GolfingOwl

Looks like we will be up there either Sunday or Monday, glades or no glades. Thanks for the all the responses. I'll report back with a TR.

Thanks. He's into the parks too. Usually goes off the jumps on the side of the rails. He is comfortable going 50/50 on wide boxes so long as they are low. Are there beginner features in the parks? He's been in the beginner parks at Boulder and was playing in the parks at Bear Creek last weekend (actually took a freestyle lesson to learn how to ride on the boxes).

I've heard that about Elk (sounds like Blue or CB in that regard). JF is very liberal when it comes to skiing off trail. I meant to say the glades thing won't make or break my decision. Thanks for all the replies.

I posted a similar inquiry on the Sno board because we are likely heading up to Elk or Sno on Sunday and possibly Monday (MLK Day). What are the crowds usually like at Elk on MLK day and the prior Sundays? I've skied the past two years on MLK day and Camelback and JF and the crowds haven't been any worse than a normal weekend. Maybe cold will keep people away.

I understand the difference between real glades and Poconos glades. My 7-year old likes to ski in trees (and he's done both VT glades and JF) so I was just wondering what Sno had having never been there and the fact that they list "Glades" on their trail map. JF has enough trees to entertain my 7-year old (doesn't take a lot, a few trees and jumps can entertain most skiers his age). And, quite frankly, makes things a little more interesting than blasting 2 minute runs down 700 ft of vert. It's going to make or break my decision of whether to go to Sno, just an inquiry. Elk is the other place we are considering because some friends are going up there. I've been to Elk, assume the crowds would be bigger there than at Sno.

Thinking of going to Sno for the first time with the family on Sunday or Monday (MLK Day). What are the crowds usually like. I know Sno is generally less crowded than the other resorts. I've skied Camelback and Jack Frost the last two MLK days and they haven't been too bad (like a normal Sunday, maybe even a little less crowded). Also, the trail map lists Glades. Are they open, skiable? My 7-year old loves skiing in trees (which is why he loves going to Jack Frost).

Not sure if you will find lodging with discounted tickets to all three mountains. Some ski shops, like Buckmans, sell discounted vouchers that can save you a few bucks per ticket. Not sure how you are coming or your timing but there is a Buckmans store right off the King of Prussia exit to the Turnpike.

JF is about a five minute drive from the Turnpike exit. They generally have good snow and is almost always less crowded than say Blue or Camelback. I skied there on Jan 2 with my 7 year old and we had a great time. He is a parallel skier so we skied mostly the blacks and tress (they have some nice tree areas at JF). But the mountain has easier stuff to the skiers' left (looking down the mountain). Their blues are not too difficult and basically trails get more difficult as you move to the east side of the mountain (skier's right looking down the mountain). Your ticket is also good for Big Boulder which is an easier mountain full of terrain parks but usually more crowded. You can ski at night at BB so if the kids are up to it you hit both. I haven't taken my son to Elk yet (I have been myself) but plan to take the family up there this year. One thing I will say about JF/BB (and this applies to Elk too) is that they have old slow lifts. This is not necessarily a bad thing generally as it keeps the number of people on the slopes at any one time down which is critical on a small mountain (and even more critical when you have little kids on the hill). But it also means more difficult loading for the little ones. Best thing about detached lifts is its so much easier for the little ones to get on and off. Not sure what the kids (or you) are used to but wanted to pass this along as I know what a pain it is to get a little one onto a lift.

JF was not crowded early. Crowds didn't come until around lunchtime. I never thought they were unmanagable. Condiitons at JF were outstanding early in the day. First runs were on nice crunchy packed powder and even some nice ungroomed on the sides of the trails. My 7-year old and I had an especially fun time on the ungroomed Exhibition and the trees off of Challenger. JF is the best when it comes to tree skiing in the Poconos. When we left JF at around 2:30 PM, I thought the conditions were still pretty decent and the crowds not that terrible (I've certainly experienced worse at JF). We then headed over to BB as I haven't been there in years and my son wanted to play in the terrain parks. We got on the slopes around 3:30 PM and it was much more crowded and the conditions much icier (granted it was late in the day). We hit most of the mountain and finished skiing in the Tannanbaum Park under the lights until about 6:30 PM.

Is Monday, MLK day itself typically crowded? I have been to Blue on MLK day and it wasn't that bad (less crowded than a typical Sunday). Not everyone has off so I was wondering how Monday would be at Elk as we are thinking of heading up for the day.

Yesterday was great at JF. Drive up from Philly was pouring rain until I got about 15 miles from Exit 95 on the NE Ext and then it was snowing HARD. Hardly anyone in the parking lot when we pulled up at 8. Snow was wet but the slopes were covered with a few inches of fresh snow. Wet snow made it a little slow going but nothing a little rub-on wax couldn't fix. By mid-day, the fresh snow was packed down and most of the mountain was true packed powder with a few icy spots here and there. It never got crowded, zero liftlines. My 6-year old and I spent almost the whole day on T-Bolt, T-Bolt glades and Challenger.

Anyone know what the typical crowd is like New Year's Day at JF? Was thinking of taking my 6-year old up to JF Tuesday. Thought it might not be as bad as the past few days due to people heading home from the holiday week and hangovers.

Sugarbush has been 100% open since Sunday. 111 trails and two mountains.