ESA Stowe Stoke! 2009

Can someone give me more info on the ESA Academy?...more specifically, I'm stuck in intermdiate level hell!...is this program only for folks doing bumps and hard core experts, or can I learn and survive the few days?!  Also, where can I go to find more info on the program?....I have a place at Mt Snow so thoughts on commuting vs staying at Stowe?

Thanks,

Paul

 Hi Swisstrader, welcome to your gateway out of intermediate level hell!

Do you want to hear from...
a student?
administration?
Someone knowledgeable?

I can try to be all three but will have to fake most of the "knowledgeable" part 

As a student:
I skied for 20something years, was aggressive and hung with the boyz.  But I always lacked that edge I wanted to blow past the boyz.
That's when I signed up for ESA Stowe 2006.
ESA was just what the ski chick needed.  I have a passion for improvement and the skills to  tackle varied terrain that wears out the guys I tend to ski with.  I can say I was an intermediate skier a couple years ago and am more like an advanced skier now, with a passion to become an expert, if the expert world will have me 

As an Administrator:
ESA has groups for most levels of skiing and can certainly find the right group for you.  

As someone who is knowledgeable:
I would like to advise you on the Mt Snow location but I'm not sure about the Geography of that area.  I can say that it adds to the vibe if you stay where the ESA crowd is.
I had the BEST Maple Creme' Brulee in Stowe and can highly recommend it!

Does that help?

 Commuting from Mt. Snow to Stowe? I don't think that is feasible, it is a good 3 hours each way, and that is if you get the lights. 

 Even without snow on the road Snow to Stowe is the better part of three hours. I wouldn't do that.

As for levels, most of the groups are somewhere in the advanced to intermediate range.

Did you ever manage to get with Martha at Snow for a lesson last year?

What she said...  my wife and I have been going to ESA's for 4 years -- we keep going back, because we keep getting better.  Marcia is an intermediate and I am advanced.  The company ain't bad either.

I've driven Stowe to Mt. Snow usinga combo of roads during the summer when I've been in absolutely no rush to get home.  It's a really long drive.  Lots of little Vermont towns along the way, etc. (i.e., stop signs on Main Street every couple miles).  Pretty drive, but not the way to go if you're in any rush to get somewhere.

That could be a 3 hour drive in moderate weather

 I have a place to stay in Rutland and I wouldn't do the commute every day and that is half the distance. 

 It's the Trapp Family Lodge--an experience in itself, like staying at the St. Bernard at Taos.

NICE!  

I will probably be staying in the lovely "Chateau de Subaru" (maybe you've heard of it?)  or  UVM, but the latter does NOT lend itself to getting up early...  One thing is for sure... I'm in! 
 

 DoWork, you're coming to ESA and lodging in  "chateau de Subaru"?
Some times you amaze me!

ok, Stowe ?  If I came where would I fly into?  Car rental? Driving time?   Other info please.  Never skied on the East coast.  On Bucket List.  Would be flying out of Spokane, Washington.

 Fly into Burlington,
Lots of rental car options at the airport. 
If you fly in when I do(thur) you can share a ride with me.
Drive time is less than an hour from the airport.
My plan is to ski Fri thru Monday.

ESA Stowe Stoke!

 I'm moving a few of the general questions from the main ESA thread to here regarding Stowe, which will help filter information for the respective venues.

 We'll have to see what happens this year, I'd love to join y'all (never skied w any bears.. ) but finances will dictate whether or not I can.  It's hard to shell out money to ski at Stowe when I can ski elsewhere for free, but I think it will be well worth it!  Also, i probably have connections for a hand-full of crashable couches in the area so DoWork, maybe I can help you out as the date gets closer.  

 Albany and manchester NH are other airports to consider. 

Thanks Philpug and Trekchick will check out cost etc.

If those are on the table, Montreal should be too.

 Last year Bob Barnes and his chauffeur flew into Manchester, and completely doable.
Burlington is the best bet for something close. Albany will work if you want to catch a ride with someone coming from that direction, like Phil, Paul, or other Bears.

Sometimes??!?!?!!!!?  I'll work on that...  

Hey if I want to attend ESA, get my season's pass to Magic, get my two birthweeks of Colorado couchsurfing in early feb and still make it to Mardi Gras, I've got to make some sacrifices.  Besides, the $300 I'd spend on a hotel room could have me halfway to the Epic pass I'll need.  Who knows, maybe I'll bring the winnie if a few friends want to come and chip in for gas, but worst comes to worst I'm always down for a little car campage.    Life's soooooooo rough!  

 DoWork, I'm looking forward to seeing you again 

Hartford CT is an easier drive, and probably has as many flights as both of those combined.  Boston, Newark, laGuardia, JFK (in that order) are worth considering if you can get a cheap direct flight.  There's always lots of choices in the northeast.
I do all my trips with only carry on, so that I can re-route if the weather goes wrong.
BK 

Lap-a-luxury.

Do Work, I could hook you up with our lodge in Stowe (Waterbury).  Cost is in the $20. range.  I'd need to work out some details, but it's an option.  One of the ESA guys stayed there last year.

And...driving from Mt Snow...if you are going to do this ESA clinic, get the full benefit and stay at Stowe.  That way you can meet people and experience all aspects of ESA.

One other thing to recommend flying into Manchester -- the trip from Boston to Stowe takes you right past Manchester Airport.  You could easily get a ride from somebody and save yourself the cost of renting a car, etc.

(Kinda the same thing with Boston's Logan Airport, but getting into and out of Logan is a ummmm, experience)

I am almost sure I will be coming to Stowe this december... my husband will probably come too.. This seems like it will be a lot of fun

 Supposed to get frost tonight. It sure is feeling like fall right now.

Hey Pandita, hope you are coming, it will be nice to meet another Diva-Bear!  I just registered for ESA Stowe and made my reservation at the Trapp Family Lodge.  When I called them, they didn't have the EpicSki info. entered into their computer yet, but the reservations agent was able to find it after a few minutes.  I learned that a full breakfast is included for each night of the reservation, waa hoo~  I am psyched that we're staying at the Trapp Family Lodge, I've driven by it and it looks really beautiful, the location is amazing.

I'm bringing my hubbie this time, he's a snowboarder, and will join us for the banquet.  We'll ski and ride at Okemo on Friday on our mid-week pass and then drive from Ludlow to Stowe in the mid-afternoon.  Just couldn't justify the full price lift tickets at Stowe for Friday when we can ski for free that day at Okemo.  I'm hoping I get a day or two of skiing in before ESA Stowe this year, that'll depend on snow conditions and workload at my office, sigh.

I'M STOWKED!

Just so you realize, we are generally able to get discount pricing for Fri. and Mon. lift tickets. (At least we have in the past).  Clearly, it will still be pricier than using your pass at Okemo, but the extra days are always a blast--just so you know...

It's not what you pay....its what you get... You get to ski with a bunch of fun people if you ski at Stowe on Friday, all for the pittance price of a measly lift ticket a value worth 2 and 1/3 the price!

Yup, same great deal for Fri and/or Mon added to the student tickets!