Ski2Live Live2Ski

And the first PA resort to commit to opening Friday is . . . Seven Springs

Opening Friday: Whiteface Gore Jiminy Greek Peak Belleayre Hunter

None of the ones in the eastern part of the state have announced plans to open before Friday. Didn't check the ones in the western part, but they are all further than Killington, which is open.

Over Xmas, taking the kids beyond the Poconos for the first time, likely doing Jiminy on the 24th (never skied there) and Bromley on the 25th (skied there one day). Looking at BB stats, both trails they are talking about opening are under 200' vertical.

Camelback's latest FB comment is early December. So for Friday we are looking at: Announced openings: Hunter Greek Peak Gore Jiminy (9 trails opening, 18" natural snow) Could still happen: Belleayre Big Boulder And then there is VT and beyond

I have never found anything challenging at BB other than the park stuff, but it would still be fun to get on skis and slide again.

BB confirmed on FB they are working on Tannenbaum and Freedom

I am officially ready to ski. Who's gonna take my money first? It's up to you snow makers, groomers, and ski area marketing teams. I can do some evening turns in PA on Wednesday or some morning ones on Thursday.

If I am doing a day trip I look at RT times 3:20 to Blue or CB 3:50 to Frost 4:30 to Montage 5:10 to Elk 5:30 to Hunter 6 to Belleayre or Windham 6.5 to Plattekill There are enough days a $27 ticket, no lines or crowds and 4.5 hour drive made Montage the sweet spot, especially since the next option with low prices and no crowds would be Plattekill with an extra 2 hours of RT drive, and 6.5 hrs really pushing the limits of a day trip.

Oh, Tannenbaum

Yep, especially as much as they cater to locals in the depressed Scranton area, I expect this will lower their total revenue, with more folks opting to skip it than pay twice as much.

Catskills are at least an extra 30 minutes each way for me compared to Montage, but it is true I have not gotten there that much and location is the biggest reason why. I am most likely to go there days other places will be crowded as even on holiday weekends I have never waited in line for more than a minute for the chair that serves their expert terrain. $10 Tuesdays also history I tend to avoid Blue on weekends due to crowds.

Sad to say they have done away with the very affordable morning tix. I believe last year weekends you could ski for $27 on a weekend from 9am to 1 pm. That will be missed, and will mean fewer trips to Montage for me, particularly as they are further than anything in NEPA except Elk and are not on the Pocono Ski and Ride Card. Best weekend deal they now have is $35 from 3 pm on. Will still make it there at least once this winter as I have a gift card to use up.

Just got an email from Hunter announcing plans to open Friday. Post here as other mountains in Catskill and PA announce their plans. Turkey turns!

Hope to work off the Turkey with some Friday turns

I saw a report 7 Springs is expecting up to 10" this weekend

Top lot always for me. Why drive further? And it was the only choice when I started coming here. Plus I understand some Trump supporters use the lower one.

It is somewhere in the low to mid 60s. Plus 30 or so for the ski club. Best deal if you get more than one. Go to Shawnee when there is good snow cover and there are a lot of fairly easy spots to ski through trees which is fun, and they are permissive about that.

So when is NEPA skiing gonna start this year. A couple years ago I was at Blue the weekend before I ate turkey.

Blue Cbk Shawnee JFBB Big Bear. Good any day after Jan 4.

Yep. Went there once because it was free on my card. Would not go again even for that price unless it was to teach a novice. But still a little sad for PA to lose another ski area.

While the story above indicated they hoped to still open this year, I see they are no longer on the Pocono Ski and Ride Card (still a good deal with tix to 5 resorts for a total of $65 or so) and their Web site is now unused. Not that it was worth driving that far for that level of skiing anyway.

After a season like last year, folks would be scrambling to ski as much as possible in December with funds being use it or lose it.

Legislation currently pending in both houses of Congress Http://Www.firsttracksonline.com/2016/11/02/proposed-law-could-let-you-pay-for-lift-tickets-with-pre-tax-dolLars I approve.

Big Bear is definitely a cut below Blue, Camelback, Frost, Montage or Elk. And is further than any but Elk. Pretty empty though. I skied it last year as it was free on PS&R card, and would do it again perhaps if it was for free on a card I got for other reasons, but it would not be a reason for me to get a card.