarding on-mountain "villages," most areas within one to two hours of Boston (which excludes Sunday River and Stowe) don't really have it, so, as long as you're not planning/hoping for that, you should be able to find some good options.

I'll let the New Englanders chime in, since I ski mostly in NY (Whiteface), but, off the top of my head, I guess I'd say the usual suspects of Mt. Snow, Killington and Okemo offer the best chance of extensive early season skiing (regardless of the weather). Maybe add Stratton to the mix (+ there is some life at the base at Stratton).

 

[Geoff]

As long as you ski midweek, December is completely deserted in New England. (and everywhere else) I suggest you wait until a few days before your flight to decide whether it's worth packing your skis. Some years, the skiing is awful with little open (December 2006, for example). Some years, November and December are cold and snowy and you can go virtually anywhere (December 2007, for example).

On average, you want to hit the resorts with the most snowmaking capability in December. Killington has changed their rollout schedule to focus on advanced terrain so that is your best bet if you are at least a low-expert skier. The other resorts with excellent snowmaking capability are Sunday River, Okemo, and Mount Snow. Depending on your ability level and what you're looking for as apres ski, some are better than others.

Weekends can be a mess anywhere in New England. The terrain is often limited so you have a lot of people skiing on a relatively small number of acres. That varies from year to year depending on whether it's been cold and snowy. If the weather cooperates, enough mountains are open with enough terrain to spread out the people.

Again, my recommendation is to postpone your decision until the last possible moment. You won't have any problem finding lodging at that time of year. Check back in late-November and provide more information about your skiing ability, budget, dates, and what you think you'd want to do off the mountain.

 

[deadheadskier]

A mate is moving to Boston imminently but if I'm skiing for a few days I don't want the hassle of commuting each day from there, I'd prefer to stay closer to the slopes. I would hope to visit say 3 of 4 areas resorts just to see what's there. My mate is into cross country skiing so I'd need to find somewhere to ski on the weekend which caters well for both XC and alpine skiing.

Snow is becoming less reliable in Europe. In 2006 I was in Morzine in the second week of January and found grass and rain! Not sure if things are that variable in the Northeast yet, any advice on which resorts are more likely to have natural snow would be welcome. I'm really not into skiing in rain on artificial snow, I'd prefer to be in the pub.

I think I will bring my skis MG, no skiing to be had in the UK (well Scotland occasionally has good conditions, but you have to be lucky and be close enough to just drop everything when things are in-condition) so if I'm going skiing then my skis are coming with me!

In 25 years of skiing in New England, I would say there is ZERO predictability in September of how the snow will be. There really hasn't been any noticeable weather patterns. Last year was a record snow year in many places in New England. The year before was TERRIBLE until Valentine's day then it was the best spring snow storms there has ever been. If you're looking for XC options, Stowe has the best around and is the most likely to be open. I don't know what man made snow is like in Europe, but in the east it can be fantastic, so I wouldn't let that be a deterrent.

 

[dmc]

Don't forget about good old Hunter...

Snowmaking can make it so it has more trail then most early season...
Belleayre right down the road... Windham just to the north...

Woodstock to go to for shopping...

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Don't forget about good old Hunter...

Snowmaking can make it so it has more trail then most early season...
Belleayre right down the road... Windham just to the north...

Woodstock to go to for shopping...

Wow all the way from the UK to ski Hunter..:argue:

 

[dmc]

Wow all the way from the UK to ski Hunter..:argue:

I've met people vacationing from Europe skiing Hunter... usually involving a visit to NYC or somewhere else close - but still...

Why not...? Whats the problem...?

Close to NYC... Good terrain... People from PA hate it... Great snowmaking for Decemeber turns..

What could be better! Blue?

 

[powderman]

In terms of natural snow, I'd highly doubt the northeast gets more snow than Europe, but the Northeast makes manmade snow. If I were you, I'd consider going in Late February or March instead, natural snow is much more relibable then. It dumped last December but as others have said, it's way to early to predict this December. As for airports, I've been to Logan once before and would not fly out again. It's very busy and access is a pain. You should fly into a regional airport instead, there are several in NNE and are closer to skiing

 

[kingslug]

I've met people vacationing from Europe skiing Hunter... usually involving a visit to NYC or somewhere else close - but still...

Why not...? Whats the problem...?

Close to NYC... Good terrain... People from PA hate it... Great snowmaking for Decemeber turns..

What could be better! Blue?

It's the first place I hit....usually...in November. Sometimes Hellgate to Bway to the lift....and sometimes not. Last December it was so good I took days off just to hit it. COME ON GSS...this season you have to meet us up there.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

It's the first place I hit....usually...in November. Sometimes Hellgate to Bway to the lift....and sometimes not. Last December it was so good I took days off just to hit it. COME ON GSS...this season you have to meet us up there.

I'll ski Hunter sometime...but for somebody flying into Boston..it doesn't make sense..

 

[kingslug]

I'll ski Hunter sometime...but for somebody flying into Boston..it doesn't make sense..

All depends on who has the goods at the time. Sometimes Hunter is in better shape than most. Although Mt.Snow with all their new guns might give them a run for it.

 

[4aprice]

... People from PA hate it.....

Why would you say that? I ski PA due to its location and my situation right now. We all know the Catskills are better then the Pokes but we currently have a house there and we make the best use of it. Camelback and Elk aren't Hunter or my fav Plattekill but they fit the bill most weekends during the season. I'm still looking for that elusive route that could get me from the PA house to the Plattekill/Belleayre area in under 2 hours.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[fixedgrip16]

December is hit or miss. Last year saw some of the best conditions of the year in December, the year prior was poor. I'd say on average in early December throughout most of New England you can expect 30-60% of the terrain at a given area open with little to no off piste skiing available except for Northern Vt and even there there's no guarantee. Most major areas fall within a 2 and a half to 3 and a half hour drive from Boston, so you'll have lots of options. I think your best bet is to fly in and when you land, plug in your lap top and check back here. New England weather and skiing is too hard to predict to give you an answer today that you can hold onto with confidence.

What he said and comebackmuddpuddles about going to a ski area that makes a lot of snow. You're looking at a 5 hour drive to Sugarloaf but as many have said N.E. weather can be your best dream or worst nightmare. In any case, weather permitting in mid- Dec. I'd expect 3-4 lifts maybe more depending on WX and a 2-3 foot snowmaking base. It can rain or like 2 years ago Dec.7 ago dump 4 feet --- Never know. Funny I remember that day they opened up everything for just a day since there wasn't any settled base beneath it. That was some seriously dry fluff-- l0 degree snow.

 

[jerryg]

As long as you ski midweek, December is completely deserted in New England. (and everywhere else) I suggest you wait until a few days before your flight to decide whether it's worth packing your skis. Some years, the skiing is awful with little open (December 2006, for example). Some years, November and December are cold and snowy and you can go virtually anywhere (December 2007, for example).

On average, you want to hit the resorts with the most snowmaking capability in December. Killington has changed their rollout schedule to focus on advanced terrain so that is your best bet if you are at least a low-expert skier. The other resorts with excellent snowmaking capability are Sunday River, Okemo, and Mount Snow. Depending on your ability level and what you're looking for as apres ski, some are better than others.

Weekends can be a mess anywhere in New England. The terrain is often limited so you have a lot of people skiing on a relatively small number of acres. That varies from year to year depending on whether it's been cold and snowy. If the weather cooperates, enough mountains are open with enough terrain to spread out the people.

Again, my recommendation is to postpone your decision until the last possible moment. You won't have any problem finding lodging at that time of year. Check back in late-November and provide more information about your skiing ability, budget, dates, and what you think you'd want to do off the mountain.

I agree with Geoff on these accounts, especially waiting. If x-country is a big decision, this could totally alter where you would go. While there are a score of resorts that have slopeside lodging and hotels as well as dependable snwo conditions for that time of year, natural snow could be an issue.

That being said, some areas do have some snow making on their xc terrain and Sugarloaf always seems to have xc terrain open regardless of snowfall. Additionally, their ownership has said that want the whole resort open by Christmas this year, so... www.sugarloaf.com.

Jerry

 

[dmc]

Why would you say that? I ski PA due to its location and my situation right now. We all know the Catskills are better then the Pokes but we currently have a house there and we make the best use of it. Camelback and Elk aren't Hunter or my fav Plattekill but they fit the bill most weekends during the season. I'm still looking for that elusive route that could get me from the PA house to the Plattekill/Belleayre area in under 2 hours.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

Your from Jersey. Ask somebody from PA..

 

[dmc]

I'll ski Hunter sometime...but for somebody flying into Boston..it doesn't make sense..

Let's put this into some perspective....

Leaving Europe to ski the Northeast US doesn't make sense...