Ride Delaware ?

I don't see a forecast out there right now that has anyone opening in New England for the next 3 weeks. I bet Killington will be puckering their buttle for this years WC...

Do we know where her home mountain is yet? Probably CB? I've heard it's the best mountain in PA...

I figured. I think I read that it actually goes to the right of that lift and they are also building a ski tunnel under the road so that the mountain isn't as disjointed and allows you to get to the base from the other side...

Looks like long range temps are starting to trend back to seasonal averages. I'm doubtful Killington lands an October opening this year, but a first week of November opening could be feasible...

Root would have more info on the early season opening strategy for Bell, but considering the trouble they have opening a single upper mountain trail, I can't imagine this will change their strategy...

Isn't that basically the same as the upper lot concept? I guess I didn't realize you could ski down to the quad from a lot. Thought most of the lots were at the bottom regardless...

I've been to both WF and Stowe within the past 3 years. Distance notwithstanding, I prefer Stowe over WF. Better snow means more access to better woods. WF does have the vertical edge, but I found the terrain to be underwhelming and often funnels you to the same trails. I also prefer the town of Stowe. Lake Placid is nice, but it is aging and isn't nearly as vibrant now as Stowe.

Killington has released the 2 for 1 vouchers. http://buy.killington.com/2for1ski/default.aspx?sourceid=skimag

Saddleback bought by Australian real estate company. Replacing the double with a quad. Trying to at least get lower mountain and T-Bar open this year with a potential winter lift install.

Simply put, when everything is open and there is snow, Plattekill beats everything else in the Skillz. Hunter is baller early season because of their dialed in snowmaking system, but once the crowds set in, avoid it at all costs. Belleayre is Belleayre. Enjoy it for what it is. It has its moments. Windham I could take it or leave it. Does nothing for me.

As long as I can ride somewhere in late October, I don't care what it's like in late September...

Each to their own. I enjoy working. It would be something I love, and an awesome experience...

If my options were owning a PA ski area the size of Elk, or no ski area, then I would definitely take Elk...

Ive really lost touch with the Leaf Peepers Association of America over the past few years, but due to my extensive field research early in my career, they offered me a lifetime membership and I still get insider info from my friends at the regional office.

I think it is an awesome opportunity for the East Coast, but from a pure skiing perspective, the Killington consumer is hurt, not helped by the World Cup. Although Solimano stated that the WC wouldn't alter their early season plans, and they brought up extra air compressors, they didn't have the water capacity. They opened a 1,500' vertical super wide trail with 5' of snow depth, but they only had 6 trails in the North Ridge area open to consumers by that same weekend. In a typical year without the WC, they would have had the whole 13 trail pod open and likely been back to the K-1 base. The real downside was that Killington stated that they were lucky to break even on the event. Without alcohol, food, and increased lodging capacity, they would have lost significant funds. The largest benefactor was the other businesses on the access road, most of which like Killington for being there, but wish to limit is corporate success for their own benefit. Fortunately, Killington has been able to get some grant money from Vermont Ski Association and a few others this year to offset the cost and hopefully make some real $$$. Regardless, I'll still be there shortly after they open. They currently offer the best early season offering in NE, even with the Stairway to Heaven. However, Bretton Woods and Wildcat are often able to offer a t2b run a day or two later due to a better climate. I'll just be glad to be back on the snow.

They do provide a real nice wind break. I'm just going to try to grow my business as much as possible so I can buy the place when it goes up for sale in 10 years and make it what it should be...

Hard to believe that Killington could be open a month from now. Temperatures aren't trending that way as quickly as they should, but that can change week to week. I heard that the leaves are really popping. Peak leaf season will come early this year with all the rain and relatively chilly summer weather.

Just saw that JetBlu is offering $99 flights out of Florida... Also just in... Winter is Coming

Just got back from my annual two week backpacking trek on the AT. Camped a little in Stowe after that and did some day hikes. Yes, the leaves are starting to change. I'll be doing refresher for patrol before I know it. 6 weddings down this year and 3 to go. I'll have had 21 in 3 years after this season is over. Building a new shopping center in DE this year, so snowboarding trips could be limited. I would definitely like to make it back to Quebec and hit some areas in Maine as well.

You know as much, if not more northeast ski trivia than me, how could you not know that?

Why were you under the impression that PA didn't own any?

They already own one? Laurel Mountain...

Did he actually say "per year"? Your initial post about it said "additional revenue". I could see $1 million being easily raised based on increased assessment taxes and transfer taxes. I don't see $1 million per year in additional revenue.

As an avid backpacker and hiker, I have no problems with the hotel being placed near the trail. The trail goes through many towns much more developed than this. It's just a fancy way to justify them simply not wanting a hotel. It's not moving the trail, so I don't see the issue.

Saturday was much busier than Friday. We arrived around noon to sunny skies and a full parking lot. My girlfriend had a free ticket, so I purchased mine at a discounted rate, and we hit the slopes. The salesman today said that 500 people had been scanned. The snow surface was much better. The sun and extra traffic had really allowed the snow to corn up, and the soft bumps were a ton of fun. The edges were getting a little thinner, but there was no appreciable loss in snow. There was a good crowd at the top of the mountain, a packed umbrella bar, and plenty of tailgating. There was also a pretty decent lift line. The lift line was a nice break, because the larger bumps were more of a workout. I would say that the max lift line was 8-10 minutes, a large part of which was due to the policy of only 2 people per chair. We ended up getting in 6 runs in about 3 hours and decided to call it quits. Smiles were had all around on a perfect spring skiing day.