I'm a DC based skier. There are a LOT of us. The focus on Vail and 7S competition is misplaced. Wisp is farther from Pittsburgh and DC. Timberline even more so. They both attract lots of skiers and sell lots of tickets. The whole thing boils down to getting snow on the ground and running the trains on time. The only viable business model here is incremental improvements every year like Platty and Magic. The upgrades have been pretty slow and the jury is still out on this group.
It is worth noting that the monopoly on resort skiing closest to Pittsburgh (Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, Laurel Mountain) began not with Vail, but with Bob Nutting, who consolidated all three under his ownership, then eventually sold them to Vail.
Himes said Wolf Creek's poma is on a 45% grade, not 45 degrees like it says in the write up. 45 degrees would literally be insane! Also, I got to Ober Mountain this March and they too have a crossover chairlift.
But really, Stuart? Bolton as one of the best small or midsize ski areas in New England? I had a season pass at Bolton and have skied 11 of Vermont's ski areas and it is easily the worst. Hard'ack, Middlebury, Saskadena Six, Cochran's, etc. are all a lot more fun and or better value and are all run better than Bolton.
Grew up skiing Blue Knob, which really was the “Magic” to Liberty and Roundtop, our other 2 day trip options. When they have snow those expert trails are true New England quality terrain. But those blue snow guns made terrible snow - I CANNOT believe they still use them! We’re talking the 70’s and early 80’s when I went there. Can’t wait to listen to podcast….
I'm a DC based skier. There are a LOT of us. The focus on Vail and 7S competition is misplaced. Wisp is farther from Pittsburgh and DC. Timberline even more so. They both attract lots of skiers and sell lots of tickets. The whole thing boils down to getting snow on the ground and running the trains on time. The only viable business model here is incremental improvements every year like Platty and Magic. The upgrades have been pretty slow and the jury is still out on this group.
“That’s southeastern Pennsylvania”. Uh, no.
It is worth noting that the monopoly on resort skiing closest to Pittsburgh (Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, Laurel Mountain) began not with Vail, but with Bob Nutting, who consolidated all three under his ownership, then eventually sold them to Vail.
Stuart got lucky on when he made his Mid-Atlantic trip back in January. That was easily our best ski weather in the last couple of years.
I will eventually make Blue Knob (I live in DC area). The reasons I will go will be:
1) It is at a time when there is good natural snow
2) It is on Indy Pass.
Himes said Wolf Creek's poma is on a 45% grade, not 45 degrees like it says in the write up. 45 degrees would literally be insane! Also, I got to Ober Mountain this March and they too have a crossover chairlift.
But really, Stuart? Bolton as one of the best small or midsize ski areas in New England? I had a season pass at Bolton and have skied 11 of Vermont's ski areas and it is easily the worst. Hard'ack, Middlebury, Saskadena Six, Cochran's, etc. are all a lot more fun and or better value and are all run better than Bolton.
Grew up skiing Blue Knob, which really was the “Magic” to Liberty and Roundtop, our other 2 day trip options. When they have snow those expert trails are true New England quality terrain. But those blue snow guns made terrible snow - I CANNOT believe they still use them! We’re talking the 70’s and early 80’s when I went there. Can’t wait to listen to podcast….