Greek Peak Conditions (2016 - 2017)

For the record, I think Greek Peak has pretty good snowmaking capabilities for the size of the hill. I was there when they were blowing snow on both Odyssey and Mars hill at the same time, as well as several other guns around the mountain and Odyssey had 20' piles on it. that was Christmas eve 2014 which was the first year of the new lift.

Ethan Snow wrote

For the record, I think Greek Peak has pretty good snowmaking capabilities for the size of the hill. I was there when they were blowing snow on both Odyssey and Mars hill at the same time, as well as several other guns around the mountain and Odyssey had 20' piles on it. that was Christmas eve 2014 which was the first year of the new lift.

Greek Peak is larger than the majority of ski areas in the Pocono's--yet most of the ski areas in the Pocono's are 100% open with significant bases. Last Sunday you couldn't ski on some of the open trails at Greek Peak due to rocks and dirt. In fact, you couldn't get to Castor without skiing over dirt. The entrance to Iliad was also more dirt than snow. This year, the image that the ski area is portraying is that of a business in financial distress, IMO. As I previously mentioned, there was very minimal snowmaking until after the Christmas/New Years revenue came in.

Skigreekpeak I live right between you and Elk.  They have much the same weather as your hill does.  They as well as many other areas in our general region are providing more than your hill is not only this season but also last season.  The employees that are hands on with snowmaking and such seem to be working as much as they're being allowed to.  So if you though I was slamming the employees that's not the case and I apologize for not being more clear.

Here's some things I have seen the times I've been on the hill this season.  This isn't rumor but what I've seen and heard.

On a day where it was cold enough to make snow there were maybe 5 guns running on the main hill with an additional gun running on the connector trail back from chair 5.  This same day there were good size areas of ice on several trails with thin spots/no coverage on others.  The flat section by the meadow coming off of fields and such was one such area.  The right side of Trojan where it drops in heavy shade was another.

Chair 2 has been running very little.  When it has been running there's also thin coverage along a good portion of the top.

I rode up new 1a with a couple that were visiting from out of town.  We talked on the way up and they were actually pretty pissed.  The boyfriend was local before moving away and the girlfriend was from Connecticut.  They're both snow boarders.  Before heading to the hill he called your conditions line and he claims that the report stated that the terrain park was open only to find it was closed upon arrival.  They were both very angry that they paid $68.00 each for the conditions and what was open.

The lift lines are more of a zoo due to fewer lift attendants.  

What's with the big pot hole in the middle of the parking lot just past the loading area?  The lot's always been a bit of a challenge but this thing is no joke this year and it's not exactly off to one side

I know of at least one school program that's seriously looking to either head to another area or stop completely due to some of the challenges over the last few seasons with the area.

I'm not just trying to bash your area.  BUT you brought some things out which deserve an honest answer.  

I'll be up on Saturday and would be willing to talk to any/all management face to face.  Thank you for chiming in.

Parris

Our family left Greek two seasons ago after being season passholders for 15 years. We switched to Song/Lab due to the multi-pass savings they offered. And while I've enjoyed it, especially Song this year which has benefited from LE more than Lab or GP due to it's location, we've been talking about going back to GP next year. I guess I'll have to go up for an evening to see how things really are before deciding.

GP - make up your mind about what kind of ski area you want to be. It seemed like you wanted to be the premier / premium area in CNY, but that doesn't appear to be happening. But at the same time you're pissing off your locals.

GEEZUS! Talk about fake news and alternative facts

I live right here and haven't heard any of what the hell you guys are talking about. Seems as tho the "let it go into BK and buy it back card" has already been played many times by someone other than our new owners.

Regarding the new lift ---- Marc and John were forced into putting that lift in as it was FALSELY promised for 2 years to GP skiers prior to them purchasing GP at a PUBLIC auction. Yes, RJ, even you, Mr. Big Bucks, could've bought it, but it seems you would rather run your mouth, spread rumors, and beat these guys down. Nice job  way to go  your support is appreciated, especially coming from a owner at HLL

These ski hills south of us you guys speak of having all this snow and open terrain ----- how many of them have a hotel, water park, and adventure center. I don't know that's why I'm asking.

campgottagopee wrote

These ski hills south of us you guys speak of having all this snow and open terrain ----- how many of them have a hotel, water park, and adventure center. I don't know that's why I'm asking.

 Camelback which is 100% open with a nice base.

Elk also has every trail open with a nice base except for Lehigh with is a natural snow trail and never had snowmaking.

Greek Peak has always lacked snowmaking. They get more snow than the Poconos or Elk and that has saved them in years past but even the VT areas are continually upgrading and expanding snowmaking. Snowmaking should be a priority at Greek or the skiing will always be mediocre except in maybe the best snow years.

trackbiker wrote

campgottagopee wrote

These ski hills south of us you guys speak of having all this snow and open terrain ----- how many of them have a hotel, water park, and adventure center. I don't know that's why I'm asking.

 Camelback which is 100% open with a nice base.

Elk also has every trail open with a nice base except for Lehigh with is a natural snow trail and never had snowmaking.

Greek Peak has always lacked snowmaking. They get more snow than the Poconos or Elk and that has saved them in years past but even the VT areas are continually upgrading and expanding snowmaking. Snowmaking should be a priority at Greek or the skiing will always be mediocre except in maybe the best snow years.

Ok, great. But do any of them have  a hotel, water park and adventure center. That was my question.

RJ and Parris --- what's the big deal about chair 2??? If there was snow enough to open Ronnies I would agree with you. Do you guys enjoy ripping massive GS turns down Castor?? That's one bad ass green circle run

I thought Marc and John were skiers and their families are up there every weekend skiing and socializing. It is part of their quality of life in CNY and would highly doubt they would jeopardize their families future by doing something such as that.

But perhaps, what they are doing is making Greek Peak a sustainable and viable business, for years to come, along with improving the customers experience.  GP will not be the cheapest in comparing Lab, Song, and Togg, but they will be the best value for the money, both local and destination skier's.

Just my thoughts--

campgottagopee wrote

Regarding the new lift ---- Marc and John were forced into putting that lift in as it was FALSELY promised for 2 years to GP skiers prior to them purchasing GP at a PUBLIC auction.

If you recall, the prior owners had a lift on order the season prior to the bankruptcy. The reason it wasn't installed is because the manufacturer wouldn't guarantee an installation prior to Christmas week.  Accordingly, the owners opted to wait until the following summer. Of course, Tennessee Financial Bank was seized, and the rest is history.

Marc and John installed a fixed grip quad, which was awesome, but then they marketed it as a high speed express lift, which was shady.

campgottagopee wrote

GEEZUS!Yes, RJ, even you, Mr. Big Bucks, could've bought it, but it seems you would rather run your mouth, spread rumors, and beat these guys down. Nice job  way to go  your support is appreciated, especially coming from a owner at HLL

I do not own at HLL. Fractional ownership is not my cup of tea.

campgottagopee wrote

These ski hills south of us you guys speak of having all this snow and open terrain ----- how many of them have a hotel, water park, and adventure center. I don't know that's why I'm asking.

Camelback has a new hotel, indoor waterpark, mountain coaster, zip lines, etc. Bear Creek also has a hotel and conference facilities. Shawnee has a hotel. Nearly all of the ski areas in the Pocono's have high speed detachable lifts, and none of them charge a resort fee.

I concur with your thoughts GPPartner

And yes, I see Marc and/or John nearly every single time I'm there. They always go out of there way to talk to the skiers/boarders of GP. Even the locals.

Friends, if you haven't noticed, GPPartner is likely Marc or John.

Camelback has an indoor and outdoor water park and adventure center.

Does GP add the $8.00 resort fee on top of the lift ticket prices posted on their website?

I would struggle to compare GP to Camelback, as they have access to a NYC market and average 900,000 visits per year--

Rj1972 wrote

campgottagopee wrote

Regarding the new lift ---- Marc and John were forced into putting that lift in as it was FALSELY promised for 2 years to GP skiers prior to them purchasing GP at a PUBLIC auction.

If you recall, the prior owners had a lift on order the season prior to the bankruptcy. The reason it wasn't installed is because the manufacturer wouldn't guarantee an installation prior to Christmas week.  Accordingly, the owners opted to wait until the following summer. Of course, Tennessee Financial Bank was seized, and the rest is history.
 

Oh, I recall. I also recall previous owners for a minimum of 2 years over promising and under delivering us a new lift. I also recall this lift we have now being ordered by the old ownership, sitting here in the states, but couldn't be installed because they didn't have the $$$$.

Rj1972 wrote

 

campgottagopee wrote

These ski hills south of us you guys speak of having all this snow and open terrain ----- how many of them have a hotel, water park, and adventure center. I don't know that's why I'm asking.

Camelback has a new hotel, indoor waterpark, mountain coaster, zip lines, etc. Bear Creek also has a hotel and conference facilities. Shawnee has a hotel. Nearly all of the ski areas in the Pocono's have high speed detachable lifts, and none of them charge a resort fee.

Damn, I was hoping they didn't. There goes my wicked good point.

trackbiker wrote

Does GP add the $8.00 resort fee on top of the lift ticket prices posted on their website?

Yes, GP adds 8% to everything--lodging, lift tickets, food & beverage, etc. This in on top of the 8% sales tax.  We used to dine at the Acorn Grill every weekend, with lunches at Trax. We actually haven't stepped foot in either facility in two years simply because of the resort fee, as we view the fee as a bid shady. I know of no other ski area in the U.S. that charges a percentage based resort fee on anything other than lodging. The resort fee began at 4% three years ago, and increased by two percent annually. I wouldn't have had an issue if they simply would have increased prices by 2% a year, but the resort fee just doesn't work for me.

Rj1972 wrote

Friends, if you haven't noticed, GPPartner is likely Marc or John.

OMG, say it isn't so. Did you figure that out all by yourself, Einstein??

GPPartner wrote

I would struggle to compare GP to Camelback, as they have access to a NYC market and average 900,000 visits per year--

GP used to draw from the same metropolitan markets back in the 70's and 80's.

campgottagopee wrote

Rj1972 wrote

Friends, if you haven't noticed, GPPartner is likely Marc or John.

OMG, say it isn't so. Did you figure that out all by yourself, Einstein??

Smarty Pants!