method9455

But blue has a park crew too, that doesn't mean they can setup a nice park. Someone has to design it, then park crew maintains is. A good construction company can't make the empire state building without a plan, just like a good plan is nothing without a good construction company. You need both halves of the equation, this season will probably turn out alright because I believe the plan is made, the jibs are made, etc. But this has made me not get a season pass next year because I am unconvinced they will be able to replace them.

I almost didn't reply to this, because I know you are basically just a contrarian on every thread and this is no different, but I will anyway. No, building a park isn't rocket science (which, going for school for aerospace engineering, I feel like I'm in a good position to judge). But, it is more difficult than, push snow, insert jib. Notice all the people who know park, ride a lot of park, are pissed off. All the people who see it as a bunch of welded metal and pushed around snow are asking - whats the big deal? The big deal is, these guys knew how to build great jibs. Smooth = Safer. You would rarely catch an edge on their stuff. They also really proportioned jibs very well, they had an eye for it. A lot of times things just aren't built to the right scale (i.e. Camelback, having a rainbow rail with a radius so small that it basically just launches you). They setup their features with a lot of flow between features, there were always good lines. They made very efficient use of space, they would squeeze out a double line where most people only put 1. Most importantly, they were original. They started the race for a good park around here so we owe them that. They were the first guys building really solid jibs down here (now it still only them and BC IW). They started the wallride fad. I didn't like the stepped rail phase, but they tried something new. A trail of wooden features last year was really cool. Slant boxes. No more circus rails (Blue still needs to learn that one). They had big jumps when no one else did. Overall, they pushed the area. That is what will be missed. They won't go back to Creek, they aren't at JFBB, and no other mountain around here has the program for them, so they are done in the area. In terms of them being no-it-alls, have a conversation with them and tell us that again. They are some of the only ones who actually listen to what customers say (aside from Bear Creek, and a little bit Blue, and Shawnee when Keith was there, but no longer).

Well if you rode a lot of park, you would feel the difference. It was the difference between riding powder and riding a groomer, both were fun, but one was a lot more enjoyable. They make really smooth parks, everything flowed, everything was maintained well. In comparison, Shawnee, Camelback, Blue, they just can't do it up to the same level. I never saw JFBB before them, but I will after, so we'll see. But it is bigger than just 2 park crew guys leaving for sure.

Basically the ParkLogic guys left creek for a couple reasons. Creek didn't want them to go, thats for sure. One of the major reasons was snowmaking, last season they never got the park at South open, barely got one of the 3 main park trails open, didn't get to finish at least 2 of the jumps they started building etc etc because there was just no snow made. This is clear to anyone who frequented mountain creek over the past few years. You could see they blew enough snow to make the jump, then plowed it out after a warm spell and never replaced them, a simple budgeting decision. So they didn't get fired from Creek. As for leaving JFBB, its not entirely clear, but it doesn't seem to me like the ParkLogic guys would leave. Even if they hated everyone above them, if they bailed on a resort at tge most important time of the year who would ever hire them again? There is no advantage for them to leave just as their project that shows how good they are, is 75% done. Now that last 25% has to be done by a bunch of people who aren't as experienced. I think no matter what the back story, you can land it on JFBB/Peak making the (wrong) decision. The question becomes, what can we do about it? I don't think the park at JFBB will be what it would have been if they were there. Sure, now they have great jibs ready to go that will last for years. Sure, their park crew will set them up well. But, I think we all know this was the tip of the iceberg. Notice they kept saying 'building stock jibs' etc etc. Next season and beyond was the real creative time, they were set up to become a big force in the region, and beyond. (Look at The Park at Bear Mountain, small mountain, big influence) Now, just another park with nice jibs. What are the odds of reconciliation? I'm sure I'll write a letter to JFBB (anyone know one of the higher up's addresses?) but really, is there any chance these guys will stay in the region? Its a big loss of talent for the PA/NJ area. Just kind of sucks, puts a huge damper on really positive impression I got at JFBB this weekend.

I feel you, the saddest part of the whole deal is now these guys are out of our region. They left Creek, they were shafted by Big Boulder, now they'll probably land out west or in Vermont somewhere and we'll be back to 1999 all over again. Looks like Bear Creek will have the best park after all, too bad it doesn't get cold enough for them to make snow.

I'm starting with this post, moving on to email, then a paper letter, maybe some petitions thrown in there. Last time I got pissed off about something (the education system in my town) I ended up on the Rush Limbaugh show for 45 minutes, then Fox News channel twice, so I can become rather irritating when I set my mind to it. I doubt many people will actually care about this one (its only skiing), but I'm not letting this one slide. Realize what Peak did was basically offer these guys a job for the season, and pull the carpet out from under them. Now realize their marketable skills aren't very marketable now that the season started. Sure they can find a mountain next year, but what the hell are they going to do for the next 3 months? That is just unethical when they brought the two in (and we're not talking about being lifties, they got a press release when they were hired)

So we saw the press releases. What happens now? I am really mad about this because those guys know how to set up a park perfectly, and now they are neither at Mountain Creek nor Jack Frost Big Boulder. That means I can't ride their setups. This means that my season won't be as good as if I COULD ride their setups. 1) First, in my opinion, that was messed up on JFBB's part. The guys put in a huge amount of hours banging out the jibs. I'm not sure about their specific arrangement, it is generally agreed at most workplaces that you work your ass off when a project deadline comes up, and then you don't work as many hours at the start of the next one. The paychecks kind of average out. Basically these guys did all the work up to a deadline (opening), and got cut during the part where they just build the park, and then relax and maintain it. That kind of violates the averaging out the paycheck rule, pretty sketchy on JFBB's part in my opinion. 2) It is a big mistake on JFBB's part. They aren't a very tall mountain. They are the most western of the I-80 mountains. People from NYC/Jersey need a reason to go out there. Why would you go? Well they are pushing the snowmaking ability. That is great, except that once everyone else is open, there are better trails elsewhere. So by mid-season, that point is void. The park was going to separate them. The park made me drive out there and drop money on lift tickets I never would have otherwise. Judging by the number of posts by people who usually go to Mountain Creek and other mountains, who have been to JFBB, they attracted a lot of new riders. Everyone was happy. I said on Monday to a friend that we should get season passes their next year. 3) What does it accomplish? Whoever this nameless person was that they had a fight with, who is he? These guys were worthy of a press release when they arrived because they have a reputation for making excellent parks. I gaurentee you whoever they had a fight with will never be the subject of a press release that attracts a bunch of people to the resort. (Well when he leaves, I'd go back if told in a press release). 4) From a business perspective, nothing about this decision makes sense. They sunk money into snowmaking, money into jib building, money into marketing that these guys came. Things were successful, the jibs were obviously high quality, the parks were made very well, etc etc. They had a bunch of good word of mouth marketing here and elsewhere. Now they abandon that for, well, basically the same guys as they used to have. Once you make a decision, especially one that is working out well and will make MORE money for your company, DON"T GO BACK ON IT! That has to be one of the keys to success. Obviously someone missed that at JFBB. 5) The fact that a jealous guy's opinion is allowed to change the course of a company that invested 2 million dollars into a new snowmaking & park system this year, screams of a lack of professionalism all around. Bottom line, even if the park is just as good as if the ParkLogic guys where there, my opinion of JFBB/Peak has gone from being the highest in the area, back down to even with the others. This is a problem for them, they were on the cusp of having a bunch of loyal riders and skiers. A lot of us are college kids, we bring ski clubs and friends, that becomes a lot of tickets over the course of the season. I work at a shop, a couple dozen people ask me where to ski every year. Last year I was pushing them to Blue. This year I was going to push them to JFBB. Now, I'm not so sure. I hope this can be reconsidered, but honestly, I know it won't. My prediction: The JibLab/ParkLogic guys become consultants like the Planet Snow type guys.

What?

Yea I was at JFBB sunday riding a whole mountain instead

JibLab in the His-OUSE! Hey now that we know you're reading, when the hell are you opening?

Soft yet firm ....... nice

There is a 2nd box next to the first at BB. It is a few inchs narrower, about 4 feet longer, but basically same setup just side by side. Same setup from then on as last week although they bluw more snow up top and at the bottom. Jack frost has a 10 foot step down and then a 20ish foot box that has a solid gap to it, and a 10ish foot down box that has a very easy setup. I actually really enjoyed the jump at Jack Frost, had a nice long landing so you could air pretty far if you started a little higher than necessary. The park at BB that doesn't have features on it yet has been groomed out a bit, I can see features going in there soon.

Aigh I'll see you up there. I will be in the BB park by lunch time.

Shit I won't be able to, I'll be studying so tomorrow I have plenty of time to hit up all the trails and rails that are open at JFBB. But maybe when I get home after a day of riding (paying for fucking lift tickets because my Mountain Creek season pass is worthless right now) I'll check out to see what we're going to get by mid-February at MC.

100% Going to be there tomorrow, see you there

Which danny kass? The white with block figures or the green/black circles one?

Yea man without goggles its rough, but I always wear goggles because even if its not snowing I ride fast enough that my eyes tear and then it freezes so I wear them unless I'm hiking park and getting hot. As for the setups, they're scary at first but realize you will hurt yourself way more going straight on then going sideways. Think about the worst that will happen from the side, for you with skis they will pop off, your boots will clip the rail and you will go over it and land on the snow. Big deal. Thats not nearly as bad as going straight at it, falling and hitting the rail on the way down, and trashing your gear. It is way safer and believe me, once you get used to it you won't go at it straight again. Just aim for the end and you'll be fine. The only thing I come in straight for now are 50-50's on boxes and nosepresses. Everything else I don't come straight in.

I'm 75% sure I'll be at JF/BB on Sunday. I'll be at JF for first chair, until I get bored. Then heading over to BB, hit up the runs, then park for the afternoon. Any suggestions for food on the drive from JF to BB? I'll be in a red jacket, grey pants, white helmet, white/black checkerboard goggles. Not sure what board yet, just look for the white/black checkerboard goggles with a red jacket and you'll find me. My name is Kevin and I'll be alone because my friends aren't home from school yet, so I'm looking for people to ride a bit with.

My recomendation is take them from the side. If you take it straight on you might catch your tips and go for a nice flip. Of course your a skier so you pop out, snowboarders get that nice somersault into the rail going on, oh yea that feels good on your back. So just come in with about 3-6" between your edge and the rail. Aim at the end of the rail. Just hop a bit, rotate on, look at the end of the rail. The keys are, aim for the end, look at the end. If you are taking it from the side, the faster you go, the safer it is because you have to jump less and you are on the rail longer. So if your scared just point it towards the end, go really fast, and give it a little hop. Especially on downslope rails, the faster you go the further down the rail you land. They're scary at first for sure, but once you get over it, you end up liking it a lot better because it is much more predictable than going on straight with a ramp that changes height with weather/traffic.

Haha dude, don't hate. Realize you've never seen Big Boulder's jibs before, looks to me like they won't put up a single old rail this year. Right now they have 4 boxes, 2 rails, and a tree slide/hip jump. They have snow on their park trails that don't have features. What does bear creek have? What does Mountain Creek have? Just promises that they will be open soon. But before Mountain Creek even opens (where I am a season pass holder) I will have 2-3 days at JFBB. That counts for a lot. Not to mention by the time either Creek opens, JFBB will have so many things set up, they'll be weeks behind.

Try the first box, super mellow, perfect lip. I was working on my frontside boardslides last night and it was easy.

Yea no other mountain has close to the amount of snow/trails/park features open so I have a feeling this weekend is going to be BUSY at JFBB. I'm thinking of going Sunday or Monday, depends. I'm torn because Monday will be cheaper, but I really liked the park at BB, and it won't open until 3 so, how much is opening up at JF this weekend?

Yea got to hate those 'little pieces of shit' falling out of the sky when your SNOWboarding. Nice. But thats why I say I'm a snowboarder, not a skateboard who has a snowboard in the winter. Powder, steeps, what the fuck does anyone know about that anymore anyway? We hit up the steeper trails at BB on thursday and didn't see a person, there were like 80 kids in the park hiking 2 out of the 5 rails. As for the boxes being sticky, I agree with that. But I also know that they are all brand new, they have been used from maybe a dozen or so hours, they get less sticky. Creek's rails were always sticky early season until they got scraped over a lot. So yea, right now, catching our edges. Give them some time. Those rails will be out all season, and they're solid enough to last for several years so they will be buttery smooth for a long time.

They do check your picture vs your face once in a while, but no scanners

I had such a good night tonight at Big Boulder, I might come this weekend. I had planned on Mountain Creek, but they aren't opening so, not sure what day but you'll see me there.