Best Access for Under $1K

[Low Angle Life]

Just saw an add that best prices for Epic are ending September 6th, I honestly have not been paying too much attention to other deadlines and know this is a group of early birds when it comes to purchasing passes. Anyway the anxiety is building and I know I will need to commit to a pass or passes soon which has lead me here for advice. Looking for suggestions on what to purchase to maximize access but also minimize on cost, here are my thoughts/ criteria in order of importance,

1. Less than $1K total spent on passes.
2. Multiple North East offerings.
3. Something with at least 1 option within 2.5 hours of the NJ/NY boarder (ideally not Hunter).
4. Limited weekend/ holiday blackouts.
5. Good beginner terrain top to bottom, preferably with good advanced terrain and glades not too far away.

I was pleasantly surprised with our experiences at Belle this past year which had me thinking the ORDA pass may be a good option but ultimately would like a bit more variety than just NY state ski area. Any thoughts? Open to purchasing multiple passes so long as I can keep it as close to a grand as possible.

 

[Brownski]

My need/wants are pretty much the same as yours. I’m going with the Catamount/Berkshire East + Indy add on option.

 

[Harvey]

Just saw an add that best prices for Epic are ending September 6th, I honestly have not been paying too much attention to other deadlines and know this is a group of early birds when it comes to purchasing passes. Anyway the anxiety is building and I know I will need to commit to a pass or passes soon which has lead me here for advice. Looking for suggestions on what to purchase to maximize access but also minimize on cost, here are my thoughts/ criteria in order of importance,

1. Less than $1K total spent on passes.
2. Multiple North East offerings.
3. Something with at least 1 option within 2.5 hours of the NJ/NY boarder (ideally not Hunter).
4. Limited weekend/ holiday blackouts.
5. Good beginner terrain top to bottom, preferably with good advanced terrain and glades not too far away.

I was pleasantly surprised with our experiences at Belle this past year which had me thinking the ORDA pass may be a good option but ultimately would like a bit more variety than just NY state ski area. Any thoughts? Open to purchasing multiple passes so long as I can keep it as close to a grand as possible.

You missed the ORDA deadline, not sure what the increase is.

Not sure where you live but the ORDA pass was great for me last year when VT was sort of closed. Every day I had a Cats and Daks option depending on weather.

 

[Ripitz]

My need/wants are pretty much the same as yours. I’m going with the Catamount/Berkshire East + Indy add on option.

No Greylock?

 

[Low Angle Life]

You missed the ORDA deadline, not sure what the increase is.

I believe I am still good for the Belleayre 20 somethings $409 pass which is pretty tempting on its own but would no doubt require something additional if I want variety.

The Berkshire/Catamount+ Indy add on would certainly take care of the variety factor. Brownski, out of curiosity are you planning any trips around your Indy pass? A long weekend in March at Jay makes this option seem logical.

I am in north eastern Bergen county and pretty much exactly 2 hours from Catamount & Belleayre. Not sure I would want to spend a trip requiring lodging at either Whiteface or Gore so SKI3 is likely not the best option. I much prefer Vermont if it is going to be an overnight trip or more.

 

[Harvey]

Not to beat a dead horse too much but if you buy an Indy Pass < use that link or the ad on our homepage!

?

 

[Low Angle Life]

Belle 20 somethings + Indy = $709, I am a little unclear on how the pricing for Catamount + Indy add on would work but it seems the first option I've presented might be the best bang for my buck.

 

[Milo Maltbie]

Ikon for under $1K. Windham, Stratton, Sugarbush and Killington in the East, lots more out west. OR Epic. Stowe, Mt Snow, Okemo and Hunter, with more out West.
All those Indy Pass places are great if you live nearby, but if I'm driving 3 hours I'm going to Vermont. Or the airport.

mm

 

[Low Angle Life]

Ikon for under $1K. Windham, Stratton, Sugarbush and Killington in the East, lots more out west. OR Epic. Stowe, Mt Snow, Okemo and Hunter, with more out West.
All those Indy Pass places are great if you live nearby, but if I'm driving 3 hours I'm going to Vermont. Or the airport.

mm

Crowds scared me off from Epic three seasons ago, waiting in a line of traffic from Tannersville to get into the Hunter parking lot really ruined the experience for me, not to mention how straight up dangerous that place can be for a beginner. Mt. Snow is a similar miseryfest and frankly those are the places I am most likely to visit on Epic due to proximity.

Sugarbush is probably my favorite spot in VT but I would rather Belleayre over Windham any day of the week. IMHO the terrain is identical and I just much prefer the vibe at Belle. Also had oil drip off the Windham lift and stain a new coat once, petty but still colored my perception of the place.

A majority of our skiing and riding is going to be local (Catskills) and on weekends (teacher in the group). I also am still not fully comfortable with flying so likely would not have a western trip to truly make a mega pass worth the sacrifice of having to put up with either Hunter/Windham as the primary location.

 

[MarzNC]

I am in north eastern Bergen county and pretty much exactly 2 hours from Catamount & Belleayre. Not sure I would want to spend a trip requiring lodging at either Whiteface or Gore so SKI3 is likely not the best option. I much prefer Vermont if it is going to be an overnight trip or more.

How far is Montage? That's a new Indy location. I have friends in Philly who have season passes there. Husband has been an advanced skier for a long time. Montage has blackout dates.

West Mountain is also new to Indy. I stopped by to take a look at the base on the way to Lake Placid. Looks like it could be fun. I don't have a sense of how busy it gets on weekends though. I think the race training is on a separate part of the mountain.