OFF TOPIC: Skiing - Poconos vs. Western Pa.
by WFY on Jan 12, 2012 9:39 AM EST
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I love to ski and I only get to go once a year typically, so I like to make it count. Due to friendships and tradition, I have usually gone to Poconos. I took care of my ESACT (isn't that was it was?) credits in two years at Big Boulder while at PSU Hazleton and generally gone to Camelback in recent years. However, I wonder if I should have been going to Western Pa. instead. I figured I'd do a little crowd-sourcing and get some insight on where the better skiing is -- Poconos or Western Pa. I'll be coming from Northern Virginia, so they are probably about the same distance.
If you have skied both regions, let me know which you think is best. I'm an intermediate skier, but I "train" for months to get ready. I can handle a black diamond at a place like Whitetail or the old Big Boulder with ease, but generally don't push it too far into the blues at a place like Camelback.
Also, any suggestions for a good place to get a helmet for a good price? I decided that if I'm going to wear one while bicycling, I probably ought to wear one while skiing.
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Take a few extra hour drive
and go to Holiday Valley, Ellicotville, NY. Best skiing around due to heavy snow falls off the lake. Great variation of runs and great snow!
"That's why you don't play! 'Cuz you're no good!" -Joe Paterno
WFY - I haven't been to either in years, but
a little bit more info might help folks offer suggestions.
I like Snowshoe in WV. I like that the lodge is at the top of the mountain – go right from bed to skiis to mountain. I like to stay on the property and there are numerous choices of places to stay and lots of good places to eat and drink, including many you can ski up to. I’m not even an intermediate skiier so 2 days on the mountain leave me beat so the amenities make the trip for me.
What kind of scratch are you looking to drop on a lid? One can be had at Dick’s for $60.
He completed 17 of individuals 26 passes for 192 lanscaping your yard and two touchdowns - Chan Luu
I should mention this is a day trip
We try and get out by 6 a.m. so we’re on the slopes around 10. Probably stay until 5 or so.
I’m looking for a helmet that is the quality of rental equipment or better.
Washingtonian and heartbroken Penn Stater -- My blog features the triumph of hope over experience that is being a DC sports fan (especially the Nats) as well as the Nittany Lions, life in BeltwayLand and other things I find interesting. @doubleuefwhy
ahhh, that just changed my comment a bit
Most of my input was gonna be about the Apres Ski. Anyway, we used to always go to Seven Springs for 3day weekends. Easy enough to get to from DC (if you don’t eff up at Breezewood). I always liked the slopes there: a couple fun greens & blues on the front and a few more challenging blues & blacks on the back side. Decent enough variety for a day trip.
Sounds like you’re doing a family trip as well as a day trip?, so the bar there, The Foggy Goggle, may not be much in your plans. But it is fun as shit. Indoor/outdoor, fun music. Lots of people seem to go there from the ’burgh to go only to there, and skip the skiing altogether. But for you on this trip, the outside deck can be a nice place to sit and grab some lunch on a nice day.
jtothetweet
Yet, bag or not, it’s nigh on impossible to mistake a cat for a pig.
Not a family trip
It looks like me and least one friend. Others may meet up with us, depending on where we go. My friend was speaking highly of the Seven Springs bar last night.
When it is time to get my son on skis (prolly next year, he’ll be 4½) we’ll probably go to Whitetail since it is closer.
Washingtonian and heartbroken Penn Stater -- My blog features the triumph of hope over experience that is being a DC sports fan (especially the Nats) as well as the Nittany Lions, life in BeltwayLand and other things I find interesting. @doubleuefwhy
p.s. Love the training regimen!
jtothetweet
Yet, bag or not, it’s nigh on impossible to mistake a cat for a pig.
It makes a huge difference
I realized how helpful the wall-sits are the year I didn’t really do them that much — I was having a really tough time. I started back in November and have another 3 weeks to go before I actually hit the slopes, I think.
Washingtonian and heartbroken Penn Stater -- My blog features the triumph of hope over experience that is being a DC sports fan (especially the Nats) as well as the Nittany Lions, life in BeltwayLand and other things I find interesting. @doubleuefwhy
Ditto on Snowshoe, WV
Holiday Valley is too far for a day trip, and Seven Springs gets so crowded from its proximity to Pittsburgh that they should consider traffic lights at some of the trail intersections. Snowshoe has 1500’ of vert on the Western Territory slopes, which is double what you’ll find in either Eastern or Western PA.
A consideration
The lack of superhighways leading to Snow Shoe (though that is changing) has kept me from going there since I’m always daytripping. My boss goes there an loves it. If I had time for a longer trip, I would be more open to Snow Shoe.
Is Snow Shoe as busy as a Poconos resort? They draw from NY-NJ-Philly and I can manage that level of crowding.
Washingtonian and heartbroken Penn Stater -- My blog features the triumph of hope over experience that is being a DC sports fan (especially the Nats) as well as the Nittany Lions, life in BeltwayLand and other things I find interesting. @doubleuefwhy
I meant to say Seven Springs in teh second graf
Washingtonian and heartbroken Penn Stater -- My blog features the triumph of hope over experience that is being a DC sports fan (especially the Nats) as well as the Nittany Lions, life in BeltwayLand and other things I find interesting. @doubleuefwhy
I've never skied the Poconos
but Seven Springs is definitely quite busy on weekends with lines for the lifts, food, and difficulty finding a table in the lodge.
I agree that Snowshoe is a tough day trip — it’s probably 4 hours from DC (and 4 hours from where I am in Pittsburgh). But if you are putting it up against a 3 hour trip to Seven Springs, the extra hour is worth it.
I live in the Poconos
the grocery stores here on weekends look like a casting call for Jersey Shore
"There are too many Irish guys on this team"
Joesph Vincent Paterno
April, 2010
Which is why
I don’t live there anymore.
Still sorta miss it tho’. sigh
So, they are full of people from the outerboroughs that make NJ look bad?
Washingtonian and heartbroken Penn Stater -- My blog features the triumph of hope over experience that is being a DC sports fan (especially the Nats) as well as the Nittany Lions, life in BeltwayLand and other things I find interesting. @doubleuefwhy
yais
Staten Island is my guess
"There are too many Irish guys on this team"
Joesph Vincent Paterno
April, 2010
I don't ski at all...
But from the DC Area, on a day trip, wouldn’t Deep Creek be closer? I know a few people that swear by it.
...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...
I went there about 20 years ago
Looking at some stats, you might be on to something. However, a trip to Seven Springs increases the likelihood of another friend coming from Pittsburgh. Hmmm.
Washingtonian and heartbroken Penn Stater -- My blog features the triumph of hope over experience that is being a DC sports fan (especially the Nats) as well as the Nittany Lions, life in BeltwayLand and other things I find interesting. @doubleuefwhy
Depending on where they are in the city...
Deep Creek is not all that much farther from the City, it adds 30 to 40 minutes tops unless you are leaving from the East End (Monroeville, Murrysville, etc.).
...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...
Hmmm, he's in Bethel Park, so Deep Creek/Wisp might be closer
Washingtonian and heartbroken Penn Stater -- My blog features the triumph of hope over experience that is being a DC sports fan (especially the Nats) as well as the Nittany Lions, life in BeltwayLand and other things I find interesting. @doubleuefwhy
It might be.
It’s certainly not appreciably farther. For the most part he’s got straight highway shots in either direction. I’ve done both trips from Bethel Park, and I would say six of one half dozen of the other.
...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...
Blue Knob has been the nicest place I've been to in PA.
I’m not very familiar with western PA, however I grew up in the Poconos. While at Penn State, I discovered Blue Knob as Tussey was severely disappointing. I’d definitely recommend checking that place out as it’s blown away anywhere I’ve been to in the east.
It is easy to go down into Hell; night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air - there's the rub, the task.
by Succss With Honor Always on Jan 12, 2012 10:21 AM EST reply actions
Im going to Seven Springs out west next weekend
How’s that place?
"My kitchen is a mess y'all" Paula Deen
by Dr.TobiasFunke on Jan 12, 2012 10:25 AM EST reply actions
PS. Not a serious Skier
"My kitchen is a mess y'all" Paula Deen
by Dr.TobiasFunke on Jan 12, 2012 10:26 AM EST reply actions
Surely you jest
black diamond at a place like Whitetail
I work there part-time and they are childs play. Question to WFY, you say you’re coming from Northern VA, why don’t you go to some place like Wintergreen in VA? I did a Tough Mudder event there in Oct and it seemed like it’d be a pretty sweet place for skiing/boarding.
On a semi-related note, I’m heading up to Massachusettes today. Tomorrow a friend and I will be on the slopes at Killington. Weather report is that they’re getting close to a foot of fresh powder. Should be pretty good.
I, for one, plan to continue my life long contempt for the powers that be and I fully expect to be disappointed with whatever choice is made. ~PSUgirl
Never skied at a VA resort
Most of my skier friends are north of me and we skied in the Poconos in college, so we just kept doing it.
Driving south to ski seems weird too.
Washingtonian and heartbroken Penn Stater -- My blog features the triumph of hope over experience that is being a DC sports fan (especially the Nats) as well as the Nittany Lions, life in BeltwayLand and other things I find interesting. @doubleuefwhy
Agree about the driving south thing
One reason why I’ve never done that. I’ve never been to Seven Springs or Snow Shoe but have heard good things about both.
As for the ones in the Poconos, Camelback was always my favorite.
I, for one, plan to continue my life long contempt for the powers that be and I fully expect to be disappointed with whatever choice is made. ~PSUgirl
Wintergreen...
It is a nice set up (restaurants and bars lacking in my opinion – but good for day trip). Easier in and out than Snowshoe. Does get some crowds. Haven’t been on the Highlands. Has been warm and they just started making snow – not sure how many trails are open.
He completed 17 of individuals 26 passes for 192 lanscaping your yard and two touchdowns - Chan Luu
Canaan Valley WV
is another place to consider. Never been, but a co-worker has gone with his family since he was a kid and says good things. Not as popular as Snowshoe.
He completed 17 of individuals 26 passes for 192 lanscaping your yard and two touchdowns - Chan Luu
Elk in NEPA
Elk is my favorite hill in PA.
Sno Mountain (formerly Montage) is also a favorite of mine, but I grew up 10 minutes away and know all the mountain’s ins and outs. I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to ski Sno.
I learned to ski at Elk
we went on Friday’s after school with the Ski Club in high school
"There are too many Irish guys on this team"
Joesph Vincent Paterno
April, 2010
Elk is a great hill.
Reading these posts makes me want to ski. I might have to take a trip this weekend.
by P. Incaviglia on Jan 13, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
There used to be a ski "resort."
near Pittsfield in Warren County. As I recall it looked like any typical Penelec right-of-way, maybe not as well groomed.
I’m not making this up — honestly.
"The limits of my language mean the limits of my world" -- Ludwig Wittgenstein
If you want to avoid lines...
A couple of guys I worked with at the Atherton used to ski the power lines. No fancy lifts, but they had the hill all to themselves.
He completed 17 of individuals 26 passes for 192 lanscaping your yard and two touchdowns - Chan Luu
The development I live in has a ski hill
“hill” being the operative word. I have never gone there, but it’s free!
"There are too many Irish guys on this team"
Joesph Vincent Paterno
April, 2010
You've got to think bigger and get in some real skiing
Orem, Ut is a short drive to Sundance, Snowbird and Deer Valley. As a bonus, if you go the weekend of Feb. 11 you may run into Dave Joyner or Ira Lubert on the slopes.
Striving for Success with Honor
Elk
I think Elk is the best in NEPA. Can’t speak to WPA, but I’d suggest Elk to anyone, anywhere.
I've never been to Elk
I never strayed too far from I-80, except the one time I went to Montage on a Friday night with $10 KRZ lift tickets. Doing that only once? STUPID. I could have skied twice a week and I didn’t.
It seems people either ski the Poconos or Western PA, no overlap. I guess that makes sense, but still kind of annoying. I’ll have to report back if/when I go west.
Washingtonian and heartbroken Penn Stater -- My blog features the triumph of hope over experience that is being a DC sports fan (especially the Nats) as well as the Nittany Lions, life in BeltwayLand and other things I find interesting. @doubleuefwhy
I finally made it out last Saturday
I went to Blue Knob with a friend. It was icy, but since it snowed all day, it worked out pretty well. I’ve got details of the trip up on my site: 2012 Skiing: Blue Knob. I’ve got another post or two on the way as well.
Washingtonian and heartbroken Penn Stater -- My blog features the triumph of hope over experience that is being a DC sports fan (especially the Nats) as well as the Nittany Lions, life in BeltwayLand and other things I find interesting. @doubleuefwhy
I was born in Colorado
Naturally, I was spoiled. I have a hard time distinguishing between ‘better skiing spots’ on the east coast. Yes, being able to ski after 3 pm is nice, but skiing on ice and tiny little hills is meh. So in short, I can’t tell you where the better east coast skiing is.
Whittle your whiskey around like blazes, t'underin' Jaysus, do ye think I'm dead?
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