Good Mountain for a noob like me?

[darklordofsys]

Hey Folks,

 

I live right accross the Gap in Jerzee. Based on some research and looking around the forums here it looks as if JFBB would be the best spot to buy a season pass. I know Camelback is closer but from what I have been reading it doesn't seem as if it attracts the same type of people as JFBB. Is that a correct assumption?

 

A little background on me. I have only ridden once, last year at my company ski trip to Stratton Mt. It was a total blast and I swore I was going to get a pass this year and ride at least once (maybe twice or three times a week). My wife gave me the green light to get gear and buy a pass for this season so I'm jumping on it.

 

Overall, I'm looking for a place I can learn, and not get run over by 10,000 NYC people barreling down the slopes like morons.

 

Any thought's or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

Thx,

 

Mike

[Justin]

Any mountain would be a good choice for you, it's all based on location, proximity, terrain features, crowds, lifts, and of course personal preference.

 

JFBB is sort of small. I'm basically a 98% park skiier, so mountain size and big long steep trails don't really concern me too much, although fun to mess around on. I'm really only concerned about the park, the features, park crew, etc. I really like BB's park, but in terms of being an all around recreational mountain it is rather small. JF's east mountain is kind of cool though.

 

Since you have only ridden once I wouldn't commit to a season pass just yet. Get yourself some nice gear and get out to a bunch of different mountains. Move around from mountain to mountain in December-January, and if you feel like you are ready and will get out enough to warrent it get a pass there. But I wouldn't commit myself to a season pass to a mountain I have never skied before, unless it had a huge reputation (like Breck, Mammoth, etc.).

Edited July 28, 2007 by Justin

[rgrwilco]

edit:justin said everything i said, but beat me too it.

 

if you don't decide on jfbb, do not go to camelback. that place gets hella crowded with annoying people. and it gets windy and icy. another place you might want to look into is Shawnee. i have never had a bad time at Shawnee and the runs aren't too challenging, and it may be closer to you as its right on the Delaware.

Edited July 28, 2007 by collective addiction

[darklordofsys]

Thanks guys.

 

I thought of Shawnee because its so close. Although, it seems to get pretty crowded from what I could see on drive by's but I could be wrong? One of the things I'm also looking for is the atmosphere. And based on your responses and from what I've read on the forums it looks like jfbb is for me. (As in you guys are really helpful :-) I also like that jfbb seems to stay open longer than the rest. Might as well give the people who go the extra mile for their regulars my business.

 

I am going to tour several mountains this year, but my only real choices for regular skiing are Shawnee, Camelback, jfbb, Mountain Creek, and a bunch of smaller ski areas. Everything else is just too far. I am going to definitely buy a season pass this year though. Since I like the surety of knowing I can hit the slopes whenever and not worry about the condition of my mid-winter bank account, when expenses are the highest (heating, nursery school for the kids, plowing, etc etc etc).

 

Thanks Again.

[darklordofsys]

Oh yeah and the gear is already on its way

 

Board - Ride Control 151

Boots - Ride Ful

Bindings - Ride Delta MVMT

Helmet - Giro Nine.9

Gloves - Level Half Pipe

 

Assorted pads etc

[bigdaddyk]

JF is a good place, with a friendly atmosphere and does not get over-crowded. Like others have said, try out a bunch of places at least once, then decide where to get a pass. Who knows, maybe you will be surprised and like somepace different. It would be an injustice not to.

[Barb]

stop trying to steal all the pasr's Doug. Total noob, come to BB.

[Ski]

Hey, Noob, welcome!

 

When is the right time to buy a season pass? Whenever you want. What the heck, since it'll probably encourage you to get out more, why not? Those $50 day passes really don't encourage many people to ski/ride.

 

My second thought is that you'd be just fine at Shawnee, especially if you can ride during the week and nights. Passes are $369 (or $269 if you can hook up with someone else and buy the buddy pass) and there are lots of times when the slopes are empty. As a season passholder, you'll get a pretty good sense of the best times to ride during the week after a few weeks.

 

JF/BB may have a little more to offer, but I'd rather ski that extra hour of round trip driving...if you want to take advantage of BB's late season riding, just do what a lot of us do that have season passes elsewhere: pay the $20 discounted rate.

[darklordofsys]

This board is great. It's nice to see a forum exists on the internet where people are actually nice and well informed about the topic of discussion :-)

 

I thought about it and talked it over with my wife today and I am going to get a season pass to Shawnee because it is exactly 12 minutes from my house. However, even with that pass I plan to ride at both Blue and JFBB several times this year. Ski is right about being able to avoid the one hour drive. I work from home on Friday's and could literally take a 2 hour lunch and ride a bit at Shawnee than come home or just stop working a little early and hit the slopes till 10. It will be a little harder to do that with a season pass to a mountain an hour away. It will also allow me to do much more impromptu boarding on days when I'm home and there's much going on with the kids and the wife. If it sucks, than I learned my lesson and I'll buy a season pass to Blue or JFBB next year.

 

Now I'm just counting the days until the rest of my gear arrives.

[Tyler]

i think you are making the right decision noob. my home mountain, bear creek, is about 20 minutes from my house. and although it may not have the biggest vert and best lifts, it is convienent, the people are nice, and i'm used to it. im sure you will find the extra time on the slopes is way better than spending that time in your car.

[darklordofsys]

Yeah. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. 12 minutes vs. 60 minutes is a big difference. I guess I can't complain though. I'm within 90 minutes of like 6 mountains (as per Google Maps)

 

Mountain Creek 1:02

jfbb - 58 mins

Camelback (yuck) - 34 mins

Shawnee - 12 mins

Blue Mt - 1:01

Sno Mt - 1:19

 

It's going to be a fun winter.

[Tyler]

Yeah. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. 12 minutes vs. 60 minutes is a big difference. I guess I can't complain though. I'm within 90 minutes of like 6 mountains (as per Google Maps)

 

Mountain Creek 1:02

jfbb - 58 mins

Camelback (yuck) - 34 mins

Shawnee - 12 mins

Blue Mt - 1:01

Sno Mt - 1:19

 

It's going to be a fun winter.

just a tip, dont let all the assclowns on this board scare you away from a camelback trip...i have had fun the times ive been there. granted there are things we all hate about camelback, but its got decent terrain but the park blows.

[darklordofsys]

just a tip, dont let all the assclowns on this board scare you away from a camelback trip...i have had fun the times ive been there. granted there are things we all hate about camelback, but its got decent terrain but the park blows.

 

 

Understood. Thanks

[Jessica Anne]

Welcome Total Noob. JFBB is an awesome mountain. Its where i started out. hope to see you on the slopes!

[Glenn]

Shawnee has a super friendly atmosphere and for a beginning boarder, especially if you are a little self conscious it's a great place to get on your feet. The lifties there are always friendly, none of the terrain is too difficult, and by the end of the season you should be able to ride everything there (exception being the terrain park).

 

However... if you can ride off peak times regularly than I would say check out camelback as well. I don't have a problem with riding slow lifts, but taking laps on fast lifts is preferable, and camelback has two high speed lifts, shawnee doesn't have any. Shawnee is obviously the closest but CB isn't that much further. When I was living in stroudsburg I made the trip daily to CB, so its not much further for you. The downsides for CB are the crowds during the peak hours. Sat/Sun at 11-3 is crazyness. Friday nights with all the ski clubs is a real pain. Also the personality of the crowd will tend to irriatate you much more at CB. Off peak it's locals, but weekends it's the NYC crowd. Theres some other issues, the park which shouldn't be a big concern for you right now, and some random lift closings that seems to bother the Blue mountain passholders more than the CB passholders.

 

Wherever you go, keep us posted how your season is going, and have fun!

[Papasteeze]

just a tip, dont let all the assclowns on this board scare you away from a camelback trip...i have had fun the times ive been there. granted there are things we all hate about camelback, but its got decent terrain but the park blows.

 

CB is good on the weekdays. stay away on the weekends. Also, be careful during the week at CB - They close thier lifts preamturely and frequently due to cold weather and snow fall.

 

JFBB offer 2 hills for the price of one. They are motivated to open earlier than any one and stay open longer than everyone. Because of the slightly higher elevation the snow quality and accumalation is slightly better.

 

Blue - you either love blue or you don't - I am in the latter category.

 

Shawnee, I learned to ski there, I took my kids there for there first turns. You will do well there as first year season pass holder. It has a good vibe and a good number of trails. We still visit once or twice a season.

[darklordofsys]

That's good to know. I am definitely a little self conscious since I have only been boarding once before. It sounds like the perfect place for me to learn. As an added bonus I can take my daughters there and they can learn too. Although, that will take a while since they are 4 and 5.

Shawnee has a super friendly atmosphere and for a beginning boarder, especially if you are a little self conscious it's a great place to get on your feet. The lifties there are always friendly, none of the terrain is too difficult, and by the end of the season you should be able to ride everything there (exception being the terrain park). However... if you can ride off peak times regularly than I would say check out camelback as well. I don't have a problem with riding slow lifts, but taking laps on fast lifts is preferable, and camelback has two high speed lifts, shawnee doesn't have any. Shawnee is obviously the closest but CB isn't that much further. When I was living in stroudsburg I made the trip daily to CB, so its not much further for you. The downsides for CB are the crowds during the peak hours. Sat/Sun at 11-3 is crazyness. Friday nights with all the ski clubs is a real pain. Also the personality of the crowd will tend to irriatate you much more at CB. Off peak it's locals, but weekends it's the NYC crowd. Theres some other issues, the park which shouldn't be a big concern for you right now, and some random lift closings that seems to bother the Blue mountain passholders more than the CB passholders.Wherever you go, keep us posted how your season is going, and have fun!

I defintely want to hit JFBB at least a few times this year. It will probably better after I have been boarding a few times and have what resembles a clue about how to ride :-)

CB is good on the weekdays. stay away on the weekends. Also, be careful during the week at CB - They close thier lifts preamturely and frequently due to cold weather and snow fall. JFBB offer 2 hills for the price of one. They are motivated to open earlier than any one and stay open longer than everyone. Because of the slightly higher elevation the snow quality and accumalation is slightly better.Blue - you either love blue or you don't - I am in the latter category. Shawnee, I learned to ski there, I took my kids there for there first turns. You will do well there as first year season pass holder. It has a good vibe and a good number of trails. We still visit once or twice a season.

[rgrwilco]

That's good to know. I am definitely a little self conscious since I have only been boarding once before. It sounds like the perfect place for me to learn. As an added bonus I can take my daughters there and they can learn too. Although, that will take a while since they are 4 and 5.

 

kids actually catch on very very fast, youd be suprised how fast.

[Justo8484]

get your kids out this year. i wouldnt necesarily start them on a board, since 4 or 5 is pretty young to have the muscle development needed to control a snowboard, but both my brother and i started skiing when we were 3.

[Barb]

Definitely start them on skis this season. They are not too young at all. I would wait until age 7 to try a board. They'll be zipping by you in no time.

[method9455]

Yeah. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. 12 minutes vs. 60 minutes is a big difference. I guess I can't complain though. I'm within 90 minutes of like 6 mountains (as per Google Maps)

 

Mountain Creek 1:02

jfbb - 58 mins

Camelback (yuck) - 34 mins

Shawnee - 12 mins

Blue Mt - 1:01

Sno Mt - 1:19

 

It's going to be a fun winter.

 

Where in Jersey are you? There is no way jfbb is 45 minutes further than shawnee. It takes me about an hour and ten minutes from Parsippany NJ to JFBB, it takes about 45-50 minutes for Shawnee.

[method9455]

Additionally (having worked at a shop) I'll say you have a good setup for a beginner you didn't go out and over-buy on expensive stuff but things like the bindings (I ride Betas but I was originally going to grab Deltas and I've been riding for about 6 years now) will last you forever.

 

As for season pass vs not season pass - I would recommend getting one. If you are serious about learning how to ride expect to take 5-6 days before you can reasonably expect to get a good degree of control. At that point with an adult ticket you are $300+ into the hole. A season pass is not much more. The pass encourages you to go up after work for two hours, or that saturday morning before a family function that you otherwise wouldn't spend $50 on a ticket, or the day it rains and there is no reason to go up and spend the money - except you already did so why not? If you pick up a season pass and don't eat the mountain, and own your own equipment, this sport isn't terribly expensive. If you try to buy tickets and go in any type of rhthymn, you will spend boat loads. For me, I went 11 or so full days last year by the 2nd week of January (when my season ended due to an injury in a different sport) and I live east of you (i think) so its doable. to get up there quite a bit. The year before I got 35 days doing an hour drive.

 

My impressions on the places to go:

 

Mountain Creek - avoid at all costs unless someone hands you a free season pass (I had a free one last year and still only went once) or you love the park (which you won't yet). Even at that the park is starting to suck. It is crowded on the lifts and the trails, the snowmaking sucks, and there isn't much in the way of beginner terrain (the whole mountain isn't steep but its so crowdy and icy, it isn't a good place to learn). Also there isn't much in the way of advanced terrain once you get better. There is no lodge really on the main side of the mountain, it is spread out in such a way that getting around for novices SUCKS. Crowds are akin to port authority bus terminal, or the new york marathon. Dodging traffic is a skill you will be required to learn, and lift lines easily get to 30 minutes on the weekends.

 

Camelback - Despite the hating - that is largely on the park scene. I find the trails to be a bit narrower but it 'feels' bigger than all the other PA mountains to me. The snow is generally ok, the management makes a lot of bad decisions but those largely won't effect you becuase generally its closing advanced terrain people want open, too often. I wouldn't root against it if you are learning. Crowds are less than mountain creek but not insignificant on the weekends. I'd say lift lines on the high speed get to be 5 minutes sometimes, but generally the hidden lifts never have lines.

 

Shawnee - Ultimate place to learn. Every trail is basically easy, the setup is easy to navigate, snow is pretty good, crowds aren't too bad but at times can get intense on the easy trails. Never really lift lines.

 

Blue - Excellent mountain for someone of your ability, easy trails on either sides of the mountain that are still very fun, and have a consistant pitch. A lot of easy terrain is just a little steep then turns into a parking lot, and repeats that cycle. If you fall on the flat part it is hard to get up as a boarder at first. Paradise is evenly steep pretty much the whole way, and is a great trail. I'm not sure of lift lines since the new lift was added, but they where not much of a problem when I've been there before. Crowding on the trails isn't too bad but I've always gone on weekdays so I'm not sure (unlike the others). This is the furthest mountain from jersey. If youa re on 80 I'm not sure the best way to get there, I'm at the intersection of 80 and 287, so I take 287 north to Creek, or south to 78 and then take that to Blue but obviously you aren't going to go east -> south -> west to get there. It is probably the furthest for you which is why I say cross it off.

 

JFBB - This is where I moved my season pass to. Not sure if I would recommend it for you, the terrain at BB is lots of fun but mostly park (and gets crowded on the weekends). JF has better terrain but most of it is a bit more difficult. You might want to try camelback and shawnee for a year or two and then move over. I think once you get to the intermediate/advanced stage JFBB is the place to be.

[darklordofsys]

Additionally (having worked at a shop) I'll say you have a good setup for a beginner you didn't go out and over-buy on expensive stuff but things like the bindings (I ride Betas but I was originally going to grab Deltas and I've been riding for about 6 years now) will last you forever. As for season pass vs not season pass - I would recommend getting one. If you are serious about learning how to ride expect to take 5-6 days before you can reasonably expect to get a good degree of control. At that point with an adult ticket you are $300+ into the hole. A season pass is not much more. The pass encourages you to go up after work for two hours, or that saturday morning before a family function that you otherwise wouldn't spend $50 on a ticket, or the day it rains and there is no reason to go up and spend the money - except you already did so why not? If you pick up a season pass and don't eat the mountain, and own your own equipment, this sport isn't terribly expensive. If you try to buy tickets and go in any type of rhthymn, you will spend boat loads. For me, I went 11 or so full days last year by the 2nd week of January (when my season ended due to an injury in a different sport) and I live east of you (i think) so its doable. to get up there quite a bit. The year before I got 35 days doing an hour drive.My impressions on the places to go:Mountain Creek - avoid at all costs unless someone hands you a free season pass (I had a free one last year and still only went once) or you love the park (which you won't yet). Even at that the park is starting to suck. It is crowded on the lifts and the trails, the snowmaking sucks, and there isn't much in the way of beginner terrain (the whole mountain isn't steep but its so crowdy and icy, it isn't a good place to learn). Also there isn't much in the way of advanced terrain once you get better. There is no lodge really on the main side of the mountain, it is spread out in such a way that getting around for novices SUCKS. Crowds are akin to port authority bus terminal, or the new york marathon. Dodging traffic is a skill you will be required to learn, and lift lines easily get to 30 minutes on the weekends. Camelback - Despite the hating - that is largely on the park scene. I find the trails to be a bit narrower but it 'feels' bigger than all the other PA mountains to me. The snow is generally ok, the management makes a lot of bad decisions but those largely won't effect you becuase generally its closing advanced terrain people want open, too often. I wouldn't root against it if you are learning. Crowds are less than mountain creek but not insignificant on the weekends. I'd say lift lines on the high speed get to be 5 minutes sometimes, but generally the hidden lifts never have lines. Shawnee - Ultimate place to learn. Every trail is basically easy, the setup is easy to navigate, snow is pretty good, crowds aren't too bad but at times can get intense on the easy trails. Never really lift lines.Blue - Excellent mountain for someone of your ability, easy trails on either sides of the mountain that are still very fun, and have a consistant pitch. A lot of easy terrain is just a little steep then turns into a parking lot, and repeats that cycle. If you fall on the flat part it is hard to get up as a boarder at first. Paradise is evenly steep pretty much the whole way, and is a great trail. I'm not sure of lift lines since the new lift was added, but they where not much of a problem when I've been there before. Crowding on the trails isn't too bad but I've always gone on weekdays so I'm not sure (unlike the others). This is the furthest mountain from jersey. If youa re on 80 I'm not sure the best way to get there, I'm at the intersection of 80 and 287, so I take 287 north to Creek, or south to 78 and then take that to Blue but obviously you aren't going to go east -> south -> west to get there. It is probably the furthest for you which is why I say cross it off.JFBB - This is where I moved my season pass to. Not sure if I would recommend it for you, the terrain at BB is lots of fun but mostly park (and gets crowded on the weekends). JF has better terrain but most of it is a bit more difficult. You might want to try camelback and shawnee for a year or two and then move over. I think once you get to the intermediate/advanced stage JFBB is the place to be.

Thanks Method. I was lucky enough to find all of the equipment at great prices. The Delta's were $94 which is a way better price than I though I was going to get. I guess thats what happens when you buy snowboard equipment in the middle of July. :-)I decided to get a season pass a Shawnee since it is very close to my house (12 minutes) this will give me a ton of opportunities to go at random times since its a quick drive and I'm there. My wife has agreed that basically every sunday in the Winter is mine to go boarding. Not to mention the days that I work from home and finish early and other random times. Here words were this "If were going to spend 300+ on the ticket and money on the gear you better go a million times this winter". She's really practical that way!!I knew I married her for a reason. :-)

Where in Jersey are you? There is no way jfbb is 45 minutes further than shawnee. It takes me about an hour and ten minutes from Parsippany NJ to JFBB, it takes about 45-50 minutes for Shawnee.

In Blairstown (Exit 12). Shawnee is like 10 miles from me and JFBB is 42miles. Google maps estimates approx 54 minutes. I go to paintball near there and I would say its more like 35-40 minutes

[method9455]

Thanks Method. I was lucky enough to find all of the equipment at great prices. The Delta's were $94 which is a way better price than I though I was going to get. I guess thats what happens when you buy snowboard equipment in the middle of July. :-)I decided to get a season pass a Shawnee since it is very close to my house (12 minutes) this will give me a ton of opportunities to go at random times since its a quick drive and I'm there. My wife has agreed that basically every sunday in the Winter is mine to go boarding. Not to mention the days that I work from home and finish early and other random times. Here words were this "If were going to spend 300+ on the ticket and money on the gear you better go a million times this winter". She's really practical that way!!I knew I married her for a reason. :-)In Blairstown (Exit 12). Shawnee is like 10 miles from me and JFBB is 42miles. Google maps estimates approx 54 minutes. I go to paintball near there and I would say its more like 35-40 minutes

 

Ah yea google et all screw up times for long highway drives because they assume you drive at the posted speed limit. Which in most cases is not true, and in mine always isn't.

 

Doug - thanks for the tip on getting to Blue. Next winter I'll get back to you on details for that because the other way was extremely long.

[darklordofsys]

It's good that you have a practical wife.. Now get her flowers or something before she changes her mind..

 

Already done. I bought her and Iphone so she's peachy.