JollyJake99

What's gone wrong with the back entrance access road this season? I know it usually gets all washboardy every season, but this year it seems to be exponentially worse. Has the new regime stopped maintianing it? On Monday, there was some major heavy machinery work going on, but I could never get a look at what they were doing, perhaps starting the new hotel ? Anyway, I'm sure they're going to need it this weekend & the following weeK!

Barb - Make sure that your plexi scraper has a sharp edge: 1. Lay a file flat on the bench. 2. Hold scraper in one hand perpendicular to the file, while running the long edge against the file. 3. Repeat with the opposite long edge of the scraper. Make 4 or 5 strokes on each side. 4. Drag your metal scraper along the just filed edges of the plexi to get a good "cutting edge" on the plexi scraper. 5. "Touch-up" the plexi scraper with the metal scraper after scraping 2 pairs of skiis. 6. You can do several pairs this way before you have to re-file the plexi. Also, the wax package, assuming that it's a Swix 60 gram package, is 60 grams, not ounces. You probably need to use 1/8 of one of those third sections per ski, less is more likely. Last, if you can afford it, buy a real ski wax iron with the temperatures marked in degrees. When set at or just below the recommended iron temp for the wax, there is no smoking of the wax and as long as you're not using extremely hard for bitterly cold weather wax, a greatly reduced chance of damage to the skiis.

No, I am a paying "guest" who pays to ski during the daylight hours & still resents the percentage of the mountain that's been given over to un- and/or under-used terrain parks. Further, I rode up with another snow sport activity consumer who said that she made FOUR attempts to get a park pass and that on all four times the Glen Lodge was closed! So, I'll continue to be unhappy with the current set up.

What I meant to convey was that last Friday am I saw NO boarders nor twin tippers in the "Rhodo-Oak Grove" terrain area, but they seemed to be EVERYWHERE else, exactly where I was. My point was, why block off that much of the mountain if it's not being used?

First, thanx to the snow sport activity consumers from Blue for the "support". I'd often wondered over the items that were reported as stolen from cars in the parking lots; "operator error" (stupidity) seemed to explain some of them. Second, I have further thoughts on this season's changes at C'back: many are aimed at not only increasing revenue, sometimes in an obvious way, sometimes not, but others are cost-cutters. 1. By opening later in the am, some staff hours can go from full-time to part-time. 2. Cameltop closed on weekdays means less staff needed & perhaps more food sold at the base lodge. 3. Open-to-close tickets only & hour later opening: perhaps people will stay longer & go in for lunch instead of going home when they are done for the morning. 4. Is it just me, or are there fewer Rangers & Ski Patrol than in previous years? 5. Food discount for pass holders might entice some to spend more money on the mountain, than going elsewhere. Third, I wonder if the Open-to-Close tickets will produce an increase in accidents: "I've paid for this time & damn it, I'm going to ski for as long as I've paid for, even though I'm too tired or drunk to realize that I'm a danger." Fourth, I will say that after being there today, the new management seems to be more interested (dedicated?) in making snow beyond what I have come to expect as "full coverage". This is a good thing. Last, I do resent that about 1/3 of the mountain in closed to skiiers. Specifically, the Oak Grove - Turkey Trot - Moore's Ramble terrain area. It used to be an area that was a safe place for "families" & newbies. I was rather upset that this morning the whole area was UNUSED until about noon & then I only saw a few people in it. Oh well, I gues we're going to have to get the mind set thate we are now skiing a "Destination Resort"!

Well, with all of the observations of the negative changes at C'back in this thread, it is obvious that the mountain has been taken over by a profit-motivated corporation. Further, I don't see that there is any hint of a crumb of consideration being given to lontg-time loyal C'back snow sport activity consumers. I think that the announcement of the 400+ room grand hotel & indoor water park was the warning of the coming change! I very tempted to try Blue, but am concerned that the stolen equipment & car break-in reports I see in the local paper are only the tip of the iceberg.

I was just wondering, since I have not seen the announcement in the paper or on the web site, has C'back broken ground for the new hotel? What with the credit crunch, etc. and now the announcement that the new casino complex in Bethlehem is being scaled back, if not facing not reaching completion, I wondered what fate might have befallen C'back.

Was I the only one to notice that the snow blown on March 9 on Rocket, Margie's & Upper Cleo proceeded to produce the best conditions for the remainder of the season? When they closed the East Side, those three were the place to be!

My prayers have gone out to the family & the boy. I was there while it was happening. The ones that I haven't seen mentioned in this thread that certainly deserve it are the SKI PATROLLERS!! I watched from the lift and in the base area as they worked incredibly hard to save him!

I'm starting to anticipate the arrival of the 2007-2008 season pass announcement I'm wondering if there will be any "rewards" or discounts like they offered last year. I've noticed that many of the casinos that advertise on TV are offering gas cards. I wonder if CB will also offer gas cards?

I agree with skimom; it's gonna be crowded with those "snow sport activity consumers" who more than likely don't know what they're doing. I think it'll be a vacation drawing those who don't frequently ski or ride. And, I don't think it's really "too soon" to start considering what other options might be. If only Elk were 20 minutes closer, I know what I'd do.

This might be a good idea. It was always my contention that Shawnee would open (if they could) with 1 or two slopes with crappy conditions at Thanksgiving to satisfy those that held time-shares!

Some recent reports re other Pocono resorts have given me a new outlook on the proposed 400+ room hotel & water park. It seems like the casino rules have been "modified" to allow "guest only slots" for established resorts. I was worried about the additional snow sport activity consumers that would be crowding the slopes; now I'm hoping that they'll all stay inside & loose their money

For what it's worth, I'd like to offer my prediction for next season. If we have a "normal season": 75% or more of the trails open by the end of Xmas week; MLK & Presidents' week not knocked out by rain or warm weather; no late season "blizzard" (like this year); & March 15 thru the 23rd is not a run of 70 & 80 degree days, the pass holders' party will be March 15 & C'back will close on March 23. March 23, 2008 is Easter and the earliest possible date, too! They'll be able to make money on those that have the week before Easter off.

Looks like Elk will get some more of my money! They've almost always closed with some tricky message like: "If there's a big storm, we'll reopen." I think the storm two weeks ago actually forced them to stay open an extra week.

Just about when I thought that C'back was still interested in skiiers & riders (I never thought they would stay open after the passholders' party) they pull this crap! There was no mention on Friday am phone message that they would be closed mid-week, so we skipped Friday & today to take of matters that had been postponed during the season. You can count on two piste-off pass holders!

Does anyone know what once was the "Thirsty Camel" is going to be when it's completed? It looks like some sort of "quick food" emporium.

Just noticed that according to C'back's website, they are continuing to make snow. I was afraid that once they'd gotten everything open, they'd just stop for the season.

Also forgot the connector between the bottom of Cliffy & Bactrian.

I do believe that there are several "unnamed", on-piste runs at Camelback. If this is true, they should be able to claim at least 35 "slopes & trails" First, the "new" connector from the Sullivan lift to Julius Ceaser. Second, the connector from Marc Anthony to the intersection of Cleo & Honeymoon Lane. Third, the open only on weekdays connector from the top of Lower Marc to Lower Cleo. Fourth, the connector from the Baily unloading station, running under the Sullivan lift, to the top of the Rocket. Fifth, the connector from the Marc Anthony lift unloading station, skiers' right, to the top of Margie's. Last, does anyone know exactly where Big Pocono & Honeymoon Lane stop & Sphinx begins?

Plenty of strategically placed & easy to acess bathrooms = more time on the slopes

Went for the season opener (finally!) on Tuesday. Overall the conditions were great! However, where in the world do they measure the claimed 54 inched of base?????

Both turkeys & deer present "interesting" hazards to snow sport activity consumers. I for one don't want to impact either. I wonder if either are specifically mentioned in the "disclaimer section" of the lift ticket.

The local paper often runs reports of thefts reported at Blue, but very rarely anything re: C'back. Does this mean that there's less theft at C'back? I know C'back runs(?), or at least ran, security patrols of the parking lots.

I'm starting this topic over as by page two the original post was off topic! Picked up the C'back winter magazine this week (a copy did not reach me by snail mail) while picking up passes and read about the Hotel/Resort planned for C'back. There are a lot more concerns than just how it's going to ruin the slopes: (Pardon me for being Mr. Negativity.) How can the current access road handle the traffic, not just of the visitors, but the staff & deliveries? Where's the water going to come from for the indoor water park plus "domestic" use plus snow making? Anybody remember the stink re: snowmaking during the drought years in the 90's? How are they going to handle the sewage? Does anyone else see that C'back will ready to go for the second round of casino licenses? Wonder how those at Northridge will react; Skidude? Skimom? Does C'back actually own land to cut new trails or do they need permission from PA DCNR? (Yes, I'm a tree hugger who would like a few more trail cut!) Don't plan on the place staying open "late in the season"; construction comes first! Ah, well, I've got two years to enjoy what's left & start a seach for new home mountain!