Ski Travel 2020/2021 Season

[MiSkier]

I plan on driving from Michigan in January for the annual NYSkiblog meetup at Plattekill (if it happens) and two different trips to Holiday Valley. But this all depends of Michigan stays off the banded list in NY

 

[Brownski]

Still bummed out about this. Seems to me like if this doesn’t change none the VT hills will hit their reduced Ticket quotas even on big holidays but all the NY and MA hills will max out every weekend.

 

[LostCosmonaut]

Same here, assuming that stays I'm not going to get to go to Magic this year, which would severely piss me off. (especially considering I'm planning on moving out of state sometime next year)

 

[MarzNC]

Still bummed out about this. Seems to me like if this doesn’t change none the VT hills will hit their reduced Ticket quotas even on big holidays but all the NY and MA hills will max out every weekend.

Assuming that people actually follow the travel restrictions for VT.

Other states with travel restrictions are allowing a negative COVID-19 test to justify avoiding self-quarantine on arrival. I'm watching NM, which is the only state in the west that has been trying to limit travelers coming from outside NM. A friend who lives in Albuquerque said she's seeing a lot of out-of-state plates. The change to allow a negative test went into effect just before Labor Day weekend.

 

[Brownski]

People are definitely not following the rules but I’m skeptical that most New York or Boston residents are dumb enough to book a hotel or even prepay for a day ticket if there’s the slightest chance that they’ll be turned away after driving 3.5 to 5 hours

 

[MarzNC]

People are definitely not following the rules but I’m skeptical that most New York or Boston residents are dumb enough to book a hotel or even prepay for a day ticket if there’s the slightest chance that they’ll be turned away after driving 3.5 to 5 hours

Turned away by whom? When my friend called a Lake Placid motel about booking a room when he was driving up to drop off his kid at boarding school in early September, he was told "no problem." That was when NC was still well over 7% percent positive. Will motel owners really be that diligent? Or just take the money?

In any case, I agree that fewer people will be driving to VT from states on the "high risk" list. Things got ugly enough during the summer in a few places than I know of people who have no interest in going to a place where they feel unwanted.

Boston folks are more interested in doing what's necessary to travel to Maine than Vermont. I don't think Boyne Resorts is particularly worried that people from MA are going to stay home. They cut off the New England season pass sales and came up with a Maine pass pretty early to try to keep Loon from being overloaded. Like Alterra, the goal for Boyne is to avoid requiring reservations for season passholders. Ikon holders will need to use the Ikon reservation system that opens up Nov. 9.

 

[Brownski]

Turned away by whom?

Yet to be determined.

 

[JTG]

So, here’s a tidbit to share for those who are into backcountry skiing and are visiting Snowbird.

I still prefer to use guides on my western backcountry adventures. Private guides are better than a group, but I’ve done both. Prices across numerous western locations are generally in the same ballpark. However, I always like finding a “deal”.

So, Snowbird Mountain Guides offers guided backcountry skiing. It’s $350 for a private guided backcountry day. That’s one of the lower private guide costs you will find. However, their service comes with some perks you don’t get elsewhere.

For starters, the guide service comes with lift access. So, you start your day on an 8:15 Tram and take a few inbounds pre-public warmup runs. Great to get your day going with some easy untracked powder (if you timed your trip right). The Snowbird Guide service then has access to areas off the backside of the resort, so having the lift assist to get you to the summit is a big bonus. They’ll also access White Pine down the road or Cardiff across the street, depends on where the snow is the best, and the lift access doesn’t do anything for you there. Lastly, the Snowbird Guide service includes lunch, which makes packing for the day a bit easier. Oh, and they provide beacon/shovel/probe/pack if you need it. All in all it sounds like a nice service.

 

[JTG]

Another note for those considering Snowbird. Their Mountain Vacation package is excellent if you are staying 4 nights. The package over room only is only $50 a night more. However, it includes lift tickets (worth upwards of $140 a day), ground transportation from the airport (worth $78), and an adult group lesson or workshop. Here’s the kicker, with that it’s possible to book their All Mountain Guided skiing program. A full day black/double black adventure where a guide takes you to all the stashes inbounds, priority lift line privileges and all. That program usually runs $225. Not too bad!

 

[raisingarizona]

Another note for those considering Snowbird. Their Mountain Vacation package is excellent if you are staying 4 nights. The package over room only is only $50 a night more. However, it includes lift tickets (worth upwards of $140 a day), ground transportation from the airport (worth $78), and an adult group lesson or workshop. Here’s the kicker, with that it’s possible to book their All Mountain Guided skiing program. A full day black/double black adventure where a guide takes you to all the stashes inbounds, priority lift line privileges and all. That program usually runs $225. Not too bad!

Snowbird is always in my top 3 or 5 list for ski areas in the US for terrain. It’s simply that awesome imho.

Alta is a classic and a great mountain too but to be honest I really prefer the way the Bird skis.