What kind of zoo?

[Jisch]

Hey all - I recognize some screen names from various MTB forums, which is where I spend a lot of my online time. Howdy!

After being away from the sport for 20 years or so I picked skiing back up last year with my teenaged kids (hey something we can all do together!). We rented gear all last year - probably got out about 10 times or so and had a REALLY great time, I forgot just how fun skiing is.

I got my kids and I new skis and boots for Xmas, nothing fancy, but some '08 leftovers. I may have gone about that the wrong way (i.e. price first), but 3 sets of even cheap skis and boots is half a really nice, brand new mountain bike!

Anyway, I'm going to try and get out for our first session this year on Xmas eve, thinking of going to Wachusett or Sundown - are these places going to be a zoo if we do the afternoon session?

Probably the biggest difference I see in skiing today versus 20 years ago, is the lack of lift lines (we went to Okemo during winter break last year and really never waited in a line). It seems that the lifts get everyone to the top quicker, which means slopes with more people on them - just an observation and why I am hesitant to go when its crowded.

Thanks,
John

 

[tcharron]

The lack of strait sticks didn't catch yer eye? :-D

 

[bvibert]

Welcome to the forum John, and back to skiing.

I can't speak for Wachusett, but I doubt that Sundown will be especially busy. Of course I've never been there on that day, so take it for what it's worth. Keep in mind that they close at 5pm on Christmas Eve though.

As far as lift lines I'd say that Sundown has a pretty good lift capacity for the amount of terrain they serve. ie; If the lines are more than, say, 10 minutes long you probably don't want to be out on the slopes anyway.

BTW - we have a pretty decent AZ MTB community down here in CT in the off season as well...

 

[tcharron]

bvibert shows my rudeness.. Welcome to the forums, and back to the fray! :-D

 

[Jisch]

yeah

The lack of strait sticks didn't catch yer eye? :-D

Well yeah, that too... I actually have a set of Karhu back country skis that are curvy, so that was not completly foreign to me! Amazing how they turn though! I should say that I have only been away from lift-served skiing - I have been skiing in the woods right along.

One more way back moment - when I used to ski in high school (which is when I used to ski a ton) we used to wear jeans and an appropriate number of long underwear underneath - cold days meant three layers of underwear . Due to just getting ramped up on the clothing side last year, I wore the same to one of our trips to Okemo - it was a warm day. The old ski patrol guy who rode the lift with me got a kick out of the jeans - he obviously remembered that time as well.

Ok, one last comment - reading that thread about helmets today has got me thinking. I gotta get some for me and my kids. I wouldn't EVER ride my MTB without a helmet... just saying.

John

 

[tcharron]

Ok, one last comment - reading that thread about helmets today has got me thinking. I gotta get some for me and my kids. I wouldn't EVER ride my MTB without a helmet... just saying.

John

Since I started skiing again 3 or so years ago, I said that. Got the kids, but I keep putting it off.. Course, beer league racing this year = going to bite it and finally get one..

Now.. If I can just find one that I DONT feel like a mushroom head while wearing.......

 

[ski9]

Probably the biggest difference I see in skiing today versus 20 years ago, is the lack of lift lines (we went to Okemo during winter break last year and really never waited in a line). It seems that the lifts get everyone to the top quicker, which means slopes with more people on them - just an observation and why I am hesitant to go when its crowded.

Eh, pretty keen observance after being a way so long...that probably is the biggest change. Skis may be shaped now, but most people still skid them just the same.

We don't have high speed lifts at either of my home hills...which is just fine...