#NoPoles Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I know many of the New Englanders ski...My sister and her husband would like to take their 3 kids skiing...she's been pricing mtns and it looks like for rentals and lift tix for 2 adults and and 3 kids it's going to be around $400 and up...just for one day of skiing...she and the two older kids wouldn't need a lesson but her husband and youngest kid would... just wondering if any of the more knowledgeable skiiers have any tips about how to go skiing without going bankrupt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Seriously, they should try Berkshire East... go on select Monday's (Coke Mondays) and ski for $20.00 See their website for details. Rentals are a bit more, but someone might be able to help them...hmmmmmmm... Pro Lurker, where are you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radarman Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I know many of the New Englanders ski...My sister and her husband would like to take their 3 kids skiing...she's been pricing mtns and it looks like for rentals and lift tix for 2 adults and and 3 kids it's going to be around $400 and up...just for one day of skiing...she and the two older kids wouldn't need a lesson but her husband and youngest kid would... just wondering if any of the more knowledgeable skiiers have any tips about how to go skiing without going bankrupt! For one thing, if you are learning, don't waste money going to a big expensive resort with tons of terrain. You won't be using it anyway. Find a small area which will cost much less and take your lumps there. Weekdays/nights are ideal if possible, especially days that schools are closed. There will be snow and it will hurt less to fall, powder skiing is way more fun, and there won't be any lines which will maximize your time on the hill. As an example, Crotched Mt. in southern NH has two adult full day tickets for $50 on Tuesdays. I'm sure you can find other deals like that. Like HubbDave just said Berkshire East is cheap on Mondays if you bring a can of coke. Look for stuff like that... A lot of places have little deals or promotions, like bring a can, get X off tickets. Or fill up 3 times, get X off. Or 'Jeep Day' or Massachusetts day, or : http://www.pathtovermont.com (promo code B035934) , etc... For equipment, ski swaps at the end of the year are a good way to go. Beginner skiers don't need the best new skis. I would suggest laying out the cash for new boots though... Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkO Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 You can find good deals if you're willing to go mid week and not during school vacation week. I hear Waterville Valley is going to have $20 tickets tomorrow. They usually have mid-week deals. Cannon offers two-fer ticket days on Tuesdays and Thursdays ($67 for two tickets). Also, you can tell them to try Craigslist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mica Vim Toot Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I know many of the New Englanders ski...My sister and her husband would like to take their 3 kids skiing...she's been pricing mtns and it looks like for rentals and lift tix for 2 adults and and 3 kids it's going to be around $400 and up...just for one day of skiing...she and the two older kids wouldn't need a lesson but her husband and youngest kid would... just wondering if any of the more knowledgeable skiiers have any tips about how to go skiing without going bankrupt! 1000' vertical 1 dbl chair. 1 trpl chair. Beginner ramp/people mover. Full snowmaking. Night skiing Wed-Fri. Night ski free Wed. Adult day pass $25.00/$30.00 Jr. day pass $20.00/$25.00 Full rental pkg $20/day Cute area. My 10 yr old girl skis there. So, Mica Vim Toot, what's the catch? 7.5 hrs travel from Wistah. Everything resorty up here is cheap. Except gas. Cheap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Nice looking family place Mr. Vomit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#NoPoles Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 we just tried out Pat's Peak...nice and small but still fun trails...her two older kids went with us (9, 11) first time on skis...used the beginner package for the valley...kids got a lesson...picked it up super fast...after the lesson they were riding the chairlift and skiing the down the green circles with my sister and i...we live in MA so we were checking out prices at Wa Wa, Nashoba, and Blue Hill...a lot less driving than Pat's Peak, and we thought they would be cheaper since they are not super resorts (we don't need super resorts) but she calculated Wa Wa for a family of 5 and with rentals and lift tix and two lessons, it was over 400 dollars(for just a day trip) (more expensive than Pat's Peak) so we were bummed...it seems as though skiing is becoming inaccessible to the middle class... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Diane, my son and I purchased Wachusett passes back in November $229.00 each. He gets 6 lessons for 40 bucks or so We got used gear at a swap. I have gone 21 times so far $10 and change per visit, mostly nights. Goal is to get it to $5 per visit Wachusett is overly priced if you don't do it right... It can be very middle class if you do it the right way. Seriously check out the Beast in western Mass. Good lite mountain with no crowds and friendly folks Good chili, too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#NoPoles Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 Diane, my son and I purchased Wachusett passes back in November $229.00 each. He gets 6 lessons for 40 bucks or so We got used gear at a swap. I have gone 21 times so far $10 and change per visit, mostly nights. Goal is to get it to $5 per visit Wachusett is overly priced if you don't do it right... It can be very middle class if you do it the right way. Seriously check out the Beast in western Mass. Good lite mountain with no crowds and friendly folks Good chili, too yeah, i just looked at the Beast website and then sent it to my sister...it looks great! i would actually like to ski there...nice easy terrain for the two who haven't skied before...some terrain for the rest of us advanced beginners! i like the food pantry special, i think that's great how they are linked to the local community! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 yeah, i just looked at the Beast website and then sent it to my sister...it looks great! i would actually like to ski there...nice easy terrain for the two who haven't skied before...some terrain for the rest of us advanced beginners! i like the food pantry special, i think that's great how they are linked to the local community! Send a pm to Professional Lurker. The do have so good challenging stuff, too. GC ftw If I lived closer to Berkshire East I would def choose it over WaWa. I only go there because of the 15 min drive and the waffles. Crotched Mtn is not far, either. Not sure about Jiminy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j24vt Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Bolton Valley: http://www.liftopia.com/ski-resort-info/resort/802002/VT/Bolton-Valley.htm?gclid=CMWnpqy896YCFcTb4AodByRRFw Probably easiest to rent at the mountain. If you want to rent a little better equipment, try here: http://www.pinnacleskisports.com/ (I work there part time) Best place on line to buy equipment: http://www.skiessentials.com/ - click on Killer Deals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NECT Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I've been skiing since I was a little kid. Made my first trip to the Beast this year. It was great for beginners, relatively inexpensive, not nearly as crowded as other places, and has enough terrain for advanced skiers to make it interesting (IMHO, much more interesting than WaWa). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I've been skiing since I was a little kid. Made my first trip to the Beast this year. It was great for beginners, relatively inexpensive, not nearly as crowded as other places, and has enough terrain for advanced skiers to make it interesting (IMHO, much more interesting than WaWa). Agreed. The only thing lacking is a good main lift. That lift stinks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbutts Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Cheaper places to try: Magic, Whaleback, Granite Gorge, Mcintyre Also look for deals.. I get rideandskine.com card every year. Subscribe to twitter feeds and text deals from resorts. Also consider buying a pass for next year this spring.. Cheaper and many places give you the end of this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheetah440 Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Agreed. The only thing lacking is a good main lift. That lift stinks... the Beast is a great little mountain though. We used to race there in the 80's for HS ski team. So much F'n fun I can't even tell you. Although back then we called it Berkshire ICE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolland Death Band Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 1000' vertical 1 dbl chair. 1 trpl chair. Beginner ramp/people mover. Full snowmaking. Night skiing Wed-Fri. Night ski free Wed. Adult day pass $25.00/$30.00 Jr. day pass $20.00/$25.00 Full rental pkg $20/day Cute area. My 10 yr old girl skis there. So, Mica Vim Toot, what's the catch? 7.5 hrs travel from Wistah. Everything resorty up here is cheap. Except gas. Cheap! You Canucks have gone hog wild with the windmills. That looks horrible. If I saw that in my beloved NH I would croak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbutts Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Agreed. The only thing lacking is a good main lift. That lift stinks... I like the slower chairs at B-east (and relatively uncrowded slopes). It's steep enough that the ride time isn't excessive for the run you get. I don't think a high-speed chair would be a good thing there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 the Beast is a great little mountain though. We used to race there in the 80's for HS ski team. So much F'n fun I can't even tell you. Although back then we called it Berkshire ICE. Oh, yeah. I love the place. As I posted earlier, if I lived closer to it (still an hour or so drive) I would go there over Wachusett any day. The Competition slope and... Flying Cloud? are great trails...Super variety for an 1100' hill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheetah440 Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Oh, yeah. I love the place. As I posted earlier, if I lived closer to it (still an hour or so drive) I would go there over Wachusett any day. The Competition slope and... Flying Cloud? are great trails...Super variety for an 1100' hill. Wachusett's a gem though, you're lucky to be that close to it. I grew up 15 mins from Blandford and all it's 300ft vertical.. But when I was 5 yrs old it might as well have been Killington. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheetah440 Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 For the OP, I've never skied it but Gunstock seems to have some reasonable pricing. I work with a guy who is a ski patrol there and says it's a great little place. Also Black Mountain has good prices and you can get pretty cheap condo rental rates in North Conway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mica Vim Toot Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 You Canucks have gone hog wild with the windmills. That looks horrible. If I saw that in my beloved NH I would croak Please croak now. 12 monstrosities loom over Lempster as I type. Another 33 will be on line in Coos Cty soon. Your beloved NH is being horrible-ized by wild hogs and their Martian fighting machines! Many more in the permitting process across NH. They won't affect you though because you will have croaked as you promised above. It's time you lived up to your words! No one has ever called me a "Canuck" before. What's next, "Rusky"? Vim Toot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I want a wind turbine in my yard Bigass one...not a pansy one They go whoosh whoosh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mica Vim Toot Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I want a wind turbine in my yard Bigass one...not a pansy one They go whoosh whoosh I want an oil derrick in my back fields. Or a natgas well & pipeline. Whatever noise they make would simply sound like money to my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I want an oil derrick in my back fields. Or a natgas well & pipeline. Whatever noise they make would simply sound like money to my ears. Not too much of that up there I would think...you could make a potato still and sell the ethanol? $$$ $$$ $$$ ka-ching! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mica Vim Toot Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Not too much of that up there I would think...you could make a potato still and sell the ethanol? $$$ $$$ $$$ ka-ching! Make a potato still. Did one move? And, ethanol? Not vodka? Aroostook County vodka. Distilled in Caribooze, ME. Vim Toot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamarack Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Nice looking family place Mr. Vomit And you get to watch all the wind turbines. Also, from about mid-April (probably have to walk up, then) thru midsummer, Mars Hill is the 1st place the sun hits in the lower 48. (A couple of those sneaky Aleutian Islands lie across the Int. Date Line.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravitylover Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 wind turbines. Whatever Try Mohawk during the week. $20/4hr lift tix or pretty reasonable lift/lesson/rental packages. Catamount is $27 midweek. Look around on liftopia for deals too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowwoman Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Mt Snow is running a special this Monday for Valentines day 2 people for $49 if I am not mistaken, granted its only one day and on a Monday, but it might make someones Valentine's Day bright Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheetah440 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Just got an email from Whaleback. Four Pack of Lift Tickets To Whaleback Mountain For $80! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NECT Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I like the slower chairs at B-east (and relatively uncrowded slopes). It's steep enough that the ride time isn't excessive for the run you get. I don't think a high-speed chair would be a good thing there. Agreed. The lines are short, and the ride up is not long enough (IMHO) to warrant a faster lift. Nevermind that they would have to raise lift ticket costs to cover the cost of a new high speed lift. There are also two lifts that go form the bottom to the top. For me, it's a bit farther away than WaWa, but well worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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