Elk Mt, PA 2-4-2009

[box297]

Decided to spend the extra 45 minutes in the car to bypass the blue ridge and the poconos to get to Elk. $15 student wednesdays can't be beat. Got to the hill about 9 to find nobody there. Parked in the upper lot, which was a first for me-no hassling with the shuttle up the hill. Elk is PA's best, which isn't saying much, but still, good enough to drive the extra mileage(especially when i'm skiing all day for $15). How do I know it's PA's best? Because I hadn't skiied the entire hill by lunchtime :lol: super slow lifts may have also played a part in that...i didn't mind as it gave me some recovery time between runs and keeps the hill clear \/

a few inches of fresh snow the day before had things in decent shape...headwalls were icy, but everything else was nice. Elk also goes against conventional PA ski area wisdom and leaves a few 'expert' trails ungroomed. seneca under the double lift was skiied down to ice in spots, but still fun. run of the day was mohawk though-ungroomed and fully covered with a buttery soft mix of natural and man made snow that nobody seemed to want to indulge in. getting to make turns with no scratchy noises is a rare joy around here, so i had to take advantage. several times.

fun times in the endless mountains...temps in the teens and blue sky

tunkhannock from the quad

a nice quiet wednesday under the sun

view of the hill from the lodge

wind farm on the ridge in the distance

 

[Admin]

When I was a young kid that place always intrigued me. My grandparents lived between Easton and Stroudsburg and I always wanted to try Elk, but never did. Thanks for the pics!

 

[cornhead]

I live smack dab in the middle between Elk and Greek Peak, I would love to alternate years season's passes between the two. Elk wants double what Greek does for a season's pass. I foresee Greek's prices increasing with the development of their indoor water park. If the rates are close in the future I will probably do it. I usually make it to Elk several times a year. They have two $20 days each year, I went on the first one. It's funny, on the radio ads for Elk they say, " like skiing in Vermont without the drive". They must have been talking about Okemo, when I was there it felt just like Elk only bigger.

They seem to attract people from New Jersey, Philly, and points south. I tell people I live 40 miles due north, many are befuddled that I actually traveled south to ski.

 

[box297]

I live smack dab in the middle between Elk and Greek Peak, I would love to alternate years season's passes between the two. Elk wants double what Greek does for a season's pass. I foresee Greek's prices increasing with the development of their indoor water park. If the rates are close in the future I will probably do it. I usually make it to Elk several times a year. They have two $20 days each year, I went on the first one. It's funny, on the radio ads for Elk they say, " like skiing in Vermont without the drive". They must have been talking about Okemo, when I was there it felt just like Elk only bigger.

They seem to attract people from New Jersey, Philly, and points south. I tell people I live 40 miles due north, many are befuddled that I actually traveled south to ski.

i like the fact that it's a longer drive for most people, as it seems to keep out the 'ski-in-jeans' crowd

ever go to bellayre? i've never been and i am intrigued and wonder if it's worth it for the extra hour's drive beyond elk for me...hunter also...seems like 3 hours drive is pushing it for day trips, but maybe it's worth it?

 

[cornhead]

I ventured into the Catskills last season. Bellayre and Windham, of the two I liked Windham best. Hunter is supposedly more hard core than Windham. Then there is Plattekill, if Mad River Glen is more your speed. Plattekill is only open on weekends unless there is a foot or more of snow, then it's open the following day. I tried to hit Plattekill, but I missed my exit and decided to go to Gore instead. I had to buy contact solution and a case since I hadn't planned an overnighter.

Bellayre does have lots of specials if I recall, the day I went was a $10 day. You also ski free on your birthday, they substitute a winter month if your birthday is in the off season. They do have one high-speed chair also. Windham has a mid mountain detachable that is great to do laps on, four trails off this lift if I remember correctly. I've been there three times now, and lust after that lift for my home resort. It covers the same vert as Greek Peak's slow doubles in about three minutes. The one chair at Greek has been taking ten, it's ungodly, I'm pretty sure I could walk up the hill in ten minutes. For a measly 950ft of vert , it just plain sucks. Alas improvements are on there way, supposedly. Higher season pass rates too, I'm sure. Gotta give to get, I guess. Still can't beat Greek's season's pass rates with a stick.