Which NE mountains might have the least crowds on the Fri/Sat before Presidents Day?

[patricsaint]

It may be a stupid question and I apologize if so.
I would never willingly ski that weekend but I have a couple friends that can only get out on those days and I'm pretty sure our local mountains (Poconos) will be a zoo, at least on that Saturday.
NY/VT/NH are all for consideration and one of the crew is a novice but has no fear, myself and the other are solid intermediates.
The dates we'd likely ski are the Fri/Sat and maybe Sun of Feb 17-19th.

Thanks folks!

 

[thetrailboss]

Burke, if it is your game. www.skiburke.com

 

[Breeze]

Sorry I didn't see this earlier today.

Wildcat had some da*m fine spring conditions today with a warm air inversion, the top was softer than the lower mountain all morning, growing more sweet and uniform through the day until about 2. Thats the high point of sun for the Cat this time of year, and the burn got powerful early afternoon.

the weekend WILL be up for Grabs. Looks like a Cribbage Championship for Saturday and/or window shopping for new gear. Axe skiing for Saturday. Trail counts will take a huge hit everywhere, there is no such thing as "sufficient cover" right now to withstand 2" of rain.

Sunday is up for grabs. There is a snow/rain line that will shape up late Saturday night and hold for a significant portion of Sunday... right now it looks like Bretton Woods might be on the eastern edge of that with VT getting the best of the CP dump.

Those of us at Wildcat would like to see the guaranteed CP dumpa aimed at us but ...... we wait... and understand that Mt Washington Observatory is just and only what it is named. Observatory. They watch, and report.

It is winter in New England and if you believe any meteorologist.....remember.... their cubes at work look a lot like yours.. "Windows" as an Operating System is different from the single or double paned glass do-hickeys that allow one to see outside. Your mileage may vary.

Breeze

 

[MikeTrainor]

I too would go with wildcat, great Mt. with lift lines that aren't to bad, however from NY might take you while, last weekend I had a friend come from norwalk, ct and he hated the ride, but in the end, it ends up being worth it

 

[trackbiker]

Re: Which NE mountains might have the least crowds on the Fri/Sat before Presidents Day?

It may be a stupid question and I apologize if so.
I would never willingly ski that weekend but I have a couple friends that can only get out on those days and I'm pretty sure our local mountains (Poconos) will be a zoo, at least on that Saturday.
NY/VT/NH are all for consideration and one of the crew is a novice but has no fear, myself and the other are solid intermediates.
The dates we'd likely ski are the Fri/Sat and maybe Sun of Feb 17-19th.

Thanks folks!

If you are looking to stay close to home you may want to check out Eagle Rock. http://www.eaglerockresort.com/
I've never been there but I hear that it is decent and there are never any lift lines. Here's a link to a thread where I asked about it on paskiandride.com
http://www.paskiandride.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3043
I skied Elk last year on MLK weekend and the longest I waited in line was maybe 3 minutes. Heard it was more crowded on Pres. Weekend. I don't think that you will have crowds anywhere on the Fri. before.
If I get to Eagle Rock some Sat. or Sun before then I will let you know what I think.
Another option is Plattekill in NY. Only been there once, (planned to go this weekend, but the NCP changed my mind)Great place, not too far, no crowds.
Just a few options from the Philly area.

 

[patricsaint]

The Burke suggestion looks good...I'm looking into some economical lodging now. Any suggestions on that appreciated. We will require 3 separate sleeping areas as 2 of us snore.
So what we might do is ski Jay on that Friday and Burke on Saturday....
The trip is still in the early discussion stage.
Thanks folks....

 

[awf170]

So what we might do is ski Jay on that Friday and Burke on Saturday....

I wouldnt go to jay. IMO jay peak is a horrible intermidiate mountain.

 

[riverc0il]

burke, magic, black mountain NH, middlebury, bolton valley, ascutney, dartmouth, balsams should all have very small crowds. i disagree with wildcat, it will not have crowds like the big corporate ski resorts, but they will definitely be bussing in from the lower lots and you'll likely have to wait a few minutes for the quad all day. same with cannon, another solid bet but surely not as uncrowded as is usual for the mountain. burke is a great suggestion for northern new england, if you like the natural snow and magic gets hammered, that's the place to go in southern VT.

 

[thetrailboss]

The Burke suggestion looks good...I'm looking into some economical lodging now. Any suggestions on that appreciated. We will require 3 separate sleeping areas as 2 of us snore.
So what we might do is ski Jay on that Friday and Burke on Saturday....
The trip is still in the early discussion stage.
Thanks folks....

Good call in doing Jay on Friday (less crowded) and Burke on Saturday. Though awf is right...Jay really has sucky intermediate terrain. Beware though: Burke's blues are more like southern black trails. That said, if you are a solid intermediate, you will be able to enjoy much of the goods at Burke.

As for economical places to stay in the NEK near Burke, I'd say the LynBurke motel, which was a basic hole-in-the wall place, but they just sold to deep pockets. Comfort Inn and Suites in St. Jay has Burke packages. Other places...hmmm...Fairbanks Inn in St. Jay.

Might I recommend Cannon for your other mountain on Friday instead of Jay? I say that because Jay has serious weather issues...wind especially. They are closed quite a bit (like today :roll: ). Cannon has wind, but worst case would be some skiing on the HSQ and Zoomer.

 

[riverc0il]

boss makes a great suggestion, i think cannon is a better mountain for an intermediate than jay. you can ski pretty much anything off the quad, two trails off zoomer, three or four off the summit, plus banshee and tuckerbrook. it is a solid cruising mountain that an intermediate can experience all the aspects. cannon is also closer to burke if you want to stay in the same place and ski both as cannon and burke are less than 45 minutes away and your travel time is less if you stay at lyndonville or saint jay. another FANTASTIC place to stay with this option is thayers inn in littleton. close to cannon and more of a drive to burke though.

 

[Breeze]

burke, magic, black mountain NH, middlebury, bolton valley, ascutney, dartmouth, balsams should all have very small crowds. i disagree with wildcat, it will not have crowds like the big corporate ski resorts, but they will definitely be bussing in from the lower lots and you'll likely have to wait a few minutes for the quad all day. same with cannon, another solid bet but surely not as uncrowded as is usual for the mountain. burke is a great suggestion for northern new england, if you like the natural snow and magic gets hammered, that's the place to go in southern VT.

Black Mt Jackson NH and Cranmore, N. Conway NH are way down in trail count and what trails are open are VERY thin cover. Will take some natural snow and a LOT of snowmaking for those 2, especially, to offer any variety.

Just a note-- Wildcat does NOT bus people in from any lots. "A" lot is in front of the base lodge. B lot is closest to the Snowcat lift/beginner area, and C lot is actually the closest TO the Quad ( good to know for those with season passes or online/off-premise live tickets when you don't have to brave a ticket line at base).

A heads up for Wildcat on Monday....if you are headed there plan Skiers Right on the Lower Mountain. Thats where the bulk of the 4" snow today and any overnight snowmaking will have landed. Talk about WINDY KITTY.. the quad was on wind hold all day today and unless this freight train wind derails overnight, wouldn't be a bit surprised to have the same wind hold in the AM. This also means limited beginner terrain if the Snowcat goes on wind hold.

Call before you make the trek up 16.

BRRR.

A night when I wish my posting name wasn't....

Breeze

 

[BeanoNYC]

If your anywhere near K-Mart and your buddies can stay and extra day, be sure to check out Mini Kiss at the Pickle Barrel on Feb 19th. If my shoulder is better, I'm heading up.

 

[Skifastsailfast]

Dude...

burke, magic, black mountain NH, middlebury, bolton valley, ascutney, dartmouth, balsams should all have very small crowds. i disagree with wildcat, it will not have crowds like the big corporate ski resorts, but they will definitely be bussing in from the lower lots and you'll likely have to wait a few minutes for the quad all day. same with cannon, another solid bet but surely not as uncrowded as is usual for the mountain. burke is a great suggestion for northern new england, if you like the natural snow and magic gets hammered, that's the place to go in southern VT.

Black Mt Jackson NH and Cranmore, N. Conway NH are way down in trail count and what trails are open are VERY thin cover. Will take some natural snow and a LOT of snowmaking for those 2, especially, to offer any variety.

Just a note-- Wildcat does NOT bus people in from any lots. "A" lot is in front of the base lodge. B lot is closest to the Snowcat lift/beginner area, and C lot is actually the closest TO the Quad ( good to know for those with season passes or online/off-premise live tickets when you don't have to brave a ticket line at base).

A heads up for Wildcat on Monday....if you are headed there plan Skiers Right on the Lower Mountain. Thats where the bulk of the 4" snow today and any overnight snowmaking will have landed. Talk about WINDY KITTY.. the quad was on wind hold all day today and unless this freight train wind derails overnight, wouldn't be a bit surprised to have the same wind hold in the AM. This also means limited beginner terrain if the Snowcat goes on wind hold.

Call before you make the trek up 16.

BRRR.

A night when I wish my posting name wasn't....

Breeze

Breeze... he's not goingup for another month. COnditions will hopefully improve before then.

 

[Breeze]

LOL!

Were you the last one out the door tonight ?

Ski fast sail fast, live to enjoy the moments that take your breath away.

Breeze

 

[MikeTrainor]

burke, magic, black mountain NH, middlebury, bolton valley, ascutney, dartmouth, balsams should all have very small crowds. i disagree with wildcat, it will not have crowds like the big corporate ski resorts, but they will definitely be bussing in from the lower lots and you'll likely have to wait a few minutes for the quad all day. same with cannon, another solid bet but surely not as uncrowded as is usual for the mountain. burke is a great suggestion for northern new england, if you like the natural snow and magic gets hammered, that's the place to go in southern VT.

I only suggested Wildcat because I was there last presidents day weekend (Sat only) and it was not bad at all. Skied Black that Sunday with no lines, just watch to see if their trail count improves

 

[nek_crumudgeon]

Boss - Sorry I don't know how to quote - but you made reference to the LynBurke being sold to 'deep pockets'? That's a new one to me!

I agree, although I'm biased, that Burke will be a safe bet if you're willing to make the trip. If you get up at 8 and are in line by 9am you'll have a virtural private mountain on a weekday

[/quote]

 

[thetrailboss]

Boss - Sorry I don't know how to quote - but you made reference to the LynBurke being sold to 'deep pockets'? That's a new one to me!

Pretty well known in town that the place was sold to a family that owns a "significant portion" of Darling Hill. It might have been in the paper or something.

Good year for the Elliotts to get out of it...literally NO snowmobiling yet this season and that place was a snowmachine mecca.

The place filled a niche and now I and others think that it will not be the same anymore.

 

[patricsaint]

If your anywhere near K-Mart and your buddies can stay and extra day, be sure to check out Mini Kiss at the Pickle Barrel on Feb 19th. If my shoulder is better, I'm heading up.

Actually I've seen Mini-Kiss....opening for A Perfect Circle a couple years ago in NJ. Those guys are a riot!!

 

[ChileMass]

Lots of discussion above about the northern-most ski areas. Closer to your neck of the woods, try Windham in the northern Catskills. It's a good-sized hill that is typically less crowded than Hunter or Bellayre, Mt. Snow, etc.

In southern VT, Magic or Bromley could work. Bromley faces south, so if it's been warm, call ahead to check on conditions. Ascutney is a little further east, but is also an out-of-the-way gem.

Further north, avoid the crowds at Killington, Okemo and Sugarbush and opt for Bolton Valley or Mad River Glen. In NH, Waterville Valley is a good choice when the more popular hills are over-crowded.

Most places will be busy on that weekend, though.

 

[patricsaint]

Change of plans....now it is Feb 24-26th

Ok, change of plans here.

Now we're traveling up from Philly on Thu Feb 23rd to ski 3 days. Staying in the North Conway/Bartlett area near where I stayed last March so I'm pretty familiar with the deal there. Haven't locked in the condo yet but there seems to be decent availability for about $150 a night.

We're flying back from Manchester NH Sunday night at 8pm so (I'm thinkin) we'll probably ski on Sunday at either BW or Cannon and then hop on the highway south.

Which leaves Fri and Sat up for grabs.
I'd love to go back to Wildcat perhaps Friday and wherever is least crowded in that area on Saturday.