When will creek get it's act in gear?

[Rob A]

This year actually started out pretty well and Mtn Creek surprised me. The crowdless weekend mornings are delights, and Zero G was open two weeks into the season. Real nice right?

Well it has all taken a turn for the worst. For over a MONTH they had the same old terrain open. A few trails on Bear, one run down South, and piddly crap not worth going to on Vernon. Zero G has been closed every single day for racing, I haven't skied the trail in weeks.

So today they FINALLY open Granite Peak, which is usually open the first week of January or late December. However, the 2 best runs that make Granite the best peak are still closed, that being Pipeline and Devil's Bit. Am I the only one that is sick of waiting till February to ski Creek's 2 by far best trails? I mean give me a break, that's ridiculous, you CANNOT wait till over 2 MONTHS after the sesaon starts to open your premier runs. Lower Eagle is finally open, but it took way too long as well, with Eagle Hunt closed (even though it has more than enough snow on it, groom it out dammit). Pipeline and Devil's Bit have to open ASAP. They have had way to much cold weather to make any excuses.

But what's the biggest issue? Southern Sojourn is still not open (usually open in December) which is the trail that connects the Vernon/Granite side to the South/Bear side. Without it, you are forced to take a shuttle bus between bases (which I've had waits over 20 mins for in both directions).

What is going on with creek? They had such a great start to the year, why are they trying to screw it up now? Ever since it got cold again, they've grinded out the snow apparantly, but still left trails closed. I've looked at Jumping Jack literally STACKED with snow for awhile now, yet it is still closed? Rediculous...

Ok that's my rant...carry on.

 

[ERJ-145CA]

I was planning to go there once this season, but I'm not going to pay $49 for a weekday ticket with the terrain they have open. In a week I'm moving about 5 minutes away from MC but I think I will only go there once, it's just too expensive for what they offer.

 

[millerm277]

They've had, I think around 1-2 weeks of solid almost round the clock snowmaking temps, and they still haven't managed to get all of South/Bear open.

I predict Southern Sojourn will be open for less than a month this season.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I guess that's what happens when a ski hill is owned by a company who's only product is profits. My guess is that Fortress will spend as little money as possible in the next couple of years until the real estate market turns around. Then they will develope the heck out of it and then sell it.

 

[millerm277]

My guess is that Fortress will spend as little money as possible in the next couple of years until the real estate market turns around. Then they will develope the heck out of it and then sell it.

Ever been there? I don't know where they could even build more.

 

[Dr Skimeister]

Ever been there? I don't know where they could even build more.

That whole area across Rt 94, behind the Vernon parking area....the Black Creek development area. And if they have their way and are able to shake the proper hands in Vernon, they'd like to develop that same side of Rt 94 across from South all the way up to where the Great Gorge (old Playboy club) golf course butts up to Rt 94. There is a definite market in this area for vacation housing, only a small portion of which is aimed at snow-sport enthusiasts. The Crystal Springs golf courses are attracting people with big bucks to spend on these homes.

With the captive audience of skiers/riders that have little other choice on where to spend their dollars and the plethora of relatively inexpensive season passes sold, the corporation has no reason to spend any more money than is essential to put out the most insignificant of product.

 

[MarkC]

Intrawest only sees $$ from creek. If they cared about improving the place they would have rebuilt the lodge after the fire instead of that glorified tent that they have had for how many years. Bottom line is the place will make money based on geography no matter how much effort they put into operations.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2006_3rd/Aug06_Intrawest.html
It's all rooted in increasing shareholder value for Fortress which has gotten beat-up pretty bad since the sale went thru. I bet the board of Fortress have all been to Whistler but to MC...doubtful. They are proposing to invest some big bucks at Whistler.

 

[Dr Skimeister]

pssst....Rob A.....

I just saw snow guns going on Pipeline.....

That probably means it's going to rain here on Monday

 

[Rob A]

I just saw snow guns going on Pipeline.....

That probably means it's going to rain here on Monday

Yeah I noticed that on creek's website this morning, about time. Now the question is, when will they actually groom it out and open it? And it seems the ONLY trail not either open or having snow blown on it is Southern Sojourn. What are they retarded?! Connect the damn place!

 

[Dr Skimeister]

Yeah I noticed that on creek's website this morning, about time. Now the question is, when will they actually groom it out and open it? And it seems the ONLY trail not either open or having snow blown on it is Southern Sojourn. What are they retarded?! Connect the damn place!

Along those lines, I saw 3 different snowboarders walking along Rt 94 carrying their boards today on my drive from McAfee up to Vernon. They were all walking from the Vernon base area towards South. That's at least a mile/mile and a half.

Maybe the powers that be want to keep the two areas segregated.

 

[Rob A]

Along those lines, I saw 3 different snowboarders walking along Rt 94 carrying their boards today on my drive from McAfee up to Vernon. They were all walking from the Vernon base area towards South. That's at least a mile/mile and a half.

Maybe the powers that be want to keep the two areas segregated.

Now that is just what really gets on my nerves. Why keep them segregated?! It's ONE resort, I really hope they aren't that stupid. I always park at south (better lodge, better parking), as the vernon parking is horrible. At south I park and walk right in, Vernon (even if you are the first car in the lot), you still have a hike. Plus I like the terrain at south and bear. It's nice for a couple hours before heading over at Granite and Vernon.

 

[Rob A]

New Info:

I was up at Creek on Sunday morning. Devil's Bit and Pipeline were PILED with snow, more than I've ever seen layed down on those trails, meaning they can open them whenever they want.

Devil's Bit opened today, Pipeline must be to follow, either tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest I figure. I'm crossing my fingers as I'm going tomorrow night, but I'm not holding my breath on that, expecting weds, but atleast they got Devil's Bit going. Creek should be very close to 100% open by the weekend.

Now back onto Southern Sojourn, from what I could see, it looked like they blew snow on it (atleast from the ends I could see). HOWEVER, after speaking with several people who claim to have talked to people within management at MC, it appears the plan is to NOT open Soujourn on the Double Chair at all this season. Their reasoning for this is that beginner skiers/riders will take Sojourn not suspecting a terrain park, and then be in way over there head when they get there.

Now how retarded is that thinking? I ski (and park) at South everytime I go up to Creek. Avoiding the new park features is easy as silk. Anyone who mistakenly takes Sojourn will not run into any problems whatsoever. And why would this worry them anyway? Put a sign up at the top of Sojourn saying something like "Caution, Park Terrain only ahead" or something like that, how hard can that be? It's a disgrace to force people to use that damn shuttle bus which forces you to have to ski down to the Vernon/South base to get between mountains (sometimes I like to just ski South and Granite, making forcing 2 not needed trips to Vernon and 2 bucket rides). Especially since the shuttle wait times can go over 20 minutes as well. MC is just retarded, this is ONE resort, not two, it's not the 1960s anymore. I personally feel that this is just a matter of spending the money on running the lift seeing as the shuttle bus is probably cheaper, MC doesn't care about their customers at all. This "liability" issue is BS. Skiers must be able to ski and ride a lift between the entire resort.

I'm complaining to them, I recommend everyone else do the same, tell them to open Southern Sojourn and the Sojourn Double!

 

[millerm277]

Now back onto Southern Sojourn, from what I could see, it looked like they blew snow on it (atleast from the ends I could see). HOWEVER, after speaking with several people who claim to have talked to people within management at MC, it appears the plan is to NOT open Soujourn on the Double Chair at all this season. Their reasoning for this is that beginner skiers/riders will take Sojourn not suspecting a terrain park, and then be in way over there head when they get there.

I heard that last year too, but it did eventually open. That double is getting a bit scary to ride though...doesn't feel entirely safe. Complain your ass off. That's probably what got it open last year, there were tons of people in complaining.

 

[trainlazz]

I hear from my co-worker, who is on the ski patrol there, that the rickety sojourn double did not pass NJ lift inspection and ownership has not decided if they will fix or replace it. They're done making snow for the season, (they buy a certain amount of electricity to run the pumps from the power company in advance at a discount and that's all used up) so I doubt you'll see it run at all this season.

 

[ERJ-145CA]

I drive past MC on my way to Hidden Valley and last week I was wondering why they weren't blowing snow when it was cold enough, Hidden Valley had guns going all over the place. I guess that's why. I just discovered that I have a coupon for a free ticket at MC so I guess I'll have to go there at least once before they close for the season.

 

[trainlazz]

Yep. They never blow snow after President's day, especially this year because they had to blow a lot of extra snow to support all the terrain features over at South. Last year was an exception because of the really warm Dec, they had some of their snowmaking budget left over and blew some in Mar. My friend also says that attendance is WAY down over last season.

 

[millerm277]

My friend also says that attendance is WAY down over last season.

That's what I've heard as well...I intend to keep my word, I won't be back unless the park situation changes. (Not taking up South/Bear).

Also, as a side note, Hidden Valley has everything but Newman's Chute and the parks open.

 

[Rob A]

My friend also says that attendance is WAY down over last season.

You can say that again. I haven't once this year had more than a 2 minute line (and that was maybe once). Almost all my runs this year were literally, ski on no waits.

 

[nycskier]

I only did one day at Mtn Creek so far this season (hey night skiing and beer can be fun combination).

My only 2 complains was

1) Mtn Creek gift shop did not sell "Ski Jersey" t-shirts

and

2) While they have a mountain that is a terrain park for boarders there really isn't the same thing for skiers. Always thought it a same that they don't "mogul up" some of their trails. Mtn Creek would be a lot more fun place to ski if they took a section of the mountain and left moguls on half the trail while grooming the other half. If you only got a 1,000 ft vertical drop at least do something to make the most of it.