I just got mail with this printed in bold on it, and I got all excited.

It was from a driveway sealing company, not my pass.

Bummer!

Following up on my last thread: I’m choosing between the Mantra 88 and Anomaly 88 as an East Coast hard-snow complement to my QST 100s. I’m 6’2”, 205 lbs, looking for strong edge hold, stability in chop, and good torsional rigidity without feeling dead. If you’ve put time on both, how do they compare?

I'm in my mid-40s and only started skiing last year. My first trip was to Stowe in February and I had a blast. I felt like I took to it right away. Throughout March, I went to a few other places around MA & CT and it was an absolute shitshow. I couldn't control my speed, I was just barrelling wildly down the moutain, sometimes on my skis, but sometimes...not. I wound up stuck on the bunny hills as even greens were out of the question. I did take some lessons but I still struggled terribly when on my own. Now, I know a large part of this is the fact that I was a new skiier in March in the northeast. Conditions were not optimal, to say the least, but it was still so, so discouraging.

I'm starting to think about this upcoming ski season and trying to map out where I want to go. I really really want the first place I go to to be a real confidence booster. Meaning, something with some green trails that aren't very steep and aren't very long. I just want to be able to say "yay! I conquered a green without winding up in a heap at the bottom of the hill!". So, where to first? I have an Indy Pass so I'd prefer one of those resorts, but I'm open to doing something else. Wherever I go, I will certainly be taking lessons.

Where I've been:

• Stowe: did great but stayed in learning area
• Catamount: did good in learning area, biffed it on green
• Butternut: did good in learning area, wound up walking down a green crying
• Southington: went down the bunny hill 30 times (I counted). I didn't fall at all but I didn't feel totally in control either.

I think I've heard of places doing early bird discount tickets before. Are there any southern VT mountains that do something like this?

That or whiteface..

We usually do a family ski trip and a few of the people are once a year skiers who already complain about ticket prices before we start planning the trip. Wondering if I can find a way to get better prices for them.

Planning a trip to jay peak in February. It’s been a long time since I’ve been there, before Covid. Is there ever any issues getting lift tickets? Should we buy them sooner than later? Thanks!

I know Pat's Peak is the go to recommendations but they don't seem to have multi week program for my 7 year old and they're also about 45 minutes further. Mcintyre has 1 hour lessons for my 4 year old and 2.5 hour lessons for my 7 year old which sounds pretty great.

And they’re $145?!?! Am I losing my mind? Weren’t they only $85 last year?

My wife is from Georgia, and I'd say can confidently conquer any green trails in the East. I grew up on Mt. Snow and can ride blacks with no problem (we both ride please don't make me do moguls)

We moved to Concord, NH last year and spent the season at Pat's so she could get back in the swing of things after living in Albuquerque for awhile. We're both college students now, so we're shopping for college passes but I'm finding it hard to figure which mountains are gonna be best for us. I'm sure there's a bunch of people on this sub that know where we should go.

She's ready to start crushing blues. I'm mostly just along for the ride until she catches up, but it does matter if a mountain has fun technical terrain for me too. Thinking Pat's is a little too small for us now, but not sure if Gunstock or Sunapee are worth the extra cash and time in the car. Let me know what you would do in our situation! BTW our days off are Sunday+Monday.

P.S. Need a new helmet, if you've got a large men's helmet that isn't crazy old DM me

Need full set ups (boots, skis, bindings, skins) for a family member.

Feels pretty similar

Just retired (yay) and thinking about getting a Stowe weekday pass. What time do I have to get there realistically to get 10 before 10. Any tips on where to park? Sequence of runs?

I’m looking for a new mid-90s ski to use as a daily driver on the East Coast. I already have the new QST 100s, but as a bit of a gear head, I don’t mind adding another pair even if it’s not strictly necessary. I just sold off a pair of Atris and an older set of Head Kores, and now I’m looking at the Blizzard Anomaly 94 or the Ripstick Black Edition 96.

For context, I ski about 40 days a year, mostly in the East, and I’m in Atomic Hawx 130 boots. I’ve heard the Ripsticks actually rip harder than you’d expect for their weight, but I’ve never been on them myself. Has anyone here spent time on either of these skis?

Hey folks - I have a pair of Ripstick 96’s in 172cm length. I love this ski but they are a tad short for me - at my size I wish they were the 180cm length. I was hoping to find someone that already owns this ski in 180cm but wishes they had the 172. If so, would love to arrange a swap.

I fully realize this is a Hail Mary, but mine are in excellent condition, only ridden 20 days max. I’m willing to make serious concessions in any trade, so if you “qualify” please DM me!

I'm located on the Seacoast and looking for somewhere to mount my skis without breaking the bank. I got new Armada ARW 88s and I'm planning at buying SPX bindings from evo, but mounting at my local shop seems like it will be $80+? Can anyone help me mount these skis or know anywhere in the NE where I can get them mounted for a good price? I'm willing to drive anywhere!

I am primarily a backcountry skier and currently only have a pair of black crows freebird navis in 169. I love them, but they can be tough on the days my friends convince me to go to the resort. So I am looking to get an alpine setup again and looking for a recommendation.

I am 5’10” 170lbs with an intermediate-advanced skill level. When I’m at the resort, the groomers are my conduit to more featured routes and I spend my day in the trees whenever the conditions allow. I’m looking for something that is nimble enough to toss around in the glades, but don’t chatter and scare the crap out of me on the bombs to lift like my Navis.

Currently catching my eye are: * Ripstick 88 * Rustler 9 * Maverick 88Ti

Anything else I should bel looking at or anyone have experience with these skis on the east coast?

Hey fellow Ice Coasters, I'm looking for advice on communication systems, preferably in-helmet ones. Anyone on here have any recommendations or feedback from personal experience?

The ski area that offers free skiing

Article: https://www.powder.com/news/indy-pass-back-on-sale

Key takeaways:

• Pass goes back on sale 8/28
• "Dozens" of new areas in 10 countries (US, CAN included) to be added
• Learn to Turn Pass debuting - 3 days of rentals, lessons and lift tickets at participating ski areas. $189 for new members; current Indy Pass holders get 2 referral codes to reduce price to $149

Seems like some good value adds. Does the L2T pass sound like something good that you or a friend would utilize? And what areas are you hoping will join - realistic or not?

A ski hill could actually exist in Connecticut without snow making, how times have changed.

Includes Mountain Creek, ORDA mountains (Belleayre Gore Whiteface), Plattekill and some more. Appears you cannot use one pass 3 times at same resort, but two is OK.

I am surprised by how many people don't know this. I wouldn't drive very far to ride it but if you are in Stowe, why not.

If you don't have your pass on you, go to the window and they will give you one for free.