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reformat by changing header levels. expanding to include cross country info (someday). additions to Jiminy
[[Category:Guides]]
The snow has fallen, is falling or [http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=01267 will soon fall]. That means only one thing...ski season! (that is, alpine or downhill skiing)
= Ski = Alpine Skiing Areas ==
One question on everyone's mind: where ''Where to go? (in New England...let's not get everyone jealous or homesick by posting West Coast areas)'
=== Jiminy Peak Massachusetts Areas ===
Chances are, you'll get here at least once during your time at Williams (particularly if you take a winter sport class with the [[Williams Outing Club|Outing Club]], take the Ski Patrol class, or race). [http://jiminypeak.com Web Site] Pros: closest area to campus, ~1000 ft. vertical drop, a high speed quadsix-seat chairlift, and good bunny hill. They sell really cheap passes for [[Winter Study ]] (some including rentals), so if you ever want to learn, this is the place - you'll be paying 10 times as much anywhere else.
Cons: Two moderately challenging runs (Upper Lift Line and Jericho once the sun goes down). Can be cold/icy. Expensive if you don't get a Winter Study package.
Distancefrom campus: 25 minutes
==== Bousquet ====
THE old-school ski area (the East Coast [http://www.hyak.net Hyak]). A [http://www.bousquets.com/trailmap.htm tiny] mountain outside of Pittsfield that has a ton of charm, from the ancient lodge to the wood-paneled lift chairs. [http://www.bousquets.com Web Site]
Distancefrom campus: 40 minutes
==== Catamount ====
[http://www.catamountski.com Web Site]
Cons: The [http://www.frommers.com/destinations/theberkshires/0989028400.html daunting] Catapult, with [http://www.forums.alpinezone.com/about2960.html pitches in excess of 60 percent], may be the [http://www.catamountski.com/mountain/Trail-map-and-trail-network.cfm steepest run in the Berkshires], but [http://216.250.243.13/discus2/messages/2508/3317.jpg it's] a bit overrated.
Distancefrom campus: About 1+ hours south of Williamstown (especially if you go via Hancock instead of Pittsfield).
==== Berkshire East ====
"Southern New England's largest and most varied ski mountain!" [http://www.berkshireeast.com/rates.php $25 night skiing and midweek]. [http://www.berkshireeast.com Web Site]
Distancefrom campus: 45 minutes east along Rt. 2 == Vermont Areas ==
=== Vermont Areas ===
==== Okemo ====
The nearest [http://www.okemo.com/okemowinter/ourmountain/trailmaps/printable_trailmap.asp big] mountain - but you pay for it - to the tune of [http://www.okemo.com/okemowinter/ratesandrentals/tixpassesprograms/lifttickets.asp $69 weekend lift tickets]. [http://www.okemo.com/okemowinter Web Site]
Distancefrom campus: 1 1/2 hours +
==== Killington ====
Distancefrom campus: 2 hours +
==== Mad River Glen ====
Say what you will about having no snowmaking, not allowing snowboarders, and having a single chair lift that takes 15 minutes to get to the top, [[Alan Cordova]] thinks that with the [http://www.madriverglen.com/deals/ crazy deals], random powder stashes, [http://wso.williams.edu/orgs/woc/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1041&g2_serialNumber=2 strange sense of humor], and [http://www.madriverglen.com/coop cooperative (not corporate) ownership], MRG rocks.
Distance: 3 hours +
==== Bromley ====
A fun, reasonably priced area that isn't far from campus. It has a number of fast lifts and a wide variety of terrain.
Deals worth considering:
* Sunday Afternoon Passport - $29 all ages, good 12:30 through 4:00 p.m. (not available during Holiday Periods)
* College Break - Just show us a valid college ID and save $10 on Weekend and Holiday lift tickets. Discount can be applied to ALL DAY regular priced tickets only.
check out the site for more details [http://www.bromley.com http://www.bromley.com]
Distance: 1 hour
==== Magic Mountain ====
Magic is pretty old -school, mainly relying on a double chair to service the peak. The mountain has a lot of character, and some really fun terrain.
[http://www.magicmtn.com/ http://www.magicmtn.com/]
Distance: 1 hour, 15 minutes
=== New Hampshire Areas ===
==== Tuckerman Ravine ====
The ultimate [http://timefortuckerman.com extreme skiing] destination in New England. Located in [http://www.tuckerman.org Tuckerman Ravine] of [http://www.mountwashington.com Mount Washington] in New Hampshire. Ski season begins in March (when the avalanches begin to lighten up) and usually continues through May.
Distance: 4 hours (plus hiking)
== Cross-Country Skiing Destinations == Please add areas in order of increasing distance from campus. == People to Ski With ==
* [[Alan Cordova]] will ski anywhere anytime with anyone as long as he doesn't have to pay $70 for a lift ticket.
= Lift Passes =
* [[Cheap Ski OpportunitiesSkiing cheaply]]
* [http://www.allforonepass.com/college.html?pass=college All for One Pass]
* Jiminy 5/7 Pass: The 5/7 Pass is valid midweek Monday through Friday Non-Holiday 9 A.M. to 10:30 P.M. and everyday including weekends, holidays and holiday periods from 3 P.M. to 10:30 P.M.