On skiing: After two seasons affected by COVID, it's now weather that wreaks havoc
Last year, we had to endure the height of the COVID pandemic restrictions but made it through a pretty decent ski and snowboard season. This season, we entered with eased operating guidelines for outdoor activities but had limitations on indoor activities at ski areas, including masking up and access to dining, rentals and lessons.
The big difference this season has been the weather and it has been challenging for ski area operators, skiers and snowboarders alike.
From fits and starts right through December, to January being one of the coldest on record, a virtually snowless winter, and then constant meltdowns followed by flash freezes, this season was tough to experience any consistent good conditions.
From last week: Skiers can find plenty of options at New Hampshire resorts
The last week had temperatures more typical for a month from now and it has torched the slopes. Ski areas that didn’t make enough snow when they could have are shuttered for the season, including Catamount, Big Bear and Mount Peter. Those that did make enough snow still have good bases but they are running out of skiers and riders rapidly.
Catskill resorts poised for April skiing
The big Catskill resorts of Belleayre, Hunter and Windham have solid bases on their core trails, so they can hang on for another two to three weeks. As long as there’s enough manmade snow, ski area operators can perform some amazing “snow farming” by using their grooming machines to push snow from deeper spots on trails and cover and repair bare and thin spots. I have often skied on a day where a trail looked like it was surely done for with liquefied sections and bare areas only to ski the same run a day later and find it in perfect condition.
Also, you know it will get colder and there may even be some natural snowfalls in late March and early April. In fact, the forecast for this weekend is for temperatures dipping into the teens at night in the higher elevations of the Catskills, Berkshires and mountains of New England. The major resorts in northern New York and New England are still in fine shape with most of their terrain available. Even when we’re experiencing temps in the 50s and 60s, temperatures have barely reached the 40s in those places and it’s almost always freezing at night.
I skied at Hunter, in the northern Catskills, last Thursday and the coverage was amazing after three days of bright sun and temps going into the upper 50s. Most of the trails had been groomed despite overnight temps well above freezing.
The groomed corduroy made for some sweet turns and there was a light turnout so it was easy to do laps using the Kaatskill Flyer six pack to the summit. I went to Hunter again on Monday and it was perfect spring skiing conditions. Hunter announced they are shooting for an April10 closing date and, by what I saw, the resort should make it. Windham and Belleayre should also make it to April.
Season pass sales underway
Just like the spring flowers that start popping up now, ski areas are pushing their season pass sales with early-bird discounts. Virtually all of the independent ski areas offer free skiing for the remainder of this season with the purchase of next season’s pass.
Season passes are becoming more critical to both the industry and the skiing and snowboarding public. We’ve witnessed a surge in visits during the pandemic period covering the past two years. Ski resort operators are restricting day ticket sales on weekends because of the high demand and pass holders get exclusive access on weekend and during holiday periods.
Worse is that day ticket prices have soared at bigger ski areas and you can expect to pay well over $100 for a visit with some discounts for advance purchases online. The math works quite quickly in your favor with season passes running anywhere from $400 to around $900, depending on whether they are unlimited or weekday-only pass products. Five to eight visits a season is your breakeven point and that used to be over 20 visits just a few years ago. Your downside is that you are tied to one ski area unless there are other areas tied into the particular pass program.
Vail Company’s unlimited Epic pass sells for $841 and provides access to 37 major resorts across North America. There is also an Epic Northeast local pass that covers 22 ski areas and it’s just been priced at $514 for next season.
Hunter, Mount Snow, Okemo and Stowe, Big Boulder and Jack Frost are all Epic pass resorts. The Ikon pass is similar to the Epic pass with access to nine major ski areas in the Northeast, including Windham, Killington and Stratton, and a host of premier western resorts.
If you like variety, the Indy Pass is the way to go. Indy pass ski areas that are an easy drive from our area include Shawnee and Montage, in Pennsylvania; Mohawk, in Connecticut; Catamount and Berkshire East, in Massachusetts; West Mountain and Greek Peak in New York; and Magic Mountain, in Vermont. There are others in the Northeast, including Titus in northern New York; Jay Peak and Bolton Valley, in northern Vermont; Pat’s Peak, Waterville Valley, Cannon and Black Mountain in New Hampshire; and Saddleback in Maine.
The Indy Pass allows for two free visits to each and a discounted third visit and the early-bird cost is $279 if purchased before April 1. There are some blackout dates at certain resorts — typically the busiest of days — but you can go for an unlimited pass for $379 and, in both cases, you can get a 10% discount if you are an existing pass holder and renew before April 1.
In either case, your breakeven point is only a few visits. The pass offers a lot of variety and at ski areas that don’t get overwhelmed, even on weekend days.
Think a spring conditions and happy skiing and riding!
Albert S. Neubert is a freelancer writer. This is his last column of the 2021-22 ski season.
Email him at asneubert@aol.com or follow him on Instagram at @asneubert.
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Weather wreaks havoc on eastern ski resorts after COVID issues
