MLK Weekend

[EOS]

I usually take MLK weekend off from skiing due to overcrowded slopes and liftlines.

Eveyone else doing the same, or are there some ski mountains that don't get as much of a crowd?

 

[Skimaine]

No skiing for me on MLK weekend. Mrs Skimaine is insisting that we remodel the master bathroom. Git'r done!

 

[planb420]

I took MLK Day off this year and will to try and brave the slopes this year at Ski Sundown...we shall see how it goes!:-?

 

[riverc0il]

There are so many great places to go to avoid the crowds during any holiday week or weekend. Check out places that are off most people's radar. Burke is probably the best larger size area that will handle the crowds the best. I've skied Cannon on MLK and it ain't too bad (still less crowded than many larger areas on a regular day, for sure!). Magic, of course is another good option. There is always Quebec. And the mid-sized areas: Balsams, Middlebury, Dartmouth, Suicide Six, Black, etc.

 

[gmcunni]

i will be skiing MLK weekend.. i am expecting crowds + lines but will do my best to adjust my attitude before we arrive so as not to get frustrated.

 

[Edd]

I will stay far away in the fetal position.

 

[TheBEast]

Berkshire East should be pretty manageable even if they get a larger crowd. Sunday or Monday should be normal weekend type crowds.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

Burke will be mobbed, dont go, we'll be there

May reschedule the 3 day trip if they dont get any good snows this week... Only 15 of 45 open

 

[EOS]

Burke will be mobbed, dont go, we'll be there

:razz:

 

[tommy5402]

Will be at gore

 

[Smellytele]

I'll be at Burke Friday, Jay Sat and Cannon Sunday. Crowds be damned

 

[thetrailboss]

To answer the original question, yes we will be skiing. I get to Sugarbush North for first chair and next weekend will be no different. The only thing that may change is we may leave earlier if it is too busy, the conditions aren't good, or both.

As to conditions, this weekend was a real sleeper. Many thought that it would be only luke warm because of the loss of snow, but the fluke 6" snowstorm combined with a couple more last night made for some nice skiing on what was open. Sugarbush has been hustling to get things back up and going. They had guns going on parts of Cruiser, Middle Elbow, Lookin' Good, FIS, Rim Run, and Panorama. I did four great pow/chow runs after lunch yesterday on Inverness. Business was brisk as well...thanks in part to the USSA Mogul Comp on Which Way (really cool) and youth racing.

 

[jack97]

i will be skiing MLK weekend.. i am expecting crowds + lines but will do my best to adjust my attitude before we arrive so as not to get frustrated.

Do you think it will be long waits at Sundown?

 

[gmcunni]

Do you think it will be long waits at Sundown?

i won't be there (my comment about adjusting attitude was meant for my trip to S NH) but i imagine it will be crowded. even at their busiest times i've never waited more than a few minutes for a chair. when it is packed they open a singles line which is typically ski on.

parking lot and lodge can be packed but the lift lines move nicely.

 

[lerops]

There are so many great places to go to avoid the crowds during any holiday week or weekend. Check out places that are off most people's radar. Burke is probably the best larger size area that will handle the crowds the best. I've skied Cannon on MLK and it ain't too bad (still less crowded than many larger areas on a regular day, for sure!). Magic, of course is another good option. There is always Quebec. And the mid-sized areas: Balsams, Middlebury, Dartmouth, Suicide Six, Black, etc.

I'd add Whiteface as a major mountain that sees less traffic. When I skied MLK weekend there, it was before the Lookout opening, so now it should feel even less crowded.

 

[maineskier69]

Our Boyne Silver Passes are blacked out (which works for us as we prefer to avoid holiday crowds). If we see some snow this week I would consider visiting another mountain (off radar), if not there is plenty to get done around here (would prefer to be on some nice natty snow).

 

[billski]

Magic, of course is another good option. There is always Quebec. And the mid-sized areas: Balsams, Middlebury, Dartmouth, Suicide Six, Black, etc.

That's my list. I would add two more, Burke and Saddleback.

If you have vouchers, you will find that Jay, the colleges and Bolton are not blacked out MLK weekend. However, you're trading off price for crowds a JP and BV.

One more point, if you're gonna go, try to do it earlier rather than later in the weekend. Being starved of natural snow, they will get beat down and scraped off quickly. I'm planning a Friday-Saturday trip to two of the aforementioned suspects.

 

[riverc0il]

That's my list. I would add two more, Burke and Saddleback.

Neither of those two are mid-sized areas, though. :razz:

Also, I am not sure I would recommend Saddleback. They seem to get the Maine locals crowd, perhaps from Portland and the like. Reports from Saddleback from Christmas week indicated crowds for the Rangely Double were extensive.

 

[billski]

Reports from Saddleback from Christmas week indicated crowds for the Rangely Double were extensive.

I know business is up for Saddleback. However I thought those reports were relative to their prior track record. I

 

[Masskier]

Burke will be mobbed, dont go, we'll be there

May reschedule the 3 day trip if they dont get any good snows this week... Only 15 of 45 open[/QUOTE


Skied Burke today. What they have open has very good coverage. They are making snow, and should have a lot more open for next weekend. In fact they have more trails that are ready to open but are probably saving for MLK weekend.