Greek Peak Conditions (2014-2015)

Really good conditions today, almost packed powder. Iliad was closed yet again. Why close the trail every time they make snow on it? Was a bit over groomed would have been nice if they left more of the fresh pow alone. Only the quad and chair 3 and 4 were open. With 4-6 inches of fresh snow would have been nice to see more lifts open, deepest natural snow we have had in over a month. Trail report was inaccurate as usual makes me sad. On the bright side it did look like they were working on some of the lights. Much needed as night skiing is pretty dangerous due to poor lighting.

I counted seven lights out on the Trojan last weekend.  Not good.

Where else were they making snow?

Yeh was almost pack powder, in spots it was. Half of Iliad was open, was able to get from Oddessy and trail under 1A. They were blowing on upper Iliad and in beat threw areas. Hercules looks like they should be able to push snow, thinking will be open by weekend.  Was able to find some fresh on edges. They put a fence when you drop down in the hole so they could move equipment down. I liked it there, keeps the stones out of the snow you generally find there.  Over all skied good hard in spots but what the heck, we need SNOW!!!

Yesterday was a friggin blast!!! Got into Ronnies and the Trojan woods yesterday, which is where we found the best snow. The woods really aren't ready as they're still a little thin but there was POW to be found and what fun that was. I did catch a snow-snake my last rip thru Ronnies.....pulled off a one handed turtle roll, pop - back - up - on your skis move that would've killed a normal man


One thing I was surprised/disappointed in were the groomers. With the natural snow that fell, and with all the snow being made I expected them to be soft, but they weren't. Twas more of the same old same old that we've been skiing on for the last few years. It wasn't that long ago (5 to 6 yrs) that I was very comfortable in saying GP has the best SNOW and terrain in CNY. I honestly can not say that anymore. We still have by far the best terrain, but the snow quality and grooming has been lacking now for several years. I have no idea what has changed as I'm certainly no expert in snowmaking / grooming, but I can tell you as a skier something has changed and needs to start going the other way.

We had a long conversation about this yesterday at Trax, and this has been a concern of our crew for quite some time now. We all keep waiting for it to turn back, turn back to the primo conditions (snow quality) we've become used to at GP. GPPartner has asked for constructive criticism, there is mine and I'm keeping it 100% real. I will attend the next Summit and express my feelings regarding this issue because as a skier I feel it important to bring this to the table. With all the hundreds of thousands of dollars invested into snowmaking and grooming over the past 2 years they should be laying down perfect carpet, that's just not the case. All I know is the same people are doing the same thing at Greek regarding this issue, so maybe that's where the problem lies. We have state of the art equipment, the best money can buy, and I can't stand by  and watch it go to waste.

Camp, I actually feel the mountain has deteriorated even more since the bankruptcy.  I've never seen so many down trees (across the entrance to Olympian, Zeus, one ready to fall on chair 1A, and many more throughout the ski area), so many weeds (under chair 2) and along the trails, and of course, so many lights that are out. The place really does look neglected. Doesn't anybody on staff see this or care?

In terms of snow quality, they have been using SnoMax this season, and actually just placed an order for more.  Grooming has been hit or miss, at best. The waste involved with improper snowmaking is also rampant, as they don't seem to know what type of guns to use in various places. Quite a bit of money is being wasted.

I'm wondering who is supervising on-mountain operations, if anyone?

I have to chuckle that they have money for two Mountain Ambassadors, but don't have the resources to paint the backs of chair 2 or replace the wood on the towers. These are not big investments, but would definitely improve the shabbiness factor.

Considering their head of snowmaking walked and the rest left besides 4 guys, I think they are doing the best they can.  Hopefully this will improve though.

Rj1972 wrote

Camp, I actually feel the mountain has deteriorated even more since the bankruptcy.  I've never seen so many down trees (across the entrance to Olympian, Zeus, one ready to fall on chair 1A, and many more throughout the ski area), so many weeds (under chair 2) and along the trails, and of course, so many lights that are out. The place really does look neglected. Doesn't anybody on staff see this or care?

 

 

I agree 100%, and I hope we start to see improvements soon before it's too late. I'm not hating on the place, nor do I feel you are, I'm frustrated because somewhere, someone, is telling Marc and Jon things are going OK and that the hill is doing great. Well, imo it's not. It's the same damn thing we've had. Same people do the same thing with the same results....definition of insanity, right??

Rj1972 wrote

In terms of snow quality, they have been using SnoMax this season, and actually just placed an order for more.  Grooming has been hit or miss, at best. The waste involved with improper snowmaking is also rampant, as they don't seem to know what type of guns to use in various places. Quite a bit of money is being wasted.

 

Shit man, we used snowmax at GP back when I made snow in the 80's....it ain't new there. They have guys setting guns up so water pushes air, water pushes air. It's not supposed to work that way. Air always pushes water, always.

Rj1972 wrote

 

I'm wondering who is supervising on-mountain operations, if anyone?

 

That's what I'd like to know too. We had great mountain ops guy in Rick (from Lab), he was striving for what we are talking about but, from what I've heard, he wasn't allowed to make changes. Wish we could get that guy back and let him do what he was hired to do.

Again, I'm not hating....I love the place and always will...I want to see it get better and I feel it will

I know one thing it's hard as hell and has been. I am thinking they need to set the auger on the groomer deeper and slow down a bit. They are  ( a least to me) just grooming the top out and not running a auger.  But who the hell knows?I never run a groomer but it could be a lot better.

I actually haven't seen John or Mark skiing lately. Maybe they have been, and if so, don't they recognize the obvious? The other reality is that they just might be working with a skeletal crew who just can't get to everything. I dunno. However, rather than worrying about a deck off of Tracks, maybe some paint, chainsaws, and weedwackers would be a better investment. They are overlooking the details.

So Greek Peak becoming The Jersey Shore Goes Skiing seems like a good thing to you?

Seriously though - the focus seems to be on attracting out of towners more than locals. Out of towners (especially those who ski once a year) care less about snow quality and terrain than they do about amenities. Like mega deck.

The owners need to decide who their target market is, and serve that market. If they choose to keep pursuing the out of town market as their priority, that combined Song/Lab pass looks even more attractive. Especially if it's below the price of a GP pass.

billyymc wrote

Out of towners (especially those who ski once a year) care less about snow quality and terrain than they do about amenities.

I guess the "especially" part diffuses my comment a bit. I care about snow and terrain.

Those guys bought a big hotel. They have to care about people from out of town right?

Harvey wrote

Those guys bought a big hotel. They have to care about people from out of town right?

Damn right they do! The out of towners are why GP has gotten to where it is today, so we need that part of the puzzle to continue to grow. We need the deck off of Trax, people expect that when they go skiing, at least I know I do.

The other thing people expect is good grooming. There have been days you could ski down Illiad with your eyes closed it was so smooth. Then there are days you can ski down and literally have a drop off / wall where the groomer has missed part of his pass, and if you're carrying any kind of speed you better look out cause it gets interesting pretty quick. Consistently inconsistent describes it best in my mind. Again, we have state of the art equipment, owners that are willing to make the investment if it makes sense, so I expect things will get better. Marc and Jon are skiers so I know they're aware of these issues too...........hopefully the people in place to make these changes are willing to do so. Some people (i'm one of them) don't like change, but hey it's 2015 and time to get a little uncomfortable.

As for Lab/Song pass --- they can suck it


p.s. was at Trax for a couple beers last night after work, they were pounding that hill with POW....more snow on the way today and tomorrow....this weekend is gonna rock at the Peak

Harvey - by all means they do - because they are stuck with that stupid hotel and water park.

They just need to balance it out with what imo a lot of the locals want - which is good conditions and terrain without the frills. Sure, Campy likes to go pretend he's on vacation and hang out there all day and night - but not all locals do.

I go to GP to ski. If chair 5 is open I park there and walk a few yards to the lift. I ski for two or three hours then go home. On weekends we'll cookout at the chair 5 beach, but besides that I'm not hanging at GP for fun after I ski.

Now when we go out of town - sure, we'll hang and have some beers on occasion. But then we're tourists, not locals.

I think it's a fine balancing act for GP to attract the  out of towners they need to support the white elephant, and also keep the locals (who despite what Campy says do have other options) happy.

I don't give a flying f about the deck. It won't enhance my skiing experience at GP. As someone who just wants to ski, I may not be in GP's bullseye anymore.

So then your beef is with the original owners.  I'm assuming there was no option to buy the ski area without the hotel or waterpark.

Look I'm an outsider without much insight into this but it seems to me that when this deal went down the options were to buy the whole shootin match or let the whole thing go under.  I got to believe it's better for locals to have a ski area in Virgil.

billyymc wrote

I go to GP to ski. If chair 5 is open I park there and walk a few yards to the lift. I ski for two or three hours then go home. On weekends we'll cookout at the chair 5 beach, but besides that I'm not hanging at GP for fun after I ski.

You must be a blast to hang out with

Harvey wrote

  I got to believe it's better for locals to have a ski area in Virgil.

BOOM

Harvey - I got  no beef with anyone. I think the new owners are doing ok. I've been happy with the skiing there this year in general (for what it is with such low natural snowfall).

I think to survive they need to attract the out of towners. It seems like they're doing that, so good for them. I want to see them succeed. They will inevitably lose some locals in that process - how many depends on how well they keep their eye on that part of the market.

Don't mean to derail the conditions thread. I think they're doing fine with snowmaking and grooming in general this year. Should be a good weekend with a little snow  in the forecast to help out.

campgottagopee wrote

You must be a blast to hang out with

And you must be the loud obnoxious guy in the bar I try to avoid.

Works out well for both of us.

that was funny

billyymc wrote

I go to GP to ski. If chair 5 is open I park there and walk a few yards to the lift. I ski for two or three hours then go home. On weekends we'll cookout at the chair 5 beach, but besides that I'm not hanging at GP for fun after I ski.

Now when we go out of town - sure, we'll hang and have some beers on occasion. But then we're tourists, not locals.

I think it's a fine balancing act for GP to attract the  out of towners they need to support the white elephant, and also keep the locals (who despite what Campy says do have other options) happy.

I don't give a flying f about the deck. It won't enhance my skiing experience at GP. As someone who just wants to ski, I may not be in GP's bullseye anymore.

ummm hate to break it to you Cochise but your not in anyone's bullseye and haven't been for a long time... it cost too much  to stay competitive and alive in today's ski area game to base your business plan on the season passholder lunch packer type. Go buy a beer and a slice of pizza once in awhile to support your mountain, go somewhere else or sing the blues when their gone.