happyjack

thanks to all for the recs. jf on friday makes sense...i've heard it's busier than the other two. how much of a difference (typically) in crowds will there be at sno vs elk on saturday? from a logistics perspective, sno would be better for us on sunday, since it's on the way home. going to elk (on sunday) would mean an hour more in the car...and an hour less time on the slopes. i guess my only "problem" is finding a lodging deal that will get me lift tix to jf, sno and elk...not a showstopper, but if i can save on lift tix x4 people, x3 days...well that's gonna add up pretty quickly. i'll keep looking and calling around, but if anyone knows of one, pls let me know. it dawned on me last night as i was checking out lodging and trying to plan which mtns for which days, that i did almost this exact same trip with a high school group back in the 80s: montage, jf, bb and elk. you guys are lucky to have some many options within a short drive... cheers!

thanks for the friendly welcome and fast responses! looks like we have a plan! probably get up there on thursday evening (can't work out a morning getaway...grrr!) and plan to ski sno on friday, hit elk on saturday and then play sunday be ear. any thoughts on jack frost? it's not too far off the highway, right? and we'll be headed south toward home anyway. if elk is awesome, then i wouldn't mind going in the "wrong"direction, but something headed on our route home would be nice...maybe consider blue also? as for lodging: i was already looking in the clark's summit area and found a few places with packages. i'll make some calls over the next day or two and see if any of them are negotiating. thanks again...and i'll definintely post a report. although, being a maryland skier, i'm a pretty forgiving reviewer...unless the runs are just hard-packed ice, i don't get too worked up about conditions. and as for crowds...if any of you ski liberty on a weekend, well...then you know what i'm used to dealng with...20 minute lift line to get a 5 minute run. ugh!

first post, so i figured i would reply in this thread rather than starting a new one... we're considering a 4-day trip from maryland to the elk/sno area at the end of january. trying to avoid crowds and ice (isn't everyone in the NE???) i skied elk a couple of times like 20 years ago, so i have a recollection of it being an intermediate-plus type of hill...which i loved at the time. however, i'm a dad now, skiing with 2 kids (8 & 6 years old) who are just starting their 2nd full season. my question: is elk too much of a mountain for them? they pretty solid wedge skiers, however, last year i was using a harness for the youngest on a trip to vermont (bromley) just to help her control speed. just looking at the elk trail map, there doesn't not seem like a great selection of green circles away from the beginners area (their skills are definitely way beyond those areas)...so how difficult are the intermediates? they can ski intermediates at liberty and roundtop, but it looks like a few of the longer intermediates at elk funnel into the bowl...i have no specific memory of the bowl...would it be too much for them? also, would appreciate any recs for lodging (mid-to-upper tier accomodations, but less than $150 per night) to would be relatively convenient to both elk and sno thanks in advance for your replies! ~jack