What's most important to you when selecting a ski area?

[Greg]

Thought I would throw this one up after some of the discussion about why folks ski the places they ski.

 

[Hawkshot99]

For me right now? Do I get comp tickets.:grin:

 

[Greg]

My responses here really depends on whether I'm going solo/AZ outing, or with the family. For the most part though, terrain, proximity, snowfall and snowmaking are the most important. Most times, it's difficult to score all four.

 

[bvibert]

I'm lazy so I think proximity might be first on my list, followed by terrain, snow (real), and snowmaking (the snowmaking is only important if they don't have a lot of natural, which is more likely given the proximity factor). I've never once considered the lodge or lifts in my decisions.

If I'm skiing solo I'm definitely more likely to stay close to home (the laziness thing kicks in plus having a pass to the local hill helps too ). Thankfully I get in several trips a year with other AZer's which gets me out further from home. I also find it helps if you can hook up for a ride at least part of the way. This year I hope to get my wife out a few times too.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

depends on whether its for my pass purchase or a vacation out west. For a pass purchase, its largely been proximity...fortunate to be 35 min from Sunday River...but snowmaking and terrain would be important considerations along with lodging. For a trip out west with my ski buds its terrain, snowfall, and backcountry access...we typically don't give a rats a$$ about nightlife, as long as the skiing is great, beers and a big dinner is all we require. Not that we didn't hit Tommy Africa's when we went to Whistler, just that we didn't miss it when we were cat skiing in revelstoke.

 

[severine]

Priorities do change. At this stage, I would say proximity, value, and family-friendliness. Lodging has never been a consideration, though most of the time we deal with day trips anyway.

 

[AdironRider]

Terrain is all I give a damn about.

 

[tcharron]

I'm assuming 'Value' here means 'price'. I mean, Value is relative. Small mountain cheap = value. Big Mountain lots of terrain but expensive could ALSO mean Value, however.

Why no 'price'?

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Vertical drop...expert terrain...natural snowfall...high speed lifts..accesibility..

 

[Dr Skimeister]

I chose proximity and terrain. I could have also selected "other" and specified lack of dopes such as are found at Mountain Creek, the closest ski area to me.

 

[bvibert]

I'm assuming 'Value' here means 'price'. I mean, Value is relative. Small mountain cheap = value. Big Mountain lots of terrain but expensive could ALSO mean Value, however.

Why no 'price'?

I take value to mean the same as you imply, not necessarily price. Can't tell you why there isn't a price option as well.

 

[tcharron]

I take value to mean the same as you imply, not necessarily price. Can't tell you why there isn't a price option as well.

I guess it's something I'd take into consideration. If it's cheap, even if it isn't that great, I might give a place a try.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I don't care about price when selecting a ski area...I'm one of the few people on here who isn't fazed by $80 ticket prices at Stowe..But I don't like to pay over $100 a night for lodging..

 

[Vortex]

length of season, Terrain snow quality (ie snow making), people and proximity. All are in the mix.

 

[tcharron]

I don't care about price when selecting a ski area...I'm one of the few people on here who isn't fazed by $80 ticket prices at Stowe..But I don't like to pay over $100 a night for lodging..

But, ironically enough, you WOULD jump all over someone for trying to sell a pair of skis at a high price. :-D

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

But, ironically enough, you WOULD jump all over someone for trying to sell a pair of skis at a high price. :-D

Yup...for ski gear..I want the lowest price possible..same with lodging..but for lift tickets I don't mind paying full price if no discounts are available...Last season I skied Belleayre 3 days for $25. November 24th I bought a ticket for $25 which was also good for a free day in the springtime and then I happened to find another lift-ticket that day on the snow..so I skied a free weekend in April.

 

[kcyanks1]

I chose terrain and snowfall. Terrain is most important, but the terrain I like isn't much use without natural snowfall. Proximity is relevant too when I'm not going away for more than a weekend, but since I am perfectly OK with bypassing all of southern VT even for a weekend trip, I did not check off proximity.

 

[campgottagopee]

For me it would proximity----don't like driving when I could be skiing

 

[Marc]

For me it would proximity----don't like driving when I could be skiing

You don't have to drive when you could be skiing. I drive before first chair or after last chair. If that means getting up 3 am, so be it.

 

[56fish]

Snowfalll, terrain, proximity. Don't care about groomers any more - attract the masses. Prefer the serenity of the woods & bumps. Also, crappy conditions & foul weather don't bother me as much as in my youth. They build character.