Mid-Atlantic 2020/2021 Poconos (and Greater Area) -- Conditions, Resorts, Etc.

[Willyum215]

Greetings all! I guess I'll be the one to start up this season's Poconos and the greater area thread.
I figure since the calendar now reads December it's high time to get the chatter going. This should be a very interesting and memorable season, for better or for worse.

Obviously, this season will be way different than seasons of the past, but at the very least I hope we can see it through to completion. That would mean that people are making smart decisions and playing it safely, from resort owners/management down to the day-tripper level (and the general public as well, of course). The light at the end of this Lehigh Tunnel from Hell is getting larger, and that's something to feel good about for sure.

So how is everyone in the area feeling?
What's the word on the streets of your local hill?
What are your thoughts and plans for the season right now, before any of the areas have opened?

Here's a photo from Elk this morning, we got about 2" overnight into the morning hours. It won't last but it was a welcome sight to see, and definitely got the juices flowing. Guess it's time to tune up the gear!

 

[Scrundy]

I seen the cam at Elk this morning and was surprised of how much snow they received. Also surprised they weren’t blowing yet. Me being about 30 miles north we got maybe 1/2 inch.
Don’t think I’ll be at Elk much this season seeing how they cut drastically back on night skiing. I’ll be heading north the Greek, evenings mostly.
It’s been warmer than normal fall for sure and my wood pile shows it. But we will be skiing soon enough, things generally don’t start up till Christmas Week.

 

[Willyum215]

Hey @Scrundy - good to hear from you man. Hope the offseason treated you as well as possible. My guess is that they open Elk on the 16th or 17th, we'll see.
I'll be up here more, so keep me posted. This year I may be able to swing a night session or two...

 

[4aprice]

Snow guns are on at Camelback this morning

 

[Philpug]

Fear not Pocono skiers. I recall when I was a kid, we were happy any time Camelback opened before Christmas..December 15th was a gift from the heavens.

 

[Marker]

The earliest I've skied was at Blue the day after Thanksgiving a few years back. Work and life have kept me from visiting Killington for their early season. I'm hoping to get a few days in the Poconos before heading north after the New Year's.

I still enjoy following your Pocono adventure in these threads...

 

[Willyum215]

I remember Camelback being open over Thanksgiving weekend around 5 years back or so.
Not the greatest conditions, granted, but the lifts were spinning and we were grinning.

Elk opened in early December last year, I think it was the 5th or 6th. I didn't hear the guns blowing this morning while walking the dogs though, unfortunately. The weather is looking favorable for snowmaking starting up here this weekend, fingers crossed...

 

[Marker]

I remember Camelback being open over Thanksgiving weekend around 5 years back or so.
Not the greatest conditions, granted, but the lifts were spinning and we were grinning.

Elk opened in early December last year, I think it was the 5th or 6th. I didn't hear the guns blowing this morning while walking the dogs though, unfortunately. The weather is looking favorable for snowmaking starting up here this weekend, fingers crossed...

That timing for Camelback sounds about the same for Blue.

 

[4aprice]

I remember Camelback being open over Thanksgiving weekend around 5 years back or so.
Not the greatest conditions, granted, but the lifts were spinning and we were grinning.

It may be closer to 10 years now. (2011 or 12 maybe) My son was a member of the ski team and I remember being up there in early to mid November for a preseason meeting and they were pounding the mountain and base area. They actually opened with about 1/3 of the mountain open and were almost fully open for Christmas (with bumps no less) That season on the back side ended warm and dry but I think they made 1st weekend of April.

Last year they got a good start too, unfortunately they blew a pump which really set them back. Of course the ending was far too soon.

 

[Willyum215]

It may be closer to 10 years now. (2011 or 12 maybe) My son was a member of the ski team and I remember being up there in early to mid November for a preseason meeting and they were pounding the mountain and base area. They actually opened with about 1/3 of the mountain open and were almost fully open for Christmas (with bumps no less) That season on the back side ended warm and dry but I think they made 1st weekend of April.

Last year they got a good start too, unfortunately they blew a pump which really set them back. Of course the ending was far too soon.

Scarily you may be right- where does the time go?

 

[Scrundy]

 

[4aprice]

Yep should be a good week for them to get started. Guns are on at CBK as well. Now will they be allowed to open?

 

[BC.]

Rumor at shop was Montage was attempting to open late this week.

 

[Enjoralas]

Blue Mt has posted that they anticipate opening day this Friday

 

[4aprice]

Looking at the web cam it looks like they are trying to get snow on several routes down quickly. Can see snow on Tut, Hump and Asp on the west side and from the other view looks like snow on Oak Grove at least so I bet they are making the Glen area along with Sun Bowl (new lift, hotel) too. Like the aggressiveness.

They can light it up at times

 

[Willyum215]

Elk got started late Saturday/early yesterday and is still blowing right now. You've got to love that sound!
We are supposed to have a warm-up at the end of the week and into the weekend. Hopefully, that doesn't put a wrench into any plans...

 

[Willyum215]

They are still getting after it at Elk as I type this. It's looking good...

 

[Willyum215]

+/- 3" here at Elk since about 8 AM and it's supposed to come down for a few hours more. They are blowing still, too.

JF and Blue are reporting opening this weekend, I would imagine Camelback and Elk plan to follow suit.

Looks like it's about go time!

 

[4aprice]

Camelback is pushing it off till next weekend. I have heard that after a weekend warm up (and perhaps some rain) we get another shot of cold good snow making weather and they can fire away getting more terrain covered to help with the social distancing that's required. I'm ok with that. This isn't the year to get all upset because they are not trying to be the first open.

 

[Willyum215]

Camelback is pushing it off till next weekend. I have heard that after a weekend warm up (and perhaps some rain) we get another shot of cold good snow making weather and they can fire away getting more terrain covered to help with the social distancing that's required. I'm ok with that. This isn't the year to get all upset because they are not trying to be the first open.

Looks like Elk is doing the same. I'm OK with it as well.