trackbiker

Yeah, don't you feel safer now? Back to skiing; my guess is that once it does get cold for an extended period of time, with all of those new guns, they'll blow enough snow to last until Memorial Day!

Bear Creek had a bondfire offering to the Snow gods last night where they were burning old skis. They had a band but I don't think they were offering free drinks. Maybe Sno could barge that ice shelf that broke off the artic shelf the other day up the Susquehanna River, grind it up and truck it to the mountain. I mean what the hell, it's only going to melt out in the ocean anyway. If they had enough snow, a rail jam would have been a nice addition to NYE.

"As a special thank you to season pass holders, the open bar is on us." Hey, at least they're offering something. That is if you don't already have plans for NYE. I don't know of any other closed areas offering anything. What else can they do considering the weather and the delay?

Nice Pics! I can't believe this weather either. It wasn't this warm in December when I lived in SC! Not the best year to buy a ski area in the N.E.! Is the white shuttle in the picture a trailer type vehicle or does it have a motor? Also, is there a place to load skis on the outside of it?

My guess is that they will be blowing every chance they get as soon as it's cold enough. They likely missed the last cold window to make snow because they weren't finished with the new piping. It would be nice if they had an update on their website though!

I can understand everyone's frustration. I drove by Montage for years on my way to Elk and Greek Peak. The trail layout never really interested me. 1000' vert. but only two TTB trails. After skiing there last MLK weekend, I saw the potential. Plus the no lift lines on a holiday weekend! My guess is that the snow that they blew were just trials of the new guns. I would think that the piping system has to be zoned because there is no way that they could turn on all 193 guns at once! If that's the case, I don't know why they couldn't complete the system one zone at a time and start making snow in the zones as they complete them. You're right about the website not being updated. But then if the lodge is still a mess, they may be waiting to complete the work there before they open. The bottom line is; I'm sure that they want to open as much if not more than anyone. But from a business point if view, it is wise to wait another week or two to be ready than to make a bad first impression. It's like any service industry. Never go to a restaurant the first week they open. Wait a week or two until they get their sh*t together! Elk isn't even opening until next weekend (maybe not with the weather forcast for this week). Would the old Montage be open by now? I'm sure that come January, with the new snowmaking, you regulars are going to be in skiing heaven. In the mean time, ski JF/BB, Elk, Blue Mtn., CB, or where ever.

I wouldn't be too hard on them yet. The deal only closed a little over a month ago. If they are installing all new piping, or even just new piping on the skiers right side of the mountain, that is a hell of a lot of work! Even if they could get the contractor to start right away and stay on the job full time. I would think that there is a mile or two of piping to install. I would guess that it has to be welded, then buried? If it is welded piping, that is a lot of welds, plus then it has to all be flushed out to get rid of the weld flash inside of the pipes. (I don't think that fan guns like bits of metal being shot though them at high pressure!) Then the 193 guns have to installed, which includes wiring for electic for those type of guns. I saw a Sno Mtn. billboard on the east-west PA TPK. last week out near Morgantown. I'm sure that they would have liked to put one on the N.E. Ext. but the spots were likely all taken. The message was about the 193 new snow guns. To be honest, I wish them success but I wouldn't mind having a place to ski on MLK or Pres. Day Wkend. without lift lines for one more season!

Utilities often offer reduced rates to big users if they limit their high energy use activities to off-peak hours. Has Sno started any serious snowmaking, or are they still in the installation/testing phase?

Personality counts. But this reminds me of what an old guy I worked with when I was a teenager said, "They say, 'Beauty is only skin deep'.....but ugly is all the way through!" If you want to know what your hot girlfriend is going to look like in 20 yrs., look at her mother. It's true! Looking forward to those snoguns cranking at Sno!

ski: Thanks for the offer for the hat, but like you I'll be happy if Sno Mountain is completely covered in snow this year and they speed up that Long Haul Triple. Everyone: No matter what happened politically, the deal is done, and Sno Mountain LLC is the owner. They have a contract that stipulates that they make the investments stated in the contract. If they don't, the residents and local businesses of Scranton will be screaming and demanding that they honor the contract. To be honest, regardless of the $30.00 hats; I think that they will have done a hell of a job (as opposed to a "heck of job") if they get the snowmaking in and the magic carpets installed for this season considering the delays! They must have been on the phone everyday with the snowgun manufacturer, magic carpet manufacturer, and the contractors installing them, while they were talking with lawyers and trying to get the deal closed. Also, they must have put nonrefundable deposits down in order to get everything on time. They don't start manufacturing snow guns and magic carpets until they have a deposit, and those are not "stock" items. If that doesn't show commitment, I don't know what does! Let's all wait and see what this year brings and remember that they have A LOT to do in a very short time to get ready for this season. Based on the meetings they've had it appears that they are the type of people who listen to their customers and encourage feedback. Just remember, they do have to make money to stay in business.

ski: I believe you on the prices you got. After the delay in the closing the new owners must be running around like a bunch of one armed wallpaper hangers trying to get ready for this season! I'm sure that the caps will be on sale in March anyway! I appreciate the information that you have provided to keep us all up to date on the progress of the sale and can't wait to hear more about the progress they are making with the snomaking, etc. Also, last year you were very informative when I posted a cocky question about what was going on at Montage. As a result of your posts, my son and I skied there last Pres. Day Wknd., had a great time, avoided the crowds we would have experienced at other areas, and; most importantly had a chance to see the potential of the mountain. Let's all hope for a lot of snow this year, or at least some cold weather to make it, and successful first year Sno Mountain.

Ski: I understand that you are being supportive of Sno Mountain and wish them success; as do I and most others on this forum. But anyway you slice it, that cap is WAY over priced. And it is listed as a "Special". I happen to have first hand experience purchasing promotional items. Of course volume plays a part, but if you buy at least one gross (144) of those hats you can get them for under $5.00 each (good quality, 100% cotton). Four color embroidery for that logo is at MOST another $5.00 per cap. Design fees are negligable today with CAD. I couldn't find any caps from Stratton or Stowe, the two priciest resorts in the east, but here's one from Okemo It has 2 color embroidery. Two more colors would not add $12.45 to the price. "Outrage" is not the correct word. I think the price is ridiculously high by any standard. If they did pay the prices in your quote above, they need to find someone else to purchase their merchandise. If Sno Mountain is going to succeed, they need to listen to feedback from customers. They're already behind schedule, through no fault of their own, and they need to draw new people to the mountain. A "special" $29.95 cap does not give a good impression before they have made a flake of snow. Maybe a "free hat day" like the baseball teams do would be a better idea once they are 100% open. JMHO.

The site says, "Internet Special, Sno Mountain Cap: $29.95" WOW! $29.95 for a $5.00 cap! Some "Special"! What's the "regular" price, $49.95? OK. I could see paying $10 - $12.00 for it considering "resort pricing", it's a new place, etc. But if that is the "special" price, how much is a burger, fries, and a drink going to cost? I can see it now; Sno Mountain VALUE MEAL! ONLY $59.95! PLUS you get a free toy!

Under the "Ticket Prices" the hours are listed as 8:30am to 10:00pm. Don't know if that is accurate; or maybe the 8:30 opening is just for weekends and holidays?

Montage Cleared For Sale Sounds like Speicher is just a whiny loser. His deal for $5 mil. plus a $5 mil mortgage would likely have left the mountain bankrupt in a few years. Like ski said, Sno Mountain has Real Money and will make a $20 million investment in the mountain. A much better deal for the county and it citizens!

Washo Says He Will Not Appeal Now if that Speicher guy will agree to not appeal, like today, instead of dragging his feet, it appears that things can move forward quickly.

Here's the story from todays paper: Washo's Suit Denied It'll likely will take a day or two to clean up the mess and move forward. e.g. Washo will not appeal if Sno Mountain drops their suit against him....etc.

GOOD NEWS! JUDGE SIDES WITH SNO MOUNTAIN! There's a message on their web site here: Sno Mountain Web Page

Here's the latest: From the Trib Based on the judges final statement, I'd be surprised if this can be resolved before Sept. 30. But let's hope so. My guess would be that if the sale does not go through this year, the net result will be that the county losses even money on the deal! Here's hoping it closes soon enough to get those snow guns in this year!

According to todays Morning Call a developer is proposing a new ski area a few miles east of Blue. Details are sketchy but it appears to be more of a private resort because "hundreds of houses" and a golf course are also proposed. Heres's a link to the article: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-1skiju...0,7503197.story

I heard from a reliable source that BC is installing a second Fixed Grip Quad for next season. Anyone hear anything about this?

Hey, I won't tell anyone what to do. I bought my Volkl's and my sons Volkl's on ebay for about 50% off of even the end of season sales at the local ski shops. But please remember, that the local ski shops have more overhead because they have to pay for the store, the lights, heat, etc. So they aren't "ripping you off" when their prices are higher. If you don't support them, they won't be around in the future. Then where will you go to compare prices, get advice on the right ski or board, get service, etc. I know that there is a lot of young people on this board who don't have a lot of money and are looking for the best ride for the best price. I am too. I'm a single father who is making less money than I could because I have to take care of my kids. But do support the local shops when you can or they won't be around too much longer.

Miller Lite is beer? I thought that that was what you got after pissing out a good Yeungling, Heineken, Becks, or some other real beer .

It's free because they want people to use it. They had a problem with people stealing mainly boards two years ago and they were getting a bad rep. Anyone remember the rent-a-cops they hired at first to watch the ski racks? Of course that didn't work so they went with the free ski check. That's great management if you ask me. I've heard from several sources that Mountain Creek has a BIG problem with thefts. Have they done anything about? Lock your boards and skis if you go there!

You can always heat the women back up and it is just as good! When you heat the food back up it isn't always as good! Always go for the hot food first!