"Earn your turns" @ Magic

[roark]

Just noticed this on the Magic website, pretty cool idea for those looking to get started:
http://www.magicmtn.com/static_page.php?id=38

If you pass a skier or snowboarder going the wrong way (uphill) at Magic Mountain , don’t be alarmed! Magic Mountain will be embracing uphill traffic via telemark, alpine touring (randonee), and split board snowboards next season and well into the future. Magic will be offering guided intro tours, limited rentals, and free access to the mountain for anyone willing to “earn their turns”. Magic’s classic trails and glades, as well as the backcountry possibilities on the back side of the mountain, make Magic the perfect location to take up this growing segment of skiing and snowboarding. ​

Touring Tuesdays
- Come join Magic employees and guests as we spend an afternoon touring up Magic Mountain and accessing the best terrain in Southern Vermont. Depending on conditions we might even find some off piste terrain.​

- Touring Tuesdays is a complimentary activity, however a regular lift ticket is required to access lifts before/after tour.​

- Guests must have their own uphill equipment including Alpine Touring/Telemark skis and bindings, climbing skins, boots and poles or split board snowboard, climbing skins, boots and poles.​

- Limited number of rentals is available. Please call ahead for availability.​

- Open to all levels and introductory lessons are part of the outing if needed.​

- Participants must be in adequate physical shape to ascend at least 1,700 vertical feet and ski/board back to base area.​

- Participants must provide own backpack with emergency gear including, but not limited to: water, extra layer, …..​

- Touring Tuesday’s will start Tuesday, January 8, 2008 and continue as long as the snow pack permits.​

 

[cbcbd]

Very cool of them!!

Now, does this "Free access to the mountain" only come with joining a paid tour?

 

[JimG]

It says the tour is complementary, but you need a lift ticket for before and after it.

 

[marcski]

It says the tour is complementary, but you need a lift ticket for before and after it.

It says you only need a tix if you want to access lifts before or after the complimentary tour.

 

[roark]

It says you only need a tix if you want to access lifts before or after the complimentary tour.

That's how I read it as well. I'll have a pass, but will definitely be interested in checking out the old Timber Ridge when conditions permit.

 

[Hawkshot99]

Its great that they encourage it, but that fact that they promote it will mean that there will be a whole lot extra people going up the trails. I see this as a problem personally. The few times that I have seen people earning there turns at a operating mountain, they have gone right up the trails. Most stay off to the side, but I have come around many a turn to have a person touring right up the middle of the trail. Not very safe....

 

[riverc0il]

Neat. This would really be worth while if they include excursions to Timberside with car transports.

 

[Talisman]

IMost stay off to the side, but I have come around many a turn to have a person touring right up the middle of the trail. Not very safe....

I see people skiing up Chinclip at Stowe on nice days and most stay to the sid of the trail. Those that say 'hey diddle, diddle, let's go up the middle' make me wonder. Usually those in the middle of the trail are snow shoers going to view races.

Magic doesn't have that much traffic so I don't see people earning turns as a big deal.

 

[prisnah]

That's pretty cool...great marketing idea for them...good for AT....get some info out about the BC opps. around here, pump some money into the local AT scene, some new faces breathing even more life into an already growing industry....let's just hope not too many people pick it up.......;-)

I'll definitely be earning some at Magic this year. Good stuff.

 

[Marc]

Woah. That's awesome of them. I'll be there for sure. The people at Wachusett give me funny looks when I go skinning there. Usually I duck off onto the toll road.

 

[roark]

Its great that they encourage it, but that fact that they promote it will mean that there will be a whole lot extra people going up the trails. I see this as a problem personally. The few times that I have seen people earning there turns at a operating mountain, they have gone right up the trails. Most stay off to the side, but I have come around many a turn to have a person touring right up the middle of the trail. Not very safe....

You obviously haven't been to Magic on a Tuesday... ;-)

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

You obviously haven't been to Magic on a Tuesday... ;-)

Good observation, roark. 5 years of patrolling at Magic on Mondays and Tuesdays will attest.

 

[marcski]

Neat. This would really be worth while if they include excursions to Timberside with car transports.

I think Timberside is now on private property, having nothing to do with Magic. Not sure if this owner is willing to have people go over and ski there?

 

[riverc0il]

Indeed, Magic has had nothing to do with Timberside for a while. You can still access Timberside from the top of the Red Chair with a short walk and ski down. The base areas are not close to each other and this would require if a car spot or another skin up. Timberside is now a sled park so if you ski down you need to be vary of sleds.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Its great that they encourage it, but that fact that they promote it will mean that there will be a whole lot extra people going up the trails. I see this as a problem personally. The few times that I have seen people earning there turns at a operating mountain, they have gone right up the trails. Most stay off to the side, but I have come around many a turn to have a person touring right up the middle of the trail. Not very safe....

Does the downhill skier have the right of way if they're skinning uphill??? I also see it as dangerous and I've had close calls with skinners at Stowe..

 

[mtl1076]

Hey everyone! I just wanted to jump in here and clear some things up. We are excited to offer the "Touring Tuesdays" program this season. We think touring is a great way to get outdoors and really get a sense of the mountain and surrounding winter environment. I hope that I will see some of you on Tuesday afternoons. To clear up a couple of points;

- The tour up and subsequent run down are free. You only need a lift ticket if you are going to use the lifts before and/or after the tour. There will be a charge for rental/demo equipment. When the information becomes available it will be posted.

- Yours truly will be leading the tours.

- As others have mentioned, midweek days and especially afteroons are pretty slow at Magic. We are not concerned with mixing uphill and downhill traffic.

- We will also be posting touring guidelines at the mountian and website in the near future for guests who choose to tour on other days. Simple things like staying to the sides of trails, use common sense (ie don't tour in a fog), not touring on crowded trails and/or on crowded weekends

- For this season we will be granting complimentary access to anyone willing to earn their turns at Magic regardless of day. So feel free to come up anytime.

- We have a great relationship with the owners of Timberside. As long as we respect their land and use common sense we are welcome to head in that direction.


Let me know if you have any other questions.

Think Snow!

 

[2knees]

great idea by magic. just wanted to throw one other peice of welcome news out there that is on their website.

weekends after daylight savings time magic is going to stay open till 5:00 pm. more mtns should do this.

 

[Greg]

more mtns should do this.

Agreed! Any update on seeded bumps at Magic, Matt?
(talk about a 180 from the "purity" of AT, but I digress...)

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

Does the downhill skier have the right of way if they're skinning uphill??? I also see it as dangerous and I've had close calls with skinners at Stowe..

Strictly speaking, yes: "Yield to the skier below you."

It's an interesting idea and I hope it helps generate some more visits and ultimately business.

I miss the place. I'll have to get by to visit at some point this winter. It's great to hear some fresh ideas.

 

[riverc0il]

Amazing what a change in management and some good will does for a business. Cheers to Magic for reinventing the place. We are seeing a lot of ski areas be opening, warm, and friendly with their potential guests trying to use some good old hospitality and good will this year. Keep it coming, it is great for consumers and great for business and is a model I swear by myself.