An Epic Day in eastern Pa

I'm up for anything that can be arranged.  I'm within about 1/2 hour of Blue, Camelback etc, but for a weekend prefer Elk, as the other just get too darn crowded.  Anything should be OK for weekdays.

I am in the harrisburg area and would be up for a week day in Feb,  I Ski at Roundtop but am willing to travel

I would be up for a weekend day.  I'm in South Jersey, Cherry Hill area, about 2.5 hours from Blue / Camelback / Jack Frost.  Elk is a bit far, at 3.5 hours away, but possibly doable (especially if there are others in the area who'd be up for car pooling).

i'd prefer a weekend day as well.  we're going to be in stowe Feb 11 thru 14, so those dates are out for us.  unless of course you plan to be at stowe then as well .  as far as a place: my vote is for either elk or jack frost.

I'm up for a weekend as well. How do you navigate to Social Groups? Can't seem to find in top navigation.

So is anything in the works?  I haven't even gotten out once this year for a variety of reasons. I should could use a day out..help! 

IMO, no one wants to be with you your first day on the hill.  Get some days in so you (and the rest) can enjoy the day more.  

I've got friends coming here from VA and I strongly suggested they get their legs ready before coming.  I don't know if they got the hint, but I'm not even sure I'll ski with them here on the first day they arrive.  
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJskier164 

So is anything in the works?  I haven't even gotten out once this year for a variety of reasons. I should could use a day out..help! 

I'm going to be in PA this weekend, close to Camelback/Big Boulder/Jack Frost; will be skiing Saturday/Sunday and maybe (huge maybe, as in unlikely) Monday. Anyone's in the area and wants to meet up?

P.S. I've only been once to Camelback around 10 years ago or so and don't remember it at all now (other then that they have night skiing). Never been to either Big Boulder or Jack Frost. Which one of these is worth going to or maybe there is something else nearby that blows these three away?

Only replying because no one else has.  

I skied Camelback for 27 years.  Personally, now that I live in Montana, I can safely say that none of the Pocono ski areas blow any of the other ones away.  This coming weekend is SURE to be crowded.  Given that, I'd head to Elk.  CB will be a MAD HOUSE.  I think it was President's Day one year that they closed the EXIT from the Interstate because it was backing up and interfering with traffic for miles.  Big Boulder and Jack Frost are much much smaller, with less vertical.  Jack Frost is known for having better quality snow.  That's the most that can be said.  I suspect that given their smaller size that the crowds will be just as horrid there.  Like I said, head to Elk.  

Better yet, pick a different weekend.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by sibhusky 

...I can safely say that none of the Pocono ski areas blow any of the other ones away.  This coming weekend is SURE to be crowded.  Given that, I'd head to Elk.  CB will be a MAD HOUSE.  I think it was President's Day one year that they closed the EXIT from the Interstate because it was backing up and interfering with traffic for miles.  Big Boulder and Jack Frost are much much smaller, with less vertical.  Jack Frost is known for having better quality snow.  That's the most that can be said.  I suspect that given their smaller size that the crowds will be just as horrid there.  Like I said, head to Elk.  

 

Better yet, pick a different weekend.  

I will disagree...and agree.  The "bigger" areas (Blue and Camelback) are skiing better this year merely b/c, in this lousy year, they have better snow-making ability.  That being said, in a normal year, they are pretty interchangable.

BUT...Sibhusky is VERY correct in saying this weekend will be just awful. So awful that, despite my season pass to Camelback , I'm trying to convince my financial advisor that a trip to VT is in order.

 

There's a huge difference between "skiing better" and "blowing the others away".  On a normal weekend, I'd say Camelback, heck I had a season pass there from 1988 - 2003.  Just shows how much boredom I could put up with.  Before that, I vacillated from Shawnee to Big Boulder to Jack Frost to Blue.  End result was owning a condo at CB.  IMO to ski this weekend there, you better make sure your insurance is paid up.  AT LEAST BE ON THE SNOW when they open the lifts and then just buy a morning ticket if it's offered.  Then head for the Barley Creek for the rest of the day.  (Is that still there??)

Given this year's crappy weather, I don't think it will be anywhere nearly as bad as on a normal year. At least this year I have definitely seen much less people here on slopes then last year - on Christmas week I did not spend more then 5 minutes in lines and on MLK I was able to ski line free (where last year on MLK Saturday in the same resort I spent around 15min in line).

Not only is it still there...it's super fancy.  Well, maybe super fancy is overstating it, but it is pretty new and shiney.

I spent the last two years at Blue...and switched to Camelback b/c I needed a change of scenery (and the $199 pass was impossible to pass up).

-Smarty

Gee, thanks....

Quote:

Originally Posted by sibhusky 

IMO, no one wants to be with you your first day on the hill.  Get some days in so you (and the rest) can enjoy the day more.  

 

I've got friends coming here from VA and I strongly suggested they get their legs ready before coming.  I don't know if they got the hint, but I'm not even sure I'll ski with them here on the first day they arrive.  
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by sibhusky 

IMO, no one wants to be with you your first day on the hill.  Get some days in so you (and the rest) can enjoy the day more.  

 

I've got friends coming here from VA and I strongly suggested they get their legs ready before coming.  I don't know if they got the hint, but I'm not even sure I'll ski with them here on the first day they arrive.  
 

 

Seriously?

We have friends come to ski with us all the time who haven't had a chance to get out for the season.  I have no problem skiing with them on their first day.

We've also had many ESA's at Stowe where the first day out is the day they arrive at Stowe.  No Problem!.

Heck, Bazzer lives in Florida and goes to vail every year to ski with Bears.  Think he gets his ski legs under him in Florida?  (FairtoMiddlin too)

Hey, I'll Ski with anyone any time - I'll be Instructing at Ski Roundtop this weekend.. Ask for Ski Me Bob - Skied at Stratton last week at the Ski Show and had a blast.   Got to Ski and see all the new toys for next year.  Well our snow here is a little firm or mash potato like depending on the day,  we still go 4-5 days a week.   Looking foward to the Canyons March 3-10.  Hopefully with some powder will have  skied on every type of snow ever created, what a year. .

If your legs can't take it, we have a bar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sibhusky 

There's a huge difference between "skiing better" and "blowing the others away".  On a normal weekend, I'd say Camelback, heck I had a season pass there from 1988 - 2003.  Just shows how much boredom I could put up with.  Before that, I vacillated from Shawnee to Big Boulder to Jack Frost to Blue.  End result was owning a condo at CB.  IMO to ski this weekend there, you better make sure your insurance is paid up.  AT LEAST BE ON THE SNOW when they open the lifts and then just buy a morning ticket if it's offered.  Then head for the Barley Creek for the rest of the day.  (Is that still there??)

Well, you just convinced me not to try to go skiing this weekend.  I fear Elk, at 3.5 hours away, is just too far for a day trip.  I'd spend as much time driving as I would skiing.

And Barley Creek is still there, and is a pretty nice place.  It's much better (not to mention more reasonable) than eating at the resort.  I enjoyed the buffalo garlic wings, and the bourbon vanilla porter was very good.  If you're looking a place to dine in the area, or just relax with a pint, I recommend it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sibhusky 

IMO, no one wants to be with you your first day on the hill.  Get some days in so you (and the rest) can enjoy the day more.  

 

I've got friends coming here from VA and I strongly suggested they get their legs ready before coming.  I don't know if they got the hint, but I'm not even sure I'll ski with them here on the first day they arrive.  

I was surprised by sibhusky's post too.  I assume he was trying to be sarcastic?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timobkg 

Well, you just convinced me not to try to go skiing this weekend.  I fear Elk, at 3.5 hours away, is just too far for a day trip.  I'd spend as much time driving as I would skiing.

The nearest resort to me is 3 hours away and that never stopped me from doing a day trip... The truth is, very few people live near mountains and can ski pretty much any time they want to; the rest of us have to put up with long driving hours for a few hours of skiing. Don't make it stop you from skiing, the only way to get 20 or more days of skiing per year is to go with daily trips. Multiday trips are fun, but are much more expensive...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trekchick 

Seriously?

We have friends come to ski with us all the time who haven't had a chance to get out for the season.  I have no problem skiing with them on their first day.

We've also had many ESA's at Stowe where the first day out is the day they arrive at Stowe.  No Problem!.

 

Heck, Bazzer lives in Florida and goes to vail every year to ski with Bears.  Think he gets his ski legs under him in Florida?  (FairtoMiddlin too)

 

never saw a stowe ESA that had good conditions with out having to bend the rules. so for most people it was just groomer skiing. For a lucky few we were skiing some pretty epic powder. 

I agree with Sibhusky. It is frustrating to me when people talk a huge game and then want to stop every couple hundred feet on a bump run I can do top to bottom many runs in a row. It getting harder to find people who can keep up and like the things I do. I would rather suck wind all day following someone faster than be lead just because how rare that has become for me. 

I do think skiing is social, on the lifts and at lunch. talking on the side of the trail is only an excuse for people who are not fit and/or efficient. 

Ripper me is much different than never ending patience of coach me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sibhusky 

 IMO to ski this weekend there, you better make sure your insurance is paid up.  AT LEAST BE ON THE SNOW when they open the lifts and then just buy a morning ticket if it's offered.

Actually, I've noticed that it has been busier in the morning than the afternoons this winter. The conditions are worse in the PM but it keeps the crowds down. Stay off the greens and blues to the extent you can. But any day skiing beats a day sitting home wishing you had gone.

And in case you need reminding, Josh, "ripper me" is the "me" who should probably talk and post less.

It's perfectly reasonable for you to think these things....it's aggressively arrogant to announce them loudly. 

My mother's advice for getting along with people still works about 85% of the time: "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything".  It minimizes the chances of being thought arrogant, egotistical, and rude.

Best.

tch

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tch 

And in case you need reminding, Josh, "ripper me" is the "me" who should probably talk and post less.

It's perfectly reasonable for you to think these things....it's aggressively arrogant to announce them loudly. 

My mother's advice for getting along with people still works about 85% of the time: "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything".  It minimizes the chances of being thought arrogant, egotistical, and rude.

Best.

tch

 

 

I am anything but it better to announce them so you guy know the truth than to be passive aggressive about it. I would say its aggresively confindent. My dad always taught me to tell the truth no matter how much it hurts to hear(If it has to be said at all).  

I love to ski with people and show people around of all ability level, but I hate it when I get someone who talks this huge game about how rad they are, then I meet them and its clear my plans for the day have just been changed without me knowing. I am not naming names but it has happened a decent bit before. 

Maybe they just didn't understand what you meant. 

If you ever get to Tahoe, look me up!  I like your attitude!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ski Me Bob 

Hey, I'll Ski with anyone any time - I'll be Instructing at Ski Roundtop this weekend.. Ask for Ski Me Bob - Skied at Stratton last week at the Ski Show and had a blast.   Got to Ski and see all the new toys for next year.  Well our snow here is a little firm or mash potato like depending on the day,  we still go 4-5 days a week.   Looking foward to the Canyons March 3-10.  Hopefully with some powder will have  skied on every type of snow ever created, what a year. .

 

If your legs can't take it, we have a bar.

Well it seems there are varying opinions on what "social skiing" means.  If you can't stand to wait for people of lesser abilities, it sounds like you'll be doing more and more of your skiing by yourself unless you have a select group of people who are at the same level you are.  It seems most GTGs have a wide variety of abilities.  If you can't bring yourself to "bring it down a notch", why go to a GTG?  I thought the whole idea of a GTG was the social aspect, but maybe that's just me.  I'm rarely skiing with anyone at or above my ability, but I would never say "see you at the bar".  There's always another day when I can go off and do my own thing.

Yeah, a lot of people (mostly guys?) tend to overestimate their abilities.  So what else is new? 

Anyway, back to the purpose of this thread....anyone in Eastern PA interested in a GTG? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJskier164 

 

Anyway, back to the purpose of this thread....anyone in Eastern PA interested in a GTG? 

Someone needs to step up and set date/mountain, otherwise it will never take off. It looks like we have plenty of indians (with some cowboys thrown in the mix), but not enough chiefs:)

OK, I'm your huckleberry....LOL. 

How about March 4th at Elk? Should be prime spring conditions.

Anyone coming from a distance is welcome to meet up with me to car pool part of the way..  I live near the Delaware Water Gap, between Stroudsburg and Easton.

And I will have gotten out by then, BTW  LOL.  And lot's of time on my skiers edge