Phil

Snowflex park and mtb freeride park on the same mountain - I think that is what heaven must look like. I would be there all of the time with my friends from all over. The problem is that I would have to choose which park to ride.

It really bums me out that BC is not interested in DH MTB. That would be great - especially since there are not too many places doing it. Spring Mt. is one of the smallest places around, but their courses were the best. Sorry for the thread creep.

What does the MC gondola have to do with the water park? For that matter, what does it have to do with fall hiking? I have never really seen anyone but mountain bikers on it.

Seriously, your other choice is for BC to open the weekend of the 16th. Would you rather wait?

Three DAYS. I don't know of any mountain that can open with only three NIGHTS of blowing. Three DAYS, on the other hand, means around the clock. There are a lot of ski areas around here that can open a couple of slopes in three days (w/around the clock blowing). It has also been suggested that Bear (or other mountains) could open THE WHOLE MOUNTAIN in 3 days. That is a myth as well.

No, really, I AM going to be at Ski Roundtop this weekend.

They have not made any snow yet. A little birdie told me that they will not be open this weekend. They do not foresee the temps being right for snowmaking. The "six hours of snowmaking" rumor was true (or at least that is what they project. If you have been getting your hopes up, stop, it is not going to happen this weekend. Make plans to go elsewhere, there will be others open. I asked specifically why they do not have snowmaking temps when others are already making snow. The answer I got was a mix of geography and elevation. Bottom line, no snow yet, and no plans to open this weekend. I'll be at Ski Roundtop if anyone wants to play. After that, get psyched, BC will be close behind. C'mon, it is worth the wait, isn't it?

I can't believe that you outted me like that. I was not going to come out of the closet at BC until I knew everyone better. I believe that I have met Marion - he rides F2 right? Anywho, I will make sure to get up to Blue a few times each season now that I will be closer. It would most likely be for midweek morning groomers! I will be out of town for the fall festival. I would be glad to to the hardboot/gate thing if there is enough interest. With the overwhelming interest in freestyle right now, I see myself going that direction. We shall see. No doubt! I am really not interested in driving that far. Call me a wimp if you will, but I just don't have time for it. I am a family man. Thanks for the info, though. This year my weekends will be FULL at SRT.

How far is Blue from Pottstown (too lazy to mapquest)? Like I said - my plan is six days a week, so I don't want to drive too far. It is scary to hear that SRT rides bigger than BC - I never thought that SRT rode that big. Thanks for the response everyone. When you guys talk about racing, is that just ski, or is there snowboard racing as well?

I found out recently that I am moving to Pottstown. I am bummed to be leaving York because I was really close to Ski Roundtop. I have been going there six days a week for a long time. I am pretty excited about Bear Creek, though. I have never been there when snow was on the ground. I was hoping that you guys could tell me what you think of it overall. I would especially like to know how it compares to Roundtop. How is their pipe on an average day? It seems like you guys are pretty happy with the park. Are there any steeps? I have been lurking here for a while because I had a feeling that we were moving to Pottstown since this summer. As I lurked, there seemed to be a vibe between skiers and snowboarders and also between BC riders/skiers and Blue Mt. riders/skiers. Is that how it is on the hill, or just in this forum? Anyway, my plan is to still be at SRT on the weekends, but to hit up BC on the week days. Next year, I will cut the umbilical cord and be at BC six days a week. Lastly, does anyone know anything about the Freestyle Coaching program (besides what is on the website)?

I don't know what the O.P. was meaning when he asked about a team. There are obviously different ways to have "teams". I would not say that people have the wrong idea, they are just different ideas. In reality, when a shop has a team, it is just like you said. This is considered "sponsoring a team". There is a big difference between a shop sponsoring a team and a mountain having a team. You would have to check with the NSAA to find exact statistics, but when most areas have a team, it is a developmental thing. O.K., maybe there are no orange slices, but there are serious practice sessions and coaching. Shops sponsor teams and as long as a team skier/rider is making them look good, all is well. If a skier/rider no longer makes them look good, adios. Most ski area teams require that the skier/rider foots the bills (hopefully at some kind of decent rate). They are investing in their own skiing/riding career by being on the team. Of course, there are exceptions to this, but I believe that this is the norm. Personally, I don't know what BC does or is interested in.

I already acknowledged that in my original post.

SSHHH! Don't tell the U.S. Snowboard Team.

Would there be value in having a coach? When you have a team (with a coach) practices have a point and can help you to excel in areas you otherwise would not. A team can also pick up sponsors more easily and find accomodations more easily. A team is about resources that you would not have by yourself or with a group of friends. Even in individual sports, there are many ways in which there is strength in numbers.