Who will be open late this year?

[Greg]

Stein's elevation should not be a problem for late spring skiing....Don't forget how long they kept superstar open back in the day.

Dunno. Interesting point made here.

 

[Newpylong]

I just saw that they plan on closing 4/15... at this date, it doesn't matter which mountain stays open, there will be plenty of snow.

 

[Skier75]

I thought Sunday River is traditionally free for everyone on May 1? I don't think they try to stay open this late anymore, but I've skied Sugarloaf as late as May 15th. That was pre ASC days.

Oops, yes, my bad. That is true May 1 is free for those who wish to challenge themselves to what little snow may be left and/or amuse anyone and everyone there.

 

[kcyanks1]

True, except that Killington used to blow upwards of 15 feet of snow on Superstar (no joke). I can personally guarantee that there is not 170"+ of snow on Stein's! Although, I don't think Win really wants to be open through the end of May anyway like K-Mart used to!

Actually I think it may have been 30 feet. Or at least that's what I heard, and I think they used to have a gigantic stake in the middle of the trail that they would totally bury in snow.

 

[kcyanks1]

Yes. Grooming Stein's not only made for some sweet skiing and riding these past few days, but it set it up well for the Spring. The snow is really deep there and spread out over the entire trail. It will bump up beautifully as it warms up.

Do you plan to stop grooming it at some point soon so you don't decrease the base depth?

 

[Newpylong]

To the naked eye it may look like you're decreasing base depths, but grooming runs actually will make it last longer - it condenses the snow...longer to melt.

 

[Angus]

I remember that stake when I was younger - it was wide with numbering all the way up it . You could ski right up and touch it if recollection serves me right, didn't it stand at a big intersection - great marketing if you think about it. Before I had ever heard of "spring skiing" I remember being at the house of a friend of a friend one hot afternoon. The father and an older brother came home from Killington having skied that day. We'd been outside all day playing baseball and football, the grass was green - it had to be early to mid May. As I watched them take their equipment out of the car, I just remember thinking how crazy (in a good way) it was that there was still snow in the mountains and how cool it was to be skiing when everyone was thinking of opening their summer house or going to the beach or school vacation was almost here! The early opening and late closing also made Killington really special - made it stand out, made it a destination. On a cold mornings in early October in the 'burbs of Boston, we'd be talking about how surely they'd made snow (or there was probably natural snow anyway - perception) that night and aslomg who'd bee going up to Killington that weekend to ski. my son just suggested we ski at Killington the 1st week of April, my response was "what for..."

 

[BushMogulMaster]

I just saw that they plan on closing 4/15... at this date, it doesn't matter which mountain stays open, there will be plenty of snow.

No... the mountain is staying open every day through 4/22, then hopefully for the last weekend in April. Here's a quote from Win's Word on sugarbush.com:

Our plan is to keep Lincoln Peak open through April 22nd, and then reopen the hill for the final weekend in April, conditions permitting.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

The resorts have finally figured out that there is no reason to be open much into May anymore. The marketing value of being open into May is an idea who's time has passed.

 

[Newpylong]

No... the mountain is staying open every day through 4/22, then hopefully for the last weekend in April. Here's a quote from Win's Word on sugarbush.com:

Oh okay, thanks for the correction. I think I read it on the MRV forum...

 

[Newpylong]

The resorts have finally figured out that there is no reason to be open much into May anymore. The marketing value of being open into May is an idea who's time has passed.

Or, June in Killington's case!

 

[millerm277]

The resorts have finally figured out that there is no reason to be open much into May anymore. The marketing value of being open into May is an idea who's time has passed.

I disagree, however you need events to get people out there.

As much as I hate to say it (because I hate having the parks on Bear), Killington did a great job last year with Spring Loaded. There were tons of people buying food, competiting, and listening to the band play.

This could be profitable or at least not lose much money, think about it....if you are the only resort open for skyrides, mountain biking, hiking and skiing at the same time.

Also the PR iis huge, people equate being open early/late to meaning that you are going to be the best mid-season too, and you indirectly will get more people out there.

 

[Newpylong]

I also disagree, While the resort might not make money at that actual time in the spring, what they would lose then might be regained during the regular season (+ more) by this "marketing effort". Killington didn't do it for 20 years because it didn't work.

 

[kcyanks1]

To the naked eye it may look like you're decreasing base depths, but grooming runs actually will make it last longer - it condenses the snow...longer to melt.

Is there some point in the spring where if the weather is warm every day that such a rule no longer applies, and grooming is bad?

 

[kcyanks1]

I remember that stake when I was younger - it was wide with numbering all the way up it . You could ski right up and touch it if recollection serves me right, didn't it stand at a big intersection - great marketing if you think about it. Before I had ever heard of "spring skiing" I remember being at the house of a friend of a friend one hot afternoon. The father and an older brother came home from Killington having skied that day. We'd been outside all day playing baseball and football, the grass was green - it had to be early to mid May. As I watched them take their equipment out of the car, I just remember thinking how crazy (in a good way) it was that there was still snow in the mountains and how cool it was to be skiing when everyone was thinking of opening their summer house or going to the beach or school vacation was almost here! The early opening and late closing also made Killington really special - made it stand out, made it a destination. On a cold mornings in early October in the 'burbs of Boston, we'd be talking about how surely they'd made snow (or there was probably natural snow anyway - perception) that night and aslomg who'd bee going up to Killington that weekend to ski. my son just suggested we ski at Killington the 1st week of April, my response was "what for..."

I remember it being right in the center of Superstar left-right-wise. As far as top to bottom, I think it was toward the middle, but I can't recall where. It's possible it was, top-to-bottom-wise, near one of the connector trails to/from Skyelark. I'm sure there are many hear who remember better than me, as I was never a Killington regular and only saw the stake once.

I hope by telling your son, "what for...", you meant that there is no reason to go to Killington over a norther-VT area, as opposed to no reason at all? If you are able to take the time off and are willing to go away, there hopefully will be good skiing to be found. Probably best to plan just before since not many will be going away at the time and you can judge the conditions closer to your trip.

 

[saabski]

re: late season areas

"So...who will still be open in april and where should we go?
I'm thinking Okemo (?), Bretton woods, Killington, Sunday River, possibly Sugarloaf.."

I've been checking websites; Stowe April 22. Sugarbush April 22 PLUS (hopefully) the following weekend.
Bretton Woods; I just had an email " We are possibly looking at an April 15 closing date. It is not finalized as of today; check back in a week or two and we should know more." Was hoping for some early May there..... almost seems like they all got together to end sooner than in past years. K - nothing concrete posted; but with ownership change, I'm betting on earlier than past years.

 

[millerm277]

Killington tenative closing date is May 7th.