East Coast Roll Call 21-22 We have a hot date with Skadi, Pictures at 11

[Jonathan S.]

New out here; what are the resort skinning policies like? I have an Ikon, but lots of places out west want $50 for an uphill access pass either way (which I'm not opposed to paying at a place if they're lenient, let you skin all day, etc.).

I used to be involved with the updates to this:
https://www.usaskimo.org/resort-uphill-policies/
... but somewhat of a hopeless cause, since policies change so often, and internet searching on particular resorts of interest is so much easier.

Overall, policies out here are so different from resort to resort, even within corporate chains, so impossible to generalized vs out West.

Useful resource here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/668452657025213

Magic promotes uphill. No ticket needed. All day every day when the mountain has more than the WROD open (such as now). The snow report on the website will tell you if uphill is allowed. Closed Mon-Tue-Wed so that's a free-for-all. I'll be starting my fitness laps today.

These days, more like barely tolerates rather than promotes.
Even in the immediate neighborhood, so many better uphill options.

I was about to write that at least Magic does provide one free lift ride for skinning up, but when I went here:
https://magicmtn.com/uphill/
... that appears to be gone, although I was reminded of this:

"The only exception being on official “powder day” openings where Magic receives 6” or more of new snow that uphill traffic may not access the mountain both the day before the Powder day when it [sic] snowing through until the lift spins at 9am, along with the ticket-paying skiing public."

[ex-powderbroker]

The golden age of skinning at resorts has come and gone. When we were a novelty people embraced it with open arms, now i fully expect to be pointed to a ticket booth or to the gate.

[mtnbiker/boarder]

The golden age of skinning at resorts has come and gone. When we were a novelty people embraced it with open arms, now i fully expect to be pointed to a ticket booth or to the gate.

Well said ML242 … asked at Blue mtn here in PA about skinning laps and answer was Sure just buy a day lift ticket for $108. I think skinning laps on EC at resorts is going to be a no at most of them or hit the ticket window ($$$) / gate to off the property as ML

[Jonathan S.]

The golden age of skinning at resorts has come and gone. When we were a novelty people embraced it with open arms, now i fully expect to be pointed to a ticket booth or to the gate.

Although uphill access is definitely going through some growing pains, I wouldn't be so pessimistic ... when were a novelty, uphill access was don't-ask/don't-tell, and you never knew when you might be welcomed, tolerated, or kicked out ... then formal uphill policies were implemented, some good, some bad ... then the policies increasingly became good ... then this past year Vail banned all operational hours uphill access, only to grant some concessions for this season ... although that's more Vail than anything else ... plus Magic, but that's Magic.

As for the ticket booth, yes, we should pay uphill prices comparable to local nordic centers. Otherwise, as much as I appreciate 24/7 free access at places like Stratton, once a pharaoh comes along who knows not Joseph, then without a revenue stream to point to, we're going to get the heave ho.

[Jonathan S.]

Well said ML242 … asked at Blue mtn here in PA about skinning laps and answer was Sure just buy a day lift ticket for $108. I think skinning laps on EC at resorts is going to be a no at most of them or hit the ticket window ($$$) / gate to off the property as ML stated.

Does Blue Mtn not have any nearby nordic ski areas whose trail fees could be suggested to management to be used as a proxy?
(I'm asking this sincerely.)

[ex-powderbroker]

There are a few places that have reasonable rates to skin for the day, Tremblant is 12$ and for the amount of snow they put down you can make a nice day out of the fake stuff for a fair price.

Many of the remainders will point at the posted ticket price as the 'fair comp' and not a nordic center. in the age of multi-mountain season pass deals and substantial daily rates, it is hardly a bargain.

a lot of the uphill wound is self inflicted. if people could have been decent and decided not to skin over hoses or bring their 17 dogs every time they went, some of it could have been avoided.

now, even when you go legally and pay you're often corralled into a shit route with too many others. so yeah, this is a confluence of bellyaching over the popularity and other circumstances, but as a founding member of the 'beg forgiveness rather than ask permission' crowd, i miss the old days.

plus, when it used to snow, you didn't have to go to the resort to ski.

[Skrilla Gorilla]

tl, dr for mid Atlantic mags

Liberty has turned on their webcam and is blowing snow, Whitetail is even spinning chairs. Any action over/under on when they re-open respectively? Seeing 2"-3" Friday evening...

[gorgonzola]

Well said ML242 … asked at Blue mtn here in PA about skinning laps and answer was Sure just buy a day lift ticket for $108. I think skinning laps on EC at resorts is going to be a no at most of them or hit the ticket window ($$$) / gate to off the property as ML

Wow, as a blue passholder been told absolutely not and buds have been turned around by ski-po. At the end of last season they planned a one day pay event but got rained out. With some snow I've used the lifts to "access" the gas line across the street. Unfortunately no Nordic centers close by. I've thought about hiking in from the AT for a little exercise/training lol.

[mtnbiker/boarder]

Wow, as a blue passholder been told absolutely not and buds have been turned around by ski-po. At the end of last season they planned a one day pay event but got rained out. With some snow I've used the lifts to "access" the gas line across the street. Unfortunately no Nordic centers close by. I've thought about hiking in from the AT for a little exercise/training lol.

So they have changed their policy. You used to be able to skin with a lift ticket which I thought was still in play hence mentioning the new rate of 108. My bad….I have skinned blue in the past with a lift ticket just to build legs for heading out west. Blue mtn rates are absurd this year for sat or sun. New owners will do that
As stated JS no Nordic centers near by. Wish we did, I use the local golf course when we have snow and glad they are cool with it.

[AirheadD8]

Attempting to skin Blue on a weekend 🤪 I’d rather catch Covid it’s safer.

[Aldo]

VVGG waking up !

[gustav]

We’ve been patiently waiting at Smuggs for uphill travel. Current policy is that it’s typically closed.

Gotta love how they post their 21-22 uphill policy, which seems great with morning Sterling access and alternating Madonna, Sterling weeknight access, then they just never open access! Sterling has been good to go for almost a month now! Although, after witnessing people booting up Sterling in the morning last year, I'm not sure I can blame them....
Re: Stowe. It doesn't help that the local insta uphill celebrities post content of violating the uphill policy. If you know how to break the rules don't post about it, jesus...

[Dexter Rutecki]

Discussion of a chair falling off the haul rope at a certain (beloved) VT area verboten here? If it had happened at any other area I am certain there would be pages devoted to the topic...kind of incredible (although not entirely surprising).

[cat in january]

Yeah I have been a bit surprised by that too. I just don’t know much so don’t have much to add. Magic sure has had its share of adversity.

With the increase in uphilling no surprise we are seeing changes. I most regret the posted close early season as that’s when I used to get first skiing in with storms. Too many people who don’t know their way around snow making so gone. I do like the turn to more areas having a separate dedicated uphill track. With low tide you can ski up away from the skiers coming down and still get some turns in.

[cat in january]

Just read this. Tough times at Jiminy Peak. Condolences all around.

https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/...0851b49f8.html

[Aldo]

Discussion of a chair falling off the haul rope at a certain (beloved) VT area verboten here? If it had happened at any other area I am certain there would be pages devoted to the topic...kind of incredible (although not entirely surprising).

If you’ve got insight or thoughts fire away. There’s certainly nobody holding you back here, right? Are you still associated with the area?

[Peruvian]

Discussion of a chair falling off the haul rope at a certain (beloved) VT area verboten here? If it had happened at any other area I am certain there would be pages devoted to the topic...kind of incredible (although not entirely surprising).

I’m guessing the discussion was stifled by the fact that Jeff with a G sent out a lengthy email explaining exactly what happened and the steps being taken to remedy it. Most other mountains try and hide such information leading to wild speculation on social media and discussion boards.

[AdironRider]

You know what else they call that?

Damage control.

But yeah, a place that cant figure out how to install a lift in under four years and loads another that is malfunctioning to the point of tossing chairs off the line really knows what they are doing.

At this point Magic is fucking up beyond anything the prior owners did that got them justifiably ridiculed and driven into bankruptcy but the internet has deemed Magic the bougie place that can do no wrong so here we are.

[Bottleman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyifcNf5NJY

Clear, concise tips from our resident ECRC expert.

[HankScorpio]

You know what else they call that?

Damage control.

But yeah, a place that cant figure out how to install a lift in under four years and loads another that is malfunctioning to the point of tossing chairs off the line really knows what they are doing.

At this point Magic is fucking up beyond anything the prior owners did that got them justifiably ridiculed and driven into bankruptcy but the internet has deemed Magic the bougie place that can do no wrong so here we are.

I skied Magic for years and, while it has its "charms," there were too many ski days that were thwarted by non functioning lifts, groomer issues and other operation fuck ups. That got annoying quick.

[buckethead]

VVGG waking up !

wow nice.
still hoping to get down that way when a storm tracks south!
after too many decades away (four!)

Just read this. Tough times at Jiminy Peak. Condolences all around.

https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/...0851b49f8.html

damn, sad news at jiminy.
that's been my go-to hill thus far this season.

[Bottleman]

You know what else they call that?

Damage control.

But yeah, a place that cant figure out how to install a lift in under four years and loads another that is malfunctioning to the point of tossing chairs off the line really knows what they are doing.

At this point Magic is fucking up beyond anything the prior owners did that got them justifiably ridiculed and driven into bankruptcy but the internet has deemed Magic the bougie place that can do no wrong so here we are.

Simple solution. Sell the mountain to Vail and all problems will be "Magically" solved. Easy frickin' peasey.

[yellofin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyifcNf5NJY

Clear, concise tips from our resident ECRC expert.

Who was that instructor?
I tried to listen to his instructions but I feel dumber and need to lay down.

[Peruvian]

You know what else they call that?

Damage control.

But yeah, a place that cant figure out how to install a lift in under four years and loads another that is malfunctioning to the point of tossing chairs off the line really knows what they are doing.

At this point Magic is fucking up beyond anything the prior owners did that got them justifiably ridiculed and driven into bankruptcy but the internet has deemed Magic the bougie place that can do no wrong so here we are.

So when you hire a roofer and later have a leak, it’s you that fucked up? Even when the code enforcement officer inspects the roof?

[Bottleman]

Who was that instructor?
I tried to listen to his instructions but I feel dumber and need to lay down.

BUT HE IS THE BEST SKIER ON THE MOUNTAIN!!!!!!!