Where to go tomorrow

[tomaso12]

Looking for a hill 3-4 hours from norwalk,ct

Was orginally gonna go to Belleayre for there 'ski free on your birthday' but it looks like the weather could go either way with the current forecast. may rain/sleet tonight/tomorrow

Currently think of heading up to Gore or Whiteface as it will be a little colder then the catskills

Plan on skiing mainly blues...

thoughts/suggestions

Also, what is etique on loading a gondi?

 

[billski]

As far north as you can tolerate, so you can still find PDR. WF would be good because they have more altitude, but check the weather in the AM to be certain. I've got all the resorts phones loaded in my cell, so mid-course corrections are in order. Make sure WF has enough blues open to keep you entertained.

What do you mean about etiquette on the gondola? The ops guy will group you up to N number per gondola, so you all know you're getting on. I'm still a "hold the door open for you" kinda guy so I'll patiently wait to get on last, knowing that I'm not stressed about having enough time to load as other s may be. I always presume others need more time (could be wrong, but it's courtesy nonetheless).

It goes without saying I (and most) don't smoke or drink on the gondola. Gondolas do have a tendency to draw out unbelievable stories from others who feel they need a soapbox.

 

[tomaso12]

cool, thanks :beer:

gondi - just never been on one before, just didn't want to act like a complete newb the first time :dunce:

 

[wa-loaf]

cool, thanks :beer:

gondi - just never been on one before, just didn't want to act like a complete newb the first time :dunce:

There's a ski rack on the outside of them. Sometimes the liftie will stick them in for you but most of the time you are on your own. Poles and snowboards ride with you.

 

[billski]

cool, thanks :beer:

gondi - just never been on one before, just didn't want to act like a complete newb the first time :dunce:

BTW, you load your skis/boards on the outside of the gondi. Poles (if you have them) go inside with you. gondis are detachable, so it slows and goes around the bullwheel, you step inside and be seated. Gondis are usually 4, 6 or 8 people. It's "cozy". Gondis are not the fastest way up the mountain, and I prefer them only when it's really cold and breezy snowing hard and the line isn't too long. If the line is long, and your party doesn't mind breaking up, the single line is the place to be. Having said all this, I spend 99% of my ski days on chairs.

 

[tomski]

Why cross the Hudson if you don't have to?

Go to Okemo. Should be about three hours and almost all interstate.

They have tons of open terrain, a mostly blue blue mountain and conditions are great right now (I was there Saturday). Oh and they've got five high speed quads running...no lift lines at all!

 

[millerm277]

Why cross the Hudson if you don't have to?

Go to Okemo. Should be about three hours and almost all interstate.

They have tons of open terrain, a mostly blue blue mountain and conditions are great right now (I was there Saturday). Oh and they've got five high speed quads running...no lift lines at all!

Okemo's fine for an intermediate, but it is a bit boring. If all you're looking for is wide groomers, it'll be a good choice...but, there isn't exactly much variety between the trails.

 

[bvibert]

Okemo's fine for an intermediate, but it is a bit boring. If all you're looking for is wide groomers, it'll be a good choice...but, there isn't exactly much variety between the trails.

The OP does state that they're planning on skiing mostly blue trails, so Okemo might be right up their alley..

 

[tjf67]

Whiteface will have almost and possibly every blue trail on little whiteface. The gondola seats 8 but I dont think you will find 8 people on a tuesday standing in line. No smoking or drinking in the gondi unless the other people you are with are up for smoking and drinking. Just dont leave stuff behind.
We got another three inches last night and the ten day is looking good.

That said Gore is probably in great shape with lots of blues. Its 45 minutes closer. Much beter that OKEMO

Cant go wrong with either place. Gore will save you 45 minutes each way. Whiteface 2400 vert off of one lift. Decisions decisions.

 

[OppositeGeorge]

Spent the weekend at Okemo doing ASIA classes. It sounds like what you're looking for. About 3 1/2 to 4 hours from Norwalk via 91. Conditions were great for cruising blues, with very few icy spots. The lower mountain was softer and sweeter and probably better for what you want to do. Firmer up top and at Jackson Gore, but still soft on the greens and blues. Grooming was spot-on everywhere. Tons of stuff open. It was snowing @ 4pm when I left, and if that stayed snow and not rain (I don't know) things would've only improved. And if not, if anybody deals well with questionable conditions it's Okemo. They really are a solid beginner and intermediate mountain with a couple of blacks thrown in, and gear the grooming, snowmaking, ski school, etc. around that. Just one thing -- a couple of the greens near the bottom (below the main chair and between OBL and Solitude) were scraped pretty good down to dirt so keep an eye out for that.

Others will know better than me but my impression is that wind is usually more of an issue at Gore and Whiteface than Okemo (though, this being the Northeast, you should pretty much count on wind everywhere -- no major problems so far this year, though.)

If you can wait until Thursday, Okemo is doing $39 tickets then (and Dec 20 too) vs. the normal $69. And no gondis there so there's one problem solved.

In general, though as far as gondola etiquette you take your boards off outside and carry them through the corral to the lift -- the liftie will tell you which car to get on (usually you'll be sharing with strangers but if it's uncrowded it's not much trouble to get a private car.) Most gondolas have racks on the outside for skis, while poles and snowboards usually go inside, but there are exceptions (e.g., Stowe's Over Easy gondola -- everything comes in.) It's a bit daunting the first couple times but you get the hang of it quickly and there's plenty of time so no need to feel rushed. With the really, really big gondolas, a/k/a "trams" you bring everything in with you. There are two of these in the Northeastern U.S. -- one at Jay Peak, one at Cannon.

Other rules? No smoking. Ask your co-riders before opening a window. Don't talk your neighbor's ear off. No rocking, bumping, pushing, checking or hooking. Only chew gum if you brought enough for everybody. Don't be a jerk. If you screw up, say "I'm sorry." You know, common courtesy stuff. At the top you reverse the loading process, carry your boards outside before mounting up, and go shredding.

These are the best early season conditions we've had in a while. Wherever you pick, have a blast!

 

[2knees]

Other rules? No smoking. Ask your co-riders before opening a window. Don't talk your neighbor's ear off. Only chew gum if you brought enough for everybody. Don't be a jerk. You know, common courtesy stuff. At the top you reverse the loading process, carry your boards outside before mounting up, and go shredding.

may i add one more, NO SBD's.

 

[tomaso12]

thanks for all the help and suggestions.

Okemo looks good with proximety & amount of terrain open, but i perfer tighter, twistie runs compared to wide open straight runs...perfer trails like stowe's toll road & sugarbush's jester...but either way, just looking to get out & have fun

 

[billski]

may i add one more, NO SBD's.

We got on the transfer lift last year at Stowe, along with three pretty young teens. They had Poland Spring bottles filled with some kind of liquor, swigged it like a chain smoker. I went looking for frozen bodies in the snow the next day, but they probably expired in the mens room. :dunce:

 

[tequiladoug]

another vote for okemo ( I was there yesterday, I mostly skied jackson gore and the south face)

 

[OppositeGeorge]

Okemo had some longer, twisty greens and blues open but they can be hard to find. So assuming The Big O's out, I'd also rule out Whiteface (a good 5 hours from CT, and not sure the extra driving would be worth it for you.)

That leaves Gore, Belleayre and maybe Windham and Jiminy Peak.

Was at Belleayre two weeks ago. The limited amount open was very, very nicely covered and groomed. Two weeks is forever in the ski biz so take from that what you will, but they have a lot more open now. I sensed a commitment to a good customer experience and I'd think that if they've dropped rope on a trail they've done the best they could on it. A lot will depend on how last night's weather hit them.

Gore? I'll defer to others as I haven't been there in a while. Big mountain, great mountain but a long drive. Maybe not the best thing if you have to get home on tired legs. You know yourself better than I do.

Jiminy: About as long a drive as Belleayre but they're open until 10pm so no need to rush out the door. Opened on a big base so last night's mixed precip might not have hammered them so bad and they should have been able to keep good coverage (I drove through it last night on my way home and it was more solid than wet in that corner of MA, at least around 5:30-6pm.) I think you'd like Left Bank and Lower Glade->Slingshot. Both runs are open and lit. Not cheap (esp. compared to free,) but they sell tickets by the hour so if you get there late you can still ski a full 8 hours and if you can wait until Wednesday or Thursday they have $10 and $15 e-coupons on their web site. Lodge, food service and ancillaries much more comfortable/less rustic than Belleayre if you care about that sort of thing. Best way to get there to avoid major traffic is get to NY22 via 84, and then cut across in Stephentown, NY.

Windham: about as far as Belleayre and Jiminy. Haven't been there in years but it was very good for intermediates. But if you can ski free at Belleayre then maybe you shouldn't bother.

I would say, keeping in mind this is all personal opinion and there's no right or wrong on this forum, that Belleayre and Jiminy would be your best bets without having to get up at 3am. I'd keep my eye on the weather today and forecasts for tomorrow and make my decision based on that.

At the end of the day, it's all good so don't worry too much about where you're heading and just get out there. I tend to enjoy myself more when I take it easier my first couple times out for the season, so picking a smaller hill is no sin.

 

[OppositeGeorge]

may i add one more, NO SBD's.

SBDs?????

 

[billski]

SBD's - George Carlin must have been before your time!
Silent
But
Deadly

 

[OppositeGeorge]

Nope, GC was a big hero of mine. Not sure how I missed that one.

But getting back to the topic, you are most correct. IMO the only appropriate punishment for SBDs is immediate defenestration.

 

[billski]

Nope, GC was a big hero of mine. Not sure how I missed that one.

But getting back to the topic, you are most correct. IMO the only appropriate punishment for SBDs is immediate defenestration.

now you're with the program...
:angry: Light no matches in confined spaces until the room is completely cleared.:angry: