Ride Delaware ?

Winter Storm Q came and dropped the goods last night into today. The mountain is reporting 8 inches so far, and another 2 have fallen since closing. Everything was skiing super nice. The base in the woods is finally getting really good, and only the super steep stuff is scratchy at all. Rode all day. Ankle was sore, but it was too good to pass up. Almost everything is in play. I think we are 95% plus open.

Vinny, looks like you have found another great mountain to go to. Your TR backs my previous ones and shows how great a mountain Platty is despite it's remoteness and dated infrastructure. Thanks for the pics and taking the time to write this up.

I have also been questioning the hotel, but several other people seemed to think it was going to happen, so I was going off third party info. It would be a pretty sweet all inclusive resort area, even if it is just in the Poconos. Doesn't bother me either way, but it would be nice to see the place keep moving forward.

And soon the hotel. Eventually I think the emphasis on skiing will come back when they realize it drives sales of the hotel, but until then, look for them to continue improving the water park and just adding a couple snow guns here and there to the mountain.

Fair enough, but essentially the money got called in and they didn't have it. They haven't been able to find a lender. I'm sure that if they could find a lender, then the FDIC would allow them to keep it instead of sell it. Then again, government agencies don't use logic, so maybe they just want to sell it anyway.

Lets just remember, the reason Greek Peak is in bankruptcy is not because they over extended themselves, which could be the situation, but actually because their loan came to term and they couldn't find anyone to extend them another loan. My understanding is that they were covering their debt costs fine, but they didn't have the $34 or $50 million they needed to pay it off when it came to term. That's being said, I'll have to defer to the others since I've only been to Elk. However, I would love to try Sno sometime, especially with some of those deals they have going on.

They used to be up around 1.2 million in the 80s heyday, but those days are long past...

Last I heard, K-Mart was leading this east with something like 750k (decreasing) visits a year... SR was about 525k (increasing) and Loon was about 500k (increasing)... I think $.50 would cover it...

I work at Sunday River until Tuesday... This is going to be the last week I think I rest my ankle on it's days off, so I'll be hitting some new places afterwards I hope...

Several of the main lifts here at Sunday River lack footrests... I here complaints to that effect quite often...

And getting that thing running was an absolute disaster... Two ish years late and way over budget... You know it's bad when you have to put the lazy river in twice...

Somebody said the debt alone was $27 million, so it depends on whether you regard value as infrastructure, or infrastructure and debt. Like Johnny Law said, any sale will not be infrastructure and debt as is now, the debt will need to be restructured or reduced.

I don't ever feel the need to put the bar down, except one lift at Whistler that goes up a sheer cliff, but as Jeff says, there is no reason not to put it down. I'd feel pretty fucking dumb if I fell off a lift because I didn't put the bar down.

That's going to be the next amendment to the constitution...

This ankle thing and trying to get it healed is really cramping my style... Haven't gotten to try any new mountains...

Well played...

I am assuming that this bill is directly associated with costs that result from rescues leading from inbound terrain? Aren't backcountry rescues outside of ski resort areas rescued from a different organization that is largely composed of volunteers? I am not a tourer, so I am not exactly sure how Northeast touring rescue works. I don't want anyone to perish in an accident doing the sport they love, and because of this, it's a tough situation. That being said, touring is a decision, as is backcountry, and as is inbounds skiing. It is a decision you make. Therefore you should know the risks associated and the potential rescue that occurs. If one person is free climbing a sheer 500' rock wall in the middle of nowhere, I don't think that I should have to pay anything for their rescue. Like you have said, you'll likely have to pay for it in someway, down the road. I don't like the concept of having to pay for someone's rescue because of a decision they made. However, it does need to be paid for somehow, and I think that the only way the actual consumer pays anything is if a dollar is tacked on to each lift ticket. There is no easy solution, and therefore that's why there is a bill for it in the general assembly. Like I said, assuming this is for ski areas only, I think the best solution is a slight increase levied by the ski resort and set aside for rescues. It should have it's own budget line so it can be billed appropriately. It should be a zero sum game for rescues. However, I think that the only easy way to do a backcountry rescue fund is through some type of tax. If someone only tours and doesn't inbound often, then they aren't even paying the $1 for their rescue. It's not going to affect me either way, so I'll continue to ride accordingly. The only thing I'll see out of it is a slightly higher lift ticket price and a bunch of joeys I'll call idiots when they show up in the newspaper. I don't like it, but it is what it is. That's my $.02...

I'd love to see the layout... I wonder how far past Paradise it goes?

This confirms that I at least need to give Whiteface a shot sooner rather than later...

I see what you did there... Nice TR!!!

They either need to cut another trail specifically for it since giving up another trail, say Mahican, wouldn't make sense because it's their longest cruiser, or they need to go with their spring style park on the east/west slope. I can't remember which, but not the one below Susqy... It has it's own dedicated lift and no hi speed trails that dump out into the top of it... They just need a boost into 2013, not 2000...

If it is a legit trail, I wonder if it is something that will eventually be incorporated into a larger east side push. Lots of property to that side for expansion right? Hotel? Indoor water park? The possibilities are endless...

CB buying it seems like an excellent choice. They already have a highly successful mountain and waterpark. Sno has tons of growth potential in both of these markets. A CB/Sno pass would also be a sweet combo, especially if they price them separately and then the other as an add on... I'll be interested to see how this plays out...

Even though I only met him once, he really isn't a bad guy. I call him out more than I should sometimes, but he usually returns the fire. And lately, his rebuttals have been more mature and quippy than personal "ouch that actually hurt" statements... I am sure that Doug will be back... I may bust on him for no pictures in his reports, but I do read them almost every day. I am 100% certain that there are few people who do put more time in on a personal level, especially with the Blue Crüe, than Doug. He'll be back, believe that!!!

Awesome trip report!!! I loved Germany when I was there, but is really like to go back and visit some of the smaller towns...