Greek Peak Conditions (2016 - 2017)

See, this guy knows what I'm talkin' about.

Ethan, you never answered my question regarding the new expert DH bike trail at Greek. Have you ridden it?

Camp, I have not ridden it. I have seen it up close though. I was looking at it the last time I skied there.

I have ridden some of the gnarliest bike trails in the East, and sometimes I let that go to my head. I apologize. I honestly think it's great that GP is doing mountain biking, and I encourage you to keep having fun! I do look forwad to riding it myself sometime soon, and then I can give my honest opinion. Sound good?

radam wrote

No idea how much snow they can make, but might I recommend not taking a 30-day forecast as fact?

Is it ok if I take it as fact now?

I skied GP today and all that was left was the Iliad, Karyotis,  and Alpha slope. Conditions were what they usually are at the end of the season.

The patrol was practicing on what little snow was remaining on the Fields, albeit the Fields was not open to the public.

I spoke to Wes, and he said this would be the last weekend.

I'll ski again tomorrow and return to Killington for the balance of the season, after a trip to Vail.

And it's a wrap --- what a fun closing day at the Peak

We threw ourselves a buy your ski pass party on the deck -- WOOT

We'll get em next year!

Skied Greek on their last day, Sun. 3/13/16. Got on the mountain at 9am and skied non-stop till 2pm. 3 trails open Karryatis, Illiad and the beginners. Was firm frozen surface early, then softened up at about 11am. Then about 1pm it got really wet and slushy. Not many skiers there on sunday... but a lot of small kids taking lessons on the magic carpet, beginners slope and on Karryatus. Saw one of these families waiting for the shuttle bus to go back to HLL. Grandparents, parents and 4 young kids. Stopped in Trax after and all drafts, 16 oz. - one pint and all pounders were on special for $3.00. Bought a draft and went out on the deck and joined Camps - bought our ski passes party. Camp denies he is the President of the A18 gang. Looking forward to next season.  

Big D wrote

  Camp denies he is the President of the A18 gang.  
 

There are 4 founding fathers of the A18 Gang

Good hangin with ya BigD

ml242 wrote

We'll get em next year!

fer sure

Welp, that was an interesting year.  Made my last runs on Saturday.  Next year can't be much worse, right?  Maybe I'll meet some of you guys up there next season.

I agree Turd, next year can't be worse. This one was the worst I can ever remember.

We'll hook up next year for sure. We aren't hard to find ---- if the snow is good look in the woods, that's where you can find us. Beyond that Trax is a sure bet

campgottagopee wrote

if the snow is good look in the woods, that's where you can find us. Beyond that Trax is a sure bet

Sounds good, the glades and the bar are some are the best terrain options.

HA HA - Little snowmaking vid about GP. But the guy didn't read his calculator right and stated at the end that Greek spends "4 million a year on making snow". Given the numbers presented in the vid I get $493,750. per year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzKZ5cbCO2Q

<nabble_embed>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzKZ5cbCO2Q</nabble_embed>

That was an interesting video, Big D. Thanks for posting it.

On a different note, a friend of mine who skis Elk sent me the following message he received:

"Because of recent rain and a forecast that includes rain, Elk Mountain will close on Sunday March 13 for the 2015/2016 season.  Despite the efforts of our snowmaking crew, the groomers, and the mechanics, Mother Nature dealt us a hand that was the worst in our 56 year history.  Holders of full season passes for the 2015/2016 season who opt to purchase another full season pass for the 2016/2017 season will receive a credit equivalent to 31% of the amount paid for this year's season pass.  From all of us at Elk Mountain, thank you for your continued support.  Have a great summer. "

I think it's a nice gesture on Elk's part. I wouldn't expect Greek to offer a discount, as their passes are already nearly half the price of Elk's.

Heard Elk guarantees passholders 100 days open per season. If they don't make it the current passholders get a discount on the next years pass. So they were 31 days short hence the 31% discount. The lowest price offered for an adult Seasons pass at Elk last year was $745.

Ahhh, so that's how Elk determined the discount for next season. It certainly makes sense.

I'm amazed that Elk commands a premium over the other Pocono ski areas. Camelback charges $599 for their full pass, albeit Elk ranks a bit higher IMO in terms of terrain. As far as Camelback goes, they plan to reopen again on March 25th.

Rj1972 wrote

I'm amazed that Elk commands a premium over the other Pocono ski areas.

Does Elk qualify as the Poconos? It's 60 miles north of Camelback.

Jamesdeluxe wrote

Rj1972 wrote

I'm amazed that Elk commands a premium over the other Pocono ski areas.

Does Elk qualify as the Poconos? It's 60 miles north of Camelback.

Technically, it's in a region called the "Endless Mountains of PA"... I think it's a grey area.  When I lived in Susquehanna county, I never thought of myself living in the Poconos.

Big D wrote

Heard Elk guarantees passholders 100 days open per season. If they don't make it the current passholders get a discount on the next years pass. So they were 31 days short hence the 31% discount. The lowest price offered for an adult Seasons pass at Elk last year was $745.

You used to have to pay a premium (like insurance) for the 100 day guarantee... I forget what it cost, but it appears to be part of the deal now.