Ski2Live Live2Ski

Could be fun to do a western trip with you guys some time definitely

Peak released its pass info today and I am leaning towards that. It would cost $1427 for 3 unlimited passes, but we probably would not make a full family Western trip - which would save a major chunk of that (I might still make a trip with a buddy). Most likely the plan would be Winter and/or Spring break trip to Attitash/Wildcat, Mt. Snow on MLK and Presidents weekends (and any longer breaks we did not go to NH), and otherwise ski either Frost or Hunter, maybe checking out White Tail once. At only $70 more than ORDA for the 3 of us, it is a better deal than that because the Jack Frost option is attractive for when we want to drive less. Similarly the NY, VT, NH options make it worth paying $140 more than for Blue. Kids are not real into CB option so that is out. With Montage we would probably spend more in the end by taking some other trips to further destinations like NY, VT, CO. Still considering Ikon (and waiting to hear word re Epic), but I consider Peak the front runner at the moment.

Looks very cool thanks

At least I made a dedicated thread for it now so it wont bother those who dont care to read it

Best hotel options in Catskills are the chain hotels by the Thruway exits. The local hotels have seen better centuries.

The main differences with Ikon base - a lot of Mts you only get 5 days at - including all the VT options. So we would basically get 5 days each at Killington, Sugarbush and Stratton and also ski out West on the pass. - a lot of Mts have holiday black outs - including all the VT options. So it would force us to go to Rockies over winter break, and force us to pay for other lift tix MLK and Presidents weekends.

Yep Catskills sucks for hotels, as does Elk.

Catskills I may or may not use a hotel but it is a long day without one. Anywhere further requires hotel.

I don't see Montage as far enough that a hotel required, we would just use Hampton Inn there if we wanted to ski both days on a weekend, in which case my analysis would be the cost of the hotel was worth saving a RT drive

Peak is likely to be significantly more expensive than Blue. But the fact that it works for more challenging places that we would want to take weekend trips could make up for it. If we sprang for that, the trade off would likely be no Rockies trip for girls, just trips to VT and NH. Same would be true for ORDA pass. If they want a Rockies trip they should opt for Ikon, Montage, CB or #7

I really dont like Mtn Creek, while Inlike Montage a lot. So at $50 extra per person for M and ntage, that wins even with the extra drive.

About 50/50. At present one is leaning more towards the Ikon route and lots of weekend and longer trips to VT and CO, and the other is concerned that this means less grandparent time. Wont go that route unless they are both fully up for it. A compromise could be doing Ikon base pass for a smaller number of weekend trips and then also do some local skiing. But again only if both are fully up for it. I dont need to be springing for gas/planes/lodging for big ski trips and reducing grandparent time if both are not fully on board with it. They are both very pleased they are being consulted and helping to make the decision.

Options currently under consideration 1. Montage 2. Camelback Value 3. ORDA (pass for kids, I get Ski3 card) 4. Ikon Base and some PA skiing 5. Ikon Standard 6. Peak 7. PS&R cards/BOGOs/Liftopia, etc Blue having more than doubled their price for us from $597 to $1287 priced themselves out of consideration

Newburgh Rd just west of 191. Asked the kids if they wanted the Blue Mt Pizza or the Newburgh Deli Cheese Steak and they opted for the latter - our third time stopping there on our way home (only Sat, they are closed Sun). Kids are currently weighing our 7 ski pass options for next year as well, though no final decision will be made til Peak Pass pricing comes out on Wed. They may put some largely symbolic skin in game if they want one of the priciest options.

Hit Newburgh Deli & Catering for their yummy cheesesteak on way home

Also hit snowtubing today. The family tube was painfully slow. The single was better, but after one run in each the girls were done and pretty much over tubing now, realizing how much more fun skiing is.

Best day of PA skiing I have had this skison. 13 runs with the girls (their most yet at Blue) including every trail and glade. Switchback was my fav, especially early.

If nothing else it should make for short afternoon VIP lines (not that lines should be a real issue by March 23)

Have folks noticed that this is now up on Blue's site? You need to pre-register online, which required me to create a new log in as I guess they revamped their system since I bought our passes last year. Who's going to hang out late enough to hit this on the 23rd?

Blue failing to offer a kids deal is the real issue. Not saying that kids necessarily deserve a better deal, but in my case with the kids only being able to ski half the weekends, a season pass needs to be a real good deal to make sense for them.

I know it's not as exciting as reading that a bunch of folks are skiing Blue tomorrow, but some are not

For those tracking pass options, Belleayre is 629 (199 kids), or full ORDA pass 759 (299 kids). Adult pass too expensive to be worth it, but might consider getting kids passes (likely the full ORDA one and plan our longer getaways for Gore/Whiteface and then a frequent skier card or a couple 4 packs for me). Let's see what Peak offers next week and weigh the options with the kids.

Nice to see Blue in the zone for 2-5" all snow tonight!

A few is 3+, a couple is 2, and I got a call from someone who used to work there saying 22", urging me to come up tomorrow. That rounds to 2 feet to me.