ski911

Well, here I go, It doesn't matter if your on a race board, race skis or jet-powered snowblades. If you are on a trail that has a crowd, and your zipping by everyone and getting close or causeing the other people to be overly alarmed, we will speak with you and ask you to turn it down a notch or two. If you look "out of control" you will be warned and in some cases voided depending on severity. Believe me, the Ski Patrol does not want to have to talk with anyone about skiing to fast, but, we really do not want to haul anyone off of the hill because they got hurt. We are the one department that management does not want to be busy.

Yes, we talk to anyone who is above their ability on a trail, yes there is still a video for violators of the responsibility code, and yes, sometimes doing the slow meticulous thing gets boring, but, it will improve your skiing. It's like a car without power steering. The slower you go, the more work involved in changeing direction. Faster = easier ( basically the physics of how a ski and lean angle and what not). Don't get me wrong, me likey going mach chicken, but, there is a time and place. Crowds = not time and place.

Common sense, which seems to be lacking here, should prevail. If it is crowded, like most weekends and holidays, the general rule followed by most patrollers and rangers is; nobody should be skiing dramatically faster than the average flow of a trail. If it is a easier trail with alot of "newbies" obviously the pace should be slower. If it is an uncrowded expert, than there is usually more leniancy. Alot of the determination is also based on percieved amount of "control" a skier and rider exhibit. We are trying to protect you from season ending mishaps caused by out of control skiers and riders (including yourself). Speed is easy, carving slow, meticulous, even-sided turns is way more difficult and will make you a much better skier or rider.

Craig, If you let them push you out of the chair they would just whine about how CB didn't provide a hard enough landing, or the lift was too low, or something like that. Count me in on a ski day with the boys, I'd like to see if they could keep up.

I'm curious why you think it matters where he is? Also, why is what I said being touchy? I answered the question to the best of my knowledge.

I am not sure, but, I think he is at some kind of insurance convention (or something along those lines). I am not 100% sure, nor is it any of our business.

He is in Canada, forceing the cold air down to CB. He is very persuasive!

They are making snow again. Hopefully the temps will hang on for the next few nights.

If you really feel the need to blow a whistle...go ahead. I'm all for everyone promoting smartstyle and the responsibility code. Obviously, you need to be respectful in doing so, but, have at it. As for the hazing....lets just say.....I get a little crazy when I hear whistles blow.

Papa, I don't understand where you get this stuff. The "misleading" information may be subject to interpretation. You have to realize that if CB "advertises" something, they have full intention on implementing it. Obviously, this will have some flexibility due to unforceable circumstances such as; weather, interest, permits, land rights, tree huggers, and etc. You probably have some specific examples, but, you get my point. Every business "exagerates" some to generate interest. Nothing is set in stone, and it is always "adjustable." CB did not produce the Park pass video. It was purchased and is pretty standardized. My feeling is, inverted maneuvers will come eventually, it just might take a few years. Alot of places are still against them. Staying open is a catch 22. Yes, the pass holders are happy, but, from a "business" and "profit" point of view, it is not fiscally sound. I do get the impression that this will change a bit once the hotel is a factor. Fact: cant make if it is not cold. They really want to, but, temps have been very marginal. Admittedly, the system could use some attention, but, they have been adding quite a bit of new guns, hose, and various other things that really add up $! April has been talked about. The waterpark is not as much of a factor as you think (believe me, I know!)

no, I don't know , and no.

Again, if you know Cb closes "when it rains" and by March 20th every year, why do you buy season passes for there? It seems kinda idiotic to constantly bad mouth the place that you are supporting. If you are trying to be "constructive" in your critisism, then you really ought to examine your technique. To get CB to "grow" into the area you want it to be, do you think it would be more beneficial tp promote it possitively to encourage more visitors? This would increase profits and cause them to have to expand and improve. Of course some of the expansion will be for the other less profitable seasons (until they catch up) but, some will be re-invested into the ski area. I understand your frustrations and sometimes even agree with them. I also realize that your main role is to single handedly try to destroy the place you have sent a large chunk of your money to (not very smart), but, try to remember...the better CB does, the better our experiences there will be....eventually.

Papa, I as the one who stated to leave if you dont like it and I was being somewhat sarcastic. Being closed probably will allow us to stay open longer than some of the areas if the forecasted weather holds true. Since there was no skier traffic the rain was able to run off of the groomed surface and not do as much damage. Also, since we didn't have to re-groom last night (after the rain) the snow was able to "set up" pretty hard for today. It is staying pretty hard and not melting much today and will make for a better base when they start making tonight (if they get temps). Believe me, as employees, it really sucks when we close, 1. we don't get paid and 2. we can't ski either. If you do not want me to try and make "positive" comments about CB just say so and I will stop posting.

It is very easy for you all to change all of your problems with CB.......LEAVE! You have the option and ability to make CB change how they operate by hitting them were it hurts. Stop spending money there and they will be forced to change how they run the business. As an employee, I can tell you that they very rarely close because of just rain. If it is forcasted for substantial rain and the base is not what it should be, and crowds are expected to be light, then they may close. It is way too expensive to operate just for a few "diehards" that are doing more harm than good. Unpopular...yes of course. Smart? Yes of course. Season pass sales are pretty consistent year after year, so something is being done right. Season pass holders are a valuable part of the business, but, no more so than any other ticket buyer. Get over yourselves and pray for snow.

It's all true, just waiting on mother nature.

Here is the list I got from one of the "SlideInk" guys. Laurel Glade Park 12' rainbow box (new) 12' flat box on up slope (new) 16' flat box (new) 3 picnic tables 20' flat-down box (new) Table-top jump, 8' gap (landings on all sides) To be added soon 8' flat box (new) roller jumps table top jump "bonk" barrel (new) Rhodo Park 30' flat-down-flat rail (new) 32' flat-down (new) "Jibzilla" box(multi-sided box) (new) 40' flat rail (new) 20' wall ride C-bow box hippo rail flat box 2-3 big table top jumps step down jump hip jump Lower Moores Park snail box (rainbow to kicker) battle ship rail flat-down box rainbow rail Oak Grove Pipe 13' walls 1/4 pipe at bottom of main pipe (13' ) Obviously this is subject to change and contingent on snow and space. Hope this helps those that have been waiting for this info.

1. I was told that the plan was to put a quarter pipe at the end of the pipe (facing uphill). The pipe is wider and the walls will be higher. I think the length was 400' (not 100% sure). 2.The shack is in place and ready to go. 3.I do not know all the "lingo" but, I watched them build several new ones and fix the old ones. The wall was fixed and tilted back a few degrees, the funbox-jibasaurus thing, two large rails (down-flat down? and a long flat...I think), a couple new boxes (not sure which park), and plans for some bigger jumps in the rhodo. I probably missed a few. 4.The winch groomer is used every night. It is used to groom up the experts and some intermediates and to push the piles in the pipes before the Zaugg shapes it. 5.The park groomer runs the Zaugg and he was brought here from another area last season. Experienced 6. The rhodo will be mostly jump-on features, the glade will be for learning 7. They are learning how to build better landings, you will see a difference this year 8. The race team gets to work first thing on weekends on a trail (sometimes Rocket, Dromedary, or others) I am not sure how long or what the reasons are. 9.Freestyle team is new, thus the marketing. 10.The beginner park will be open nights. 11.Not sure about the parking situation 12.Rangers need to be eduacated also. The off axis maneuvers are new to Cb and it will take a while for the definitions of what is allowed need to be worked out. It is being discussed.

I know for a fact about the poacher issue (inside info). Western areas (most) dont have the lights to turn on. It is way easier to make snow when there is light. It allows you to better determine the "quality" of what you are producing (ask a snowmaker, see what he says). As far as the rails go, I do not have pics but, I have seen them. No, it is not as many as some places, but, it's a start. Of course being more cautious is good for the customer, and what the hell are bungee stakes? The numbers between summer and winter are pretty close (inside info). CB is a two season business with the future heading towards a 4 season deal. All the others are forced to make the most out of the winter just to get by. Again, this is never going to be the most popular decision with the "diehard" skier, but, get used to it or go away. As I have said before, your whining is not going to have a positive affect on anything you want to see happen here. You seem to be a very creative guy, use some of your negative energy and come up with positive suggestions and you will get better results. They may not be instantaneous, but, all good things take time.

CB is more "cautious" then most when it comes to operations on "open" trails. The hazards involved make the risk not worth it. The lights being on has two reasons. 1, it helps the snowmakers and groomers operate more efficiently and 2, it allows the night security guards to be able to watch for "poachers." The "substantial" improvements are happening every year. This season alone they have at least doubled the size of the Rhodo park, and increased the number of rails. Added a bigger pipe, and started a "freestyle" team. Those are just the things that are obvious. They also added many new snow guns, new hoses, pipe groomer, constructed new legend boards, learn to ride program, park pass, widened top of Upper honeymoon, widened bottom of Little Caesar, added a ski valet service, upgraded the electronics on the Sullivan lift and I can go on. Sorry if not everything makes it better for your needs, but, like Spock said " the needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few." And besides all that, the extra business that the other areas gets during our down times is good for the industry. It causes growth and gives people the opportunity to sample the beauty of the Poconos. If CB is run so poorly, why is it the most successful area in the Pocono's?

Actually, I think if Cb was open for night skiing they would make more money. They wouldn't be able to run as many guns, more people would come after work and school then during the day, more sales in the store and cafeteria. Gee, maybe they are just trying to piss everyone off.

Your wrong, but, I can live with that.

I'm not sure a "loyal" customer would speak so poorly about their purchase.

Papa, your wrong. The reason they choose to not open for nights is to take advantage of the best snowmaking temps and to avoid the potential for accidents due to the guns, hoses, snowmobiles, and snowmakers required to be on the trails that need snow made on them to stay open. I'd be pissed too if I bought season passes to the place I liked to whine about. Take out a loan, buy the area, and please make it better. Until then....get a clue.

If you think they close the lifts on windy and icy days because they want to save money, your insane. Fact is, every ski area (with a brain) will close once those conditions jeopardize the safe operation of the lifts. I don't mind some of the "bashing" ( when it is deserved) but, get at least some of your facts strat before you make your statements. It just makes you sound idiotic to those who know the industry. As far as the trail choice, CB has a large volume of "beginner" skiers that show up this time of year (not sure why). They wanted to have Margies in, but, it didn't happen. Experts can ski beginner trails, beginners cannot ski experts. As a business, you have to cater to your main clientel. As far as the amount of snow needed, next time your standing below the Meadows triple loading area, take a look around. There is probably more snow in our base area than all of Big Boulder.

Believe me, no one wants CB to be open all the time more than me. I'd explain my reasons but, why waste my time? If CB's intentions where to piss everyone off, you guys would probably think they did that wrong too. CB's layout requires 10 times the amount of snow than any other pocono resort just to open the base area and across the top of the mountain. Coupled with the warm temps (in some cases warmer than Blue, due to temperature inversions), rain and fog, it has been extremely difficult to keep any snow. My question is, why do you waste your time whining about how terrible CB is and how great everyone else is? Go somewhere else and be positive for a change. The stress alone must be killing you all! I am sure that if you compared statistics, skier visits, accident rate, profits, loses, and so on, you will find that CB might actually have a clue as to what they are doing. No, it does not always please everyone, nor will it ever. I have been ther for 20 years and it gets a little better every year (depending on your point of view). Don't get me wrong, I get frustrated too. However, your verbal (written) attacks are difficult to take seriously when they come off sounding like immature, bratty rants!