RidgeRacer

It's never a matter of if I go somewhere, it's a matter of where. A full season in just PA / Blue will probably want to make me gouge my eyes out, even if it's just a few days.

I really need to get to SB (and Stowe / Smuggs) at some point. My approach to ski tripping the East has prevented me from doing so however, really fucking dumb as I know I'm limiting myself but my thoughts are this... - Catskills are a day trip - Southern VT at 4.5 hours aren't worth it when in another hour I'm at WF or Killington so I never even consider it. Been to Stratton a while back and don't really see the need to return (yes I know Magic Mt. is worth a visit). - in 5 1/2 to 6hrs I'm at Whiteface or Killington. Will always opt for WF over Killington. - 6 hours is my Max usually for driving 1) because I get antsy after 5 plus and 2) I'm entering "I could be out west in this amount of time" territory. - I can be at SB / MRG in about 6 and half but WF at 5 1/2 always seems more palatable. Plus I really really like me some LP and WF. - Stowe at 7.5 and Jay at 8 or 9 are 100% in the "is it worth it when I could be in Denver or SLC quicker" timeframe. - So WF is typically the sweet spot for me. Big ass mountain in less than 6 hours. I like Gore and is perfect for a visit after a few days at WF. Leave LP after skiing WF, check in at hotel near Gore, ski Gore, drive home is an hour shorter than if I were leaving WF. Only way I see myself skiing Stowe, Smuggs SB is if I were doing some sort of skifari. Again really stupid I know.

O'Douls?

Stumbled on this article.. Numbers 1 and 6 sound amazing. Enjoy! The 6 Most Jaw-Dropping Train Routes in the World 1. Rocky Mountaineer – Vancouver to Banff, Canada This breathtaking train route will give you access to some of the most awe-inspiring views ever! Soak in an endless landscape of snow-capped mountain peaks as the Rocky Mountaineer takes you from the shores of the Pacific Ocean to Banff, Canada’s majestic national park. You will set out from the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver and weave alongside steep canyons ending up in the untamed wilderness of the Canadian Rockies. Along the way, you will be spoiled with first-class service, food, drinks, and scenery as luxury meets wilderness. 2. Tranzalpine - Christchurch to Greymouth, New Zealand The only way to take in the Southern Alps of New Zealand is aboard the TranzAlpine, New Zealand’s jaw-dropping rail journey. Climb aboard and experience the South Island’s stunning natural landscape. Along this journey from Christchurch to Greymouth, you will witness epic vistas, voyage along the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River and wind through miles of native beech forest. The perfect stop along the way is Moana, which is set amid a remote mountain paradise midway between Arthur's Pass and Greymouth, and home to the idyllic Lake Brunner. This trip will certainly be a journey of a lifetime. 3. West Highland Line - Glasgow to Mallaig, Scotland Fans of the Harry Potter movies will be departing from Platform 9 ¾ for a magical trip to the Scottish Highlands. The West Highland Line is a brilliant way to experience Scotland’s western coast. You will set off from the bustling city of Glasgow and gently wind your way through verdant glens and serene lochs. After a trip through secluded heather moors, the train will pass Ben Nevis, the highest peak on the British Isles. If you would like a wee dram of Scotch, make sure to take a tour of the Ben Nevis Distillery and experience “Uisge beatha” - the water of life. 4. Orient Express – Paris, France to Istanbul, Turkey The Orient Express has been associated with both stylish adventures and the golden age of travel for more than a century and its celebrated route takes you between the two most exotic destinations in the world—Paris and Istanbul. After a brief hiatus, its most celebrated route is back! You can journey across Europe and into Turkey’s most famous city in a rolling realm of style and comfort. But you need to really plan this one out because it only makes the journey once a year. Once on board, you will be transported back in time as you explore a collection of romantic cities such as Paris, Budapest, Bucharest and Istanbul. 5. Golden Eagle (Trans-Siberian Railway) – Moscow to Vladivostok, Russia The Trans-Siberian Railway is arguably one of the world's most amazing railway journey’s. It winds across a once secretive Russia, connecting east and west. This fabulous route runs from Moscow over the regal Urals, across the magnificent and endless plains and ends at the port city of Vladivostok. alongside the shores of Lake Baikal, the world's largest freshwater lake. Start your visit with a couple of days in Moscow and take in the grandeur of the Kremlin and see the treasures of the Tsars in the Armory Chamber. As you roll on west towards Vladivostok, a stop at Lake Baikal will leave you speechless as you stand on the shores of the crystal-clear waters of the world’s oldest and deepest freshwater lake. End your train trek taking in the still waters of the sea surrounding the historic city of Vladivostok. 6. Glacier Express - Zermatt to St. Moritz, Switzerland The Glacier Express has to be on any list of greatest train journeys in the world. Express is a relative term on this awesome trip because the train is billed as the “slowest express train in the world.” The route takes you across 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels, up to the mile-high Oberalppass. Travel in comfort as you soak in the traditions and centuries-old Swiss culture. You will be given a front-row seat to the “window of the Alps” as you travel through the unspoiled natural beauty of a land rich in ancient, fragrant mountain forests, peaceful Alpine meadows, and roaring mountain rivers. Highlights of your journey will be a stop in St. Moritz and the alpine village of Zermatt where you can take in breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. Better practice your yodeling skills. https://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/the-6-most-jaw-dropping-train-routes-in-the-world/

Dumb shit aside, I've been thinking hard about the 19-20 ski season since returning from vacation. The stoke levels are definitely rising.

Rainbow over 22 from yesterday

I don't like it when mute is mute.

Used to be able to hear the cars from our old neighborhood during the races. Not anymore since we moved bit further away from there a few years ago.

Was a great freaking day. So good that it needs to happen again.

That was very rain man like wasn't it? I don't know if I should be proud of myself or go off and cry in a corner somewhere.

In his defense I think the Saltman was supposed to be in Stowe; that is before he decided to go to CO because of forecasted rain in Stowe, before he changed his mind and decided that he didn't want to lose the money on the Stowe hotel, before he changed his mind again and decided that he could get to CO on the cheap with miles, before he changed his mind again and decided that losing the hotel deposit in Stowe would be too much to bear, before deciding that he wanted to sleep on it, before ultimately deciding that he wanted to go to CO where he had a great time.

You coming to Elk PASR day this year?

Correct unless Frost skis the way it did 6+ years ago when Happyland, Vader, Elevator Glade etc. were readily skiable. In that instance I'd opt for Frost. CB is always better than BB. Blue, Elk and probably Montage over all of them. If were closer to Elk I'd probably have a pass there mainly for the better snow. I've always said it's a fun place but their marketing is a major turnoff.

Thankfully it happened on our last run.

Remember it well. That day ended my season

What are the dimensions on those again? not gonna buy them...just curious

My take...no one's leaving Blue for this despite Ski2Lives assessment that the masses will flock to JFBB or the mighty Hunter Mountain. I think Blue will actually see more passholders in that local pass holders, who could give a shit about the "perks", look at Blue's $450 or $499 and see that being a lot more attractive than $700 for JFBB with "perks". Forget the pass holders though....I can see group pricing increasing at a Vail owned resort prompting school groups, family groups or whatever group to move to Blue and we all know how much we love seeing those busses during night sessions. Hope I'm wrong there.

I'm hoping Vail can use their patented tectonic plate machine to push the plates under Lake Harmony together to thereby increase the vertical footage of BB by about 1500 or so feet. May finally prompt them to replace those wooden chairs.

Agreed with what Dan said. Plus if you're planning on doing a lot of night sessions, BB ain't gonna cut it. Western mountains or not. I'd gladly ski Blue after work and pay for tickets wherever out west than ski the majority of my days there. In NE I literally only care about one mountain that isn't Epic so that really doesn't do much for me.

I forgot...you're bad and boujee at Hunter now. BTW it's hunter, not Jackson Hole.

Wow. Just seeing all this now. Gots some reading to do. This is big news.

Umm no.

That's pretty funny. Haha

Maybe too late but I forgot to mention Beltsville, Mauch Chunk lake Park or the lake at Hickory Run if lakes are your thing. You can't really escape the tourists. There are a higher percentage of tourists at certain places (CB) than others but they're everywhere. It is what it is.

That's awesome