Difference between revisions of "Skiing"

 
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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!  
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[[Category:Guides]][[Category:Activity]]
(that is, alpine or downhill skiing)
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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!
  
= Ski Areas =
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== Williams Ski Teams (Division I) ==
  
One question on everyone's mind: where to go? (in New England...let's not get everyone jealous or homesick by posting West Coast areas)
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*[[Alpine Skiing]]
 +
*[[Nordic Ski Team]]
  
== Massachusetts Areas ==
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== Alpine Skiing Areas ==
  
=== Jiminy Peak ===
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One question on everyone's mind: ''Where to go?''
  
Chances are, you'll get here at least once during your time at Williams (particularly if you teach, take the Ski Patrol class or race)[http://jiminypeak.com Web Site]
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Please add areas in order of increasing distance from campus . . . and stick to New England.  Let's not get everyone jealous or homesick by posting West Coast areas.   
  
Pros: ~1000 ft. vertical drop, a high speed quad, 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.
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=== Massachusetts Areas ===
 +
 
 +
==== Jiminy Peak ====
 +
 
 +
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 six-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. During [[Winter Study]], WOC runs buses to Jiminy Monday-Friday that leave at 1:00 PM and return to campus at 4:30 PM.
  
 
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.
 
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.
  
Distance: 25 minutes
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Distance from campus: 25 minutes
  
  
=== Bousquet ===
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==== 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]
 
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]
  
Distance: 40 minutes
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Distance from campus: 40 minutes
  
=== Catamount ===
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==== Catamount ====
  
 
[http://www.catamountski.com Web Site]
 
[http://www.catamountski.com Web Site]
Line 33: Line 40:
 
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.
 
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.
  
Distance: About 1+ hours south of Williamstown (especially if you go via Hancock instead of Pittsfield).  
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Distance from campus: About 1+ hours south of Williamstown (especially if you go via Hancock instead of Pittsfield).  
  
=== Berkshire East ===
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==== 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]
 
"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]
  
Distance: 45 minutes east along Rt. 2
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Distance from campus: 45 minutes east along Rt. 2
 
 
== Vermont Areas ==
 
  
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=== Vermont Areas ===
  
=== Okemo ===
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==== 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]
 
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]
  
Distance: 1 1/2 hours +
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Distance from campus: 1 1/2 hours +
  
=== Killington ===
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==== Killington ====
  
About 2 hours north of campus, not far from Middlebury, it's the biggest ski area in New England.  Not surprisingly, perhaps, it's also one of the [http://www.killington.com/liftticket.html most expensive] ski areas in New England.  [http://www.killington.com Web Site]
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Not far from Middlebury, it's the biggest ski area in New England.  Not surprisingly, perhaps, it's also one of the [http://www.killington.com/liftticket.html most expensive] ski areas in New England.  [http://www.killington.com Web Site]
  
Distance: 2 hours +
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Distance from campus: 2 hours +
  
=== Mad River Glen ===
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==== 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.
 
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.
Line 62: Line 68:
 
Distance: 3 hours +
 
Distance: 3 hours +
  
=== Bromley ===
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==== 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.
 
A fun, reasonably priced area that isn't far from campus.  It has a number of fast lifts and a wide variety of terrain.
Line 68: Line 74:
 
Deals worth considering:
 
Deals worth considering:
 
* Sunday Afternoon Passport - $29 all ages, good 12:30 through 4:00 p.m. (not available during Holiday Periods)  
 
* 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.
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* College Break - Just show 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]
 
check out the site for more details [http://www.bromley.com http://www.bromley.com]
Line 74: Line 80:
 
Distance: 1 hour
 
Distance: 1 hour
  
=== Magic Mountain ===
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==== 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.
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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/]
 
[http://www.magicmtn.com/ http://www.magicmtn.com/]
Line 82: Line 88:
 
Distance: 1 hour, 15 minutes
 
Distance: 1 hour, 15 minutes
  
== New Hampshire Areas ==
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=== New Hampshire Areas ===
  
=== Tuckerman Ravine ===
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==== 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.
 
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)
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Distance from campus: 4 hours (plus hiking)
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== Cross-Country Skiing Destinations ==
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 +
Please add areas in order of increasing distance from campus.
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 +
===Taconic Golf Club===
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 +
A nationally renowned golf course by spring, summer, and especially fall, [[Taconic Golf Club|Taconic GC]] turns cross country heaven for the long Williams winter.  You'll have to wake up pretty early to be the one to put the first tracks over the hills and dales of the cours's rolling terrain, as it is a close and popular destination for all local folk.
 +
 
 +
Distance from campus: mere minutes.
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=== Hopkins Forest ===
  
= People to Ski With =
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[[Hopkins Memorial Forest]], Williams' own gem of a forest preserve, is a cross country wonderland.  Our trail crews prioritize cross country skiing as a major use of the land in winter and maintain it accordingly during that time, and motorized vehicles are banned from the trails.
 +
 
 +
== 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.
 
* [[Alan Cordova]] will ski anywhere anytime with anyone as long as he doesn't have to pay $70 for a lift ticket.
 
* [http://wso.williams.edu/facebook/view?unix=06bwd Brendan Dougherty] likes his skiing the way he likes his beer, in that he likes them both a lot.
 
* [http://wso.williams.edu/facebook/view?unix=06bwd Brendan Dougherty] likes his skiing the way he likes his beer, in that he likes them both a lot.
 +
* The [[Nordic Ski Team]].
 +
* Members of the [[Williams Outing Club]].
  
= Lift Passes =
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== Lift Passes ==
* [[Cheap Ski Opportunities]]
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* See Willipedia's guide to [[skiing cheaply]]
 
* [http://www.allforonepass.com/college.html?pass=college All for One Pass]
 
* [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.
 
* 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.
 
* Jiminy Peak 6/7 Pass: The 6/7 Pass is valid Sunday through Friday Non-Holiday 9 A.M. to 10:30 P.M. everyday including weekends, holidays and holiday periods from 3 P.M. to 10:30 P.M.
 
* Jiminy Peak 6/7 Pass: The 6/7 Pass is valid Sunday through Friday Non-Holiday 9 A.M. to 10:30 P.M. everyday including weekends, holidays and holiday periods from 3 P.M. to 10:30 P.M.
  
= Links =
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== Links ==
  
 
*[http://nelsap.org/ New England Lost Ski Areas Project] - includes the [http://www.nelsap.org/ma/williamscollege.html Williams College ski area] and [http://web.archive.org/web/20010124033400/skibrodie.com/trail/index.html Brodie Mountain].
 
*[http://nelsap.org/ New England Lost Ski Areas Project] - includes the [http://www.nelsap.org/ma/williamscollege.html Williams College ski area] and [http://web.archive.org/web/20010124033400/skibrodie.com/trail/index.html Brodie Mountain].
 +
 +
*[http://www.familyskier.com/ Family Skier] - includes information on [http://www.familyskier.com/saving-money-on-ski-and-snowboard-trips/ how to save money on ski trips] as well as information on resorts throughout the Northeast and the West.

Latest revision as of 15:12, January 22, 2024

The snow has fallen, is falling or will soon fall. That means only one thing...ski season!

Williams Ski Teams (Division I)

Alpine Skiing Areas

One question on everyone's mind: Where to go?

Please add areas in order of increasing distance from campus . . . and stick to New England. Let's not get everyone jealous or homesick by posting West Coast areas.

Massachusetts Areas

Jiminy Peak

Chances are, you'll get here at least once during your time at Williams (particularly if you take a winter sport class with the Outing Club, take the Ski Patrol class, or race). Web Site

Pros: closest area to campus, ~1000 ft. vertical drop, a high speed six-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. During Winter Study, WOC runs buses to Jiminy Monday-Friday that leave at 1:00 PM and return to campus at 4:30 PM.

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.

Distance from campus: 25 minutes


Bousquet

THE old-school ski area (the East Coast Hyak). A tiny mountain outside of Pittsfield that has a ton of charm, from the ancient lodge to the wood-paneled lift chairs. Web Site

Distance from campus: 40 minutes

Catamount

Web Site

Pros: Dirt cheap ($15 midweek). Will probably take you the better part of the day to ski every single run.

Cons: The daunting Catapult, with pitches in excess of 60 percent, may be the steepest run in the Berkshires, but it's a bit overrated.

Distance from 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!" $25 night skiing and midweek. Web Site

Distance from campus: 45 minutes east along Rt. 2

Vermont Areas

Okemo

The nearest big mountain - but you pay for it - to the tune of $69 weekend lift tickets. Web Site

Distance from campus: 1 1/2 hours +

Killington

Not far from Middlebury, it's the biggest ski area in New England. Not surprisingly, perhaps, it's also one of the most expensive ski areas in New England. Web Site

Distance from 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 crazy deals, random powder stashes, strange sense of humor, and 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 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

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/

Distance: 1 hour, 15 minutes

New Hampshire Areas

Tuckerman Ravine

The ultimate extreme skiing destination in New England. Located in Tuckerman Ravine of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Ski season begins in March (when the avalanches begin to lighten up) and usually continues through May.

Distance from campus: 4 hours (plus hiking)

Cross-Country Skiing Destinations

Please add areas in order of increasing distance from campus.

Taconic Golf Club

A nationally renowned golf course by spring, summer, and especially fall, Taconic GC turns cross country heaven for the long Williams winter. You'll have to wake up pretty early to be the one to put the first tracks over the hills and dales of the cours's rolling terrain, as it is a close and popular destination for all local folk.

Distance from campus: mere minutes.

Hopkins Forest

Hopkins Memorial Forest, Williams' own gem of a forest preserve, is a cross country wonderland. Our trail crews prioritize cross country skiing as a major use of the land in winter and maintain it accordingly during that time, and motorized vehicles are banned from the trails.

People to Ski With

Lift Passes

  • See Willipedia's guide to skiing cheaply
  • 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.
  • Jiminy Peak 6/7 Pass: The 6/7 Pass is valid Sunday through Friday Non-Holiday 9 A.M. to 10:30 P.M. everyday including weekends, holidays and holiday periods from 3 P.M. to 10:30 P.M.

Links