As a cautious weekday skier my frustrations are growing with Gore's lift choices...
Today I shared my thoughts with Gore's management...
"
I want to share with you a frustration I have with which lifts Gore spins weekdays. In previous years snow coverage might have kept Bear Cub Quad closed, but that is not the case this year. I realize the Greenway Magic Carpet is open daily for true beginners. But it services a very small and limited area. Fifty yards away Bear Cub Quad sits closed for weekdays. The Cub Quad was meant to be a lift for those beginners ready to advance to terrain such as Lower Sunway. It also is the perfect lift for older, cautious skiers (like myself) who often find sections of the terrain on Upper Sunway too challenging. The Sunway Chair goes to this more challenging terrain as well so it really is not the correct option compared to Bear Cub Quad.
I am a Senior Season Pass holder who as a retiree can and do avoid the weekend crowds. But I am feeling cheated that Gore so far has only chosen to run Bear Cub Quad on weekends. I would be satisfied if management would at least commit to one or two set weekdays days to spin Bear Cub. I draw a comparison to the Bear Den area at Whiteface with its Coyote Carpet and Falcon Flyer lifts that service true beginners, advancing beginners, and cautious skiers DAILY with access to 5 or more trails. I feel Gore should at least offer Lower Sunway access via Bear Cub Quad for weekday skiers like myself. I honestly feel cautious weekday skiers are being short changed. Your thoughts? "
Yeah, I know all you regulars are having a great early season.... but I am an old, cautious skier and also a Season Pass Holder. I am feeling left out. Doubt I will get much satisfaction but it did feel good to at least express my frustration.
Enjoy.
It will be interesting if anyone responds. I mentioned somewhere on here.. a friend used to say Gore's motto is "We're not happy, until you're not happy". Like many on this forum, I grew up at Gore (and Royal) my Dad was ski patrol at both Mts. I was so pissed off at the stupid location of the new gondola, shortening the high peaks lift, the crappy snowmaking the $$$$ passes, too many reasons to list, I boycotted Gore, became a 'gore refugee' for several years and I went over to Okemo (Pre Vail) and other Mts. only come back to Gore several years ago.
Last year really sucked IMO- they were very slow to make snow, then closed with more snow on the trails than they had in January and most of February! This year I do think they have made more snow and are doing better than many prior years. I don't understand why with water from the Hudson River they aren't blowing snow ALL Over the MT and they should take the Clue Card they need to do better with paying employees to get more staff to open more terrain, run lifts and more snowmaking.
As to your point as a beginner, Yes, Gore did screw up, like Cork said eliminating the 1/2 way get off on Sunway lift was dumb. I'll add IMO Ruby run and Fox Lair being only way off the gondola, are difficult for many beginners and that was stupid too. As a beginner most have to walk back to the saddle on the run out.
Unfortunately early skiing at just about every MT is not for beginners. BUT with the cold temps Gore should have more open for all skiers, and have the beginner lift running everyday- especially since we are going into Holiday weeks in 9 days!!
I'm wondering have you thought about taking lesson (s) to help gain confidence and more skills? I'm not sure if Gore has a Senior class? Unfortunately, it's probably another "Add to ideas for Gore to help senior skiers"
Here's to more snow and employees to run lifts and make more snwo, so you (and the rest of us) can get the most out of our pass..