trackbiker

Nice report. Check out Paradox brewing on the way home. It's right off the Northway (87) Exit 29.

People buying and converting former seasonal rentals to AirBnB's has caused a shortage of cheap places for seasonal employees and ski bums who used to work mainly for the free pass to live. They can't afford to live near the ski areas with the low wages.

And that's why they'll always be living off of the government they hate, with their Access Cards and CHIP and free school lunches for their kids, in their trailers. While I'm no fan of all the warehouses they're building in the LV, they would have benefits and an opportunity for advancement there. People move up to supervisors and can be trained to be fork truck and conveyor line mechanics and make a lot more money than they would ever make at a Vail resort. But they'd rather sit and bitch and say stuff like, "Hell! I ain't drivin' no 30 to 45 minutes for no job!"

So they'd rather work at JFBB out in the cold for peanuts. We were talking about ski area jobs where most are seasonal at best and not about MBA's looking for brokerage jobs, right?

Where have you been? Did you see how many warehouses they are building in the Lehigh Valley? They are all offering over $20/hr. to start plus benefits. Not just warehouses but every business is looking for people and all paying over $20/hr. I don't know what they are paying at JF but at other NE areas they are below the local going rate. If they wanted to get people they would spend a little of the $1.5 billion they have on hand. If people in the Poconos don't want to drive a half hour for more money, you can't fix stupid. Vail is what happens when you let the bean counters who only look at current numbers run things instead of someone who looks at the big picture.

I would save that trip for March. I love Magic but they have very limited terrain and may not even have a trail from the top open. You go there after a big dump or after they have enough natural base to open all of their trails. All the others are also on limited terrain and it's looking like it will rain all the way to Jay this weekend. You won't get any better skiing than in the Poconos for all that driving. Your skiing per dollar quality ration will suck. Use Shawnee, Montage, and Greek on the Indy Pass and save the others for when it's good.

Maybe Salty can fly over and give a report.

Vail Sucks!

If they let them drain out they wouldn't be able to make the cookies that they are so famous for.

2007 Trail Map I haven't looked at a trail map in years. I guess they went back to just "Switchback" some time ago. I think I remember seeing Upper and Lower on a snow report in the more recent past.

Switchback is Upper and Lower and you can't ski one without the other. I don't even know where Upper ends and Lower begins.

Calling it Plunge would would be a joke compared to Plunge at Plattekill. Maybe call it "Not Plunge".

They're counting to the bottom of the tubing hill? These "Best of" Lists are always a joke. Does Camelback advertise in Conde Naste Traveller?

Best Ski Resorts in the U.S. & Canada Who writes this stuff? 🙄 People who never skied?

Nope. Closest thing I ever had to a pass at Blue was the 6 ticket deal that was offered through the academy in Bethlehem. I think mbike-ski's wife ran the ski club there. I had that for a few years. That was a great deal. Wish it was still available.

Shawnee and Montage are on it for day trips as well. I'll get at least 10 days on it. That said, it's not the same as a Blue pass. Blue pass is for weekdays or weekend mornings. Indy is mostly for trips to New England. The local places are just an extra for me.

That bridge isn't actually over a creek. It was moved to the park in 1957 when it was replaced. It was scheduled to be refurbished. Now it will just take a little more work.

Mine is connected with coax. No problems.

You can get a really good router for a lot less than the $180 you are paying per year. I forget what I paid for mine (Maybe $80?) but I've had it for two years and it works through a brick wall and to anywhere in my house.

Great news and Congratulations!

Yeah. Japan does nothing for me. Lots of other countries I want to ski first. Montage was a plus since I ordered so that was a good thing. I figure I'll use mine at least 10 times. Likely more depending on how the season goes.

Their announcement said it was in new (to the pass) country. Turns out its Japan.

You might want to wait until later in the season than Xmas break for Magic. They've been improving their snowmaking but usually don't have too much open at Christmas. Berkshire East would be a better option unless there's a lot of early snow.

Indy Pass is announcing new areas for Pennsylvania, New York, and Canada on Tuesday. Anyone else buy the Indy Pass? Anyone want to speculate on what the PA and NY areas are? I would want it to be Elk but think that it is more likely to be Montage. They need a reason for people to drive past the Poconos. I wouldn't expect it to be Blue/Camelback. They have enough crowds already. Ski Big Bear would be a possibility. For NY I would I want it to be Plattekill. Not sure what other areas it could be.

I made a water barrel similar to Toast's several years ago and it hasn't run dry since the first rain every year. Toast, what is the hose at the top of your barrel for? Overflow?