What Pass are you Buying '19-'20 Season?

Brooklyn

I think I suggested this in another thread but what I would really like to see would be for 2-5 more medium and small hills added to the Freedom Pass and a stand alone version of it offered for maybe $500. Like maybe add Catamount/Berkshire East, Suicide Six, West, McCauley... MRG or Burke if possible... or similar outfits and just give you 5 visits each for the stand alone version. I would definitely be into that.

I wonder if there's a way that we could help make that happen

https://www.outsideonline.com/2389964/ski-pass-epic-ikon

We will likely get ORDA passes next year, and ski predominately at Belle.  For the handful of days that get bad (MLK, Pres day Sunday and Monday), we may either skip skiing or go to Platty.  

I strongly considered Plattekill but opted for Belle primarily due to the pricing on kids season long Saturday and Sunday program ($325/9 weekends).   Also Belle has an adult season clinic (2hrs per day) and Platty does not.  

We did not get passes this past year because my kids were less enthusiastic about skiing this year but now want to ski more next year.  

I really enjoyed Plattekill the few times I skiied it this season, but it is important for me to get buy in from my family, and some don't enjoy the relatively narrow green trails on the two peeks.  

Great post Dom.

I get your point about PowPuff and Overlook.  It does seem to get kids on to the blues faster tho :)

Post it up if you go, be fun to hi.

I think I read that article, or a similar one, before. The increased window prices are certainly a big problem as well. And big resort companies taking advantage of thier employees is nothing new either. I made pizza at a place run by Aramark at one point in my twenties and lived in employee housing. I don’t remember all the details exactly but I remember feeling very ripped off by the experience. It was definitely a “company store” situation. Probably why I only lasted about six weeks in that job.

TheGreatAbyss wrote

Brooklyn

Plattekill is a close and great mtn.

Harvey wrote

TheGreatAbyss wrote

Brooklyn

Plattekill is a close and great mtn.

This is true but Catamount is the closest “decent” mountain and camelback is the closest “acceptable “. I would set Camelback aside but if there are kids/beginners/lessons involved, Cat might be the way to go.

Everybody always forgets about Catamount

For those debating holiday/non holiday for Gore, I can say that for Presidents week, it was not crowded at all after Monday. During the holiday week, it was less than a typical weekend. The trailing weekend was like a normal weekend. Of course for Presidents week, the whole mountain is typically open spreading everyone out.

tom

McCauley and Greek Peak for me

Thanks, Harv!  Agreed - I am looking forward to the day I finally meet you!  Randomly something always seems to happen the weekend of your bday gathering.  

TheGreatAbyss wrote

Looks like Ikon pass is now only 5 days at Stratton for the upcoming season.  Might thin out the crowds a little, but still probably a shitshow on big weekends.

?? Stratton was 5 days for Ikon Base for 2018-19 and unlimited for Full Ikon.  Looks the same to me for 2019-20.  There are holiday black out dates for Ikon Base.

Only reason I stopped by Stratton on the way to Boston last week was because I have Ikon Base.  I know a few people who live in VT who have been skiing Stratton because they got Ikon for a trip out west.  But they only ski midweek in any case.  These days that means Mon-Thu because Fridays have become much more crowded in recent years.

tjf1967 wrote

https://www.outsideonline.com/2389964/ski-pass-epic-ikon

I was just about to post a link to that same article here. As a Big Sky skier this season I've witnessed a surge in visitors and all the local animosity. Makes you appreciate the independent (non-ikon, non-epic) pass options.

campgottagopee wrote

Kleetus wrote

campgottagopee wrote

I'll be buying an Old Forge Pass and gas

Haha that too for me as well!

All the cool guys buy one

Hey, wait a sec, I got one of those as a card-carrying McCauley season pass holder

Brownski.....sorry, but I don’t view Catamount and Plattekill as being in the same league, if that is what you are suggesting.  I guess if you were talking about a bunch of beginners either could ski just as well for your group, but IMHO Plattekill offers way more and is always worth the extra half hour.

My ski days are so limited, varied, and scattered that 1) I can’t be tied to a pass, and 2) I don’t get enough days to justify the cost.

JTG
Of course not. I was agreeing with Harv that Platty is great. Their terrain beats all. The only advantage cat has for some people is in their kids programs, lessons and being about 1/2 hour -40 minutes closer to the city.
If I was to rank the metro area daytrip mountains that I’ve skied  it would go like this:
Plattekill
Hunter
Catamount
Windham
Belle
Camelback
Mountain Crack
Mount Peter
Thunder Ridge
Campgaw

It’s been a while for me, does Hunter still require the (weekday) qualifier?

greyMoose wrote

campgottagopee wrote

Kleetus wrote

campgottagopee wrote

I'll be buying an Old Forge Pass and gas

Haha that too for me as well!

All the cool guys buy one

Hey, wait a sec, I got one of those as a card-carrying McCauley season pass holder

You too are in the cool club

JTG4eva! wrote

It’s been a while for me, does Hunter still require the (weekday) qualifier?

Good question. I’ll need to think that over