bigdaddyk

I don't see any improvements here. They upped the season by by around $50 and took away benefits (10% off ski shop items and the 20% off of food, along with having to get a stupid ticket every time you go). The preferred parking isn't even available anymore. The 50% off tickets at other peak resorts doesn't matter, because the other resorts they run aren't in our area. The VIP pass should include the food discount and/ or parking. Paying $100 more, just so you don't have to wait for a ticket, with no other benefits, is a rip-off. Last year, I saved $40 on food. They give you $20 credit to use toward tickets or food, but in the long run I would still lose out by $70 ($20 for food + increase of pass price by $50). . I hope they really re-consider this. Money is already going to be tight, with gas prices. They need to re-instate the morning and afternoon tickets and get rid of the lift tickets for passholders. I plan on doing this, but it won't make a difference, because somebody in an office far away is probably making these dumb decisions.

The whole setup is BAD. There are no more half day passes. You eihter buy a full day pass, or a night pass for Boulder. I think the improvements are going to be for nothing, because people aren't going to pay for a full day pass, only for a few hours in the morning or afternoon. . Unless if it changes, I'm going elsewhere for a pass, because I don't want to pay for a season pass, then wait in line to get a ticket or pay $100 more. I think they are going to put themselves in the hole. Blue mountain might be my new mountain.

JFBB's website is updated for 06-07. They renamed the parks at both JF and BB. They have a section where there is going to be a forum. Check it out www.jfbb.com . I just read the details and they changed their season passes. Now you get a credit card, and have to take it to a window, each time, for a lift ticket, which kind of puts a kink in the reason for having a pass. They have a "direct slope" pass, which I assume is one that you can bypass getting a ticket each time, but it is $100 more. Their prices are also higher, which I figured would happen, with the upgrades . I do like the fact that they are offering a credit/ refund for a future season, if you get hurt or transfer for work, after opening day. I also noticed that there is no preferred parking listed and no food discount for pass holders. I hope this is something that is not being dropped. I don't like the way it looks ...I might be looking for a new home .

That's pretty much what Boulder is doing....putting the smaller park to the far side.

It rained at Shawnee that day? Frost had about an inch of snow that day...kinda weird how a little difference in elevation is all it takes. Not too bad of a video.

Correct

Anybody have any input / opinions on the differences between "full" and "short" helmets? The full come down over your ears and the short only have flaps, from what I've read. Also, I like to where face masks when it gets cold, so would either style make that a problem?

Maybe the pass is only required for the more advanced park?

As I've said before, I'm going to start looking for a helmet. Another question I came across is, which is better, a full shell or short shell helmet? I sweet easily, so I don't think warmth is a real problem...as a matter of fact I only use my jacket hood and don't wear knit hats. Anybody see any pros / cons for either style of helmet. The latest Consumer Reports article is from 2003 and liste Giro 9 as the best short shell and Leedom Scream high performance as the best full shell.

Is it possible for them to get a new lift in and trails for this year? Time is running short. If I'm not mistaken, don't they have to get permission from dept. of forestry ( or something like that) before they cut down trees and add trails?

It was probably mentioned before, but do they intend on changing the name for the summer? Sno mountain would sound kind of dumb for a water park....maybe change it to Melted Sno Mountain.

I take it that it's mostly camps now and not many people from the general public?

Hey Dharrisburg, how are the conditions this late, where you are? Are the trails groomed and how is the snow holding up ( really soft, etc) ? I can't imagine skiing / riding at this time of the year.

I would think that this year won't see a "huge" increase in crowds, because a lot of people don't follow message boards or the news. Next season would probably be the year for an increase, after news gets out by word of mouth. Hopefully they do a lot of promoting. Hopefully it won't overcrowd the place...I know I like having my will on the slopes. Either way, I plan on going, if they hold up to the hype. Montage probably could have done better at snowmaking, because Elk relies on mostly portable guns, and they always have good conditions. Its kind of weird how a lot of the local resorts are making upgrades, all of a sudden. Camelback added grooming equipment, JF/BB is putting $5 million into snowmaking, Blue is adding a six pack and new trail, along with the upcoming changes at Montage. It makes me wonder if all these places will end up in a stale-mate as far as attracting new people and just retain who they now have. Since a lot of the resorts are upgrading, people might just stay at their "home" mountains. Either way, the changes are good.

The fans that are permanantley on poles are about the same height and put out an enormous amount of snow. They are a little more efficiet, because you don't have to pump air into them, but I think you need colder temps for them. I guess it would make more sense to go with the tower guns, for Montage, since their temps aren't as cold as the eastern Poconos.

I didn't realize that Montage doesn't have any of these...I've only been there once. I've noticed that most of the area resorts that I've been to, except for maybe Elk, have these on the harder trails. I wonder if they might consider putting in pole fans on Boomer and Lightning....

Are they the tower fans like JFBB or are they like snow guns mounted higher? Or if its as bad as last year, until it melts .

I just hope it doesn't turn into another CB where they close early to get the water park ready.

That probably should have been a PM....the cat could be out of the bag now. ( No pun intended ).

Exactly. Anybody can brag that they will be open by Thanksgiving, but they need the cold, in order to do it.

I would expect that from JF/BB this year, with the improvements they are doing and their elevation.

Since the county has authorized them to use the land and oversee it, they can prohibit you from being on the land. Just like saying the state capital is ran by public tax payer money...you still can't just go into the buildings at will.

Might look for a helmet.

It doesn't look too comfy. I look forward to sitting down and not standing in ski boots. A six pack might have been just as good. I plan on going to MC this season, so I will have to experience it for myself.