Ski2Live Live2Ski

What, no Pocono runs?

Kids had lesson #3 at Spring Mt. yesterday and rode the chair for the first time. While they don't have a detatchable lift there, they actually brought the lift to a stop for the kids to board the first time. The girls and I couldn't be happier with their instructor Carrie who is really going the extra mile for them in every conceivable way, including taking such joy in what she is doing, sharing the joy with them, and bringing them little gifts like stickers. Throw in the proximity and the "family night" deals they have on Sunday and I have to say there is no better place for kids from the Philadelohia area to learn to ski.

I was visiting someone that lived in Boulder before spending a few days at Vail, and we spend one day skiing Eldora together. Also took my only powder skiing lesson there - a skill I don't get to practice as often as I would like.

I've skied out west many times, but the altitudes are lower at Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, Steamboat, Vail, Eldora, and Heavenly. Expect to make it out to Mt. Hood this season.

Maybe. All I know is I never felt anything like it any other time, and I've never skied at that altitude any other time. Wasn't really doing anything different in any other way.

For me I had just gotten off a plane from New York the day before skiing and had stayed in Albequerque that night so I had no acclimation. About the only thing I was doing right seems to have been smoking (which I long ago quit). I skied fine for about 5 hours, but then was persuaded to do "one last run" I wasn't feeling, and got knocked out so bad I had to be brought down on a ski patrol sled and spent about the next 18 hours recovering. Learned my lesson. Would have been one of the best ski experiences I've ever had were it not for that one last run.

Skies Taos once in 89. Beautiful place but the altitude there was even more breathtaking than the view - nearly knocked me out coming from sea level without much time to acclimate.

I always put the bar down. It's more comfortable if there is a foot rest, it feels more secure, and it annoys snowboarder punks. That's Win Win Win, whether it enhances safety or not. Definitely agree that driving to and from the mountain is the riskiest part of skiing, particularly as it makes one more likely to drive on roads that are in unsafe conditions.

Yeah it is wonderful. I wish I had been given the opportunity at their age, and I am doing my best to see that they become better skiers than I could ever be having started at 15. Can't wait til we are able to get out and do some real trails together.

More props for Spring Mountain, particularly their instructor Carrie who gave the girls their second lesson yesterday, this time on their gentle Mole Hill area where they rode a Magic Carpet (first lesson they were just walking up and skiing down the school area slope). I also practiced with the girls a good bit yesterday so they were on the snow at least 3 hours. Sore legs this morning (for all of us - teaching a pair of 6 year olds to ski is more exertion than skiing - probably hoisted them back upright a good 50 times). They are making great progress and will be trying the chairlift and skiing down a real incline next time they go out with her.

I was up at Montage Sat and conditions were fine, but their coverage was thin enough in places that I can't imagine them having the North Face open tomorrow

Hoping to ski tomorrow. Wondering if any mountains will have enough snow to make it worth doing without going further north.

Great conditions on Boomer (big soft moguls) Smoke (littls soft moguls) and White Lightning (just starting to bump) today, but whoever measured 50" base must have been doing it from the top of the biggest mogul on Boomer. Starting to get thin cover at the very top of these trails, which could make them inaccessable after the expected thaw/rain the next 2 days.

Thanks for the tip. Grabbed the last 2 weekend ones available.

What are the prospects of opeing the black/double black terrain on the valley side by Friday?

THinking of heading up Friday. Any of the glades open yet?

Kids had a great experience getting their start at spring mountain today. $50 each for a package that included rentals and a "group" lesson that consisted of just the two of them with a patient and warm instructor. Both asked to do it again tomorrow which is all I could ask for (though tomorrow won't work). They are excited to wear their lift tix into school tomorrow and tell all their friends about it.

Was a fine morning out there. They opened Burma Rd mid day though it was not on the open trails list in the AM.

Cool - I'll look for you. Short guy in black jacket and grey pants. Either a tan helmet or a Taos hat (if it's really cold).

anyone gonna be out tomorrow morning and care to meet up? I'll be skiing solo

So Blue (person answering the phone) says tomorrow they open Tut's Lane, Skytop, Paradise, Homestretch, Falls, Shuttles and the Valley School hill, and then Burma Rd. on Saurday. In terms of real terrain that basically means they are adding Paradise and the ability to ski off the highspeed chairs with a little more vertical. Not sure how Fall will be accessable based on this - I guess it implies one can take Crossover from Lazy Mile to Falls even though they are not listing Crossover - would folks agree?

A phonecall to Blue revealed they will have the Valley and 19 trails open by Friday. Who's in?

Same $25 deal available through Dec 15 on MMR's Big Friggin Deal site WMMR also offers $9.33 lift tickets for Friday January 3

Found another nice deal. This weekend Plattekill is offering free lessons, and lift tickets are always free for 7 and under. Anyone have any experience with their school?

Thanks all for the tips. Found a Shawnee coupon for families of 2 or more that is good for 50% off a beginner package with group lesson Sundays starting at 3. Might be a reasonable way to try it out a first time. Makes it $90 for two kids, which is the same price as Spring's Sunday package that starts at 4 - and it seems Shawnee is one that comes well recommended. Think the crowds will be too bad there on a Sunday late afternoon?