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Mid-Atlantic/SE skiing (PA, NJ, DC, MD, VA, WV, NC) for 2015-16

marzNC

Angel Diva
I have confirmed with Don Cochrane of Freestyle of Charlottesville that they will do a demo weekend at Massanutten again in Jan. The dates haven't been set yet but I'm guessing it would be Jan. 9-10. Anyone interested in another special Women's Clinic that Sun morning? @Tryin2Ski , @dianakate, @LauraVa ?

I'm considering making the Fri evening clinic open to any intermediates or advanced skiers interested in working on fundamentals. Made friends with a few men from DC who are aspiring intermediates last season who may be interested.
Heard from Don that the Mnut demo days will be Jan. 9-10. :smile:

Don said he won't know what brands/skis until a week or two before. I'll post the list when I get it.
 
I will have to mention these places in the Virginia area to my neighbor as her sister and family live there. Not sure if they are into snow play at all but maybe they'd be interesting in skiing.
 

marzNC

Angel Diva
Added a couple swaps in eastern PA that are happening this week.

Oct. 14-17: Buckman's Tent Sale
Oct. 17-18: Wisk's sale and swap, near Philly
Oct. 17-18: Liberty Mountain Fall Fest has a swap
Oct. 24-25: Whitetail Festival Ski and Board Swap
Oct. 25 (Oct. 31 is rain date): Ski Center in DC

Nov. 7: Ski Haus in Annapolis
Nov. 7-8: Alpine Ski Shop in Sterling - benefits Timberline Ski Patrol
Nov. 7-8: Roundtop Fall Fest has new and used gear
Nov. 7-8: Freestyle in Charlottesville
Nov. 21: Baltimore Ski and Board Swap in Towson
Nov. 27: Wintergreen swap - benefits Wintergreen Ski Patrol
 

Marigee

Angel Diva
Nov. 22 Pro-Fit Ski & Mountain Sports. 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Benefits Whitetail Ski Patrol
 

marzNC

Angel Diva
Updated.

Oct. 14-17: Buckman's Tent Sale
Oct. 17-18: Wisk's sale and swap, near Philly
Oct. 17-18: Liberty Mountain Fall Fest has a swap
Oct. 24-25: Whitetail Festival Ski and Board Swap
Oct. 25 (Oct. 31 is rain date): Ski Center in DC

Nov. 7: Ski Haus in Annapolis
Nov. 7-8: Alpine Ski Shop in Sterling - benefits Timberline Ski Patrol
Nov. 7-8: Roundtop Fall Fest has new and used gear
Nov. 7-8: Freestyle in Charlottesville
Nov. 8: Willis Ski Shop, at Seven Springs
Nov. 21: Baltimore Ski and Board Swap in Towson
Nov. 22: Pro-Fit Ski & Mountain Sports in Leesburg - benefits Whitetail Ski Patrol
Nov. 27: Wintergreen swap - benefits Wintergreen Ski Patrol

If you're wondering why I keep updating the list, this way when I look back at this thread next fall, easier to remember the other swaps that were added by other Divas. Pretty sure all these swaps are annual events.
 

artistinsuburbia

Angel Diva
Updated.

Oct. 14-17: Buckman's Tent Sale
Oct. 17-18: Wisk's sale and swap, near Philly
Oct. 17-18: Liberty Mountain Fall Fest has a swap
Oct. 24-25: Whitetail Festival Ski and Board Swap
Oct. 25 (Oct. 31 is rain date): Ski Center in DC

Nov. 7: Ski Haus in Annapolis
Nov. 7-8: Alpine Ski Shop in Sterling - benefits Timberline Ski Patrol
Nov. 7-8: Roundtop Fall Fest has new and used gear
Nov. 7-8: Freestyle in Charlottesville
Nov. 8: Willis Ski Shop, at Seven Springs
Nov. 21: Baltimore Ski and Board Swap in Towson
Nov. 22: Pro-Fit Ski & Mountain Sports in Leesburg - benefits Whitetail Ski Patrol
Nov. 27: Wintergreen swap - benefits Wintergreen Ski Patrol

If you're wondering why I keep updating the list, this way when I look back at this thread next fall, easier to remember the other swaps that were added by other Divas. Pretty sure all these swaps are annual events.
Willi's is adding race skis to their kids' buyback program as well. That is a great deal! Lease used equipment for kids under twelve, and get 50% of your money back if you trade it in the next year.
 

marzNC

Angel Diva
For those who can get to Whitetail for the demo day on Fri, Jan. 8 but don't have season passes, the Ski Center in DC has discount vouchers at the store.
 

marzNC

Angel Diva
For those in the DC area . . .

There is a ski club that meets monthly in the Navel Research Lab called Snow Searchers Ski Club. Has some pretty interesting ski trips each season. In 2016 there is one to Jackson Hole in early Feb. It's a 1-week ski trip including airfare from DCA, 7 nights lodging in a hotel, 5 days of lift tickets, and ground transportation from the JH airport. All for $1400 per person. Looks like sign up for the big trips happens in the fall, meaning before Nov.
 

marzNC

Angel Diva
For folks in or near NJ or Philly who like to dream about ski trips to big mountains . . .

Apparently there is a company who organizes annual "Ski and Snowboard Expo" events that are for people who want to plan ski trips. Sounds like there are reps from various ski resorts. PRW Travel events in the mid-Atlantic in the spring are only for people who organize group trips for snowsports clubs. But the ones in the fall are co-hosted by local snowsports clubs and open to anyone. The general description is:

Each year The [location] Ski & Snowboard Expo offers an evening for local skiers to get together with mountain/resorts, tour operators and vendors. It’s an opportunity for [location] skiers to finalize their plans for the upcoming year, to see old favorites and check out new possibilities.

The [location event] is the annual kick off to the ski season – it’s a combination tradeshow, and [local event]. As such, it is a wonderful chance for skiers to meet and talk with the Ski Mountains.

Western, Eastern and Canadian Resorts along with Tour Operators will be exhibiting at the show.


For NJ, the PRW Travel Show is on Fri, Nov. 6, 7-10pm with DJ & Dance 10-midnight in Whippany. The New Jersey Ski & Snowboard Council will be running their silent auction to benefit the Windham & Vermont AdaptiveSports Programs.

For Philly, the Expo is on Sun, Nov. 8, 2-5pm at the Crown Plaza Valley Forge in King of Prussia. It's co-sponsored by the Eastern PA Ski Council, which will hold their annual silent and live auction.

Last year, there was a PRW Travel event in DC that was apparently a fun time. But not on the schedule for this fall.
 
Last edited:

marzNC

Angel Diva
If you know anyone who lives close to Liberty who wants to try learning to ski, Liberty is offering a multi-lesson deal that ends with getting a pair of Elan skis. For adult first-timers only. Cataloochee in NC has been doing something like this for a couple seasons. A few places in VT are working with Elan as well. Can think of the deal as either free skis and you pay for four beginner 2-hour lessons, or free lessons and you are buying a pair of beginner skis (with bindings) for $349.

Have you been considering Learning to Ski, but have hesitated? Wait no more! With this very specially priced 4 lesson package, you will not only OWN THE MOUNTAIN, but you will also own your very own pair of Elan Skis!

This limited program for first timers ages and 18 and up, and includes FOUR days of lift, lesson & rental packages guaranteeing you success through lots of personalized instruction. Prior to your 4th visit you will receive your very own pair of Elan skis as a graduation gift! You get all this for only $349! (Approx. $859 value!)

Here’s the deal:

  • Purchase the Own The Mountain Package for only $349 by calling the resort. Quantities are limited, and will sell out quickly!
  • The program includes everything you need for 4 visits including lift tickets, rental equipment, and lessons. (Lessons are approximately 2 hours in length.)
  • Since this is a limited program, you will receive specialized attention from a select group of instructors. The Instructors will track your progress on a special report card.
  • On your 4th visit, you will receive your FREE pair of Elan skis– your 4th lesson will be on your very own skis!
  • BONUS! At the end of your 4th visit, you will receive an Advantage Card so you can receive 40% off all future visits for the remainder of the season! Your Advantage Card will also be valid at Whitetail Resort & Roundtop Mountain!
 

marzNC

Angel Diva
I've known that the WV ski areas get a lot more natural snow than NC or VA, but didn't realize how much snow Wisp gets. Wisp is tucked away in the little triangle that is western MD between WV and PA. SkiSE took all the data they've collected since 2004 and summarized it. Note that SkiSE has their own sources, they don't just rely on the numbers put out by the ski areas. Whitetail is not that far from Wisp, but obviously in a different snow zone. Whitetail only averages about 40 inches per winter (OnTheSnow).

Screen Shot 2015-10-20 at 11.14.29 PM.png
 

marzNC

Angel Diva
Snowshoe has come up with another slightly crazy idea for a "pass". They are selling a $99 Early Season Pass for 72 hours, Oct. 21-23, which will be good from Opening Day until Dec. 25. Someone who buys one will be able to upgrade to a regular season pass. Snowshoe has posted Nov. 25 as the target for Opening Day. Might even have Cupp open because there are a bunch of new snow guns over there.
 

marzNC

Angel Diva
Believe it or not, there are a lot of opening dates already projected for MidA/SE ski areas. The best source of info for the SE is SkiSoutheast. OnTheSnow has become a good resource for all North American ski areas, not just the big ones. Of course, opening dates are highly weather dependent even with all the snowmaking upgrades in the region in recent years.

Per usual, Sugar will work hard to be the first to open in NC while Cat will try to beat them. Cat is a bit farther south and only has 25 acres to cover. App is near Sugar and Beech, also about 25 acres and tends to be the last to close.

Last year Hunter opened mid-Nov and was open Mon-Wed of Thanksgiving week. It was the only place open in NY as I drove north to Lake Placid for Thanksgiving. I'll be going to LP for Thanksgiving again so plan to pay close attention to what happens at Hunter and Belleayre. Definitely expect to ski at Whiteface Thanksgiving weekend.

NC
Sugar: 10/31/15
Cataloochee: 11/01/15, or earlier if weather cooperates
Appalachian: 11/20/15
Beech: 11/28/15 (hopefully Thanksgiving weekend on SkiSE as of 10/20/15)

VA
Massanutten: 12/06/15
Wintergreen: 11/30/15 (12/12/15 on SkiSE as of 10/20/15)
Bryce: 11/22/15 (early Dec on SkiSE as of 10/20/15)

MD
Wisp: 11/27/15

WV
Snowshoe: 11/25/15
Timberline: 12/11/15
Canaan Valley: 12/18/15

PA
Seven Springs: 11/28/15
Hidden Valley: 11/28/15
Whitetail: 11/29/15
Roundtop: 11/29/15
Camelback: 11/29/15
Elk: 12/05/15
Blue Knob: 12/12/15
Montage: 12/13/15
Liberty: 12/28/15

NY:
Hunter: 11/22/15
Belleayre: 11/23/15
Windham: 11/26/15
Plattekill: 12/05/15
 

marzNC

Angel Diva
Massanutten better get on it! :eyebrows:
One reason Mnut may not be pushing for an earlier opening is that there is still a lot of construction in progress both in and around the lodge. Hopefully they won't run into many weather delays in the next month.

The fall colors look pretty nice this weekend from the webcams.
 

marzNC

Angel Diva
Found notes about Whitetail improvements for 2015-16 on SkiPA. Apparently looking into ways to increase water storage capacity for future expansion. Also want to expand the base lodge eventually. Didn't know Whitetail has a season lease program for gear. That's nice for beginners who get hooked for their first season or two.

"This year’s snowmaking improvements include 17 new fully automated Techno Alpin Fan Guns. The majority of these guns will be placed on the Exhibition Trail. Our new fan guns will allow us to open the Exhibition Trail sooner and to resurface the moguls on the trail during the season as we see fit and as weather conditions dictate. Our experienced skiers and riders will truly love this new capability which we will be adding to our arsenal of snowmaking tools. We are also in the process of automating the Fan Guns on Drop In which will assist us with resurfacing the snow on this trail as well. Other Snow Guns being added to the mountain are some additional HKD guns on the Snowpark Trail. Both the TechnoAlpin and the HKD Snow Guns are very energy efficient helping us in our “green” objectives to consume less electrical energy as we make snow.

With our successful beginner program continuing to grow year after year, the need to expand our rental equipment inventory was required. To satisfy this demand, plenty of ski/boot sets have been ordered to help quell any possible shortages. In addition, new skis, boards, and boots are on tap for those who will be taking advantage of our full season lease program.

Continuing on with our multi-year paving renovation, Lot 1 is now fully paved for the guest’s convenience, as well as the road that leads to Whitetail’s Adventure Snow Tubing."
 

marzNC

Angel Diva
Came across a webpage with a list of consumer demo days mostly for PA and NY. This seem like annual events, mostly sponsored by a ski shop. It's a table, so the formatting messed up a bit.

2015-16 Consumer Demo Schedule

Date Ski Area COMMENTS Ski Area Phone #
DECEMBER
11 Gore Mountain
Friday North Creek, NY Goldstock's - 518-382-2037 518-792-1304

12-13 Hunter Mountain
Sat-Sun Hunter, NY 518-263-4223

18 Jack Frost - Big Boulder
Friday White Haven, PA Buckman's - 610-495-7495 570-443-8425

20 Jiminy Peak, MA
Sunday Potter Brothers 814-338-5119

JANUARY
8 Whitetail
Friday Mercersburg, PA Ski Center / Alpine 717-328-9400

9 Seven Springs
Saturday Seven Springs, PA Willi's 814-352-7777

10 Ski Roundtop
Sunday Lewisberry, PA 717-432-9633

13 Blue Mountain
Wednesday Palmerton, PA Buckman's - 610-495-7495 610-495-7495

21 Elk Mountain
Thursday Union Dale, PA Buckman's - 610-495-7495 570-679-4400

March
1 Bear Creek Ladies Day
Tuesday Macungie, PA Buckman's - 610-495-7495 866-SKI-AT-BC
 

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