Hunter on the Weekends

[JimmyPete]

Some friends are trying to get me into a season rental at Hunter. I ski Hunter often during the week but have studiously stayed away from weekends after numerous bad experiences some 15 years ago. They are telling me things have changed and the new Lifts will make the experience even better. I'd love to get a read from skiers who know the mountain on the weekend. I'm a decent lower expert, not real happy with bumps or crowded slopes

 

[Nick]

FYI, we have a Hunter challenge I'm going to be launching this morning! Good chance to ask some questions, also I think Harvey from the forums here is basically a Hunter expert.

 

[4aprice]

Hunter's a big enough place. I used to ski there quite a bit back in the 80's on the weekends and there was always enough ways to move around and find elbow room. (those were the days of the old summit double too). I would imagine there are 1 or 2 days where the crowds are intolerable but over a season you would find them few and far between. Used to be a great party place too. The bar in the lodge was always hopping. Heard its not as wild now. IMO its the best mountain in the Catskills (best, not favorite as Plattekill takes that award). I hope to get up there again this year as well (day trip and it will happen). For those not familiar with "Hunta" its a kick ass mountain.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[JimmyPete]

I agree

Hunter is definitely the best mountain in the Cats, On weekdays it is great, I just worry bout weekends. I know the Catskills can ice up easily.

 

[Harvey]

... I think Harvey from the forums here is basically a Hunter expert.

Nick you must have confused me with someone else. :smile:

I know a little something about Hunter, but would defer to many others on this topic. Notably dmc and x10003q.

 

[Nick]

Nick you must have confused me with someone else. :smile:

I know a little something about Hunter, but would defer to many others on this topic. Notably dmc and x10003q.

i was thinking of your recent Q&A about Hunter on your blog 8)

Was gonna mention DMC but he's been AWOL

 

[andyzee]

Hunters a cool mountain, never had an issue on weekends and with new lifts in place should be even less of an issue.

 

[millerm277]

I'm not fond of weekends peak season (Christmas-End of Feb), but it's by no means intolerable. Usually as long as you avoid Belt and Hellgate, you'll have a good time. F lift is good for crowd avoidance.

 

[gmcunni]

i've heard hunter on weekends is a mad house for beginners and intermediates. if you are an advanced skier then there is no line all day.

 

[Black Phantom]

Some friends are trying to get me into a season rental at Hunter. I ski Hunter often during the week but have studiously stayed away from weekends after numerous bad experiences some 15 years ago. They are telling me things have changed and the new Lifts will make the experience even better. I'd love to get a read from skiers who know the mountain on the weekend. I'm a decent lower expert, not real happy with bumps or crowded slopes

Are you a strong upper intermediate?

 

[andrec10]

As long as you are a strong upper imtermediate and stay off of the belt, you should be fine. Only the holiday weekends get a little crazy, but not bad. Not like the 80's or early 90's at all! With the new lifts, its even better!

 

[oakapple]

i've heard hunter on weekends is a mad house for beginners and intermediates. if you are an advanced skier then there is no line all day.

The 6-pack was definitely an improvement, and I suspect the new lift on the west side will make things even better. Almost any ski area worth bothering with is going to have some crowds on the peak weekend days. I mean, if they can't attract customers then, they are probably going out of business. And Hunter is not going out of business.

Hunter is just not a great beginner and lower-intermediate mountain.

 

[JimmyPete]

Are you a strong upper intermediate?

Yeah pretty much , Have done the back side of Hunter many times during weekdays usually stayed off the bumps but otherwise never got in any trouble. Front side no problem except K27 which I don't even like looking down.

 

[andyzee]

Yeah pretty much , Have done the back side of Hunter many times during weekdays usually stayed off the bumps but otherwise never got in any trouble. Front side no problem except K27 which I don't even like looking down.

Ah come on, it's fun looking down it.

 

[steamboat1]

I'm not a big fan of the place, just don't like the way the mountain skis. Nothing to do with skiers it's the mountain.

Never had a problem with the lifts.

I have felt very fortunate working off that mountain in one piece several times. Nothing to do with conditions or my skiing ability.

Have a friend that owns an A-frame just outside the parking lot. I still visit him & have a good time but I don't even bring my equipment with me anymore. I have no intentions of skiing there.

 

[andrec10]

I'm not a big fan of the place, just don't like the way the mountain skis. Nothing to do with skiers it's the mountain.

Never had a problem with the lifts.

I have felt very fortunate working off that mountain in one piece several times. Nothing to do with conditions or my skiing ability.

Have a friend that owns an A-frame just outside the parking lot. I still visit him & have a good time but I don't even bring my equipment with me anymore. I have no intentions of skiing there.

Your'e Loss...Our Gain...

 

[JimG]

I ski Hunter about 40 days a season and the vast majority of my days are on weekends.

Hunter is simply no different from any other ski area on the weekends. Sure it can get crowded in certain places, but if you know where to go and when it skis like it's empty as far as I'm concerned.

Instead of trying to explain, I'd be happy to give you a weekend tour to show you what I mean.

 

[180]

Always so much negativity about Hunter. Stay away is all I have to say.

 

[andrec10]

Always so much negativity about Hunter. Stay away is all I have to say.

More for us then!

 

[catskills]

Always so much negativity about Hunter. Stay away is all I have to say.

Nobody skis Hunter on weekends its too crowded.